Most recent Monthly Memo (August 20)
Latest Newsletter (July 20)
Latest Wetherby News Article (May 20)
U3A Community Page (July 2020)
Wetherby Foodbank, Appeal
The rise in the number of people who need to use foodbanks as a result of the current coronavirus crisis has been in the news recently. Many people donate to the food bank in Wetherby, however, as a result of the closure of churches and self-isolation, it is now more difficult to give but the need is more urgent the ever. Please, if you can, give food and other essential items.
The Wetherby Food Bank also accepts donations of money, if that would be easier. Details about how to do this can be found here.
5th June BBC Any Questions programme in St James’ Church – Cancelled -to be rescheduled by the BBC
18th June Showcase at Boston Spa Methodist Church. – Cancelled – to be rescheduled
30th September Wetherby & District U3A Annual General Meeting in Wetherby Methodist Church at 2:30 pm.
WETHERBY AND DISTRICT U3A SCOTTISH HOLIDAY
13 – 18th August 2021
Due to the Covid 19 pandemic our 2020 holiday to Scotland this summer has been cancelled, disappointing many of us who were really looking forward to it – but the good news is that it’s on again for 2021! The Itinerary remains exactly the same and once again, we’ll be journeying from Wetherby with Deirdre Brown Travel, one of the U Ks most respected companies, renowned for their luxurious leather-seated coaches, with food and drinks on board, together with their high-end choice of affordable hotels and excellent food.
Very briefly, our itinerary includes a visit to:
- The famous Rosslyn chapel en route
- Scenic drives along the shores of Scottish lochs and visits to Scottish gardens
- Edinburgh, for a visit to Holyrood Palace, the Scottish Parliament building and the evening Tattoo
- A day in Glasgow visiting the cathedral and a selection of museum and art galleries
- A Heritage train ride along the shores of the River Forth
- A visit to the Kelpies and the Falkirk wheel
We’ll be staying at the 3*Winnock Hotel in Drymen – a former Coaching Inn, north east of Edinburgh – for breakfasts and most dinners.
The cost of the holiday is £835.00 with a single supplement of £105.00.
Accommodation is in double or twin rooms and at present there are a number of single rooms available but these have proven to be very popular, so it is advisable to book these early.
For a full itinerary and any further information including a booking form, please contact me, Barry Atkinson, on 01423 331419 or email at john_barry44@outlook.com
(please note the underscore between john and barry!)
Proposed New Group: Drama
Audio Visual Spanish
It’s been decided to repackage and relaunch the intermediate Spanish classes. Click here for more information.
The following groups are currently looking for new members – See the Monthly Memo for more details
- Art Appreciation
- Enjoying Musical Theatre
2020 should have been an exciting and memorable year for Wetherby and District U3A with various events taking place between April and June to celebrate our 10th anniversary. Unfortunately, although 2020 is proving memorable, it is for the wrong reasons. Sadly, it will always be remembered for the COVID-19 pandemic with the associated dreadful consequences, particularly the tens of thousands of deaths affecting so many families. Due to the crisis all our 10th Anniversary events have been postponed, but the good news is that arrangements are being made to hold all the events in 2021, as follows:
Anniversary Lunch – New date – 21st April 2021 at the Bridge Hotel. The guest speaker will be Julian Norton – The Yorkshire Vet. For those who bought tickets for the 2020 event, the menu will be the same as that arranged for the initially planned event, so your food orders have already been noted. Should the new date not be convenient, or you do not now wish to attend, then please contact Margaret Grant, who will arrange for your payment to be refunded. Margaret can be contacted by telephone on 01423 359961 or by email at fmgrant@hotmail.co.uk A waiting list for tickets is being kept, so please contact Margaret if you wish to be included on the list. Further details will be circulated in due course.
Table Games afternoon. New date – 27th April 2021
Folk dancing. New date – 28th May 2021
Showcase Display of group activities – 17th June at Boston Spa Methodist Church
BBC Any Questions – Initially due to be held in Wetherby on 5th June as one of the highlights of W&D U3A anniversary celebrations, this national radio programme continues to be broadcast, but without a live audience. Liaison is continuing with the BBC so that once the situation allows, it may be possible to bring the programme to Wetherby.
Groups and individual members are asked to put forward ideas for the celebrations. Please contact:
John Pentith (Vice Chair) pentith@gmail.com (01937) 574965
National AGM
U3A National AGM is planned for 29 September 2020:
- Notification of AGM
- Election of Directors
- Regional Trustee Role(Director)
- Supporting Statement
- Director Nomination Form
National News Letter
Here us a useful list of venues which can be hired by U3A groups in the Wetherby and District area:
WiSE, Wetherby in Support of the Elderly are a long established local charity. Due to a long standing trustee moving from the area, they are keen to recruit a new trustee with an interest in reducing isolation in the elderly which in turn helps to improve mental health and independence.Anyone who would like more information should contact the Chair of Trustees, via the email address info@w-ise.org.ukDetails of the charity’s objects are available on the Charity Commission website and WiSE has its own website including activities and services available to people in the Wetherby area.
VE Day and VJ Day 75th Anniversary events
W&D U3A has been involved in the planning by Wetherby Town Council and Welcome to Wetherby for events in May 2020, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of the war in Europe – VE Day, and also in August to commemorate VJ Day – victory over Japan.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis, and the uncertainty as to when it will be possible for large gatherings to again take place, a decision has been made to cancel both events and replace them with a single VE/VJ Day event on Monday, 3rd May 2021.
Before the onset of the crisis, it was initially planned that the very first event of the VE anniversary weekend would be Rex Stott and the U3A ukulele group performing a wartime themed singalong in the Town Hall. Rex and the group will now perform at the 2021 event.
Last year we received a presentation from Linda Glew highlighting a project led by Leeds Older People’s forum in partnership with Leeds City Council with the aim of building an more Age-Friendly Community. Here are some of the ways you can get involved:
Age Friendly Ambassadors
Age Friendly Ambassadors are individuals from organisations, businesses or communities who can help us to make the communities of Leeds Age Friendly places.
Ambassadors may promote Age Friendly Leeds within their workplace, sports team, place of worship, with family and friends or anywhere in their community. You can find out more, watch our short film and sign up as an Age Friendly Ambassador here.
Alongside the guide, we have introduced a convenient online sign up for organisations to state what actions they intend to take and receive Age Friendly and Dementia Friendly stickers for their premises, free publicity, updates and support.
Shine Magazine
A new publication supported by Leeds City Council, the Shine magazine, has been created in response to the Coronavirus crisis. It shares the stories of older people in Leeds and is available both online and offline. The first three issues can be downloaded from the Shine magazine website – https://timetoshineleeds.
News Letter from YAHR covering COVID-19 guidance and two interesting creative opportunities
Information has been received about various Yorkshire and Humberside U3A events taking place this year.
- Captain Cook and Whitby Experience: Cancelled, sorry.
- YAHR Summer School/Summer Break with Learning: Monday 27th – Thursday 30th July.
- Yorkshire Energy Doctor is offering a free and fun on-line training course of three sessions starting on Wednesday 3rd June at 10:00 am for 1.5 hours per session. Click here to register
Please have a look at the following requests sent to us by local charities looking for volunteers to help run their organisations.
Interested in Joining the Wetherby Performance Ensemble?
Here are some links to local services and other sources of local information.
Wetherby Library and Tourist Information
Wetherby in Support of the Elderly
Wetherby Helping People in Crisis
The Better Wetherby Partnership
Here are some other nearby U3A organisations
Also have look at these other free learning sources
MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses – they’re all free)
TED Talks (Online lectures – there are loads to choose from)