I think that most people will now have heard the sad news of the death of journalist and TV presenter, Esther Rantzen?
What, perhaps, is less well known is that, following her very successful founding of 'Child Line', she went on to establish 'Silver Line'. Since it's foundation, Silver Line has now been incorporated into Age UK and is a dedicated service for people who are feeling alone.
Sarah, our Groups Coordinator, suggested that we have the Link on our website - and I totally agree! We like to think that anyone who joins our u3a would not be lonely, but loneliness can affect anyone at any time or perhaps you know someone who could benefit from this free service?
Everyone needs someone to talk to sometimes. Silver Line is there 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please take a moment to look at this link so you can let others know there is always somebody there for them.
https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/helping-you
Somerton u3a AGM
Our AGM this year was held on Friday 22nd May. Under our constitution, there will be changes to the Committee this year, with the Chairman and Vice Chairman both stepping down. We NEED members to join the Committee to take on the roles necessary to keep our u3a running. We have 540 members to date - we need a Committee of 12.
The Financial Report and Minutes of the meeting can be found under the AGM 2026 Button. The financial report was passed at a SGM held at the September meeting.
UPDATE Under a provision in the constitution, I am now into my 5th year as Chairman, but things must change! If you think you have the skills to take on some of the roles performed by the Committee, then please speak to us. You are needed! Please don't leave this until the final moment.
OPEN/ENROLMENT DAY
Our Open Day, which this year was held on the 28th. August at the Edgar Hall, was an opportunity for members to re-enrol, for the Groups to display what they do and to recruit new members. Refreshments were served throughout the morning and it was an opportunity for friends to gather together, enjoy the atmosphere and bring along guests who may want to find out what we are all about.
Our volunteers worked hard and we signed up over 60 new members!
We look forward to meeting our new members at the Monthly Coffee Mornings, if not before.
SAFEGUARDING POLICY
Following an enquiry last year, Somerton u3a contacted the Third Age Trust regarding Safeguarding and we have put a Policy in place.
Safeguarding is something that involves the Committee, Group Leaders and every member of our u3a.
There is a copy of our Safeguarding Police on the website and can be found by following the Link on the Welcome Page, and I invite everyone to read it.
Our Safeguarding Officer is Annette Sparks, our Secretary, who can be contacted through this website.
MEMBERS' PORTAL
A LINK has been added to the Welcome Page - Somerton U3A Members' Portal. By following the Link, members are invited to enter their membership number (on your membership card), name, email address and post code. You will then be able to update your personal details, VERY IMPORTANT if you are changing your email address. The Link will also give you a list of Groups and highlight the Groups that you are a member of.
It would appear that quite a few members have not been receiving the information sent out in recent months via the Beacon system. Please check that your details are correct.
AVALON NETWORK
U3A's throughout the Country are separated into Regions and each Region is separated, voluntarily, into Networks. Somerton u3a, in the SW Region is a member of the Avalon Network.
The Avalon Network comprises of Camelot (Castle Carey), Chard, Ilminster and District, Crewkerne & District, Martock & District, Somerton and Street & Glastonbury. The Network tries to meet when possible, the purpose being to exchange ideas, experiences, problems and to form friendships and cooperation.
Somerton u3a has a reciprocal arrangement with the other u3a's within our Network. This arrangement allows the Members of the individual u3a's to join a Group of another u3a, without having to become an Associate Member of that u3a - subject to conditions. Those conditions are:- There is room within the Group for them, without displacing 'home' u3a members; the rules and regulations of the 'home' u3a are abided by, members contribute to any payments made by that Group for room hire etc. and it is agreed by the Group Leader. This reciprocal arrangement was designed to allow members to join a Study Group that was, perhaps, not offered at their 'home' u3a. A good example of this is the German Study Group, set up by Martock initially, held within Somerton but made up of members within the Network.
Following a long period of not meeting, we hosted a meeting on 31st March 2025. All u3a's within the Network were represented and we sadly said 'goodbye' to Val Warren (Crewkerne) who had been the Co-ordinator for many years. Val had decided to step down for various, very understandable, reasons. I would like to say 'Thank you' to Val for all the tremendous work she has done throughout that time. She will be a hard act to follow!
Since then we have had 2 more meetings and the most recent, held in October 26 was hosted by Street & Glastonbury.
Steve Davis Avalon Network lead.
GROUPS NEWS
Since our Enrolment day we have had new Groups starting and new Groups planed. Please visit our Groups Page to find out what we are doing and the opportunities for you to join in.
The Su3a Flickr site contains a vast collection of photographs from over the years and can be reached using the button above.
The pictures appear as a continuous stream in the order they were entered onto the site. You can view them like this or:-
Go to the top of the page and select 'Albums'. This will open all the individual sets and you can select the ones you wish to look at. By viewing this way you should also be able to see details of the event and any comments!
Feel free to 'like' or 'follow' or give an feedback you think appropriate.
If you would like your photos added, I would be very pleased. Please get in touch.
Steve Davis
Web Manager
SOMERTON U3A ARCHIVES
Are you one of our early members? Have you anything about our U3A from those early days? If so and you think it is relevant would you please get in touch with Joan Banbury or any member of the committee.
Joan is currently archiving electronically, lots of the U3A material. Can you help?
ALL GROUPS
If you would like information or news about your Group displayed here, or other information placed elsewhere on the website, then please get in touch with Steve Davis by email Chairman
Links
