Foxgloves at Kenwood. Can you see the bees?
The Timetable
You can see a reduced version of the timetable, the latest update and a description of the classes on our website, to see it click here.
The end of term approaches and this is the penultimate week for all our regular on line classes as they are now. The Autumn term is due to begin on 20 September and we really hope to be back in the Town Hall by then. However, whether we are or not, there will be still be a Zoom programme for you to enjoy. We have set up a hybrid system in our classrooms and will be arranging trials for it during the break. When we have sorted out any problems and worked out the details, we will share them with you, so watch this space!
Next week we will be publishing our Summer Programme.
Monday Morning Talk
The Monday morning talk this week is ’The Emperor’s Clothes: Napoleon as a film icon’ given by Susanne Kord. Susanne is a Professor at UCL where she teaches literature and film. She has written 11 books and has received six major awards for her writing.
Next week, as our finale for the term David Barnett talks about ‘Shops and Shopping in Regency London’. David is well known to U3A members and has given previous excellent talks on Jo Lyons of Corner House fame and on Adam Worth Victorian master criminal. Since his retirement in 1991 when Director General of the Road Transport Industry Training Board, David studied for a PhD in business history. Although he considers himself very much an amateur historian, he has taken a special interest in the business history of 18th and 19th century London and in some of the major personalities and businesses of Jewish London from the mid-18th to the mid-20th centuries. He has given some 250 talks to various groups on topics within his areas of interest.
From Naomi
Our virtual A.G.M. was held last Monday with 146 members in attendance, whilst 114 sent in their proxy votes. This was a high turn-out and, from the feedback, members found the meeting both informative and interesting. Many questions were asked and answered.
The highlights were our proposed return to Belsize Park on 20 September, provided government restrictions were removed, and that Joanna and the staff of the Atrium Café would be there to welcome us back.
Other news was that Wac Arts College will have left and will be replaced by a day nursery. Also, on our return all our members as regular users of the building will have to wear a visible, recognisable lanyard to which will be attached a new security card with a photo ID. This a regulation that has been imposed by the Department of Education.
More news will follow in future updates about our return and our new hybrid timetable.
A new committee was elected on Monday, with further members being co-opted, and the officers elected by the committee on Friday. The new committee is Naomi Stuart (Chairman), Amalia Michaels (Vice-Chairman), Anthony Sober (Treasurer), GilliVafidis (Officer), Maggie Crawford, Ruth Freeman, Herbie Goldberg, Diana King, Marie-Ange King, Sue Kwok, Brian Levy, Hazelanne Lewis, Gerta Regensburger, Shafeeq Siddiqui, Pam Strangman, and Ron Tucker. We are all here to help you. If you need to get in touch, please do so.
Best wishes from Naomi.
For the Fans of Wally Howard
His talks this week are:part one of Thompson and Bywaters together with the conclusion of the same in the Miscarriages of Justice series. He has also included Reflections – a short digression – Prince Philip and Mauritius.
The links are in the timetable.
From Jo Rapkin (the Cafeteria Queen)
I am more than thrilled, anxious and excited to think I will be able to get back to the cafe and start cooking (and most of all baking!) for everyone again. Not a day goes by when I don’t look out for the U3A members on the streets of Belsize Park or Hampstead, as I walk or drive through. It would have been so long – 18 months by the time this finally happens, but I’m already thinking up menus and new ideas :-).
The cafe is being used by someone at the moment and it’s in a bit of a mess, but I will get it back before U3A returns and get it working again.
I am aware that you held your AGM on Monday and your return to the Building was discussed. Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help to make things easier, smoother and most of all, safer for all your members, above the current recommendations, that is. I can’t wait to see everyone there and am making plans already, so I would be grateful for any suggestions and directions.Please pass on my best wishes to all U3A members, and remind them that I am available should anyone need any catering services.
Best wishes and virtual hugs,Jo
From Esther – a repeat
I am one of our coordinators and a qualified teacher. I would very much like to have someone who would enjoy accompanying me for short walks in Edgware. During the walks, I would love to chat in Hebrew, French – or English! If you are interested in improving your conversational skills in Hebrew or French while walking, or even in just walking with a companion, please phone Esther.
From Gale Houston
I have published an e-novel, RICH AND STRANGE. available on Kindle and other outlets, for £4.99. It is a story of people who meet on a cruise and nervously decide to share a house in Highgate and try to live together. A second book, about their life in Highgate during 2020, is also nearly finished.
From Howard Shelter
His three different subject talks with music are now immediately accessible by Vimeo links from the weekly timetable under “Other”, which also provides archive Vimeo links to past talks with music. These talks are on the subjects of “Opera Films and Talks” (weekly), “History of Opera” (fortnightly changes) and “Unsung Classical Composers” (new – fortnightly changes). Members no longer need to contact him to join his groups.
To make you smile
And to amaze you … a complete picture of a iceberg:
The Silent Treatment
A husband and wife were having some problems at home and were giving each other the silent treatment.
Suddenly, the man realised that on the next day he had asked his wife to wake him at 5:00am for an early morning business flight. Not wanting to be the first to break the silence (and LOSE by reminding her), he wrote on a piece of paper, ‘Please wake me at 5:00am’.
He left it where he knew she would find it, but the next morning when he woke up, he discovered it was 9:00am and he had missed his flight Furious, he was about to go and see why his wife hadn’t wakened him, when he noticed a piece of paper by the bed and on the paper was written, ‘It is 5:00am. Wake up.’
From London Region of U3As
LONDON REGION SUMMER SCHOOL,Tuesday 17th August 2021. Now booking!
Getting Back into the Swing!
In anticipation of Covid-19 restrictions being lifted shortly, I’m delighted to let you know that we are now ready to take bookings for the Summer School on 17th August.
We have planned a special day of talks, walks and live music along with lunch at our usual venue, St. Bride’s, which is centrally located just off Fleet Street and well served by public transport.
Click on links below for:
These can all be found on the Events page of London Region website.Spaces are limited and I would urge everyone to apply and pay online as it’s quick and easy.We look forward to seeing you in person on the day!
In the meantime, we are continuing to deliver our popular Summer Talks online, fortnightly on Mondays from 5.30 – 6.30pm. The full list with links to registration forms is also available on the Events page of London Region website.
Best Wishes, Catherine Ware
Talks and Summer School Coordinator
talks.lru3a@gmail.com
Website: WWW.U3ASITES.ORG.UK/LONDONREGION
See Events page for information about forthcoming events.
Recordings of past talks can be found in the Talks Archive, which is accessible via the Events page.
AND…
A nationwide Chess Network.
More information and how to join up can be read here: u3a Chess Network. Another great benefit of being a member of a network. Enjoy!
Kind regards,
Jenny Wilson VChairS.londonregionu3a@gmail.com
Derek Harwood VChairN.londonregionu3a@gmail.com
Best Wishes from the Team
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Naomi
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Gilli
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Herbie
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Amalia
