North West region of U3As Current Research and Shared Learning Projects (March 2021)

These are open to any member, and you can sign up for information about related events and opportunities.
You can use these projects as a starting point for a local or network-wide u3a group.

The High Street Project

This started in September 2020 and has three tiers of activity: surveying local shopping streets, taking photos, and identifying a local idea or ideas to explore further.
Surveys and photos submitted to the steering group team will be included in an interactive database that approved members can then continue to add to and develop.
Local ideas that members are developing so far range from follow-up surveys to pick up changes, tracing local changes since the 1960s, getting involved with local Neighbourhood Plans, gathering reminiscences of the shops of our childhood, to art and sketching and making guided walks.

The steering group of the High Street Project will be disbanded in June 2022 but this does not mean that your local projects then have to end – far from it! The interactive website hosting your photographs, survey results and further projects will be hosted and available until 2032.

For more information and to be kept up to date on the mailing list, email u3ahsp@gmail.com

Future Lives

This project aims to take a long view to investigate, discuss, and gather views on how to improve our quality of life as we age. Issues such as co-housing, ageism, giving and receiving care, health and wellbeing, attitude, fulfilment, purpose. You can sign up now to join our open meeting to learn more about this project, using this form: https://forms.gle/B6Amt27pPBE6iHd79
More about the project background and aims can be read here: https://sites.google.com/view/u3a-future-lives/home

Slow Ways

Dan Raven-Ellison and Rob Bushby of ‘Slow Ways' are leading a national initiative to create a Great Britain-wide network of walking routes. A vast network of routes has been plotted, and volunteers are being asked to test them out and assess them.
The roll-out and timetable of this project depends totally on Covid safety regulations, so your patience is appreciated.
Come to one of the webinars to find out more and see how you and your u3a groups can be involved.
Choose from either Tuesday 20th April 10.00am or Monday 17th May 2.00pm. The sessions will run for about 1 hour. Booking from this link https://forms.gle/kfRUzQf1hR8riR6r5

Addressing health

This is a research project run by King's College London. In 2020, 47 U3A members from South West England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland began working towards a collective biography of 96 pensioners who retired from the Post Office in 1901.
Why 1901? Because that's the first year that a full census was done in all these three regions and Nations.
Why postal workers? Because the General post office has left an incredibly complete and detailed record of all its employees.
The project is due to complete in May 2021. No more u3a researchers can be taken on but one remaining talk that you can take part in, shown here with the booking link:
Laura Newman: Transforming Tuberculosis: Scottish medicine and the Post Office Sanatorium Society
29th March at 1.30pm
https://forms.gle/xxB15ZgsnVC73J576

10th May: open meeting for research and shared learning

Are you passionate about projects? Do you like working with others?
Could you have fun facilitating learning opportunities among u3a members?

Then you may be interested in becoming a u3a Research & Shared Learning Coordinator.

Why not come along on May 10th when we will be having a special meeting on Zoom of any members who want to find out more about what's involved in this Trust Volunteer role, and meet the other members of the network that you could join. Book here:
https://forms.gle/Rv6apnvNnUVNybJJ8

In addition to this open meeting, Trust Volunteer induction training will be available for guidance and support of all who wish to take up the role of Research and Shared Learning Coordinator, on 12th May 2021. If you want a place reserved for you on the Trust Volunteer training prior to attending the open meeting on 10th May, please email Maggy on slp@u3a.org.uk

High Lane U3A Live Streamed Lectures

The first presentation will be on Thursday 10th Sept at 2.00 p.m. entitled "You're Never Too Old to RocknRoll" by Vince Edgar. to watch just click on
https://mirthy.co.uk/u3a-highlane And follow the links.

North West U3A Tuesday talks

New events for Autumn-Winter 2020: Second Tuesday Talks

We are delighted to offer the opportunity to take part in a regular series of Zoom talks, starting at 10.30 am on the second Tuesday of each month. In particular you may wish to add the  Winter Warmer  on 8th December to your U3As own range of seasonal celebrations.

Please use the booking link to register for each session.

13th October

Memory and Identity

Tony Clarke of Lymm and Thelwall U3A will lead us through 'who we think we are'

free session

book here Memory and Identity

10th November

Grandma flew spitfires

Tim Young of Newmarket U3A will explore the roles of the women who supported the air defence of Britain

free session

book here  Grandma flew spitfires

8th December

Winter Warmer with Fool's Gold Acoustic Musicians

Join our winter celebration led by Carol and Steve Robson, with music and tales

free session

book here  Fools Gold winter Warmer

U3A with NatWest Lecture Series

You are invited to take part in a series of live streamed lectures happening every Thursday at 2:30pm  The first, on THURSDAY 14 May, will be on ROBOTICS. 

