Members receive a quarterly newsletter. For more information contact the Membership Secretary Renée Nichols on 01245 222036.

An extract from the introductory publicity leaflet describing local U3A activities and interests

U3A main aim

The main aim of the U3A is to advance the education of people and assist them in pursuing their interests in a social environment. It is run by members for members.

What does U3A mean?

University means 'universal and open to all' after the 'first age' of childhood and full time education, and the 'second age' of work and raising a family, then comes the 'third age' of retirement, when people are free to get together to follow interests for which they previously did not have time.

Where does it take place?

Members of like minds and interests meet in small groups, weekly, fortnightly or monthly in each others homes or at some other venue.

Who can join?

Anyone who is no longer in full time employment.

What qualifications are needed?

No entry qualifications are required. No certification is awarded and there are no examinations.

Interest group programme (as at January 2010)

Computer workshops - Various days / phone Di Angel for details. (01245 223611)

*** Music playing - Quarterly - usually Feb/May/Aug/Nov

** Outings ~ 2 per year as arranged.

Meeting reviews 2009

History through Essex Heritage plaques - Keith Lovell (14 January 2009)

Reverend Keith Lovell of Tollesbury Church presented a talk on "History through Essex Heritage Plaques", with several of his publication items on sale.

Speaking to a packed audience, Rev Lovell spoke on Essex plaques and their origins. He then went on to stress the importance of understanding the pictures seen on the plaques as they portray the history of the community in which they stand. He also touched on pillar boxes and beer mats and their relationship to some blue heritage plaques.

Various Essex community plaques were mentioned such as those in Colchester, Romford, Purleigh and others and their history portrayed,with some of Chelmsford's blue plaques that show imortant people such as Thomas Hooker, Ann Knight, and Marconi. In closing he re-iterated the importance of plaques that many people fail to recognise and understand, and that paint a picture of their local community history.

U3A Annual General Meeting (11 February 2009)

The AGM of the Baddow and Galleywood U3A was held on Wednesday February 11^th. Officers gave their annual reports and the Chairman, Alan Sheahan, thanked everyone for their support; membership is now 340. He mentioned the range of successful events held during the past year including the coach outing to Highgrove House and the 10th anniversary open day and display held last September.

The Treasurer, Marjorie Ennew summarised the accounts and explained that reserves were sufficient and in line with national recommendations to support anticipated increased costs.  Overall, a profit of £828 was made on the year and Gift Aid had been successful. The examiner for the accounts was reappointed.

In her secretary's report. Audrey Jerome was grateful for the time and effort given by everyone, especially Terry Boreham who had now resigned from the committee.  She also noted the sad and recent death of Ken Nichol who had served for many years as Secretary and Essex Federation representative.  She encouraged group coordinators to apply for funding support where appropriate.

Two new members of committee were appointed, Maggie Nutt and Pam Denny; and Linda Knock is the new Secretary.

Following news about forthcoming events and outings, Linda Knock introduced Victoria Beckinsale, Community Fundraiser for the Little Havens children's Hospice.

Victoria provided a description of the hospice, its setting in 20 acres of grounds; its facilities including 8 beds for children and 54 for family members, and the services it provides to children suffering from life limiting conditions and their families including respite and end of life care and bereavement services.

Operating costs are currently £2.1 million per year of which 81% is provided by the local community, and Victoria thanked local contributors to this cause.

Simon Gilbert - Another Opening, Another Show (11 March 2009)

Simon Gilbert is a former professional singer who once played opposite stars such as Joan Sutherland, and sang on the vocal soundtrack for Peter O' Toole in the film "Man of La Mancha". 

Simon first became interested in music whilst at school and participated in drama and music festivals, but his parents wanted him to become a chef and in his early career he trained at a catering college, before working at the Savoy and other West End hotels, and in Switzerland. On returning to England,  Simon studied under John and Ada Dickens seeking music roles whilst working in routine office or administrative posts. Fortune smiled when in 1966 he gained chorus roles in 'Lilac time' and Camelot'.

Subsequently he was one of the Black and White Minstrels, and sang with Scottish Opera before moving on to musicals and other shows. Later he became a promotions manager for a concert company and from 1987 - 1994 established and built up his own company promoting shows all over the UK.

In 1998 he worked with a recording company to record albums of popular songs, and at present he promotes a number of artistes and shows through his company Opera2Broadway.

Simon not only demonstrated his singing talent, for example singing the Nat King Cole song "Unforgettable" but is also a very interesting speaker and raconteur. An excellent afternoon of entertainment.

