Members and friends,

There was lively interest shown in the demonstration of video linking at the Regional Meeting in January and questions and comments flowed freely from the floor. I am interested to know if anybody was inspired to follow through with MSN messaging? I bought a reasonably priced webcam and installed it myself – another self-learning experience! Would anybody like to chat?

In January also it was a delight to read a long article in my local newspaper featuring Audrey Williams, founder member and secretary of Darlington U3A. It gave excellent coverage of the origins of the U3A and of Darlington’s activities. It also mentioned other U3As in the locality thus giving us all some great publicity. Thank you Audrey. We wish you many more years of ‘good fun’ within the Darlington group.

It is a rare occurrence to see Northumbrians in the ‘U3A News’, so well done the ‘fashionistas of Tynedale’ whose exploits and lovely photo made it into the winter edition. John Lloyd of Wearside made an appearance too. Do you agree with his opinions or have you any other thoughts about national funding? Perhaps you could air your ideas in the Regional Newsletter?

At the A.G.M on March 22^nd your U3A’s two Contacts will be asked to cast votes on two Motions virtually dissolving the present Region and its existing constitution and re-establishing it with a NEW CONSTITUTION and CHARITY STATUS, a move that the Committee has been working towards for three years. I believe, that if passed, this will benefit our much envied Regional organisation and enable it to flourish and grow in future years.

HAPPY 20^TH ANNIVERSARY STOCKTON and

HAPPY 10^TH BIRTHDAY TO NORTHUMBRIA REGION

I eagerly await the Celebrations in April!

It was with some trepidation that we embarked an a new, one off, format for our monthly meeting. It was decided to hold a discussion/debate.

The first hurdle negotiated, a topic was chosen - Euthanasia! Much muttering followed - unsuitable for third agers, too emotional, nobody will come, etc.

The attendance was about 80 - our usual attendance - with many people participating.   Chairman for the day was Alan Willey who presided over the meeting with his usual genial manner and had invited a panel of five to put differing points of view. 

We heard from humanists, Christians, medical practitioners and those of no particular faith. The topic of Living Wills was covered and we listened to those who had  differing experiences of loved ones’ final days.

John Lloyd was invited to report on the experience at Wearside  - the only other U3A group we could find who had discussed the topic.

On summing up the audience was asked if they approved of the way the session had been run.  The answer was a strong affirmative and it is planned at some time in the future to find another topic for debate. The general opinion was that we had somehow come closer together as a group, with a better understanding of the topic without feeling threatened by something which is inevitable for one and all!

The months January and February have been popular in the Physical Activity Groups. One can only think members were trying to burn calories after the Christmas period. Country Dancing and Keep Mobile numbers were up. Swimming had to request the Pool Manager to allocate three swimming lanes instead of two owing to increased numbers. The Walking Group reached a total of 30 walkers.

The February walk was to Hawthorn Dene, near Dalton-le-Dale where the banks of snowdrops were breathtaking. If your Walking Group has never done this February walk, although this time of year is muddy, I can recommend it.

Our most recent Group "Gigong" has taken off with enthusiasm. Although the first session coincided with school half term holiday and many members were on grandparent duty, 19 members attended.

We made a decision last year to cap our membership and help set up a second U3A in the area. This would enable a considerable number of people to enjoy U3A membership in their own way. Because of natural wastage there could be a fair number of vacancies for new younger members to join Durham and top up our energy levels! Advert for Lucozade follows …

In the event, Dunelm made a good start and are planning their own programme.

Now, we are looking at the running of Durham U3A and have a series of meetings for interested members. The first will be for convenors and we will discuss where clearer guidelines for claiming expenses and helping new groups could take us. We shall also look at updating equipment (maybe speakers prefer to bring their own?) and improving communications. We are already planning to circulate more copies of the Regional Newsletter and may start a newsheet about future activities. We do have funding in hand and hope positive ideas will come out in discussion to forward our education aims.

We began 2006 in fine style in January with our Annual "Christmas" Celebration Lunch which was organised this year by Anne O'Brien and her assistants.

The February monthly meeting was well attended and aptly the speaker delivered a talk on "Health & Fitness" which made us all feel rather guilty about our diets and eating habits! Calories, Carbohydrates, Protein and Fats - we were all made aware of  how we should be eating and resolved to "try harder" to adhere to a more healthy diet. 

We hold our AGM in March and it seems no time since we held last year’s! We hope this will be well attended. 

The Light Entertainment Group will be giving their yearly concert also in March. We can be assured of an enjoyable evening with a varied programme of song and dance and of course plenty of laughter.

The  plans are well underway for the 20th Birthday Celebrations to be held in the Stockton Campus of Durham University on April 12th. Tickets are still available both for the local members and anyone who wishes to attend from the Region.

We expect over 120 attendees and a full day’s events include a talk given by Dulcie Lewis who is a well known "Light Hearted Social Historian," displays of photos and memorabilia from the past twenty years, and videos of various "Shows & Pantomimes" which have been performed over the years. Lunch is included and of course we shall have a Special Birthday Cake. This all promises to be a great day and the riverside venue is a very pleasant setting. 

A successful AGM was followed by a good speaker on "Tales from the Ambulance Service" – most revealing. The new programme was issued to members and fees have remained constant.

New groups are slowly establishing themselves and some exciting trips are in the pipeline. We held our annual lunch in one of the local hostelries where all who attended (some 70) enjoyed a good meal and a lively chat.

A coffee morning, which attracts old and new members, is planned for March.

The National Railway Museum at Shildon has attracted another of our groups. The photographers were allowed onto the footplate of an engine (brought out specially for them) to photograph dials, levers and "things". We look forward to seeing the results.

Our programme has been carrying on quietly since Christmas. However things are starting to pick up again. It had been noticed that John Leiper and Joyce Watts had given an Audio Visual presentation to Berwick U3A and they were asked why Wooler had not seen it. The result is an evening at the Cheviot Centre on Wednesday March 22^nd at 7.30 pm.

On March 28^th we are visiting the Biscuit Factory in Newcastle and a trip to Tuscany and Umbria is planned for September.

Although mentioned in the last Newsletter work is continuing apace for the centenary celebrations of the death of Josephine Butler who was born and died in the Wooler area. The play has now been written and rehearsals have started. The History group is researching the clothes and other artefacts for the period so that we can make it as authentic as possible. Performances are to be at the Glendale Hall in Wooler on the evenings of 14^th, 20^th and 21^st of July, the first of these dates for the U3A only. We hope that other U3As will join us!

Also planned probably in July as also mentioned before is our Annual visit by Dr. Andrew Leng from Singapore University to talk to us about "The Time Machine" by H.G.Wells. Other U3As from the Region have expressed an interest in coming to this. As the date is not yet fixed if there are any other U3As interested please get in touch with me.