Colum Arbuckle shares the life stories, experiences and ambitions of older people in Northern Ireland.

On BBC Radio Ulster a programme for third agers featuring U3A in Northern Ireland.

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SUMMER SCHOOLS

July – August 2015

Harper Adams University Shropshire

Monday 13th to Thursday 16th July 2015

Royal Agricultural University Cirencester

Monday 17th to Thursday 20th August 2015

For information about this year’s national Summer Schools,

visit the Members’ Area of the website:

www.u3a.org.uk

or contact the National Office:

02084666139.info@u3a.org.uk

“The usual pattern of a summer school is arrival on the Monday afternoon with an introductory seminar before dinner, approximately 5 hours of seminars on both the Tuesday and the Wednesday and 3 hours on the final morning with plenty of breaks and opportunities for socialising with U3A members from all over the UK”

Harper Adams University

ART HISTORY

CREATIVE WRITING

FRANCE

FILM HISTORY

PHILOSOPHY/LITERATURE

PRACTICAL THEATRE PROJECT

RECORDER ENSEMBLE

SHAKESPEARE AND THE SUPERNATURAL

WHAT IS THIS THING CALLED MATHEMATICS?

Royal Agricultural University

DRAMA

GARDEN DESIGN

GOLDEN AGE OF ROME

LA BELLA ITALIA

LITERATURE

MUSIC

SCANDINAVIAN NOIRS

SCIENCE

SINGING FOR PLEASURE

WRITING

We need your help to create an archive of high-quality photographs that we can use for our publicity materials and for image requests from the media and external organisations.

COMPETITION RULES

1)  The closing date of the competition is 31st March 2015.

2)  Entries may be submitted by email to photo@u3a.org.uk or by using the online Form (details provided to Business Secretaries in the next Mailing) but if neither of these are possible, you may mail a CD to the National Office.

3)  All entries must be on behalf of a U3A, and each U3A may enter an unlimited number of photographs.

4)  Entries must be accompanied by the name of the photographer, their U3A and a description of the subject.

5)  Entries must be supplied as high quality JPEG files with a minimum resolution of 1,600 pixels in the shortest edge.

6)  Entering photographs into this competition constitutes your agreement to grant The Third Age Trust’ a non-exclusive, royalty-free licence to reproduce, distribute and publicly display the photographs you submit for use in any Trust publicity material, publication or webpage.

7)  It is important that a member who intends to photograph U3A interest groups give the people present the opportunity to absent themselves from the photograph.

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE!

Hi folks

From time to time there are interesting films shown at QFT but evening showings do not suit me or, I suspect, many of your members. I asked if they would consider a matinee once a month on the basis that I would put the details on the regional and Downe websites and they have agreed to this.

The first such offering is “It’s a Wonderful Life” at 3.30 on Monday 22nd December and on Tuesday 23rd at 3.00.

Can you please let your members know that a monthly QFT matinee will be available for a few months, with details on the regional website.

Sheila Magee
Secretary, NI Region of U3As

Subject: News from NI Region of U3As

To all U3A chairmen/ secretaries

1) Lila Jackson has arranged that an inter-U3A quiz will be held in Robinson’s (opposite the Europa bus/rail station) on Tuesday 10th February. This will involve a buffet lunch at 12 noon followed by a quiz, ending at 4pm. Full details will be available nearer the date.

2) A new Shared Learning Project is proposed, one which it is hoped will involve someone from each U3A. It will look at recent Public Art (not murals), why they are where they are, what the locals have called them, who commissioned them, who produced them, what people think of them. The project has the support of the NI Arts Council. A brain storming meeting is planned for 29th October. Will you please pass on this information and ask those interested to contact me.

3) A second agreement has been made with Libraries NI, up to April 2016, allowing U3As free use of library facilities where these are available. This is on the understanding that U3A members who use the facilities are library members and you are asked to remind your members of this.

4) Stuart Pollard attended the National AGM earlier this month and reports two particularly good pieces of news. One is that capitation fees are likely to remain unchanged “for the foreseeable future” and the other that U3A membership in Northern Ireland in the past year grew by 11%, pipped only by Scotland with 12%.

5) A working group will be set up to organise an inter-U3A summer school in 2015. Will those interested in being involved please contact me.

6) A small meeting was held earlier this year to discuss matters relating to registration with the Charities Commission and with HMRC for Gift Aid and to share experiences. Registration is an ongoing process and if any U3A would like to participate in a second such meeting, please let me know.

Further details of these are available on the website http://u3ani.info

Sheila Magee
Secretary, NI Region of U3As
028 4461 3160

The U3A Regional Meeting takes place in the Grosvenor Hall Belfast (beside the Europa) on Thursday 23rd October. The meeting is open to all U3A members. The final agenda will be sent at a later date but the day is likely to start around 11.00 am with a talk by Claire Keatinge (Commissioner for Older People in N. Ireland), followed by Barbara Lewis (Chairman of the Third Age Trust), an enthusiastic supporter of U3A. After lunch there will be a general discussion and feed back session of ideas on the theme ‘Inter U3A communication and co-operation’.

The cost of the day is no more than £10 which covers lunch and scones. Upper Bann U3A will pay for up to 6 members to attend on a first come first served basis. If you are interested please contact Des 07808 242627 dhrawlings@btinternet.com.  Bookings with payment should be received by 10th October.

The 2014 Inter U3A Bridge Congress will be held in the Marine Hotel, Ballycastle on Thursday , November 6th 2014. It is for U3A members only.

TIMETABLE

1. Coffee/Tea will be served from 9.45 am

2. Playing will start at 11.00 am sharp

3. Buffet Lunch (main course, dessert and coffee) will be served at 1.00 pm

4. Bridge resumes at 2.00 pm

5. Playing will finish at approximately 3.00 pm followed by prize giving and fresh tea/coffee/ biscuits

The cost for the day (tea/coffee/lunch/bridge) will be £21.

If you are interested in taking part in this ‘InterU3A group bridge activity’ contact Tom Young thomasy04@me.com with your name and that of your partner before 8th September.   The fee per pair is £42 payable at the time of booking.

Directions to Marine Hotel Ballycastle (1 to 3 North St, BT54 6BN)

By Car On entering Ballycastle, continue along the road until you reach the seafront. The Marine Hotel is situated on the corner of the Quay Rd and North St. The entrance to the hotel car park is through an arch at the bottom of North St. There is ample free parking both at the hotel and at the seafront on Bayview Rd.

By Train The train leaves Great Victoria St at 8.10 am and arrives in Ballymoney at 9.30 am. Get a taxi from the station*.   The cost per person in a full taxi would be approx £4

If members would like to take the opportunity to stay longer and explore the area The Marine Hotel has given us a special rate for Bed and Breakfast of £60 per double room, reduced from £110 or alternatively there are many B&Bs,… list available from Moyle Tourist Office. Tel no 02820762024

* Ballycastle Taxi Firms Noddy’s Taxis 07746609019 Fast Cabs 07719696402 Styler Inch Taxis 07872182589  Country Cabs  07782387987

NB. If there are any relative beginners or improvers who do not feel like entering the Duplicate competition but would like to come along and enjoy the day you are welcome to come along with your partner and play “Social Bridge” separate from the main competition. There will be sufficient room to do this. The cost for the day will remain the same. Please state when you apply that you do not wish to enter the duplicate bridge competition.

UPDATED 27th September 2014

Booking for the inter-U3A Bridge Tournament is proceeding. Those interested and who have not yet booked are asked to do so, directly with Glens & Dalriada, by 3rd October.