Madeley&District

Handbook2017

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Contents Page

MadeleyandDistrictU3A 2

Activities 2

Non-members 3

NewsofU3Aevents 4

Subscriptions 4

Howtojoin 5

INTERESTGROUPS

1. Amblers 6

2. ArtAppreciation 6

3. Bookgroup1:FirstEdition 7

4. Bookgroup2:Shortcuts 7

5. Bookgroup3:Non-fiction 7

6. BritishArmyatWar 8

7. CardandBoardGames 8

8. Croquet 9

9. DigitalWorld 9

10. DiscussionGroup 9

11. FamilyHistory 9

12. Film&TheatreGroup 10

13. FrenchRefreshers 10

14. FrenchImprovers 10

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15. FrenchReadingGroup 11

16. GardensandGardening 11

17. GeologyforAll 11

18. Latin:RefreshersandNovicesGroups 11

19. LocalOutingsGroup 12

20. MusicGroup 12

21. PaintingandDrawing 13

22. PatchworkandQuilting 13

23. Philosophy 13

24. Photography 13

25. Ramblers 14

26. TableTennis 14

27. T’aiChiChuan 14

28. TangentPoetryGroup 15

29. Tennis 15

30. DiningandLunchClub 16

31. U3AQuizNight 16

U3ATeaandChat 17

InterestGroupGuidance 17

FormingaNewGroup 18

GroupCoordinators 18

TheGroupsSecretary 19

Timetabling 19

Financialmatters 20

U3ATimetable 21

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Madeley&DistrictU3AMadeley and District University of the Third Age (U3A) is a charity run by volunteers to serve the communities of Madeley, Betley, Keele, Whitmore, Baldwins Gate, Woore, Onneley and the wider area around. U3A is linked to the Third Age Trust (http://www.u3a.org.uk/), which has over a quarter of a million members nationwide. We provide educational and social activities to enrich the lives of the retired and semi-retired. However, there is no upper or lower age limit, so the club is open to all who are free to benefit from the activities on offer. Most events occur during the daytime on weekdays, although a few are in the evenings. It is necessary to become a member in order to participate.

ActivitiesMadeley and District U3A offers the following types of activities:

1. Monthly Talks

Second Thursday of every month, 2.00 – 3.30 pm, there is a talk by an invited speaker. This normally takes place in the double community room at the Madeley Centre. At these meetings, event announcements are made and new members may join. Following the talk, members have an opportunity to socialise in the cafeteria of the Madeley Centre.

2. Interest groups

Interest groups listed in this booklet are correct at the time of printing. However, new groups are added from time to time in response to demand and the emergence of willing coordinators. Members may join as many or as few interest groups as they wish. Most groups meet in the Madeley Centre but as the number of groups expands we aim to

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offer them in other local villages. Smaller groups meet in members’ homes.

3. Excursions

Visits by coach to places of interest are arranged from time to time.

4. Social events

We hold occasional social events such as dinners and music.

Non-membersTo benefit from U3A activities you should normally be a member. However,

1. Members showing a current membership card from another U3A may attend Monthly Talks on payment of the normal fee, currently £2.

2. Non-members may also sample one free session of an interest group meeting before joining.

3. Excursions and outings of all kinds are only open to current members of Madeley & District U3A. This is a requirement of the Third Age Trust insurance and equally applies when members use their own transport. An exception is made for carers who may attend events without charge.

The policy is not only driven by insurance considerations. We work hard to organise events and to negotiate discounts for members and it seems only fair to restrict the benefits to those who have paid a subscription. The U3A is also a social organisation and we aim to create a convivial environment where new and old members feel at home among fellow members.

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NewsofU3AEvents1. On the U3A Notice Board in the Madeley Centre you will find the

monthly programme with details of all events and interest groups.

2. Our Website http://madeleydistrictu3a.wordpress.com has the latest information about U3A events and the current timetable is displayed on the front page.

