Weekly Update 15 March 2021

Lockdown Quiz

The latest quiz from Julie Clarke (number 50) has been loaded to the website as well as the answers to number 49. Go to the quiz page where you’ll also find this week’s music quiz (number 49) and the answers to music quiz number 48. Our quiz page lists all the quizzes that have been set previously.

Group News

Getting to know you: the Sandbach & District u3a Committee –Richard Thorne, Acting Treasurer

I moved to Sandbach in 2017, having lived close by in Alsager for the past 15 years. This was a new start for me, my wife and our kids. My son James attended Sandbach Boys School and is now down at Plymouth University, Joe is studying at Harper Adams University, and Jess is a teacher in Birmingham.

In 2018 I decided to take a break from the daily commute to Manchester.  My role, as a Business Analyst, covered numerous industries including, Food, Funeral Care and Financial Services.
I joined numerous u3a groups; walking football, pilates, tables tennis, walking cricket and also ticked the “willing to volunteer” section of the joining form.  Whilst a role on the main Committee, at that stage, didn’t appeal I did join the Finance sub-committee group.  This group ensures that group records, group payments and supplier payments are all correct and recorded appropriately.  When the previous Treasurer stepped down, and as it’s a legal requirement for a Charity to have a Treasurer, I was asked whether I’d step in to help produce last year’s accounts.  Nine months later I’m still here!

u3a on tv

Pam Thomas suggests that members with access to ‘catch up’ TV might like to watch ITV’s “Tonight – How To Age Well?” last shown on Wednesday 10 March 2021, 5:09pm. The programmes focus is on staying healthier for longer and amongst other items features one on u3a membership as positive benefit. 

Lockdown Wordsearch

Stephen Davies has shared with us a wordsearch he created for Crewe Stroke Support Group which you can download  here.

The wordsearch contains about 30 words or terms associated with the covid lockdown, including a couple of abbreviations.
Most words read across or down as usual. A few are diagonal, back to front or upside down. If there is a term with two words, they usually link or are next to each other.
Some of the links are not in straight lines, but the linked letters are adjacent to each other.
Every letter in the grid should be used at least once. There are no unused letters.

Local News

Unpaid Carers

Cheshire East Council has launched a new survey for unpaid carers in Cheshire East, seeking feedback on their experiences, and to inform how best to support them.

An unpaid carer is anyone, including adults and children who looks after a partner, family member or friend, who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction, and cannot cope without their support. You can find the survey here – https://surveys.cheshireeast.gov.uk/s/CarersExperienceSurvey2021/

Lateral flow testing now available in local centres in Cheshire East

From Monday 15 March, lateral flow testing can be undertaken at five new asymptomatic testing sites including the Wesley Centre In Sandbach.

Tests are open to all residents, but they must be pre-booked. No walk-up appointments will be available.

Government guidance has been issued to advise that households and bubbles of pupils, students and staff of schools and colleges should get tested twice-weekly. This also includes the wider school community including bus drivers and after school club leaders. Details at: https://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/council_and_democracy/council_information/media_hub/media_releases/cheshire-east-residents-to-have-access-to-a-range-of-lateral-flow-testing-sites.aspx

Vaccination Update from Sandbach GPS

Latest NHS England figures show half of Cheshire and Merseyside residents have had their first dose of the vaccine.

The weekly statistical release from NHS England on Thursday (March 11) shows that, up to March 7, 46% of all over-16s in Cheshire and Merseyside have been given their first jab. In Cheshire alone, 91.3% of all over 60s have received their first inoculation.See https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ for details 

On a Lighter Note

  • Before you criticise someone, walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticise them, you’re a mile away and you have their shoes
  • Jokes about German sausage are the wurst.
  • Atheists can’t solve exponential equations because they don’t believe in higher powers.
  • A girl said she recognised me from my vegetarian club but I’d never met herbivore.
  • I did a theatrical performance about puns. It was a play on words.
  • The Energiser Bunny has been arrested and charged with battery.
  • I didn’t like my beard at first but it grew on me.
  • What do you call a dinosaur with an extensive vocabulary? A thesaurus.
  • Did you hear about the man who jumped off a bridge in France? He was in Sein. Don’t date an airport carousel operator. Too much baggage!
  • The Citroen recruiter was upset because he only got 2 CV’s
  • I played ‘Mama Mia’ on a didgeridoo. Is that ABBA-riginal?

Courtesy of Wanstead and Woodford u3a

 

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