These will be live streamed on the National U3A Facebook page here

Please note that you do not have to be following us on Facebook to watch - just go onto our page. 

It will be screened simultaneously on the NatWest Youtube channel -  links to this will follow.  Each lecture will be recorded and recordings will be hosted on the U3A Youtube Channel for future viewings.

Latest Advice - Coronavirus 3 March 2020

This is our first Newsletter Express which aims to deliver news to you as it happens when necessary.  The short newsletter contains the latest coronavirus update. We will continue to update the advice when required to respond to any further developments in the spread of the virus. We understand that each committee will assess the risk to their members and make the decisions that they feel can ensure the safety of their members, taking into account any known risks at that time. At all times we should all follow the most up to date government advice about coronavirus. We hope that coronavirus will not affect any of our U3A community. We would ask you to keep fellow members up to date with advice about coronavirus. Our advice currently is as follows:

**If a member has returned from one of the areas identified by the government and has any of the symptoms identified on the government website  they should not hold interest groups in their own homes, or attend interest groups or attend monthly meetings until they have followed the NHS advice provided after calling 111 **If a U3A finds that a member has contracted coronavirus, please let the Trust know immediately **The members of interest groups that any member with coronavirus has attended should all call 111 to ask for advice **The monthly meeting should be cancelled for that month (and possibly longer) until the spread of the virus has been assessed.

In general a U3A may consider other precautions such as using hand sanitiser gel in interest groups and monthly meetings and reducing physical contact such as shaking hands until further information becomes available. Thank you.  Your support on this is very appreciated.

High Lane U3A Choir

The High Lane U3A choir are giving a fund-raising concert on 14th December in aid of The Wellspring and The Wood St MIssion. This will be at Windlehurst Methodist Church, Windlehurst Road on Saturday 14th December at 4.00 pm. Tickets £5.00 - children free.

Click here to download a flyer advertising the event

OFFICERS AND COMMITTEE NOMINATIONS FOR 2020

The post of Secretary is the only Officer post to be filled this year. All Committee members need to be re-elected. New Committee members are very welcome. If you wish to nominate any member for the post of Secretary or for the Committee, please complete the form and return it to Sheila Harrop by the date of the monthly meeting on 8 January 2020. Please ensure you have the permission and signature of the person you are nominating. To download the form CLICK HERE .

Change of speaker
8th May

Jonathan Keeble has unfortunately had to cancel his talk on Wednesday 8th May, which was to be about life as a working actor.

However in his place we now have Elaine Pratt taking about The Garrick Theatre Stockport.

Another 1000 Mile Walking Medal Winner

Jeff Robinson, a member of High Lane U3A walking group, decided to emulate Merlyn Young, also a member of our walking group, who, last year was awarded the Country Walking Magazine's medal for walking 1000 miles in one year.

Jeff completed his 1000 miles in November and was awarded 1000 mile walk medal at Angle Tarn in the lake district 19/11/18.

Please note that there are still some copies left of this year's High Lane U3A Photography group's Calender, please see Walter Mason. Also 2019 U3A diaries are available, please see Pam Curley.

REMINDER

Managing our U3A in 2019: Officers and Committee for 2019

Elections for Officers and Committee for 2019 are due to take place at the AGM in February. This year the Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer posts are available for nomination along with Committee members. We would like to encourage members to join the Committee to help in running your U3A. If you would like to help please ask a member to nominate you and another to second you. These members should not be existing Officers or Committee members. There is a nomination form on the final page of the November newsletter, or to download a form click here. Sign the form and get it to the current Chair, Diane Saxon, on or before the date of the January meeting (9 January 2019)  You can do this in person or by email. chair@highlaneu3a.org.uk

We also encourage members to get involved by helping at meetings, events and running groups. Please don't be afraid to offer your services.

RECENTLY RECEIVED EMAIL

Hello,

I run the weekly, evening food market in New Mills called High Peak Food Hub https://www.facebook.com/HighPeakFoodHub/ Each week, there is street food and a varied selection of local goodies to buy.

On Friday Dec 7, I am hosting a Mama Mia night at St George's Church Hall in New Mills, with a 3 course dinner showing the sing along version of the movie.

Tickets are available via Eventbrite. Tickets are available in any number, but each table seats only 6 to ensure a full view of the screen. 

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sing-along-mama-mia-with-3-course-dinner-tickets-51907728413?aff=eac2

Please would you share this information with your membership?  Marple are already doing so, which is why they aren't on the address list.

Many thanks

Esther Morrison

Sketching the past 2

Wednesday 19th September 10-12pm

Click here to download the flyer

New U3A Event at the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester

Click here to download a p.d.f. of the below flyer

2019 High Lane U3A Calender

The 2019 High Lane u3a Calendar produced by the Photography Group will be on sale at the September monthly meeting.  It will be priced at £5 complete with envelope, or £4.75 without envelope.