3. Email is used to send new information and reminders, so we encourage all members to get onto email. If you do not have access at home you can get a password to access the computers at the Madeley Centre, and someone will help you to set up your own email. If you need help you can also talk to U3A committee members: Rob Wilcox (01782 751735) and Steve Hurd (01782 750338). Some members use the emails of their children or neighbours.

4. Our Facebook page is: https://www.facebook.com/madeleyanddistrictU3A/

Subscriptions£12.50 Current annual subscription (your membership card acts as your

receipt of payment and entitles you to discount at some stores e.g. 10% at Cotswold Outdoors.)

£2 For each interest group meeting attended in the Madeley Centre or other hired venue.

£1 For all other U3A events – including interest group meetings in homes, walking groups, excursions (including the dining and lunch club) and small groups that meet in the cafeteria.

The combined subscription income covers room hire, external speakers’ fees and expenses, equipment purchase and hire, printing and advertising.

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It includes an amount that goes to the Third Age Trust. This provides insurance cover and free copies of the house journal “Third Age Matters”, which is posted directly to members’ homes. Some activities involve additional costs e.g. materials, travel, entrance fees. Group coordinators and committee members are volunteers but they may claim essential expenses e.g. photocopying, cost of refreshments provided for group meetings in members’ homes.

HowtoJoinWe hold an annual enrolment event at the Madeley Centre – usually in September, but you can enrol at any time of the year.

You can also enrol at our Monthly Talks (second Thursday of every month at 2pm in the double community room at the Madeley Centre).

Membership forms are available on the U3A noticeboard in the Madeley Centre, by post and can be downloaded from our website: www.madeleydistrictu3a.wordpress.com. They should be posted, with a subscription cheque (currently £12.50) payable to “Madeley & District U3A”, to our membership secretary:

Hilary Hurd, 31 Greenmeadows Road, Madeley, Crewe, CW3 9EY.

E-mail: h.hurd@keele.ac.uk Telephone: 01782 750338

IMPORTANT: Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you want your membership card to be mailed to you, otherwise you will need to make arrangements to collect them. The latest edition of the Handbook can be picked up in the foyer of the Madeley Centre.

You may sample one indoor event before joining.

Members of other U3A’s may attend Monthly Talks on payment of the entrance fee. To take part in interest groups they must become a full member of Madeley & District U3A.

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InterestGroups2016

1. AMBLERS (1st Tuesday and 4th Wednesday, am)

Coordinators: 1stTuesday: Bob & Jane Beckett beckettbob21@hotmail.comandjane-beckett@hotmail.co.uk 01782 750715 4th Wednesday: Mike Stead mwstead@aol.com 01782 750084

These groups undertake short local walks of 3 to 4 miles, often followed by coffee in the Madeley Centre. They are a good opportunity to take gentle exercise and socialise. Dress for the weather: boots and waterproofs.

Start times: Madeley Centre at 9.20 for a 9.30am departure.

2. ART APPRECIATION (3rd Thursdays, 3.15-4.30pm) Coordinator: Hilary Hurd h.hurd@keele.ac.uk 01782 750338

This group is for those wishing to improve their knowledge of art. Most of us have little knowledge of the art world, past or present, but we love visiting art galleries and exhibitions and are keen to learn more about what we are looking at, who painted, sculpted or assembled it and how it fits in with different movements in the art world.

We decide topics together and use resources on the Internet or in books to find out about the subject we have chosen and pool our information. You are welcome to lead on a topic but there is no pressure to do so. We also make occasional visits to art galleries and exhibitions for private group tours, entertain guest speakers and go to art screenings at the local cinema.

