Newsletter October 2022

1 of 4 Website: www.flintshire-u3a.co.uk Phone: 07546 094927 Volume 17 Issue 3 October 2022 Flintshire u3a Newsletter Table Tennis The group had been struggling with a second 40th Anniversary Lunch hand table that was very heavy for members to open and close. It had become a liability and had to go. With funds in the group unable to meet the cost of a replacement, a request for a grant was submitted to the Flintshire u3a committee for approval of a new table. As you can see from the smiling faces in the picture our request for a grant was accepted. Many thanks must go out to the committee for their generous decision. We will enjoy using it for many years to come. John/Shirley/Carole Group Coordinators Members of Flintshire u3a celebrated the u3a's 40th anniversary at a lunch at the A55 Holiday Inn on 29th September. Joining them was Third Age Trust Chair, Dr Liz Thackray, who is also a member of Fu3a. Hilary Jones, Fu3a Chair, thanked all who attended and we all enjoyed an excellent lunch and quiz. Hilary thanked the staff at the Holiday Inn who looked after everyone so well, and Yvonne Coleby-Davies, who made the wonderful anniversary cake which everyone enjoyed. Last but not least she thanked Karen Green and Lynne Ingham for their brilliant organisation skills. A great day for all those who attended. Yvon Jones 1

2 of 4 Chair's Report As I settle into the role as Chair of Flintshire u3a – certain things have become evident. It involves quite a bit of my time, but, being retired, I have plenty of that and there are many benefits of keeping active, mentally and physically. It involves establishing a happy relationship with the current committee. This is easy, they are a hard-working, committed team of Flintshire members. We are now enjoying each other’s company and friendship as well as ensuring that our u3a runs well and keeps growing. It involves appreciating how important the contribution of other members is, outside the committee. The group coordinators, the newsletter editors, the speaker organiser, the welcomers, the refreshments team, the book exchange. They are all part of the team that keeps Fu3a ticking over happily and successfully. It involves meeting members – always a pleasure, those who have supported Fu3a for many years – thank you! New members – welcome. Those of you who are just beginning to realise the benefits of belonging to this national organisation, to which we all contribute, can I ask you to do one thing? Next time you attend a group, an open meeting or event, pause to think about who and what is behind the actual event. How did it ‘happen’? The members make it happen. If you feel you could help in any way please contact me and join the team. Hilary Meet The Secretary I am a very new member of Flintshire u3a having only joined in April, but I’ve already been co-opted onto the Committee as Secretary along with Jude Jones. I’ve always worked in administration but in many different environments:– business office, donkey stud, riding centre, hotel, Landrover sales and finally a paper mill! I have been made very welcome by everyone I’ve met in the u3a and joining some of the groups has given me the opportunity to get out and about and meet more people. My new role will be different from anything I’ve done before but I will try my best, as without volunteers there would be no Flintshire u3a to enjoy. Angie Heys Meet The Assistant Secretary Hello! I’m Jude Jones and quite recently I became a member of the committee for Flintshire u3a as Assistant Secretary, supporting Angie Heys in her new role as Secretary. I will do my very best to also support Hilary (Chair) and my fellow committee members, to ensure Fu3a continues to be a brilliant organisation for all our members. My first meeting as a Fu3a member was in The Park in Mold in August 2021, on a lovely summer’s day. I was made so welcome by everyone. I knew I was going to enjoy being a member and make new friends. This meeting morphed into Fridays Flyby and I became joint Group Coordinator of this group. I also joined Singing for Pleasure and one of the walking groups. All very welcoming, friendly, and enjoyable. When I left school, I was a cashier in a bank for several years before having my family. I returned to clerical work in the NHS, eventually becoming a senior HR manager. From 2006 to 2010, I was lucky enough to live and work in The Gambia, West Africa, as Personal Assistant to the British High Commissioner. Returning to work in this country for the NHS just wasn’t quite as thrilling! Throughout my working life I have enjoyed meeting many interesting people and that is continuing since joining Fu3a. I hope the skills and experience I’ve learned over the years will benefit my role as a committee member. Jude Jones Dates For Your Diary 14th November: Open Meeting. Talk entitled ‘What They Don't Tell You At Music School’. Venue: St David’s Church Hall, Mold at 10.00. Tea and coffee available. The Book Exchange will be available at the open meetings. 4th December: Christmas Concert at Caffi Isa, Mynydd Isa, CH7 6UH with contributions from some of our groups. A special way to start the festive season. 18th December: Final date for submission of articles for the January 2023 edition of the newsletter. 29th December: Post Christmas coffee morning 10.00 - 12.00 in St David’s Church Hall. A chance to renew your membership too by cash or cheque only. Please note to assist our Membership Secretary and Treasurer no renewals by BACS or Stripe until 2023. 18th January: Open Meeting End of January: New Year's dinner. Details to be confirmed. 2