Louise Reed - Mrs Thurston from 1941 (8 April 2009)

Louise Reed visited in role play as Mrs Marjorie Thurston, a woman living in 1941. Dressed for the part in fashion and a hat from the period, ‘Marjorie’ described in detail her experiences of living throughout the war period in both the country and London.

Starting from the late 1930s she described the sight of Oswald Mosley and his ‘blackshirts’ and the statement by Neville Chamberlain of ‘Peace in our time’.

War loomed and in 1938 gas masks were issued – to the complaints about the different sizes and the smell of rubber!

‘Make do and mend’ became a common family motto as old clothes and blackout material was used to create ‘pass me down’ garments.

At her village of Braughing, about 50 evacuees and teachers were sent to stay with residents; many of the teachers complaining of a lack of gas or electricity in the country, and having to grow and dig up vegetables.

Her daughter Ruth worked as a land girl and plans for her wedding included a cardboard cake –‘to look good on photos’. Meanwhile Marjorie’s son was in Kent with a posting as a pilot on Spitfires.

When the blitz stared, Marjorie joined her husband in London and helped in a rest centre for those whose homes had been bombed out; she observed the use of the Underground stations as shelters from the bombing and coped with petro rationing.

Although this was a fictional account Louise used many historical facts to support her narrative and the details of life in the period were familiar to many of the U3A members.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable visit in war period nostalgia.

Pauline Pickering - Chelmsford Volunteer Centre (13 May 2009)

Pauline Pickering of Chelmsford Volunteer Centre talked about the work of the centre, her role as a support worker and the help the centre provides to both charitable organisations and its volunteers. The Chelmsford Volunteer Centre has been operational for 12 years and Pauline has worked there for 9 years. Currently about 70 individuals volunteer each month and typically there may be a few hundred opportunities available at any one time.

Volunteers are invited to provide regular support where possible, for example about 2 hours a week. There are opportunities with many different charities such as hospices, animal sanctuaries, play schools and others. Pauline herself works with the long term unemployed who find that voluntary work raises their self esteem and may lead to other opportunities.

Overall the chance to hear about work in the voluntary sector provided a very interesting meeting and prompted several questions.

Barry Kaufmann- Wright - Jersey Zoo and the work of Gerald Durrell (10 June 2009)

Barry Kaufmann-Wright, spoke about "Jersey Zoo and the work of Gerald Durrell". Barry worked for Gerald Durrell on his wildlife conservation programme for endangered species in the 1960s and had various responsibilities during that time as keeper for small mammals and birds.

He observed the behaviour patterns of many different species and learned not only to care for them, but also to respect their attitudes to human contact. For a couple of years he nurtured a baby chimpanzee in his room and successfully bonded with her until she matured and was returned into an outside enclosure.

Barry showed a varied selection of slides to accompany his presentation, depicting various animals and birds, including some rare breeds, to illustrate the work of conservation.

However his presentation was more than just a slide show as with each new picture, he described it with interesting and amusing anecdotes about the animal or bird's history, life and habitat; as well as personal knowledge of many of the animals he showed. For example, support was given for a captive breeding programme for the St Lucia parrot, and in 1989 returned a pair of captive-bred parrots to their native home with the Prime Minister of St Lucia.

Maureen Williams - Saga Ambassador (8 July 2009)

Maureen Williams, A Saga Ambassador talked about the benefits of SAGA such as financial advice, insurance, their magazine etc. She mentioned that SAGA 'cares about people', and is particularly relevant for quality holiday travel arrangements you can trust.

A Powerpoint presentation showed various inviting UK and worldwide holiday locations including SAGA cruise ships. There is a variety of holidays on offer to meet individual requirements, for example: short breaks, land based, river cruises,- from relaxing, interest group breaks such as art or history to busy fun packed holidays. Both single and group bookings are available.

Overall, an interesting and enlightening insight into SAGA provision, and holidays available where one can experience relaxation, exploration, culture and sunshine, looked after by a company that cares for people.

Malcom Smith - 'Dreamflight' (12 August 2009)

Malcolm Smith, spoke about 'Dreamflight' a charity which provides the holiday of a lifetime for seriously ill and disabled children.

Originating in 1986 by Patricia Pearce and Derek Pereira, the first trip was made to France with 288 children in 1987. The charity has since grown substantially and now raises about £800,000 annually to cover the costs of transport, park entry etc; although there is considerable corporate sponsorship which helps reduce the overall expenditure. Each year, 192 children from 12 regional areas and aged between 8 and 14 are taken by plane to Florida to visit the theme parks and experience fun and joy in their lives.