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3. BOOK GROUP 1: First Edition (2nd Tuesday, 1.30-3.00)

Coordinator: Carolyn Brown school_farm@btinternet.com 01782 750913

A group for people who like to discuss what they have read or who enjoy trying different novels suggested by our members. Book titles are usually selected 2-3 months ahead and range from classic authors to first time writers. In the past year we have discussed 'Appletree Yard' by Louise Doughty, 'Elizabeth is Missing', by Emma Healey, Anthony Doerr's ‘All the Light We Cannot See' and Trollope's 'Christmas at Thompson Hall and Other Christmas Stories'. If you are interested, please come along to one of our meetings.

4. BOOK GROUP 2: Short Cuts (4th Tuesday 10.30-12.00)

Coordinator: Celia Fanstone cfanstone@btinternet.com 01270 820407

Members of this group usually select shorter novels or "novellas". As well as discussing the books as a whole we spend some time examining text/ structure/ writer's techniques/ skills etc. The member who introduces the session usually spends some time placing the book/author in context with some biographical details.

Books/authors considered to date include: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens / A day in the life of Ivan Denisovitch by Solzenitshyn/ and Of mice and men by John Steinbeck. The group may visit a particular author more than once. There is no requirement to lead a session.

5. BOOK GROUP 3: Non-fiction (2nd Tuesday, 2.30-4.00pm)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

This is an opportunity to share and discuss some of the many interesting and well-written non-fiction books.

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We read biographies, history, travel writing and books on current issues and ideas. We normally choose books to read a month or two ahead. Everyone, including those who didn't get beyond page one, can enjoy the discussions. Meetings are held at the coordinator’s home.

6. BRITISH ARMY AT WAR (Wednesday 2pm ad hoc)

Coordinator: Ian Walton ianwalto@aol.com 01270 820051

Meets in Betley Village Hall Committee Room. The meeting days and times vary and are agreed by the group, but are usually on a Wednesday afternoon. The aim is to familiarise ourselves with the organization, tactics and strategy of the British Army at War. It is hoped that members of the group may have knowledge of relatives who were involved in 20th Century wars and if possible follow their progress at group level. We explore How to research records. Sample topics: The organization of the Army - Tactics and Strategy - Western Front Action - Details of relatives involved and the search for records - Practical examples of local people who have traced their relatives – Possible planning for a battlefield tour.

7. CARD & BOARD GAMES (1st & 3rd Thursdays, 1.30-3.00pm)

Coordinators: Elizabeth Walklett 01782 750145 elizabethwalklett@hotmail.com Myra Okey 01782 750580

We play a variety of card, board and other indoor games. Popular games are scrabble, backgammon, 15 spot dominoes, rummikubs, whist, mixed grill, sevens but we can play any games members wish and acquire necessary equipment. Come along. Absolute beginners welcome. It’s fun, a great way to meet some very nice people, to learn, improve, socialise, enjoy!

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8. CROQUET (Monday, 2.00-4.30pm in the playing season)

Coordinator: Phil Gay ro.gay@btinternet.com 01782 750038

We play at The Old Vicarage, Madeley. Beginners and experienced players welcome. No need to own a mallet initially.

9. DIGITAL WORLD (4th Thursday, 11.00-12.30 & 1.00-2.30pm)

Coordinators: Rob Wilcox robertwilcox@btinternet.com 07896 364274 John Smart john.smart@btinternet.com 07860 684449

This group is for people who wish to know more about the digital world in which we live today. It could be computers, laptops, iPads, iPods, cameras, photography, radios, mobile phones, televisions, internet; or downloading films, books and music; or e-mailing, texting, facebook, twitter or Skype. The group is both for beginners and for more experienced people, who wish to share their knowledge.

10. DISCUSSION GROUP (4th Wednesday, 2.00-3.30pm)

Coordinator: Gordon Lancaster glancaster104@gmail.com

We discuss a wide variety of current issues. Topics are suggested by members and drawn out of a bag at each meeting, so discussions are spontaneous and interactive.

