U3As are self-help, self-managed lifelong learning co-operatives for older people no longer in full time work, providing opportunities for their members to share learning experiences in a wide range of interest groups and to pursue learning not for qualifications, but for fun.
Welcome to the University of the Third Age
Southend-on-Sea
The 160-strong membership of this busy U3A, one of only two in the country that meet weekly, has an interesting programme to enjoy. We meet on Tuesdays at Westcliff Free Church, London Road, Westcliff, near Westcliff Library. Doors open at 2pm; notices are read at 2.20pm; speakers start at 2.30pm. We have a wide and expanding selection of study groups covering many interesting subjects.
To ask about joining, call PETER ROTHWELL on 01702 715005
New sights to see at popular outing site
Members of Southend U3A who travelled by coach to Leonardslee were rewarded with some unusual sights. On
the left is a superior dolls' house, complete with superior servants. On the right is a sculpture that is a cross between
Renaissance France and Star Trek. Enough members made the trip to enable the budget to be balanced. Such
interest needs to be maintained if Jeanette and Pat are to continue to break even. (Pictures: Roger Saward)
New chairman for Essex U3A
Beryl McDonell, pictured, vice-chairman of Maldon U3A,
has agreed to become chairman of the Association of
Essex Universities of the Third Age. She stepped forward
at the Association's AGM on Thursday 14th May when
Iris Mooney retired as chairman. Vice-chairman Pat
Brown also retired. Mike Eldridge-Doyle, vice-chairman
of Southend U3A, is a member of the Essex committee.
Study group leaders get together
More than a dozen study group leaders held their April get-together at the Cliffs Pavilion.
They reported on the progress of their groups and discussed ideas for improvements
and inter-group co-operation.
Where codebreakers helped to shorten war
Nearly two dozen members of Southend U3A visited Bletchley Park, home of Britain's Second
World War codebreakers, where, among other exhibits, they saw the re-created Colossus
- the world's first semi-programmable computer (above). For more pictures, go to: Outings
Aviation Group visit historic WW2 ops room
Fourteen members of the Southend U3A Aviation Group travelled to RAF Uxbridge on Wednesday
8th April to visit the immaculately preserved Second World War undergound operations room
of 11 Fighter Group. The curator, Hazel Crozier, welcomed the group and gave them a tour. More
pictures can be found here: Aviation Group
Barbara tells of royal summons
Southend U3A member Barbara Crowe told us at our meeting of Tuesday 31st March
about the day she received a summons to Buckingham Balace to receive the insignia
of the MBE. We learned how her work over many years with the parents of handicapped
children had earned her the respect of charity workers throughout the country and a call
to meet the Queen. Sadly the Queen was unable to conduct the ceremony and the Prince
of Wales stepped in - impressing Barbara by spending time talking to her and
demonstrating a knowledge of her work.
Look who just got married!
Romance was in the air as two leading members of Southend U3A chose the stately surroundings of historic Porters Civic House, Southend, as the venue for their marriage. Our new chairman, Jeanette Behn, and membership secretary Peter Rothwell tied the knot at the very site where Southend U3A marked its twentieth anniversary. Just under 50 people attended the wedding - about a dozen of them members of our U3A. A buffet was provided by Affinity. After their marriage, the couple travelled to the Caribbean for a sunny honeymoon. We offer them our very best wishes.
Painting for Pleasure artists illustrate their pleasing skills
These fine paintings are by Painting For Pleasure study group members. The Wolf in pastel pencils is by Valerie Smerdon, the Thames Barge is by Diane
Hamilton and Sprig in Bloom is by Annette Tidman. If you are artistically inclined and would like details of the group, call John Boote on 01702 522681.
Rita tells of battle to restore Dunkirk 'little ship'
Rita Cocks, of the Leigh Endeavour Trust, was our speaker on Tuesday 10th March. She told of the battle to raise money
to save and restore the cockle boat Endeavour, built in Leigh, which joined the fleet of 'little ships' that sailed to Dunkirk
to rescue retreating British soldiers. She spoke for an hour and later answered questions from the many people who
crowded round her display of pictures of the enterprise.
Theatre lovers entertain with anecdotes
Members of the Theatre Appreciation Study Group entertained at the meeting of Tuesday
3rd March. They are, from left, Betty Boote, Peggy Spicer, Jan Mills, Barbara Banks, and
(at the microphone) Bridget Carr. Their topics included theatre in Southend, women in
Shakespeare's plays, and playwrights Noel Coward and Alan Bennett.
Sybil tells of traditions of Jewish life
Sybil Greenstein (left), known to many members as a talented quizmaster, revealed that she
is also a compelling speaker. At the meeting of 24th February she gave a fascinating talk
entitled From the Cradle to the Grave, a year in the life of a Jewish woman. She is pictured
here with Southend U3A chairman Jeanette Rothwell.
2009 Essex Annual General Meeting
The Annual General Meeting of the Association of Essex U3As will be held at the Henry Dixon Hall, Rivenhall End, Witham, on Thursday, 14th May, 2009, at 10.30am. Chairman Iris Mooney and Vice-Chairman Pat Brown will be standing down and successors must be elected. If you are interested in being nominated for either post, please speak to Southend U3A Chairman Jeanette Rothwell (01702 715005) or Vice-Chairman Mike Eldridge-Doyle (01702 480089).
What's so blooming funny?
New chairman Jeanette Rothwell has added a new dimension
to our Tuesday meetings - unrestrained humour. She tells jokes.
Is her stand-up technique good? Look at the reaction of the
audience at the quiz-social afternoon on Tuesday 17th February,
in the picture below, and you'll have the answer!
