Newsletter April 2019

Spring seems to have “sprung” at last despite the cool week we are having at the moment. Bluebells are beginning to flower in the woods, lambing is almost over and gardens are springing back to life. There is something rather special watching this new life appearing every year and retirement gives us that time to appreciate it fully.

Last month, Martin Lloyd’s talk on “Passports, Assassins Traitors and Spies” gave us an interesting interpretation of how events in the past have brought
about the changes that have led to the current passport system that is operated in this country. However, my opinion only, I still think the old-style passport with a clear photo was much better than the current digital version! This month, for our meeting on the 30 th we are moving closer to home. Mike
Reed, our guest speaker, is a local expert on our wildlife. He has a most interesting background based around our local fauna which will be reflected in
his illustrated talk “The Wonderful Wildlife of Edenbridge.” Usual start time 2pm - remember to switch off your mobiles.

So, what’s happening with U3a this month?

• Our membership has climbed to 243 members this year with some 60 different groups now in operation. In the latest edition of “U3a Matters” it is
  interesting to read about other groups that are part of U3a in other parts of this country. Boules (or Pétanque) for example – maybe we have some
  members who would like to get involved in this activity?
• www.edenbridgeu3a.co.uk
  Behind the scenes, your committee is working on a major change to our website. Perhaps this is an understatement as we are changing the website totally to fit in with all the major advances there have been in information technology. We will keep you informed as we progress with this important change – as you can imagine this is a mammoth task. The current website accessed through the web address above will remain in operation until the new site is ready to launch. Unfortunately, Paul Dashwood, our current web manager, is in hospital and I am extremely grateful to Stephen Harding who has kindly agreed to ‘step in’ and keep our existing website ticking over in the meantime.

• How are you getting on with those New Year resolutions? Have you joined a new group to develop a new skill or extend your knowledge? If you are at the monthly meeting in April there will be updated lists of all the groups that are running together with the group leader for each group. Copies of this
  list will be available on the desk on entry and on the table by the display board.

The weather today is gorgeous with the prospect of a warm and sunny Easter. No doubt many of you will be enjoying the great outdoors and tackling those
many Spring tasks that arise in the garden.

Hope to see many of you on the 30th .
Mike Collins