11. FAMILY HISTORY (3rd Friday, 10.30-12.00am)

Coordinators: Chris Hawksley cmhawksley@gmail.com or phone 01270 820049 Irene Garner irene.garner@talktalk.net This group meets for mutual support in tracing our ancestors and covers all aspects of Family History research. A theme is chosen by the group each month, which we then explore; by pooling our knowledge through

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discussion, sharing documents/records/photographs/on-line resources, but mainly by eliciting advice from our resident expert, Irene Garner! No experience necessary, just a willingness to share ideas and explore the past. 12. FILM AND THEATRE GROUP (3rd Monday, 7.00-8.30pm)

Coordinators: Glenda Miller g.miller5@btinternet.com 01782 752556

We go in small groups and individually to films and plays at local cinemas and theatres and then meet in the evening at The Sneyd Arms in Keele to have a drink and a friendly discussion about what we have seen. We also decide what we want to see in the next month.

13. FRENCH REFRESHERS (1st & 3rd Mondays, 11.00-12.30am)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

If you already have some French from long ago and want to relearn from scratch then this is the group for you. We follow the BBC French Experience 1 course – which comes with a book, audio CDs and videos. This course is designed for adults and starts from the very beginning with greetings and numbers and progresses quite quickly with a focus on everyday French. It is ideal for those of us wishing to improve our vocabulary, kick-start our reading and listening, and prepare for some basic conversation. 14. FRENCH IMPROVERS (2nd & 4th Mondays, 11.00-12.30am)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

This group is for those who have a reasonable level of basic French e.g. GCE O/A level followed by adult education classes. Your knowledge may be a little rusty or perhaps you just want to maintain the French you already know. We use the BBC French Experience 2 course, which comes with a

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book, CDs and videos. We focus on improving our listening skills, widening vocabulary, and support this with basic conversation practice. We cater for a wide range of ability but not beginners.

15. FRENCH READING GROUP (4th Mondays, 10.00-11.00)

Coordinator: Ruth Bale ruthbale@btinternet.com

This new group is for those with a reasonable level of French. The group reads and discusses shorter, accessible books in French. We also tackle some French novels e.g. Madame Bovary.

16. GEOLOGY FOR ALL (1stTuesday,3.00–4.30pm)

Coordinator: Gordon Lancaster glancaster104@gmail.com Even if you have little knowledge of geology and perhaps think you are not really interested in it, this course has been designed for you and for those who would like to know a bit more. It is a fascinating subject, with a wide range of other topics linked to it. Many illustrations, jargon minimal and explained, and questions are positively welcomed.

17. GARDENS & GARDENING (As arranged)

Coordinator: Seeking a coordinator

This new group is for members who are interested in all aspects of gardening and garden design. The group will make periodic visits to interesting local gardens.

18. LATIN (Fortnightly, Tuesdays, 10.30-12.00 or 2.00-3.30)

Coordinator: Monica Swinburneswinburnem8@gmail.com

Two small groups, each meeting fortnightly. If you have studied Latin long ago, and would like to revive your knowledge, please enquire.

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Refreshers (1st and 3rd Tuesdays 10.30-12.00) This group uses as text book 'Wheelock's Latin, 7th edition'. We look at the structure, grammar, sound and vocabulary of Latin, paying particular attention to its influence on English and other European languages. The group has progressed to reading short extracts from Classical Latin authors, as well as continuing with Wheelock. The Refresher group currently has 10 members, so can welcome a few more if they have adequate past experience of the language (O Level, GCSE or above).

Novices (2nd Tuesday 10.30-12.00 in the Madeley Centre and 4th Tuesday 2.00-3.30 at a private house in Newcastle.) Currently reading Book 2 of Oxford Latin Course. Space is limited in this group.

19. LOCAL OUTINGS GROUP (As arranged)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

This group undertakes half-day outings by sharing cars to places of local interest. Venues might include such places as: Dorothy Clive Gardens, Biddulph Grange, Emma Bridgewater Pottery, Nantwich Town Centre, Bridgemere Garden Centre, Dagfields Crafts & Antiques, Fordhall Organic Farm, Wedgwood Pottery.

