Group News
The new group “Talking Travel” will meet for the first time on Friday 21st February at 14:00 in Sandbach library. The topic will be “Croatia”. At the next Talking Travel group meeting on Friday 20th March 2pm Sandbach Library Alex and Wendy Black will talk about “Holiday Cottages in Dorset and Devon”.
Sharon Ginnis, a member of the Circus Skills group, features in the latest issue (343) of “Yours” magazine as an example to the nation of taking up new activities.
Come and Sing Day 8th April 2020
Stephen Davies, leader of the U3A choir, is offering an opportunity for people to join in singing some Gilbert & Sullivan favourite songs at Sandbach High School on Wednesday 8th April from 10am to 4pm. The cost for Sandbach U3A members is £5 and non U3A members are welcome but they must pay £7. You may obtain an application form by clicking on this link.
Social Events Now on SWISH
The SWISH system now provides the long-awaited social events to members who log on to the Sandbach U3A website and offers the following features:
- Upcoming events are listed, and each event has a separate page showing full details.
- The list and pages show how many places are available or if there is a waiting list.
- A simple booking procedure allows you to contact the organiser and reserve your place
- You can reserve places and pay online for up to two members, e.g. for yourself and your partner.
- Your personal profile shows events you have booked
Note: You will still be able to book and pay for events by visiting the Sandbach library on the morning of the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month.
Forthcoming Trips
- 24th February 2020 Shopping Trip to Boundary Mill at Colne.
- 3rd April 2020 Halfpenny Green Vineyard
- 25th April 2020 Spectacular Classics at the Bridgewater Hall
- 5th May 2020 Coach Trip to York
- 7th May 2020 Cruise the Manchester Ship Canal
- 4th June 2020 Lion Salt Works and Anderton Boat Lift
- 9th July 2020 Llangollen Steam Train and Horse-drawn Barge
- 25th July 2020 Chester Races
- 14th August 2020 Shrewsbury Flower Show
- 26th Sep 2020 Bury Market and Flying Scotsman.
Tickets 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. If you are unable to visit the library or use the website, call Alice on 01270 765856.
Member Meeting Monday 2nd March 2020
The next member meeting is on Monday 2nd March in St Mary’s Church Hall, Sandbach, when members of various groups will demonstrate their creative talents either in performance or in table top exhibits. The hall opens for members at 09:30am.
Pen Pals Required
Lizzie Jolley is the PCSO for Haslington and as part of the Police mission to reduce isolation in our community, she is looking for people to write pen pal letters to residents at Hollymere House in Haslington.
She suggests that letters are sent once every few weeks and that they talk about happy memories and everyday activities. These letters will be read to and by residents and you will receive a reply from your new pen pal.
If you are interested in writing letters, reply to this message to learn how to take it forward.
Next U3A Quiz 8th April in St Mary’s Church Hall
This is advanced warning of the next U3A quiz. Although Keith Pointon has done an excellent job as question master and setter for the last few years, he is unavailable for this quiz and Julie Clarke will replace him. The hall will open at 7pm and the questions will start at 7:30. Each team may have up to six members, who should a) bring their own drinks and snacks and b) pay the £1 entry fee per team member.
This is a popular event and the hall allows only 24 teams so prompt action is required. The only way to participate is send an email in March to quiz@sandbachu3a.org.uk. Entries sent before March to try to cheat the system will be ignored.
The email should contain the name of your team and its captain.
Sandbach to Macclesfield Bus
One of the Sandbach members suspects the 38 bus to Congleton and Macclesfield may be curtailed if the number of people using it drops too low and sends this message:
“Local bus company D&G operates the number 38 bus from Crewe to Macclesfield via Sandbach. It runs every day (including Sunday). I have been told that it has not been well supported, suggesting that we may lose this service.
Public transport needs support, so perhaps members could use their bus passes for an outing to Macclesfield. The bus is free after 9.30, so no petrol or parking to pay for.”
If you don’t use the bus now because your car is more convenient, think of a future where you might not be able to drive.
Help the Ambulance Service
The North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) has recently set up a Patient and Public Panel (PPP) and is now recruiting volunteers.
The aim of the panel is to give patients and the public an opportunity to share their views and help shape NWAS’ core services including emergency, patient transport and 111.
If you would like to join the panel or you want to know more about its work, click on this link.
Third Age Trust Newsletter
The national organisation overseeing U3As in the UK sends out newsletters to the secretary of each U3A, encouraging them to circulate to the entire membership. This is the first time you have been presented with the newsletter. Click on this link to see what they have to say.
Winter Newsletter Family Fun Quiz
Thank you to all those who submitted entries to our Winter Newsletter Family Fun Quiz and congratulations to our winner, Shena Lewington.
Shena’s name was drawn from the proverbial hat and has won a full bottle of half decent plonk. Her correct answers are as follows:
| 1 | According to the proverb, what “blows nobody any good”? | An ill wind |
| 2 | REVENGE IS OUR WAY is an anagram of which actress? | Sigourney Weaver |
| 3 | In pre-decimal British currency, what name was given to a coin worth £1 and 1 shilling? | A guinea |
| 4 | The action of ABBA’s song Dancing Queen takes place on which day of the week? | Friday (“Friday night and the lights are low, looking out for a place to go”) |
| 5 | John 11:35 is the shortest verse in the Bible. It comprises which 2 words? | Jesus wept |
| 6 | On which UK motorway would you find Burtonwood Services? | M62 |
| 7 | The sockeye is a species of which fish? | Salmon |
| 8 | How many letters are there in a British National Insurance number? | 3 (and 6 numbers) |
| 9 | The song You’ll Never Walk Alone comes from which Rodgers and Hammerstein musical? | Carousel |
| 10 | How many players are there in a hockey team? | 11 |
A more detailed Sandbach U3A newsletter will appear in April 2020. 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.