Committee changes at annual meeting
At a well-attended annual general meeting (top), chairman Peggy Spicer (below, right) and secretary
Betty Boote (below, left) stepped down. They were thanked for their nine year' service on the
committee. The new chairman is Jeanette Rothwell (above, right) and the new secretary Pat
Williams (above, left). John Boote and Audrey Vincent have left the committee after seven years and
Irene Gildert has joined it.
Patchworker Maureen's stitch in time
Patchwork expert Maureen Ollett was the speaker at our meeting of Tuesday 13th January. She
showed a large number of samples, many of them of exquisite quality, and such was the interest
she aroused, she was kept answering questions long after her talk finished.
Christmas social brings members together
The halls were decked and full of cheer as Southend U3A members met for the Christmas Social on Tuesday 16th December. In the picture at top left, the Glee Club entertain. Top right: One of the many table groups enjoy the afternoon. Bottom left: The Playreaders present Cinderella: A Concise Version. Bottom right: Eddy Bishop, our sound man in more ways than one plays the piano for us. A trio of piano, cello and violin also played for members
Southend U3A's Christmas lunch is simply delicious fun
The Southend U3A Christmas lunch was held at the Park View Suite, Chalkwell, on Tuesday 2nd December. Eighty-five people
sat down to an excellent lunch.The service was very good. All the waiters were very helpful and were also cheerful. Red and
white wine were supplied to each table plus juice where required. One picture shows half the room and the other the top table.
Details of recent speakers at Tuesday meetings here: Speakers' Corner
Our star pair at Essex study day
Southend U3A chair Peggy Spicer and study groups co-ordinator Bridget Carr were among 74 delegates from ten U3As around the county who attended the group co-ordinators' and group leaders' day arranged by the Association of Essex Universities of the Third Age at Beauchamps High School, Wickford, on Wednesday 29th October. They are pictured checking in for the event. In the unavoidable absence of Association chairman Iris Mooney, the master of ceremonies was vice-chairman Pat Brown. The speakers were Thelma Cleaver, leader of the Chelmsford Philosophy Group, Alan Baxter, from Basildon, who spoke on taking over an established group - in this case Birdwatching - Janet Whitehouse, from Roding Valley, who spoke of her Drama Group's participation in security improvement activities for older people, and Essex U3A and Southend U3A websites editor Mike Eldridge-Doyle, from Southend, who is a member of the Association's committee. Many delegates said they found the event stimulating, offering a helpful exchange of ideas and a chance to meet colleagues from other parts of Essex.
Study group leaders get together
Some of the study group leaders who got together for a meeting at the Cliffs Pavilion on Monday 27th September.
Have your say with
Eve and Howard
Eve and Howard Marks want users of the Southend U3A website to feel they can have their say about any topic. To take part, click here: Have Your Say and here: Discussion Group
New music website for U3A members
A new website dealing with the classical music interests of older people has been started. Constructed by Tom Holloway, who inaugurated the Southend U3A website, and Norman Edwards, it can be found here: http://u3amusicgroups.pbwiki.com/
Marilyn, Lauren and the Big Quiz...
Some of the 10 tables which contested the Association of Essex U3As' Big
Quiz. Sadly, Southend wasn't represented.
Can you name two of Marilyn Monroe's three husbands? Do you know which famous Hollywood star was born Betty Joan Perske? Those were among the questions asked by quizmasters Sybil and Jeffrey at the first major quiz organised by the Association of Essex U3As on Wednesday 24th September. The quiz took place in the Millennium Suite at Great Baddow Community Centre. With 10 tables in play, it was busy and noisy and riotous fun. The winners were Basildon and Billericay U3A, who received a shield and individual medals from Association chairman Iris Mooney. The runners-up were Leigh-on-Sea U3A. Southend U3A didn't manage to assemble a team to enter the event. (By the way, Marilyn's husbands were Jim Dougherty, Joe DiMaggio and playwright Arthur Miller. Betty Joan Perske was Lauren Bacall - and noboby got that right!)
Don't forget, there is now a website for the Association of Essex Universities of the Third Age, to which Southend U3A belongs.
Christmas card winner
This fine picture of a cat in a hat was chosen to be a Christmas card.
Details here: Painting for Pleasure
Open day visitors see study group stalls plus Glee Club and Playreading fun
Three of the many stalls set out in the back hall of Westcliff Free Church on Tuesday 9th September for the Southend U3A Open Day.
They are by the Aviation, Patchwork and Local History study groups. The day attracted a big attendance and featured performances
by the Glee Club and the Playreading Group (pictures below) which were very well received.
Invitation to join in a trip to Jordan
Basildon and Billericay U3A has issued an invitation to Southend members to take part in a fascinating trip being planned to the Middle East. For full details, click this link: Jordan Trip
Life with the EastEnders...
East End Study Group presented an excellent study of life in the East End of London in past years, including a retelling of the Matchgirls' Strike and the changing styles of Jewish weddings. Leading the presentation were group leader Pat Williams (right) and Jeanette Rothwell. Peggy Spicer and Stuart Raine also contributed. To read more about on the group click this link: East End Study Group
Members of the Photography Group and their guests line up for a group
photo during a picture taking visit to the RHS Hyde Hall Garden. More
Photo Group pictures: Photography
Wild walk
Members of the new Walking Group pause for a picture during their February jaunt,
starting at the John Burrows sports ground. More pictures:
Walking Group
If your study group is due to make tea at the
next meeting, check out this page:
To go to the National website, click this link: U3A National Website
To learn more about U3A Southend please call Peter Rothwell on 01702 715005
To ask for technnical support, call Mike Eldridge-Doyle on 07591 393163
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