Because of the complexity of the children's illnesses, the medication and 24 hour nursing care requirements, plus the need to cover any emergencies; each group travels with a team of 8 supporters including a doctor, a physiotherapist, 3 nurses and 3 non medical helpers.

There is a party atmosphere throughout the trip and the children especially enjoy the opportunity to swim with dolphins, but it is the overall delight which is brought to the children that provides the stimulus to the charity's volunteers to continue supporting this worthwhile need.

William Tyler - 'Churchill - a study in Leadership' (9 September 2009)

Baddow and Galleywood U3A members experienced an exceptionally interesting account by William Tyler of the events in 1939 and 1940 which led to Churchill's appointment as Prime Minister and subsequent inspiration of the Nation during the Second World War.

Wheareas Neville Chamberlain adopted a policy of appeasement, conceding the Sudetenland region of Czechoslovakia to Germany, and ignored the invasions of Netherlands, Belgium and France, he was forced to resign the premiership on 10 May 1940. Churchill, at the time First Lord of the Admiralty, succeeded him as Prime Minister.

He was one of the few statesmen of his time to realise the need to stand up to Hitler; although always confident and inspiring in his public speeches, the speaker mentioned references which suggested he was less confident in private. However, he is a man who as a leader, remains the inspiration for many today.

Mark Stacey - 'Antiques roadshow' (14 October 2009)

The speaker at the October meeting was Mark Stacey, of Stacey’s Auctioneers and Valuers. This was a welcome return visit by Mark and once again he provided an enjoyable and entertaining afternoon talking about his career and life in the antiques business before valuing various objects brought in by members.

Mark started his career aged 15 at Phillips Auction House (now Bonhams) and worked with John Sandon of Antiques Roadshow. This has instilled in him a deep appreciation of antiques and collectibles, especially when given the opportunity to research the history and background to an item. Now especially interested in porcelain, he is a consultant to the TV series “Flog it” and “Cash in the attic”.

He then described some of the more interesting items he has sold over the years including an item of taxidermy considered by himself and colleagues to be rather ugly – a two headed kitten –– and sold for £1,000; and an antique bronze by Sir Alfred Gilbert which sold last year for £18,000. (It was Gilbert who created the Shaftesbury Memorial Fountain -  ‘Eros’ -  in Piccadilly Circus, London.)

Mark then provided several instances where items were recovered after being thrown away by owners who were completely unaware of the true value of the items disposed. One example was a toy money box recovered from a skip and another, an item bought at a car boot sale for 75p. These subsequently sold for hundreds or thousands of pounds.

He then selected a number of items on display brought in by members, and proceeded to describe the object’s likely age, its manufacturer or artist, and its composition or material from which made. Where appropriate, an approximate value if sold at auction was given. The owners were invited to describe how they acquired their items.

Two of the many items on display which Mark discussed included a turret clock dating from the start of the last century valued at £100, and a pendant gold brooch valued at £3-400.

After his presentation Mark kindly remained to discuss other items on display with their respective owners.

All together a thoroughly pleasing and much appreciated afternoon.

Driving Standards Agency  - 'Safe Driving' (11 November 2009)

The speaker at the November meeting was from the Driving Standards Agency and used video footage to demonstrate the challenges facing older drivers. He highlighted the need to recognise our limitations as we grow older, and to be prepared to recognise that a time may come when we need to give up driving.

With twenty seven million cars on the road today and three and a half thousand deaths each year, his talk and video demonstrated the increased hazards of modern day driving which require much more alertness and concentration.

With the introduction of the driving test, and in recent years a written theory test of the Highway Code, potential drivers are much more aware of road use, alertness and use of correct speeds required to keep safe, especially in busy congested roads with many junctions, crossings, motorways, and confusing direction signs. Dual roundabouts were given as one example of a complicated junction.

It was also emphasised that being too cautious can also be a hazard, especially if driving too slowly; if you are at the front of a queue it may be you who are creating the tailback.

It was an interesting and enlightening talk, with the video footage of past and present driving situations giving both good and bad examples of driving techniques.

Keith Baldwin - "Christmas greetings" (9 December 2009)

The speaker for the December meeting was Keith Baldwin, who served in the Household Cavalry for 6 years before joining Hertfordshire Police from which he retired as Superintendent after 30 years service.

Keith presented “Christmas greetings”, a selection of readings, quotations and poems about the Christmas season, some well known, others less so

Excerpts were provided from Dickens “A Christmas Carol”, Dylan Thomas’s “A Child’s Christmas in Wales and a variety of poems by authors which included Pam Ayres and Mick Gowar’s “Christmas Thank Yous.