Harrogate U3A                   AGM                  September 26th 2008

 

Chairman’s Report for 2007 - 2008

 

Introduction

2007-2008 has been a year of growth at local, regional and national level.

This growth is related to three factors:

1. Changes in Government support for Adult Education with its increased emphasis on qualification based courses.

2. An increased awareness of what the U3A has to offer.

3. The fact that the baby boomers are reaching retirement.

 

Local News

Locally membership stands at over 800 having risen from 596 in June 2007.

The Committee’s response to this has been to work to increase the number of interest groups. We start this year with 44 groups, 11 of which are new.

We welcome several new Group Leaders:

Ruth Ogle – Calligraphy

Joy Able – Scrabble

Liz Craddock – Healthy Cooking & Eating

Sheila Thomas – Italian

Chris Rush – Mah-Jongg

Ruth Townrow – Spanish

 

We thank several “old hands” for taking on additional responsibilities.

Jocelynne  – The Chaucer Group

Angela Sansam – Writing Family History (there is no bar to those wishing to do research)

Ivan Peel – The Strollers and overall running of the Walking Group.

Val Cooke – co-ordinating the establishment of Tai Chi.

 

More groups have been possible because:

People have come forward to run new groups.

New accommodation has been found – we are using free accommodation at Grosvenor House, and we have seeded our first group out of Harrogate (Mah-Jongg at Hampsthwaite).

More groups can be fitted into a week because we have established our first evening classes, Tai Chi 4.30pm – 5.30pm, and Spanish 6pm – 8pm.

 

The ideal of shared learning has been given a boost that has acted as a catalyst for further suggestions:

Would you like to learn to play Chess or Crown Green Bowling or Croquet?

Keep the ideas coming. Could you teach Latin? There are people who would like to learn.

 

The new Group Leaders’ Handbook, produced by Betty Mallinson and myself in conjunction with National Office, details the support available to Group Leaders. I would like to record my thanks to Betty for her invaluable help with this project.

 

 

 

 

 

In addition to new groups and support for Group Leaders initiatives have been launched to encourage social interaction across the growing membership:

 

Tea At The Cairn – On the first Sunday of the month (next gathering – October 5th).

Going Places Visits – Combining the interests of those who wish to visit museums, galleries and places of interest, and those who want to make best use of their free bus pass.

Members have enjoyed visits to Leeds Art Gallery and to Skipton Castle, museum and market.

On October 17th the plan is to visit York Art Gallery.

Help for computer novices – is in the pipeline.

 

The Communication Network – is buzzing! (without it we really could not manage an organisation of over 700 members).

The 4 editions per year of Stray News have been welcomed.

The monthly Stray Bits admirably fills the gap between issues of Stray News .The Stray Bits posted out as soon as possible after the AGM keeps everyone up to date.

The website and e-mail have become increasingly important, and as long as Group Leaders pass on messages to their group we will be able to keep in touch.

 

Thank you to Chris Rush (editor of Stray News), Val Cooke (editor of Stray Bits) and Brian Graham (web master).

 

Communication on a personal level is always helped by the opportunity to sit for a while and enjoy refreshments with friends. Thank you to Gill Sellers and those in the refreshment team who have made this possible.

 

Significant local events over the year have brought the membership together.

 

The first AGM to be held at the Cairn Hotel on September 21st 2007.

This was attended by 115 members and the Committee. The displays attracted many more, and visitors and members enjoyed lunch, as well as refreshments following the event.

The success of the event, in no small measure due to the helpful staff of the Cairn, led us to decide to return this year.

 

The New Members Meeting.

On 29th October 2007 was lively and well attended. The Chairman explained what U3A membership can offer both locally and nationally, while at the same time emphasising that the U3A is a self help organisation. Concerns about wheelchair access and the pressure on space led to the decision to move to St. Paul’s Hall for the 2008 New Members’ Meeting. The meeting is by invitation for new paid up members. The purpose is to introduce new members to the background and ethos of the U3A, while providing the opportunity for members and Group Leaders to meet socially.

 

The Christmas Lunch held on December 6th 2007.

This was attended by 127 members who enjoyed the entertainment provided by the Harrogate Male Voice Choir. ( This year’s Christmas Lunch will be on Thursday 11th December-tickets are on sale now).