20. MUSIC GROUP (1st Monday, 7.00-8.30pm)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

The Music Group welcomes anyone who wishes to share a love of music. Members bring along, play and talk about their favourite music. We share a broad taste in music and are happy for it to be widened further. In the past, members have chosen their Tingle Factor music, Desert Island Discs, works by Bach, Britten, Brahms, Dvorak, the Beatles and Ella Fitzgerald, the Great Divas, Music and Mood, the Music of Mali, Rachmaninov, the music of Scandinavia, the String Quartet and the Concerto.

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21. PAINTING AND DRAWING (2nd & 4th Mondays, 7.00-9.00pm)

Coordinator: Graham Coates grahamcoates.gc@gmail.com 07967 579136

Have fun and enjoy Painting and Drawing in all media and techniques. Learn the basics of drawing and painting and unlock your talent! No experience necessary just a desire to have a go. Catering for all skills from beginners to advanced.

22. PATCHWORK & QUILTING (4th Wednesdays, 2.00-4.00pm)

Coordinator: Helen Corbett helencorbett@netzero.net 01782 752200

This group allows members to come together to share their knowledge while working on new patchwork and quilted items. If you are new to this skill then others in the group will help you to get started. It is an opportunity to meet like-minded individuals, to share ideas and make new friends.

23. PHILOSOPHY (As arranged)

Coordinator: To be confirmed

This group comes together to learn about different aspects of philosophy.

24. PHOTOGRAPHY (1st Monday, 2 to 3.30pm)

Coordinator: Roy Gadsden roygadsden@btinternet.com 01782 752533

Taking photographs has never been so popular and our photography group members take pictures on everything from mobile phones, to any pocket compacts, through to full size DSLRs. One of our key objectives is to have fun whilst improving our hobby and enjoying each other’s company. We try and take the best pictures we can with whatever gear we use, so we share ideas and help each other out, both from an artistic view point and technical know-how. We also have regular outdoor trips to various locations to practice our skills. For the past two years, we have had a display of some of our photographs on the wall in the Madeley Centre.

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25. RAMBLERS (3rd Wednesday, 9am to 5pm)

Coordinator: Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 07773 972601

This group undertakes all-day walks of 6 to 9 miles in beautiful countryside within one and a half hours drive from Madeley. We normally meet at 8.50 to arrange car sharing before a 9am departure and return between 4 and 5pm. Lunch is usually in a pub.

What to bring: Walking boots, warm and spare clothes, waterproof jacket and over-trousers, light snack.

26. TABLE TENNIS (Madeley: 1st Wednesday 3.30-5.00, 2nd Wednesday 7.45-9.15, 3rd Monday 10.45-12.15, 4th Thursday, 2.30-4.00pm Betley: 1st Monday 10.30-12.00, 3rd Thursday 2.30-4.00)

Coordinator: Chris Wright chrisandsuewright@gmail.com 01782 750870

We welcome players of all levels of ability, including beginners and those who haven’t played for years. Don’t feel embarrassed if you think you are no good at it. Come along, give it a go, have some fun and get a bit of exercise. We’ve had beginners making remarkable progress in a very friendly and welcoming group, with gentle instruction to help you improve. We have 4 tables in the Madeley Centre and 3 at Betley Village Hall. Bats and balls are provided.

27. T'AI CHI CHUAN (1st and 3rd Thursdays, 1.30-3.00pm).

Co-ordinator: Kay Manning manningsdandk@tiscali.co.uk 01782 750541

T’ai Chi (the supreme ultimate boxing system) is a 700 year old Chinese form of exercise; a martial art slowed down to stylised movements called the "form." Learning this takes time. Each session consists of warm-ups, qigong (pron. "chee gung"- movements with deep breathing), the form. T’ai Chi is a gentle form of exercise which is suitable for anyone of any age or

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level of fitness. It is not suitable for anyone wanting strenuous exercise or anyone who can only come occasionally - learning is cumulative.

