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.

This is the beginning of the end for dementia.

On Tuesday 20 January at 2.00pm at the Petersfield Community Centre, Michelle Stokes, Community Speaker for Alzheimer’s Research UK, will give a talk entitled Protecting Brain Health: Supporting the search for a cure. While dementia and, specifically, Alzheimer’s disease may not seem the most uplifting topics to start 2026, Michelle assures us that her talk will be an uplifting one. She will focus on the current research strategies being undertaken by the UK’s leading dementia research charity, whose vision is to create a world free from the fear, harm and heartbreak of dementia and will also give some tips about how to keep our own brains active.

Dates for your Diary

Monday 12 January at 2.30pm
The Other Alec Guinness Story

Wednesday 21 January at 2.30pm
Close to Power: A Westminster Life

Tuesday 27 January at 2.00pm
An Introduction to Quasars

Wednesday 28 January at 10am – 12.30pm
u3a Welcomers Coffee Morning (All new and existing members welcome)

Monday 9 February at 2.30 pm
Prague and Mozart’s Travels

Around & About

• After organising and ordering tickets for the summer season at Chichester for several years, Chris and Julie Burton have decided to step back from this role because of personal and family commitments. They are therefore looking for a willing volunteer(s) to take on this responsibility. It is not particularly onerous, and they are very happy to offer help and advice where necessary. Please contact them via the Chichester Festival Theatre group page on the u3a website.
  
• On Monday, 23 February 4.30pm – 5.30pm, Churcher’s College is inviting u3a members to another ‘hands-on science workshop’ in the Science block at the college. The topic is The Structure and Function of the Eye and will include a dissection, which should be very interesting. Absolutely no previous experience is required!
  To book your place (and for more information if you haven’t attended before), please email lin.piatek@gmail.com by Wednesday, 11 February.
  
• The Film Study group (2nd Thursday 10.30am – 12.00pm) has been running successfully since May 2024, and a small number of vacancies exist. Rather like a book club, we view a film at home and then discuss it at our monthly meeting. The films are chosen for their fame over the decades and current availability. The meetings are wonderfully stimulating, educational and often hilarious!
  If you love film, you are welcome to pop in and join us in the Committee Room at the Petersfield Community Centre.
  
• Did someone give you a DNA test for Christmas, but you do not know what to do with it? Then we can guide you. Why not join the Family History 2 group (2nd Wednesday 10.00am – 12.00pm except July and August). Our next meeting is on Wednesday, 14 January 2026, in the PCC Exhibition Room, where we will be talking about where to find records for our non-conformist ancestors, but we are always happy to dive down another ‘rabbit hole’ when needed.
  Please email franceslake2@gmail.com to let us know that you are coming or contact us via the Family History 2 web page.
  
• There are two vacancies in the Current Affairs 1 group (3rd Thursday 10:30am – 12:00pm; room hire costs about £10 per year). The activities of the group are what it says on the tin, and current affairs discussions include: heavy and lightweight issues; local, e.g. planning; closure of Rowan Ward; national, e.g. health services; assisted dying; politics; international, e.g. Gaza; US elections; and personal, e.g. prescription charges.
  Starter topics are suggested for each meeting, and further topics are volunteered by members in the meeting or are generated spontaneously.
  We try to keep a lid on party politics, although these enter our lives in many ways, so meetings can be lively, but views are treated respectfully – unless, of course, you are wrong!
  Please contact the convenor, Peter Gillard, petegillard@yahoo.com, if you are interested.
  
• The Painting group (next meeting Tuesday 13 January 11am – 1.00pm then alternate Tuesdays after that) has two vacancies and would welcome applications from potential members, whether already on the waiting list or not. The group is an informal one where help is available. Please contact Pam Gruber via the website.
  
• The Petersfield Dippers wish u3a Petersfield a “Happy and Healthy 2026”.
  Come and join us and find out how happy and healthy we are, and you could be too!

Have Your Say

‘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, 23 January, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 19 January.