National u3a Newsletter – January 2024
The u3a National newsletter for 🌧️January 🌧️ is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
Get involved in u3a Eye
This is not a competition and it is not only about your photographic skill – we are looking for any interesting photos and interpretations of the theme. This month the theme is “Home Town Pride”.
Judges pick based not only on the quality of the image but also on the interpretation of the theme. At the end of every deadline, we will choose and publish up to 15 photos in the online gallery below. Your photo should also not include any people. Deadline for submissions: 12pm on Thursday 29 February 2024. Enter here. There are more learning initiatives on our learning pages.
u3a Festival 24 is taking place 18-20 July 2024 in York, where we will be running a wide variety of activities – talks, sporting events, musical entertainment and workshops which will make this first u3a national festival something to remember. Find out more about the festival on the u3a website.
We’re keen to strengthen our musical offering so if your u3a has singers or musicians who would like to come please get in touch by emailing festival@u3a.org.uk.
u3a Radio Podcast – Episode 36 – Talking Newspaper, AI, Songwriting, Essential Tremor
Members can listen on podcasting platforms and watch a captioned video on the u3a YouTube channel. Listen now.
You can find lots of events on our online events page. Here is a sample:
Mosaic Art: a brief history and perspective from a contemporary mosaic artist.
Thursday, 1st February 10am
A brief history of mosaic making and the real experience of a modern day mosaicist. From Ancient Greek to Byzantium mosaics through to current British and American mosaic artworks.
Introduction to the Air Fryer: with simple recipes
Thursday, 8th February, 11.30am
Air fryers(AF) are small, convection ovens, not deep fat fryers at all. A powerful fan oven and small surface area means that they heat up quickly and cook speedily. For example, a whole small chicken will cook in 50 minutes. AF use a unique, fat removal technology to cook food. Ideal for healthy eaters.
‘Safe bind, safe find’: locks and keys
Wednesday 14 February, 2pm
Richard of Penicuik u3a shares the history of locks and keys, from Sumer to Silicon Valley. We all rely on locks for our personal and property security, yet we rarely give this technology a thought unless the lock goes wrong or we lose the key. From Sumer to Silicon Valley, this talk ranges over history, lockpicking challenges, crime, personalities, and some stories about locks.
David Hockney and the Theatre
Friday, 23rd February, 2pm
Through sound and video, art historian Peter Webb brings Hockney’s theatre to life.
Secrets of the Human Brain: Talk Two: Sleep and Dreams
Thursday, 29th February, 2pm
This talk explains how our brains make us awake, asleep and can make us dream. It explains how different parts of the brain are responsible for keeping us awake and making us go to sleep.
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Don’t forget u3a Click and Save on your New Year Bargains
Through the u3a Click and Save scheme, members can receive a discount on many big brands including Sainsbury’s, Costa, Currys and Ticketmaster.
How do you access u3a Click and Save?
You can access the scheme by following these steps:
1. Create an account on the u3a Click and Save website.
2. Click on the link in the confirmation email and then log in.
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As usual check the website regularly for the latest news, tutorials and events, some of which are listed below. Our ongoing initiatives are continuing so have a look at our learning pages to see everything that you can get involved in. Click here for the information leaflet to complement the local learning happening in your u3as.
For previous editions of the national newsletter, see the newsletter archive. Did you know that you can sign up to receive the national u3a monthly newsletter direct to your email inbox? If you wish to do this, please complete the form on the U3A website here