What to wear: any non-constricting clothes. Feet are either in thin- soled, flexible shoes, in socks with a grip or bare. Training shoes should be avoided if at all possible.

28. TANGENT POETRY GROUP (1st & 3rd Thursday, 10.30-12.00)

Coordinator: Celia Dempsey 01270 618098 celia.dempsey2@yahoo.com Mike Murray 01782 751422 mcj2murray@yahoo.co.uk

If you love poetry then you are welcome to join us. We are a group of members who have a love of language in its poetic form. As a member you are free to choose any poet or type of poem you like and we will arrange a future date on the calendar for you to introduce it.

Within the format of the meeting we look at poetry through an understanding of rhyme. You are free to choose your own particular interest in whatever form you desire. These meetings are introduced and are led by any member who has chosen that poet, poem or form of poetry. No special knowledge or skills are required just a passion for poetry.

During the last year or so meetings have been spent not just looking at chosen poets but at poems in the form of ballads, sonnets, odes, blank verse and 'the great iamb'. We have also looked at how types of rhyming scheme are used and some may say abused. The opportunities for discussion of poetry in the future are only limited by time.

We hope meetings occasionally invigorate that rare quality when studying language in its poetic form - a sense of pleasure and delight.

29. TENNIS (Mondays 2.00-4.00, in summer, as arranged)

Coordinator: Sheila Brooks sheilaebrooks@hotmail.com 01270 820500

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Beginners and experienced tennis players alike, please join us for a fun afternoon. Thanks to the generosity of Gillian and Roger Goodwin we are able to play tennis in the wonderful setting of the former Madeley Vicarage. Please come with your own racket and balls and suitable clothing.

30. DINING & LUNCH CLUB (Last Tuesday of the month)

Coordinators: Dinners (7.30pm): Chris Hawksley cmhawksley@gmail.com 01270 820049 or 07771755307 Sheila Nolan sheila.nolan10@talktalk.net 01782 625014 or 07957 707265 Lunches (12 noon): Kay Manning manningsdandk@tiscali.co.uk 01782 750541

On the last Tuesday of every month we alternate a U3A Members’ Lunch with a U3A Members’ Dinner. The lunches are usually held in a local pub. It is an opportunity to get to know other members over a simple meal and a drink. If the location is suitable we offer a short pre-lunch walk to give people an opportunity to work up an appetite. The dinners are in the evenings in restaurants within the locality. We try, where possible to negotiate a fixed price menu and members pay for their own drinks and share lifts. Each year we hold a Christmas lunch with optional walk.

31. QUIZ NIGHT (2nd Tuesday, 7-9 pm)

Coordinator: Chris Wright chrisandsuewright@gmail.com 01782 750870

U3A quiz night takes place in the cafe area of The Madeley Centre. The questions are varied with some quite challenging, others easy and amusing, including picture and music questions. Just Jane offers a choice of good quality meals at an amazing £5 and drinks are available. No pre-booking is required, just come for 7.00pm, bring a pen and if you are not already in a team we will soon arrange for you to join one. It’s a great opportunity to eat, drink, chat, socialize and maybe achieve glory by winning.

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U3ATeaandChatOn Thursday afternoons we invite members to meet in the Madeley Centre cafeteria at 3pm for tea and cakes. This is an opportunity to meet and make friends and catch up on the news. It is also an opportunity for non-members to come along find out about the U3A and join us as members.

InterestGroupGuidanceThe U3A encourages members to design and operate interest groups as a focus for learning in a social setting. Each group may have one or more Coordinators, who are volunteers from within the membership of the U3A. Where expertise is needed, but not available within the current membership, groups may invite a suitable person from outside to become a U3A member in order to guide the group in their chosen field.

Information on proposed and new interest groups is given at our Monthly Talks on the second Thursday of each month (2.00-3.30pm). The latest information is also placed on the U3A notice board and published on the group website.

