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.

Travel across Europe with Mozart

Well known in u3a groups for intriguing talks that blend travel, history and culture, Jan Parsons will take us on a journey across Europe. Starting at 2.30 pm on Monday 9 February at Petersfield Community Centre, the journey begins with Mozart’s visit to Prague, passing by his home in Salzburg to some great European cities of culture and ending in Vienna. Jan will explore why Mozart undertook all these journeys and what led to the tragic end for such an incredibly gifted musician.

Dates for your Diary

2.00 pm - Tuesday 17 February
Health Matters - Driving Safely for Longer
Since retiring from the Police, Rob Heard MBE has become a leading voice in road safety for older drivers. Passionate about helping people stay confident, informed and safe on the road, Rob will also cover his work in Roads Policing, Royalty Protection, VIP security and leading major investigations. This enjoyable talk is a ’must’ for anyone who drives – or plans to keep driving – for years to come.

2.30 pm - Wednesday 18 February
Arts and Heritage - Comparing two geniuses, Constable and Turner
Bob France’s talk looks at two of Britain’s greatest painters, J.M.W. Turner and John Constable, who were also great rivals. Marking 250 years since their births, an upcoming exhibition (see below) explores their intertwined lives and legacies. Discover must-see artworks such as Turner’s later paintings that shocked the art critics, and Constable's ability to capture the changing light of an English sky.

2.00 pm – Tuesday 24 February
Science and Technology - Dog Cognition
Dr Juliane Kaminski is an Associate Professor at the University of Portsmouth and will speak about the work of the Dog Cognition Centre, Portsmouth. Domestic dogs have been living with humans for about 15,000–30,000 years, and may have evolved specialised cognitive skills to adapt to their unique habitat, the human environment.

Around & About

• Excellent news for all our theatre goers: Janette Edmondson has kindly volunteered to take on the role of ticket coordinator, and her details will appear on our Petersfield u3a website group page shortly. The new season at the Chichester Theatres is fast approaching and will be published on Thursday, 12 February. Details will be available on both the theatre's and our u3a website (Chichester Theatre group), so please take the opportunity to check these out. Bookings will be taken from 13 February.
  
• Following the Arts and Heritage Group talk on 18 February about the Constable and Turner exhibition, the Group will visit the exhibition at Tate Britain on Friday, 6 March 2026, at a cost of £40 per person. This amount covers exhibition entrance and coach costs. Deadline for booking is 16 February.
  
• The Painting group (next meeting Tuesday 10 February 11 am – 1.00 pm, 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.
  
• Another artistic opportunity is available with the Watercolour workshop, which meets every Friday from 10 am to 12 pm at Petersfield Community Centre. There is currently space for new members. Always wanted to try? Now’s your chance….
  
• On Monday, 23 February, 4.30 – 5.30 pm, 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.
  
• A very successful Sunday lunch gathering at The Folly wine bar, where 18 members enjoyed a delicious Sunday Carvery. Look out for the next lunch!

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, 20 February, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 16 February.