Category Archives: Information

Monthly Meeting

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The speaker at our next monthly meeting will be Jim Holmes.

Jim is a photo journalist who has covered major events around the world.

The title of his talk is “‘Humanitarian Vision’

Exploring the extraordinary work done around the world by agencies and charities that specialise in humanitarian emergency interventions and long-term development projects. This presentation includes images from Afghanistan, Mongolia, Laos, Indonesia and Burma shot on assignment for Oxfam, Save the Children the United Nations and many other organisations.

This will be on Zoom starting at 2pm.

For joining instructions please see Newsemail dated 10 April 2021 or contact Chairman.

Annual General Meeting

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As already notified in the Quarterly Magazine, we will hold our 2021 AGM electronically on ZOOM on Wednesday 17th March at 2pm.

There is an addition to the published agenda, this is an amendment to the constitution to allow members to participate in meetings by Zoom whenever their physical presence is not possible. This will be handled under Any Other Business.

For all rlvant documentation and further info contact the Chairman.

French Conversation & French 2

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FRENCH CONVERSATION.

Over the past year our numbers have dropped from 8 to 4. Normally we are a house group meeting on 2nd & 4th Monday in the month, in the morning.

We talk about things we’ve read, seen or listened to as well as topical news.

At present we are using ZOOM for our meetings.

We’d like more members – so if anyone would like to join us, please contact Jean Stanford via the Group Coordinator

FRENCH 2

Over the past year our numbers have dropped from 8 to 4. Normally we are a house group meeting weekly on Wednesday mornings. At present we are using ZOOM for our meetings.

We would like 2,even 3 more members. We try to speak French most of the time. We each usually give a short presentation of what we’ve done, seen or read in the preceding week, usually followed by questions and answers. Plus we discuss topical issues. We use French magazine – Bien Dire and Bien Dire Initial. It has many interesting articles, some of which we can listen to by CD. See attached example. We also use an outdated French Experience 2 for grammar etc. We learn from each other – not a teacher, therefore the group is always open to suggestions for things to do.

So if you have some French and would like to join us, please contact Jean Stanford via the Group Coordinator.

Prendre au mot BDI25

Special Announcement

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Hello everybody,

As you might imagine we are working behind the scenes to keep much of our U3A ticking over during the present crisis. One service that we can offer immediately is our WhatsApp U3ACHAT line, sign up for this and you can get up to the minute advice, assistance and even several friendly ears just to listen!

As the membership base progresses and hopefully with due haste, we plan to introduce onto the service items such as broadcast events for many of our existing groups. This will lend itself well to things such as quizzes and current affairs topics, science programs and much more. All of these programs will be interactive, either by text or voice. Video inserts will also be used, as well as powerpoint and other presentations!

You can receive WhatsApp on your pc or MacBook but in eithercase you will need and existing copy of the app on your smartphone. Without this the program will not run.

To join this service see your Newsemail dated 22 March or contact deputychair@westwiltsu3a.org.uk

Another way of getting on this service is to send your name and your mobile telephone number in a reply to this email.

At the current time, this service can only take up to 250 members, so don’t delay.

We will be launching a Skype service for voice communication in the coming days.

All the very best

Deputy Chair West Wilts U3A

 

Trips Cancelled

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TRIPS

In line with the government directive, it has been decided that the following trips will be cancelled

22 April to Batsford. Cheques have not been presented for payment
and will be destroyed

12 May to Reading/Basildon Park.

All future trips will be reviewed as and when the situation changes.

On behalf of the Trips Committee –
Diane, Gill, Pauline and myself. I would like to thank you for your continued
support.

AGM Cancelled

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WEST WILTS U3A ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

 NOTICE OF CANCELLATION

Having just listened to the latest government briefing about the covid-19 virus, and due to the age distribution of our membership, it has been decided to postpone the AGM planned for Wednesday 18 March.

Although most members will have access to this email, a significant number do not. Those who receive this email are therefor asked to spread this message to those who may not receive it.

For those who had planned to renew their membership at the door before the meeting members of the committee will be available at the door between 01:30 to 02:30 pm.  to explain the situation to anyone who does not receive this message and to accept membership renewals as appropriate

Otherwise members are requested to renew either by bank transfer or cheque. Bank account details are available on the membership renewal form.

The AGM will be rescheduled once the present crisis is resolved and official information allows. Meanwhile, the existing committee members will remain in office.

As for individual groups, some venues have already been closed and others will probably follow. The decision whether or not to hold meetings will be a matter for the groups to decide. However, all group leaders are asked to keep both the Treasurer and Groups’ coordinator informed so that we do not incur expenses for halls that are not used.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation.
Stay healthy !

Glyn Evans
Chairman

 

Coronavirus Advice – An Update

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The Committee have been asked by the Third Age Trust to disseminate the following information to our members:

Please find enclosed updated advice from Healthwatch – the NHS consumer watchdog.

What’s the risk of catching coronavirus in the UK?

The NHS and Public Health England are well prepared for outbreaks of new infectious diseases. The NHS has put in place measures to ensure the safety of all patients and NHS staff while also ensuring services are available to the public as normal.

The UK Chief Medical Officers have raised the risk to the public from low to moderate. But the risk to individuals remains low. If you have arrived back to the UK from mainland China and other specified areas, follow the advice for returning travellers.

How is coronavirus spread?

Like the common cold, coronavirus (also known as Covid-19) infection usually occurs through close contact with a person with novel coronavirus via cough and sneezes or hand contact. You can also be infected by touching contaminated surfaces if you do not wash your hands.

The risk of being in close contact with a person with coronavirus or contaminated surfaces in very low at the moment, as members of the public who have visited Wuhan, Hubei province, China are currently in isolation.

Symptoms of coronavirus
The main symptoms of coronavirus are:
·         a cough
·         a high temperature
·         shortness of breath

When to call 111

Based on the scientific advice of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) the UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

Do not go to a GP surgery or hospital. Call 111, stay indoors and avoid close contact with other people.

How to avoid catching or spreading germs?

Do:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
  • Put used tissues in the bin straight away.
  • Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don’t:

  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

February Walk – Cancelled

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Walking Group Update

The fieldpaths around Broughton Gifford are very muddy and, with more rain today and tomorrow, the conditions are not going to improve.  With this in mind, I have reluctantly decided to cancel this Thursday’s walk which will be re-instated at a later date.  If any members pick up this message and have contacts in the group could they please pass the information onto them.

Apologies.

Nigel Vile 01225 710139.

Coronavirus

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CORONAVIRUS

Following the confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK, the Government and NHS have issued advice for members of the public. The Third Age Trust want to share this advice and have asked for the information to be disseminated to our members.

The Government and NHS have issued advice for members of the public following the confirmed cases of coronavirus in the UK.

Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to a severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.

The UK Chief Medical Officers are advising anyone who has travelled to the UK from mainland China, Thailand, Japan, Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia or Macau in the last 14 days and is experiencing cough or fever or shortness of breath, to stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if symptoms are mild.

More information about the virus, as well as symptoms and advice, is available to view at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/wuhan-novel-coronavirus- information-for-the-public

Or on the NHS England website at:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/2020/02/statement-from-nhs-england-and-nhs- improvement-on-coronavirus/