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, simply click onto the blue links to be taken straight to our website.

Busker sparkles at our Christmas party!

Some 70 partygoers enjoyed drinks, delicious nibbles, and a Christmas cryptic quiz while being entertained in fine voice by Archie Mac (pictured), who sometimes busks outside Waitrose. Among his wide selection of Christmas favourites and songs from musicals was a wonderful encore of Music of the Night from The Phantom of the Opera. ‘You could have heard a pin drop’ said one u3a member, ‘He was very, very good’. Thanks and congratulations to the ‘u3a party team’ for their work on this truly excellent start to the festive season.

Dates for your Diary

Monday 12 January 2.30pm
The other Alec Guinness story

David Jeffery covers the period of 40 years when the Guinness family (Alec, Merula and their son Matthew) lived in Steep Marsh. Other local places they knew well include The Harrow Inn in Steep and St Laurence’s Church.  

Tuesday 20 January 2pm
Protecting brain health: supporting the search for a cure
Michelle Stokes of Alzheimer’s Research UK gives positive outlook on current research strategies, together with tips on keeping our own brains active.

Wednesday 21 January 2.30pm
“Close to power: a Westminster life”
A fascinating view from Peter Hill, formerly a regular presenter of ‘Yesterday in Parliament’ and BBC Parliamentary Correspondent.

Tuesday 27 January 2.00pm
An introduction to Quasars 
After a career in IT, and with a PhD in Astronomy, David Youll now researches galaxies and quasars. He will demonstrate what amateur astronomers can achieve at home. 

Around & About

• Members of the Churches & Pubs group became would-be campanologists during their December visit to Holy Trinity Church in Privett. Under the careful guidance of Ian Hughes (who also led a tour of the church), some eight members climbed up the bell tower to try their hand at bell ringing. It's harder than it looks! The group went on to visit St Simon and St Jude in Bramdean before enjoying lunch at The Flower Pots Inn in Cheriton.
  
• The Watercolour workshop u3a group currently has a vacancy. Contact the convenor, Keith Evans, via the website.
  
• Would you like to give something back to the u3a for the value you get out of it? You can help ‘make it happen’ by volunteering, and at the same time you can make new friends and enjoy new experiences. Whatever time and skills you have, there’s sure to be a role that suits you. Click here to learn more.

Have Your Say

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

To make sure the e-newsletter is easy and interesting to read and the style is consistent, 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 9^th January 2026 with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday 5^th January.