Apologies for the delay in sending out this update – your editor has been enjoying events with Sandbach Walking Festival ….
Future regular updates will be sent out fortnightly over the summer with a view to returning to monthly when we, hopefully, can return to normal group meetings.
Lockdown Quiz
The latest quiz from Julie Clarke (number 65) has been loaded to the website as well as the answers to number 64. Go to the quiz page where you’ll also find this week’s music quiz (number 64) and the answers to music quiz number 63. Our quiz page lists all the quizzes that have been set previously.
Julie has decided to take a very well deserved break, after 65 weeks of keeping us challenged and entertained. She thanks everyone who has taken the time to write to thank her.
On behalf of the committee and members we’d like to say a huge thank you to Julie and everyone else who has helped to keep up our spirits since the first lockdown.
Group News
Members Mornings
The committee are working on plans for the 2021/2022 programme and arrangements for a return to Members Mornings where members are invited to a social meeting each month. A speaker or some form of entertainment is provided and members enjoy refreshments, whilst catching up with friends.
These meetings are held in Sandbach Town Hall from September to May on the first Monday of each month and run from 10.00 am to 12 noon. Speakers are scheduled to begin at 10:30
The first meeting is “Barking Mad” see our website for details – sandbachu3a.org.uk/members-mornings/
Membership Renewals
Thank you to everyone who has renewed so far.
Dates for our renewal sessions for 2021 are 14, 28 July 2021 and 11, 25 August 2021
9:30 to 11:30am at Sandbach Rugby Club, Bradwall Road, CW11 1RA
(The rugby club has light refreshments on sale.)
Local News
Free Webinars About Scams In July
The Neighbourhood Watch Network invites members to – join us in July for a month of weekly online webinars to expose the truths behind scams.
The webinars are FREE to attend and are open to anyone who would like to know more about scams, the psychology behind scams, prevention and how a fraud case is investigated.
The webinars bring together experts in their field relating to online fraud, a topic which we are all too familiar with and can affect anyone and everyone, as our lives are played out more digitally.
The dates of the webinars and their topics are as follows:
6th July, 5pm
Exploring the psychology behind scams and how scammers are so effective at their crimes
Paul Maskell, Fraud & Cyber Crime Prevention Manager, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)
14th July, 5pm
Insights into how a fraud case is investigated and how not to be the next victim
Ben Hobbs, Detective Sergeant; and Catriona Still, Head of Fraud Prevention & Training, Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU)
23rd July 5pm
Scams awareness training from the Friends Against Scams initiative
The National Trading Standards Scams Team (NTSST)
30th July, 5pm
Don’t get hooked by scammers! What you need to know about flubot and phishing scams
Christopher Budd, Senior Global Threat Communications Manager, Avast
How to book your place
You can click on the links within this message on each of the webinars topics to register your place or you can go to www.ourwatch.org.uk/webinars and click on the webinar that you wish to attend, you can attend all of them if you wish and so make sure that you complete the registration page for each of them.
Cheryl Spruce | Head of Membership and Community Engagement
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH NETWORK, Central Support Team
Healthwatch Report
Member Graeme Coyne writes – U3A might be interested in this report that looks at how certain groups who don’t have access to or know how to use internet based systems have restricted access to GPs since the pandemic started.
National News
u3a Chess Network
After two successful u3a Zoom meetings support has been gathered from u3a members representing all parts of the UK for the start of the u3a CHESS NETWORK
The Network aims to promote the study and playing of Chess in the u3a – both in local u3a`s and nationally on web-sites and Zoom, etc. Chess, unlike Bridge, has never flourished in u3a – probably because it has the reputation of being a difficult, aggressive, complex game, played in silence. On the contrary, the rules are straightforward and easy to grasp and after a short while interesting, thought-provoking games can be played.
Also, we have shown in the last few years that a Chess Club can be sociable, interactive and co-operative – where the intention is to explore the theory and play well but also to enjoy playing the game and meeting other people. There is little doubt that playing a game like Chess improves concentration, memory, decision-making and spatial comprehension – so a real advantage for all of us in u3a!!
In September we are starting a nation-wide u3a Chess League which will be available to all members of all abilities from learners to experts. The objectives of the new u3a Chess Network are:
– to help and encourage new Chess Clubs; (one of the most common questions we have received has been `how do I start a Chess Club ?`)
– to collect, and make readily available, information relevant to u3a chess players and clubs.
– to encourage Zoom or on-line u3a Chess groups or leagues; (another typical complaint to the Subject Advisors is that there are no u3a chess groups in my area!).
It is now possible to join the u3a CHESS NETWORK by going to: www.u3aChessNetWork.org.uk – where it is also possible to register for the u3a Chess League starting in September.
Castle Chess Subject Adviser
David
Parking the Jargon by Maureen Sawtell
There was a question on the internet
About our English Language being so abused
Asking for words and phrases too often overused.
Way back when, at the end of the day
Like, sort of and you know were leading the way.
I thought of meetings I had attended
Jargon obscuring what was intended.
Let’s park that and you can ping me.
Were still pushing the envelope, reaching for synergy.
No offence, just to say, at the end of the day
Are we on the same page or shall I circle back?
We’ve got to ensure were on the right track.
Let’s think outside the box, use some blue sky thinking
And not for nothing can you share your learnings.
For the fact is you see,
We’re not using the lower fruit on the tree.
So let’s buck up and get the ball rolling
I want 110 %, are you still following?
You may think you are hip and clever
Using rehearsed phrases, metaphors and whatever
To fire up your audience, pepping up your address.
But would correct yet imaginative English really fail to impress?
For the fact equals because, and circling back, to return
Then there is sharing your learnings
Better still, share with us what you have learned.
Thinking outside the box and blue sky thinking
Implies using imaginations for unique and innovative solutions.
And as for not using the lower fruit on the tree
If the need is to accept more difficult projects
Then describe, enthuse and challenge your “subjects”
And when you know you have gained their consent
Drop the hackneyed and impossible 110%.
Please think carefully about what comes next
The words you will use when composing the text.
With an English language so rich and diverse
Be it written or spoken, prose or in verse
Your choice is immeasurable, enlightening and pleasurable.
You won’t be thought old fashioned
Parking the jargon, keeping it rationed.
Learning a new word every day
You will soon realise that you have found the best way
To enrich and enliven your speech and its effect
As your audience sit up and listen, showing their respect.
On a Lighter Note
-
- Someone asked me for a small donation towards the local swimming pool, so I gave him a glass of water.
- I changed my password to “incorrect” so whenever I forget, the computer will say, “Your password is incorrect.”
- Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity. Not even close!
- I’m great at multi-tasking. I can waste time, be unproductive, and procrastinate all together, at once.
- Doesn’t expecting the unexpected mean that the unexpected is actually expected?
- Take my advice — I’m not using it.
- Hospitality is the art of making guests feel like they’re at home, when you wish they were.
- Television may insult your intelligence, but nothing rubs it in like a computer.
- I bought a vacuum cleaner six months ago and so far, all it’s been doing is gathering dust.
- Every time someone comes up with a fool proof solution, along comes a more-talented fool.
- If you take the advice to keep your feet firmly on the ground, you’ll have big trouble putting on your pants.
- Ever stop to think . . . and then completely forget to start again? It’s called Getting Old!
- There may be no acceptable excuse for laziness, but I’m still alive and looking.
- Give me ambiguity or give me something else.
- He who laughs last thinks slowest.
- Isn’t it illegal and wrong that only one company makes the game Monopoly?
- Change is inevitable, except from a broken vending machine.
- The grass may be greener on the other side but at least you don’t have to mow it.