NEWS for ...
Petersfield u3a members

Welcome to our latest e-newsletter, giving a quick summary of what’s happening within Petersfield u3a. To find out more, click the blue links to go straight to our website.

None of us wants to spend time in hospital, particularly if an emergency means we are admitted out of the blue – no pun intended! – so knowing more about what to expect if the unthinkable happens would be helpful.

On Tuesday, 18 November at 2 pm at the Petersfield Community Centre, Dr Qian Yue Tan, a Consultant Geriatrician at Portsmouth Hospitals University NHS Trust, will give a talk entitled Getting Older: what do ‘Geriatric’ and ‘Frailty’ mean? Together with Sister Debbie Cartmell, lead specialist nurse of the Frailty Interface Team, she will discuss what geriatricians do and how she and her team work together to support older adults who are admitted to hospital (and their families).

Dates for your Diary

Monday 10 November at 2.30 pm
Annual General Meeting, chaired by outgoing chairman Charles Price, followed by a talk on Modern Day Smuggling

Tuesday 18 November at 2 pm
Getting Older: what do ‘Geriatric’ and ‘Frailty’ mean?

Wednesday 19 November at 2.30 pm
The History of Costume Jewellery

Tuesday 25 November at 2pm
Our climate is changing: will humanity starve?

Wednesday 26 November at 10 am – 12.30 pm
u3a Welcomers Coffee Morning

Monday 8 December at 2.30 pm
Christmas Celebration

Monday 15 December at 10 am
3^rd Annual Christmas Backgammon Tournament

Around & About

• Don’t forget the AGM on Monday, 10 November at 2.30 pm at the Petersfield Community Centre. So much ‘behind the scenes’ work has gone on during the past year to ensure that the Petersfield u3a keeps going and growing. Your presence will support the Management Committee members and all other volunteers. In addition, a quorum is needed so every member’s attendance really counts.
  
• The Backgammon – Friendly group (Monday 10 am – 12 pm St Peter’s Court, Hylton Road, Petersfield) have resumed their weekly meetings as of 3 November. In addition, all u3a members are welcome to attend the Christmas Backgammon Tournament as players (please register via the link with the group convener) or as observers.
  
• Brian Mayo, convener of the Jazz Appreciation group (last Wednesday, 2.30 pm – 4.00 pm, Petersfield Community Centre), is looking for someone to take over his role at any time during 2026. This allows plenty of time for a willing volunteer to gradually learn what the role involves, with the added advantage of being able to share it for a while. The programme for 2026 is already set, but can be varied. Members – over 30 in total – organise and present the sessions so that different types of jazz are covered. Activities include watching live jazz or recorded sessions on a big screen. For further details, contact Brian Mayo, Jazz Appreciation Convener.
  
• Convener Angie Robinson writes: Last month, the Greek (Modern) for Improvers group enjoyed a wonderful Greek-themed evening at the Gallery No.30 restaurant in Petersfield. This included Greek bingo, music and an excellent meal! A great night was had by all.

Have Your Say

As the end of the year is in sight, why not acknowledge the hard work of so many Petersfield u3a members throughout 2025 by going public in 'Connect'? 

"I'd like to thank Titian Fleming, Esther Jones, Lyn Piatek and Peggy Pye (and their predecessors/teams) for organising all the talks at the Community Centre. How lucky are we to enjoy such variety!"  Liz W. 

“A big “Thank you” to Chris and Julie Burton for organising tickets at Chichester Festival Theatre for I don’t know how many seasons. Thanks to their generous efforts, I have enjoyed many productions with excellent, reasonably-priced seats. (I’m just sorry I never met them there, despite always asking those in adjacent seats.)”  Steve W.

‘Connect’ always welcomes news and feedback from Petersfield u3a members via editorconnect@petersfieldu3a.org.uk

To ensure the e-newsletter is easy and enjoyable to read and that the style is consistent, the copy is likely to be edited. The original version of any submission (plus photographs) can be posted on the relevant page on our website and easily accessed from ‘Connect’ via a link.

The next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Friday, 21 November, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 17 November.