June 2022 Main Meeting

75 members attended the June main meeting at St Martin’s Hall. The Chair, Alison Currah welcomed the membership, new members and guests.

The Chair began by informing the Meeting that the Committee had adopted an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy – a copy of which was available for their perusal – and that this would be followed up by a questionnaire in the autumn.

She then followed with a slideshow of photographs taken at recent events and thanked those that had taken part and worked so hard to make them happen; the successful Groups’ Showcase from May, the happy and delicious 30th Anniversary Lunch celebrations and the Platinum Jubilee Celebration Afternoon Tea which was held in the garden of the hall in glorious sunshine. It had been noted that a Looe & District u3a newsletter had been popular in the past and an excellent record of all that had happened within our local movement but that this had not been produced since the pandemic. Alison asked the membership if anyone would be willing to volunteer to take on this job and produce a newsletter in the future.

Before informing the members of events to look forward to, Alison explained that the committee has passed a proposal to purchase a credit/debit card reader to make payments at meeting quicker and easier. She hoped that this would be available from July. Forthcoming events included; Pitch and Putt and Boules on Tuesday afternoon June 21st, a trip to Plymouth Marine Aquarium on Monday July 11th, Group Leaders’ Thank you Tea on Monday 27th June at the Millpool Centre, the Summer Lunch Picnic on Wednesday August 10th and a trip to Plymouth in October to see the Birmingham Royal Ballet Company perform Coppelia. If you are a member and wish to purchase tickets for any of these events then please email tickets@looeu3a.org

In Groups News, the Chair ran through a list of suggested new groups ranging from various art groups, to keep fit, gardening suggestions and tips to kayaking and bodyboarding. She was happy to report that a Canasta group had started and a kayaking group and Chess Club were being discussed. The Wild swimming group was also about to start for the summer season. For information on groups please contact groupsInfo@looeu3a.org

Community News included information about birdsong walks at Boconnoc House and a visit by the choir ‘The Sixteen’ to Truro with a followup workshop.

There being no further business, the Chair informed the members that next months’ speakers would be our own member Dr. Chris McArdle accompanied by his sister, Professor Ann McArdle talking about ‘Muscles in Space’ – a look at the similarities between muscle loss in astronauts and the elderly.

Following the raffle and coffee break, John Hillier, one of our members, regaled us with some outrageous, sometimes bizarre and often hilarious tales of life as a Trading Standards Officer in Wales.

AGM February 2021

On Wednesday 10th February 2021, the Looe and District u3a successfully held its first A.G.M. on Zoom. Christine Barwell, the Chairman, welcomed the membership (of which 78 were present), and gave her report of the previous year.

She was pleased that as an organisation we had not imploded but due to a pro-active committee had immediately switched to virtual committee meetings and worked out what we COULD do. Main meetings began on Zoom from August and a fascinating range of speakers and entertainers since had been embraced by a large number of the membership.

It was decided to hold a remote vote (email or post) to elect the new committee, as nominated, en bloc rather than postpone the A.G.M. Thanks to the membership secretary, Frances Bailey who organised the voting, 109 members responded to support the nominations with no objections or abstentions.

Chris ended her report with a heartfelt thank you to the two retiring committee members, Laurie and Anne Watson for serving on the committee and for their huge contribution to its aims and activities.

The Treasurer, Anne Watson then gave her financial report and the accounts were unanimously accepted by the membership. Frances Bailey, the membership secretary, followed asking that members inform her of any they knew who no longer wished to be members as there were 50 on our waiting list. The meeting closed at 11 am followed by an informative update about Looe from the Mayor, Mr. Martin Gregory.

Looe & District U3A

Welcome to the University of the Third Age in Looe, a lively and friendly association offering a wide range of study and leisure activities for those whose days are no longer tied to earning a living.

We are a group of 180 members who enjoy socialising while keeping physically fit and mentally active.

Our members organise more than 20 different interest groups, from play reading to photography, cooking to the creative arts.

Joining us is a good way to meet people and to make new friends. Costs are minimal because our activities are organised by our members who share their skills and expertise.

Please use our menu to explore our website in detail what we have to offer.

If you are not already a member, we hope you will join us.

Christine Barwell, Chair Tel. 01579.350663

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