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.

“A number of years ago, I innocuously banged my leg: this led to 4 months in hospital including 3 weeks in ICU and being discharged with my right leg amputated above the knee.” 

This is what happened to John McCarthy. On Tuesday 16 June at 2.00pm at the Health Matters meeting, he will give us a talk based on his journey following this traumatic experience and his understanding of sepsis of which he had no prior knowledge.

Dates for your Diary

2.30pm – Monday 8 June 
General Interest – The Reality of Putin’s Russia Today
It’s a welcome return for Andrew Baker, author, historian and retired headmaster, who gave us his talk “Swinging Sixties” last year.  Andrew will tell us the scarcely believable story of how Vladimir Putin and his KGB acolytes captured the Russian state while enriching themselves, casting democracy aside and, through serial corruption, expropriation, assassination and judicial and ecclesiastical skulduggery, reconnected with Russia’s autocratic past before taking on Ukraine and the West to become the world’s pariah nation.

Outing – Monday 15 June
The Garden Group is organising a self-drive visit to Crookley Pool NGS Garden on Monday 15 June. The cost is £10, payable on arrival in cash. The 3-acre, partly walled garden, built around an old swimming pool, has been in the same family for 3 generations and the wisteria which covers the walls and terraces is about 100 years old. For the past 33 years, interesting and unusual perennials, shrubs and trees, including salvias and tender exotics from the greenhouse, have been planted to create a colourful paradise swarming with wildlife particularly in the wildflower meadow. The address is Blendworth Lane, Horndean, Hampshire, PO8 0AB. If you would like to go, click on the link to contact Peggy Pye by email. 

2.30pm – Wednesday 17 June
Arts and Heritage – Shoreline Artists on the South Coast 1750-2015
In this talk, Dr Gill Clarke explores how artists from the 18th century to the present day have been inspired by cliffs, beaches and harbours on our South Coast. She will draw attention to “Storms and Safe Havens” and works by Constable, Turner, Ravilious and Kurt Jackson.
Dr Clarke has published widely on 20th century British Art and guest curated exhibitions at Pallant House, Chichester; St. Barts, Lymington and many others. She was also visiting Professor at the Otter Gallery at the University of Chichester from 2012 till its closure in 2018.

Around & About

• Exciting new opportunity!  The Petersfield u3a Learning Grant Scheme is live until 17 July. This pilot scheme for 2026 offers interest groups an opportunity to apply for funding to support activities that will broaden or enrich members’ learning experiences. All the information you need is available on our website – just click on this link. We look forward to hearing from you.
  
• Interest Hub News – The Interest Hubs will be holding their second round of meetings in June. One big topic will be around the Learning Grants which all groups are entitled to apply for. This is a chance to make your views known and ask any questions. Do ask your Group Convenor about the Hubs and feed in any comments you have about anything to do with your u3a. And remember, it doesn’t have to be the Convenor who comes to the Hub meeting – any group member can represent the group.
  
• Garden Group Expansion – Jenny Stevinson, convenor of the Garden Group 2, has announced that the Group is expanding to include 2 sub-groups. These will continue to meet in members’ houses but will get together for combined visits, talks and other events where there is space for a larger number. There is room for a few new members – you should be a keen, hands-on gardener, willing to welcome group members into your home and garden and occasionally lead a discussion on gardening topics of your choice. For more information, click on the link to contact Jenny Stevinson by email.
  
• A ‘thank you’ … On behalf of the MC and u3a Petersfield, we would like to say 'Thank you' to two of our volunteer members: Sue Besant – who acted as Membership Secretary and Liz McMurchie – who recorded who had attended the open meetings and sent the results to the relevant convenor.  Both ladies ensured that these important sectors ran smoothly whilst Russ and Sandy Stephens were away and we appreciate their efforts
  
• And a ‘welcome' … On behalf of our members, the management committee would like to welcome Patrick Rudden. He has become a committee member and is our new Treasurer: we look forward to a long and productive partnership.
  Our previous Treasurer stepped down due to a heavy workload on another charity project.

Have Your Say

‘Connect’ always welcomes news and feedback from Petersfield u3a members via The Editor

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 next issue of ‘Connect’ will be emailed to you on Friday, 12 June, with a copy deadline for all contributions of Monday, 8 June.