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.

Osteoporosis and the importance of diagnosis in avoiding bone fractures

The “silent disease” osteoporosis, which causes bones to become brittle, is often not diagnosed until after a hip or wrist has been broken in a fall. At 2.00pm Tuesday 17 March, Dr Mark Edwards, consultant rheumatologist at QA Hospital, will talk about how previous diagnosis (usually via a bone density scan), subsequent fracture risk assessment and a range of new and established therapies could help to avoid fractures in the first place.

Dates for your Diary

6.00pm Wednesday 25 February
Deadline for booking seats at Chichester Festival Theatre

Details of the summer season and how to request tickets are now available on our u3a website. If you are reading this on the day of distribution of Connect, Friday 20 February, you have only 5 days to respond to Janette Edmondson via gildenburgh@gmail.com DON’T DELAY; BOOK TODAY!

4.30pm – 5.30pm Monday 23 February
Outing Science and Technology – The Structure and Function of the Eye
Churcher’s College

2.00pm – Tuesday 24 February
Science and Technology – Dog Cognition 

Friday 6 March
Outing Arts and Heritage – Turner and Constable Exhibition Tate Britain
9.15am departure from Petersfield Festival Hall Car Park 

2.30pm – Monday 9 March
General Interest – Yvonne Cormeau SOE
Yvonne was the least known, but probably the most successful of the agents parachuted into occupied France in WW2. This talk will be given by Paul McCue, military historian, author, and Executive Trustee of Secret WW2, a UK-based charity. 

2.00pm – Tuesday 24 March
Science and Technology – What has DNA ever done for us?
This talk will be given by “self-confessed nerd” Sam Robson, University of Portsmouth Professor of Genomics and Bioinformation. Click on the link to find out more about his work and other interests – it’s absolutely fascinating!

Around & About

• The Arts and Heritage group urgently need someone to take over the job of organising speakers for the group. Esther Jones has been in this role since the group started, but has asked to stand down; the members are extremely grateful for all her efforts. However, member Joan Shepley writes, "If we do not find someone to take over from Esther soon, then I think our group would struggle to carry on". Esther has generously continued to book speakers up until July 2026, so it would be ideal if we could find a volunteer or two who could take over and receive her valuable support before she finishes. If you think you could help us and would like to find out more, please contact the group via the link.
  
• Book Circle 6 (second Thursday 2.30pm in members’ homes) has two vacancies. The group reads a mixture of novels and a couple of non-fiction books each year. The members’ main aim is to encourage the reading of books they wouldn’t normally read, so they cover a range of genres. “We don’t ‘pick the book apart’ but find it usually generates some interesting discussions while we have our coffee and cake.” For more information, contact Shelly via the link.
  
• New members would be very welcome at the Handbell Ringers group (Friday 2.15pm – 3.45pm Perry Room, Winton House Centre) so that they can widen their already varied repertoire. This small, friendly group have two octaves of American handbells which they ring using standard stave notation. No experience is necessary, but the ability to read music is essential. Why not come along and try your hand? For more information, contact convenor Hilary Ilston via the u3a website.
  
• The Welcomers Lunch Club is preparing to hold its next event at 12.00pm on Wednesday 4 March at The Square Brewery, Petersfield. All u3a members are welcome.
• Members will need to book via our u3a website or contact Marion Flett via marionflett@hotmail.com. Marion will need your menu choice at the time of booking (on or before 28 February), and everyone will be responsible for paying for their own food and drink on the day.
  
• 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.
  
• Earlier this month, the Make! Workshop group (first Monday 10.30am – 12.30pm) made fingerless gloves from old cashmere sweaters. They make something different every month, and it’s always fun. Next month, they will try Japanese braiding. For more information, email the convenor at jennystacy6@gmail.com

Have Your Say

“The Sunday meal sounds good.  I will look out for some more information on this.” Janet Godwin 

‘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, 6 March, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 2 March.