For all matters concerning a particular interest group, members should contact the individual group coordinator. For general advice on running interest groups, including timetabling, membership and venues, coordinators should contact:

The Groups Secretary: Edwina Fowler, edwina.fowler@live.com01782 680429 or, when the Groups Secretary is unavailable, the Chair: Steve Hurd, stevejhurd@gmail.com, 01782 750338

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FormingaNewGroup1. If you have an idea for a new interest group, that you think will be

attractive to others, please pass details to the Groups’ Secretary, who will publicise the idea to other members.

2. An initial meeting of those interested will confirm the title, agree a brief description of the aims of the group, and identify a suitable meeting time and venue.

3. The first meeting will be publicised in a Monthly Talk (second Thursday of each month), on the notice board and website.

4. Once the group has a clear idea of the size of its membership it may be necessary to switch to a larger or smaller venue. This may necessitate a change in the meeting time, though we will try our best to accommodate everyone’s wishes.

GroupCoordinatorsThe group coordinator’s responsibilities depend upon the nature of the group. In some groups, the coordinator may have the role of teacher, with the aim of facilitating learning in the group. In other groups the coordinator will be responsible, with others, for bringing the group together to agree a programme, the timing and venue of meetings and publicising the activities of the group and forthcoming events.

The group coordinator will check from time to time that each member of the group has a current U3A membership card. For meetings in the Madeley Centre, an attendance register must be kept and evacuation instructions given in case of fire. Non-members are encouraged to join a group for one “taster” session by arrangement with the Coordinator. U3A members may, by agreement with the Coordinator, join a group at any time.

If your group is full and more members wish to join, we ask Coordinators to keep a list together with emails and telephone numbers. Once the list has

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three of four names, inform the Groups Secretary who will try to find a Coordinator for a parallel group. Expansion may also enable a group to split to reflect different interests e.g. branches of history or literature.

From time to time groups may want to open up particular events to the entire membership of the U3A. For example, the art appreciation may open up a bus excursion to a gallery. A group hosting an interesting speaker may open this to all U3A members and arrange a larger room, making an appropriate charge, to accommodate the event.

Groups may wish to present their work at a meeting of the whole U3A.

TheGroupsSecretaryThe Groups Secretary is the member of the U3A Committee whose role it is to give advice and help with the setting up of new interest groups and to be the first point of contact over such matters as:

• Identifying new group coordinators, induction and support. • Organising periodic meetings of group coordinators to share ideas,

discuss new initiatives and identify and find solutions to problems. • Publicising new interest groups.

Timetabling• Timetabling of U3A Interest Groups is organised to allow for maximum

participation by avoiding clashes with other related groups and helping each group to identify a suitable venue.

• Each month group Coordinators are asked to send details of their forthcoming meeting to the timetabler:

Trish Jackson trishcaryl@outlook.com 01782 750684

Trish prepares the timetable for publication on the group website and for posting on the noticeboard.

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Coordinators should consult the Timetabler if they wish to change the timing or venue of their meetings.

FinancialmattersOnce members have paid their subscription they can enrol for as many or as few interest groups as they wish (so long as each group they wish to join can accommodate them).

Each interest group should nominate a group treasurer to collect the attendance fee from group members. Members of groups using rented rooms contribute £2 per session. All other groups contribute £1 per session. We may need to close down groups that are consistently not covering their costs or find an outside venue (e.g. the homes of members).

Other costs that may have to be met by group members include:

• Car sharing: (number of miles x 30p x number of cars) divided by the number of people, including the drivers on the trip.

• Coaches (collect sufficient in advance to cover hire charges + 10% tip for the driver).

Coordinators will be able to make claims for reasonable expenses (after gaining prior approval from the Treasurer) e.g. • Tea/coffee and biscuits provided when groups meet in a member’s

home. • Photocopying or printing.