Social Dances to be held at the Village Hall

The Sequence Dancing Group will be holding some social dances on Sunday afternoons , at High Lane Village Hall , 2.30 - 4.30, open to all U3A members .

Dates are second Sunday of each month , Sept 9th , Oct 14th , Nov 11th and Dec 9th . The programme will be a mixture of sequence , ballroom and fun dances , hopefully to suit everyone !

Ring Ian and Kate for further details 0161 449 8830

Cottonopolis Events: What Where when Your round-up of this summer's Cottonopolis events Tuesday 31st July 6.30 pm: Finding the Cotton Famine Portico Library, Mosley Street, Manchester Marking the launch of the accessible database of Cotton Famine poems, with recitations and song drawn from the original poems sent into local newspapers. Ideal for anyone wishing to join the Cotton Famine Poetry research project (below). This is a free event but please book online . Mid-August, location to be confirmed: How to join in with the Cotton Famine Poetry research Free to GMU3A network members - open to all U3A members - register interest to secure a place For our members who want to experience first hand the buzz of finding a piece of real history,  Dr. Simon Rennie will show what to look for, how to record and submit your findings and - crucially - how to use the microfilm readers to be found in our public libraries. Discover more and book Online here Monday September 3rd: Manchester Mass Motoring MMU, 70 Oxford Road (near Oxford Road Station), 10.30 am - 2.30 pm Free to GMU3A network members - open to all U3A members Dr Craig Horner will lead you through his 'living history' project, which recognises the contribution of motoring and car ownership to the development of Manchester and its suburbs. Your memories of your first car, trips and journeys can contribute to a historical database, and you will learn how to replicate the methods for gathering these accounts back in your own U3A. Discover more and book online here Members of U3As in the Greater Manchester Network can attend free - but you must nonetheless book. Any other U3A member can attend for a £5 fee. If your U3A joins the network, you may attend free of charge. We're happy to answer your queries Maggy Simms Tony Pearson Jenny Carley The Cottonopolis working group Part of the Greater Manchester Network of U3As Click here to print thispage as a single A4 sheet

May Newsletter.

Please note that if your email address is "btinternet", you may be unable to access the May Newsletter. The problem is due to BT internet not accepting our email - they might be treating it as "spam".

If so, remember you can access the Newsletter by clicking on the "Newsletter" link.

http://www.highlaneu3a.org.uk/NewNewsletters.htm

Boat trip on Manchester Ship Canal

A few spaces are available on a trip on Manchester Ship Canal on Friday 29th June. The trip is organised by a local probus group.

A coach will pick up in High Lane at 7:45am. Contact Neville Pixton at nevpixton@gmail.com for further details or to book a place.

Institute of physics Science day

Join musicians from the Royal Northern College of Music, scientists and psychologists from the University of Manchester to explore the passage of time in music, physics and psychology. With a mix of live music, short talks and drama, you're sure to come away with a very different view of what time actually is and how our idea of how quickly it passes might just depend on your age or even what kind genre of music you're listening to…

This event is free to attend and requires no prior knowledge – we only ask that you are over 16 and are open to participating with people of all ages and backgrounds! You may register here and please do share amongst your friends and family.

Hannah Renshall from the Institute of Physics would like to offer U3A members to attend this event.

Hannah is the Outreach officer for the North West and will be a guest speaker at the Science day which is being organised by Deeside and Wirral network

We'd like to invite you to “What's time? – explore with music, physics and psychology” - a free event on Tuesday 10 th April from 4 – 6pm at the Google Digital Garages in Manchester .

Hannah Renshall

Regional Officer: North West

Entertaining talk by retired consultant surgeon
Mr Peter Sykes

The first meeting of the year took place on Wednesday 10th January. To a large audience, Mr Peter Sykes described briefly what medicine was like in the early 60s when he qualified, and then described a modern gall bladder removal operation, using "keyhole surgery", ably assisted by Carole Clulow.

He has recently started his own "BLOG" with amusing medical stories www.medicaltales.org

1000 Mile Walking Medal Winner    

At the start of 2017, HL U3A Walking Group member Merlyn Young resolved to walk 1000 miles during the year. He achieved his 1000 miles with time to spare on 5th November 2017, some feat, or should that be feet!

His medal was awarded by Country Walking Magazine. Merlyn's wife Joyce accompanied him on some of the walks' with a total of 718 miles. Many congratulations to both of them, a great achievement and worthy example to the rest of us. Well, it is a time of year for new resolutions!

The Latin inscription on the medal reads :- AMBULO ERGO SUM (I walk  therefore I am )

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