Somerton u3a AGM
Our AGM was held on Friday 23rd. May. The Financial Report and Minutes of the meeting can be found under the AGM 2025 Button.
Our AGM this year will be 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.
Under a provision in the constitution, I am now into my 4th 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 22nd. 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 80 new members!
We look forward to meeting our new members at the Monthly Coffee Mornings, if not before.
Photographs of the 2024 Open Morning can be viewed on our Flickr site
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
It was a pleasure to be able to present a gift and card to Margery Puddy on her 100th birthday!
Margery, a founder member of our u3a, was made a Life Member at our 25th Anniversary celebrations, and is still an active member.
Margery puts her longevity down to Somerton fresh air and eating local. I trust that keeping active plays a strong part as well!
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, Crewkerne & District, Martock & District, Somerton and Yeovil. 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 EXCEPT for Yeovil (this is because they operate a different membership fee system to the others). 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. 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!
Following a brief discussion - and show of hands, I have now taken on this role and am looking forward to this new challenge.
Steve Davis
GROUPS NEWS
Cribbage
We are a friendly group of Cribbage players.
Cribbage is a card game for 2-4 players that involves playing and grouping cards in combinations which gain points using a board with pegs for scoring.
While the game is important so is the social aspect and refreshments.
Please don’t worry that you don’t know how to play – everyone starts at the beginning. A Beginners Group could be formed if enough people are interested.
German Conversation
A German Conversation Group is being held at the Edgar Hall. This is organised as a Joint Group within the Avalon Network.
As a member of our u3a, you are free to join this Group under the terms of being a member of the Avalon Network.
Please visit the Group's page to find out full details.
Jazz Appreciation
This group is thriving and also enjoying extra-curricular activities. This included a visit to Cossington Village Hall Jazz Club to hear Roger Mark’s Cornish Armada, followed soon afterwards with a visit to the Tacchi-Morris Theatre to hear A.J’s Big Band Classics.
Quiz Group
The Quiz group meets in the Sports Club, Gassons Lane, Somerton on the 3rd Monday at 2 p.m.
They are always looking for new members.
Mahjong
We have two Mahjong groups and they both have vacancies. The beginner’s group meets in Langport, every Thursday afternoon. The more experienced players meet in Curry Rivel on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings. So, if you have a set on your shelves but never knew what to do with those interesting looking tiles, or you just haven’t had anyone to play with for a while, join us.
Scrabble
Would you be interested in joining a new Scrabble group? Please contact Jane Redgrove.
French Conversation
Ann Barrow now leads this group. She is anxious to emphasize that this is a self help group rather than being led by one teacher. Recently they each translated the first paragraph of a favourite book and the others tried to recognize the book.
They meet on the 2nd Thursday, in each other’s houses, and could take two new members. Contact Ann for more information.
Spanish Conversation
The Spanish Conversation group can also accommodate a few more people. Please contact David Robins for details.
We have many more groups than are mentioned here. Details on the Groups Page
Or you can contact our new Groups Coordinator Sarah Terry.
Social Bridge
The Social Bridge group can accept some new members. Helga arranges sets of four and each set make their own arrangements for playing in each other’s houses. Please contact Helga for more information via the Groups Organiser at groups@SomertonU3A.UK
Access to Our Photos
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
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