All payments made to people and organisations outside the U3A must be made by the interest group’s treasurer handing money collected from the interest group to the U3A Treasurer, who will then pay on behalf of the U3A.

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U3ATIMETABLE WEEK1

WEEK1 M T W T Fam Table

TennisBetley

10.30-12.00

Amble9.30-12.00

FrenchRefreshers11.00-12.30

LatinRefreshers10.30-12.00

Poetry10.30-12.00

pm Photography2.00-3.30

Croquet&Tennis2.00-4.30MadeleyOldVicarage(Summer)

Geology3.00-4.30

BritisharmyatWar

2.00-3.30Betley

villagehall

Card&boardgames

1.30-3.00Taichi

1.30-3.00Tea&Chatfrom3.00

Musicgroup7.00-8.30

Tabletennis

3.30-5.00

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WEEK2

WEEK2 M T W T Fam

FrenchImprovers11.00-12.30

LatinNovices10.30-12.00

pm Bookgroup1FirstEdition1.30-3.00

MonthlyTalk2.00-3.30

Tea&Chat

Croquet&Tennis2.00-4.30MadeleyOldVicarage

Bookgroup3Non-fiction2.30-4.00

Evening Painting&drawing7.00-9.00

QUIZNIGHT

7.00-9.00

Tabletennis

7.45-9.15

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WEEK3

WEEK3 M T W T Fam French

Refreshers11.00-12.30TableTennis10.45-12.15

Latin

Refreshers10.30-12.00

Ramble

Leaving9amreturnby5pm

BritishArmyatWar2.00-3.30BetleyVillageHall

Familyhistory10.30-12.00

Poetry10.30-12.00

Croquet&Tennis2.00-4.30MadeleyOldVicarage

Card&boardgames

1.30-3.00Taichi

1.30-3.00TableTennisBetley

2.30-4.00Tea&Chatfrom3.00Artapprec-

iation3.15-4.30

pm Film&theatre7.00-8.30SneydArms,

Keele

24

WEEK4

WEEK4 M T W T Fam French

Reading10.00-11.00

FrenchImprovers11.00-12.30

Amble9.30-12.00

BookGroup2ShortCuts10.30-12.00

Digitalworld

11-12.30

pm Croquet&Tennis2.00-4.30MadeleyOldVicarage

LatinNovices2.00-3.30Tennis

2.00-3.30

DiscussionGroup2.00-

3.30pm

Digitalworld

1.00-2.30

Photography2.00-3.30

TableTennis

2.30-4.00Tea&Chatfrom3.00

Evening Painting&drawing7.00-9.00

Dining&LunchClub(lastTuesdayofeachmonth)

Dinners7.15for7.30pm

Lunches12.00(withoptionalpre-lunchshortwalkfrom10.30)

1

2

MadeleyandDistrictU3ATrustees

Chair Steve Hurd stevejhurd@gmail.com 01782 750338

Secretary Gordon Lancaster

glancaster104@gmail.com

Treasurer Rob Wilcox robertwilcox@btinternet.com 01782 751735

Membership Hilary Hurd h.hurd@keele.ac.uk 01782 750338

Groups Edwina Fowler edwina.fowler@live.com 01782 680429

Events Linda Polwart lindapolwart@yahoo.co.uk 01782 750041

Publicity Roy Gadsden roygadsden@btinternet.com 01782 752533

Trustee Kay Manning manningsdandk@tiscali.co.uk 01782 750541

Trustee Mike Stead mwstead@aol.com 01782 750084

Trustee Christine Hawksley

cmhawksley@gmail.com 01270 820049

Timetable Trish Jackson trishcaryl@outlook.com 01782 750684

Website:http://madeleydistrictu3a.wordpress.com

Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/madeleyanddistrictU3A/

E-mail:stevejhurd@gmail.com

Telephone:01782750338PostalAddress:Madeley&DistrictU3A

31GreenmeadowsRoad,Madeley,Crewe,CW39EY