Sandbach U3A Diary Update – November 2018
This message contains a brief monthly update to let members of Sandbach U3A know about new opportunities.
Members’ Meeting in November and AGM
Members who are unable to attend the AGM in person may submit their votes using the sheet sent to all members in the recent mass mailing. Please write on it your name and membership number, so that we don’t double count.
When the AGM is over Susan Leicester from Northwich will entertain us on the theme “Memories – poems and rhymes etc that we think we have forgotten, but haven’t”
The craft stall in aid of Action for Children raised £60 at the October meeting. Jinty Pyke thanks everyone who bought items.
Membership Renewal
Some members have not yet renewed the annual membership which falls due on 1st September each year. The SWISH system is programmed to change the status of such members to “Lapsed” on 31st October. At that date a message will go to the leader of any groups to which the lapsed member is registered saying they are no longer eligible to take part.
There are three ways to renew your membership. Our preferred way is for you to use our new online facility, but alternatively you can either apply by post or by visiting the U3A information desk in Sandbach Library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of each month from 9.30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
How to Change Your Contact Details in the SWISH System
The SWISH system allows you to change at any time your contact details e.g. address, phone number, email address, and your preferences. The instructions for doing this are listed on the Sandbach U3A website with lots of other good stuff. To see the “HowTo” instructions, click on this web address, or paste it into your browser https://sandbachu3a.org.uk/members-news-information-new/
A piece of information that may be very important to have on record, even if it is rarely required, is the name and phone number of a person you would like to be contacted if you are involved in an emergency. As well as adding it to your SWISH details, where it will be available to the leaders of any groups you join, you should record it on your mobile phone in such a way that it can be read without unlocking all the information contained on it.
We have traditionally notified members about the AGM and membership renewal using letters on paper and although 800 of them were delivered this time by volunteer members walking the streets, it is still an expensive and time-consuming exercise. Most members have an email address and we intend to use email in future to announce AGM and renewal time. Members who are unable to receive emails will of course receive a letter but we hope the number of letters we have to send will diminish over time. Members who have an email address recorded in the SWISH system but read emails only infrequently may miss these time-dependent messages. There are three ways to avoid missing out (and we would of course recommend the first one): a) read emails more often, b) delete your email address from SWISH, c) set your preference for “Renewal Notice by” to “Post”
Forthcoming Trips
The coach taking shoppers to the Trafford Centre will leave the Military Arms in Sandbach at 9:15am on Monday 19th November. That doesn’t leave you much time to buy your ticket but Alice will be helpful as usual and take your order at the AGM or by phone on 01270 765856. The cost of a ticket is £10.
Another shopping trip, but after Christmas, is booked for Monday 25th February 2019 leaving the Military Arms at 9:15am. This one goes to Boundary Mill and also costs £10. There is no rush for tickets to this trip; they will be on sale upstairs in Sandbach library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of each month from 9.30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Alice and her team are also working on the following trips for next year:
- Grosvenor Garden Centre in Chester with lunch aboard a boat (March)
- Bury Market on a steam train with afternoon tea (April)
- York (7 May)
- Highgrove House (June)
- Llangollen horse drawn boat and steam train (July)
- Southport Flower Show (August)
- British Ironworks Oswestry (September)
Quiz in November
The next quiz will be held on Wednesday 7th November in St Mary’s Church Hall starting at 7pm for a 7:30 start. The full complement of 24 teams is booked; if you want to take part, you need to find a team that has less than 6 members and ask to be included.
Competitive Table Tennis
Anyone interested in joining a competitive table tennis group? This group would play on a ladder basis, with one objective being participation in next year’s Wales U3A National Championship. Please send expressions of interest to Steve on stevewalton@waitrose.com
Groups with Vacancies
Members and people who want to join Sandbach U3A may now see on the website all the groups listed as having vacancies. Click on the Groups tab on the Home page and select the tab entitles “Groups with Vacancies”. The list will appear showing only groups that have vacancies. Group leaders should ensure that the number of members in the group is up to date.
Warning of Websites Tailored to Your Location
One of our team wanted to investigate a damp problem at home and among the results that came back from an internet search was a website that include the following:
- “Damp Proofing Solutions in Sandbach”
- “…specialist damp proofing treatment throughout Sandbach”
- “Our Sandbach team covers the whole local region so you can be sure we are right on your doorstep”
Our team member assumed from the references to Sandbach that the company was based here. It isn’t; what the website does is look at the IP address that your computer uses to connect to the internet and inserts a suitable town in the web page. The page does not say that the company is based in your town, but it is easy to make that assumption and choose the local option. There is nothing untrue about the statements but…
The same technique could be used for any type of service. If you want a local service, check that the supplier has a local address or STD phone number.
Diaries
Most of the 2019 U3A diaries have been sold but, until they all go, they will be available for sale a) at the Members’ Meeting in Sandbach Town Hall on the 1st Monday of each month and b) at the U3A desk in Sandbach library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of each month from 9.30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The 2019 diary colour is burgundy and costs £2.50.
Group Showcase in March 2019
At the Members’ Meeting on Monday 4th March 2019 there will not be a speaker. Instead, groups have the opportunity to demonstrate their creativity. If your group produces something you want to show off, this is your chance. With this early notice you have the chance to prepare whatever sort of display or performance is appropriate. Reply to this message or contact any committee member to book a slot.
To share information about something that has happened or is going to happen, please send details to newsfeed@sandbachu3a.org.uk
This message goes to each member who has provided an email address to the membership team. If you know of someone who doesn’t use email, please pass on the contents of this message to them. All group leaders are requested to ensure that all their members receive the diary updates, which can be printed for reference if required.
Regards
The Membership Team
N.B. Library Desk. A committee member attends at the U3A desk upstairs in Sandbach library on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday morning of each month from 9.30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. You may enquire about the classes and register as a member at the desk.