 

 

 

 

 

The Regional Walking Day on May 20th 2008

was organised by Harrogate U3A’s Walking Group. 52 people from York, Leeds, Wolds, Barnsley and Harrogate U3As gathered at Pateley Bridge for a day of walks to suit everyone.

Refreshments before and after the walks were provided by Pateley Bridge WI. The sun shone and thanks to the efficient organisation of Daphne Fisher and her team a great day was had by all.

 

For the established groups it has been a good year with business as usual providing enjoyment and intellectual stimulation for members.

A few highlights from the groups include:

 

Bridge – Five members of the Beginners Group have progressed to the wider world of Bridge.

 

Current Affairs – Hosted a range of excellent speakers on the NHS, “ Islam-a woman’s perspective”, and “ Will China become the Future Superpower?”

 

German – The annual German city excursion was to Hamburg. A new group, The Reading Circle, for advanced students meets at Grosvenor House.

 

Local History – Enjoyed a visit to Richmond.

 

Looking at Churches – Spent an interesting afternoon visiting the churches in the Boroughbridge area, and a Summer field trip to Beverley.

 

Music for Pleasure – Enjoyed a wonderful afternoon at Jane’s home when Paul Cole and his string quartet presented a wide ranging programme.

 

Painting – Visited Florence and around, and have also enjoyed visits to Hutton Le Hole, Richmond and Bournemouth. They celebrated the group’s 10th anniversary with a special buffet lunch. (Exhibition 30th September 2008 from 10am to 3pm at St. Andrew’s Hall.)

 

Reading for Pleasure – Celebrated their 15th year.

 

Science – Talks have ranged from The Early History of Science to modern concerns such as breast cancer and global warming; ending the season with a visit to the Thackray Museum.

 

While trips out have produced many highlights, Singing for Pleasure reports – our highlights occur when after weeks (and sometimes months!) of concentrated effort, everyone gets it right, and we sing a difficult part song really well.

A true example of shared learning.

 

 

Regional News

 

There have been changes at Regional and National level in response to the growing membership.

The National Executive Committee has responded by rationalising the electoral divisions, creating two smaller Regions out of the N.E. Area. Harrogate U3A is now one of 34 U3As in the Region known as Yorkshire and the Humber, which will elect its own Trustee to the NEC.

 

 

 

 

At National Level

 

The Secretary of State for Universities, Innovation and Skills has recognised the importance of informal adult education, and has initiated a consultation process to look to the future.

 

The theme of the National Conference held at Swansea University from 7th to 10th September 2008 was “The Complete University-a celebration of diversity” and so it has proved to be.

 

 

Where do we go from here?

 

The eleven new groups starting this year suggest that we are succeeding in revitalising the climate of learning within our U3A, but we need to revive and disseminate the strong sense of purpose and involvement that led to the creation of Harrogate U3A in 1991; and which is a vital part of our ethos.

 

Some of our interest groups have a long history and benefit from the pioneering spirit of their leaders. Members have been learning French with Alice Hart and Margaret Grint, and German with Hildegard Kendall and Annelise Mitchell, and Reading for Pleasure with Jill Pullman for over fourteen years. Peter Kearney’s painters have just celebrated their 10th anniversary. Other long running groups include Looking at Churches with Patrick Bishop, Current Affairs with Maurice Line, Local History with Betty Travena, Walking with Daphne Fisher, and until recently Science and Photography with Sheena Pawson

.

These Group Leaders were and are the bedrock upon which Harrogate U3A is built.

We thank them all for many years dedicated and enthusiastic involvement.

 

Thank you also to those Group Leaders who have joined the team more recently.

We welcome our new Group Leaders and thank them for volunteering to share their knowledge and skills, and so take Harrogate U3A forward.

 

Running an organisation of over 800 members involves many people and a wide variety of skills. There is bound to be a way in which you can get involved. Your reward will be a fantastic sense of satisfaction.

 

I would like to thank all the members of the Committee, and the Secretary, Treasurer and Membership Secretary for their support and for their dedication to Harrogate U3A, and the aims and guiding principles of the U3A movement.

 

Two members of the Committee are retiring. Gordon Darlington has been Programme Secretary, taken responsibility for publicity and helped organise the Christmas Lunch.

Gill Sellers has organised distribution and refreshments, as well as always being there when needed. A sincere thank you to both of them.

 

Thank you to all those who contribute, or have contributed to making Harrogate U3A the success that it is today, and may your dedication and enthusiasm encourage others to play their part.

 

Janet Coatman, Chairman.