3 of 4 Social History The Fu3a Social History Group goes from strengh to strengh, but not without its problems. Since moving to the Airbus Wings Sports & Social Club facility in Broughton nearly three years ago, we have had the Covid problems, along with venue issues, which necessitated the two meetings scenario on the same morning. Many members and indeed, committee officials have raised the matter of returning to a one meeting event. It's an idea I would be only too pleased to administer. The major concern with the Broughton facility is the seating capacity, chair numbers I may add, not particularly insurance figures/issues. The Airbus Wings Sports & Social club has a maximum of 100 chairs. Health and Safety and Fire regulations will allow 150 in the room, but with total attendances over the two sessions adding up to around the 120 figure, this is where the problem arises. The issue of purchasing more seating has been fully discussed with the Airbus Wings Sports & Social Social Club Committee, who I must add are very sympathetic to our cause. Their problem appears to be storage problems not financial. It really has become a minor headache, brought on by the popularity of the Fu3a Social History Group. The speakers over the last year or so have all been understanding of our predicament, but to ask them to do two presentations in quick succession is sometimes a big ask, albeit for a higher fee. With just two more meetings before the end of the present year, I will persevere with the present format, but will then have to make a decision(s) as to future presentations. Other venues have been suggested, ie. Connah’s Quay Civic Hall - certainly being big enough, but access and parking issues are evident. Going back to Ewloe Social Club is also fraught with problems. A new building is still being muted but with greatly reduced parking. Alternatively, other suggestions have included Theatr Clwyd and the Beaufort Palace for example, but sadly room hire cost is a major issue. May I reassure everyone that the situation is being closely monitored and any decision(s) reached will be conveyed to members at the earliest occasion. The old adage comes to mind \"you can't please all the people all of the time\"! A difficult task I can assure you. An update on our coach trip outings this year. Four were organised, all fully booked and enjoyed by members, to places as diverse as Skipton/Settle, Wroxeter/ Shrewsbury, Ludlow/Hereford, Manchester museums/Salford Quays. Hopefully further trips will be organised in the coming year. Several ‘Walk & Talks’ were also organised during the year to local places of historical interest, all fully supported and, hopefully, enjoyed by all participating members (see photo). Again hopeful of organising further such events in the future. Brian Bennett Group Coordinator New Interest Groups BALLROOM DANCING: Love ‘Strictly’? Want to improve your dance steps? Fancy a new challenge? Then this new interest group might be just up your street! We have a few members interested in starting this group but a few more would be welcome. DRAMA GROUP: Interested in writing scripts, producing, acting etc? Doesn’t matter if you’re into Shakespeare, Mama Mia or pantomime, you can shine! We have a couple of members wanting to start up this group. TAI CHI/YOGA: Stretch your body and your mind! Is there anyone out there who can teach Tai Chi or Yoga and would like to lead this small group? QUILTING/SEWING/DRESSMAKING: Are you a sewing bee? Enjoy making your own clothes? Quilting your passion? Email me at [email protected] if you want to join any of the above interest groups or is there another new interest group you’d like to be part of ? I look forward to hearing from you! Sue Wilcox Groups Liaison Wine Group VOGA Pinot Grigio 2021 12% ITALY Asda £6:00 Subtle, elegant pure aromas with a nose that exhibits peach pulp, yellow apples and a suggestion of white flowers. The palate is equally light and clean,and leads to a mineral spring water like finish. Good as an aperitif. Pairs well with light seafood and chicken, creamy pasta dishes. A flawless match with sushi! TAFELWEIN Rose 2021 11% PORTUGAL Lidl £7:49 With its wonderful pink colour, the delicate raspberry nuances, followed by exotic aromas of yellow and white fruits, The bouquet is complemented by a hint of red fruits. Citrus notes, such as grapefruit, give the wine additional freshness. Nice on its own. John Tiplady Group Coordinator 3

4 of 4 Music Live Bushy Tale There’s that awful sound again, the one I told you about - you know, you thought it a magpie - well, I’m still in some doubt. I thought it could be a jay, though, I’ve never seen one here, or then perhaps a wood pigeon in a heightened state of fear. Oh, I see where it’s coming from - look right up there in the trees: yak-yak-yak-yak, nyah nyaaah nyaah - a squirrel that sounds ill at ease. Inclusivity and diversity are common words these days. It’s beating its tail to the rhythm Add to those the phrase ‘music is an international of the yak-yak-yak-yak it makes language’. Music Live thrives on these. As proof, here we and slows it down to a wave have Music Live member Tony Kendrick with his Indian as that sneering pause it takes. sitar. Some of us have heard one, but rarely seen nor touched one, not in Flintshire anyway. We play mostly It seems to be speaking to us Western music and have dabbled in African and Latin, but as we sit on our garden seat - now we have the capability to look eastwards to Persian perhaps we’re blocking its supply route and Indian. We’re looking forward to that immensely. If for hazelnut caches to eat. you would like to join us in this, please get in touch. Ring 01352 720860. John House Group Coordinator Or maybe it’s on sentry duty, to guard a valued food source, and it’s signalling to its comrades the threat level warning in force. David Parry November Open Meeting Subject : What They Don't Tell You At Music School Date : 14th November 2022 10.00 - 12.00 Speaker : Philip Chidell, Violinist Venue : St David's Church Hall, Mold Some of you will remember that Philip gave us a very enjoyable talk about three years ago. Philip went to music school to learn to play the violin at a young age. He now gives recitals and produces CDs. He can also be found busking in Chester. Reading Group 1 There are four members. We are looking for eight so we need another four members to join us. We meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 4pm in the Ruthin Castle Pub, Mold. Members choose a book for us to discuss which can be anything from biographies to science fiction. October’s book is ‘The Casual Vacancy’ by J K Rowling, November’s is Dadland by Keggie Carew and ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ by John Green is the book for December. Contact me on 01352751886 or email [email protected] Bob Gaffey Group Coordinator Editorial Team: Martin Hampstead and Jo Shone. Submit articles for inclusion in the newsletter to [email protected] The newsletter can be viewed on the Fu3a web site and copies will be available at the November open meeting. 4