Newsletter Three incorporating Annual General Meeting 16th October 2006 (top of page)
Publicity: Kathleen Ross-Hale Telephone 01506 412707
Email: grapevine1@blueyonder.co.uk
We are pleased to welcome you to the first AGM of the West Lothian U3A. If you are not already a member we hope you will join, and that you and all our members will join and enjoy the groups that have formed within branch. Please add your names to any group which interests you; and also feel free to suggest other groups which we could form. Thank you. Tea and biscuits will be available at the end of the meeting. Future general meetings will be held on the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 2pm till 4pm in the Uphall Community Center. The next will be 21st November when the speaker will be Scott Anderson.
BOOKS ARE ON SALE HERE EACH MONTH, FUNDS GOING TOWARDS OUR OWN U3A. Please do bring a book each month to sell, and also purchase at least one-there's sure to be something you would like. Small donation toward tea would be welcome but not obligatory
ART APPRECIACION. 1st Tuesday of each month at Uphall Community Center from 1.30 - 3.30 pm. At present there are 6 people attending that. The first meeting was very interesting. Various artists were touched upon, and the next meeting will be on Van Gogh.
ARE YOU ALREADY A BUDDING ARTIST, OR DO YOU HAVE A DESIRE TO BECOME ONE? Join the painting group, it meets on 2nd and 4th Tuesday each month at Uphall Community Center. Bring your own materials. This is mainly a workshop, working at your own pace, in your own world of peace and quiet.
However, everyone who attends is willing to help and advise newcomers, or those who just want a little encouragement. They are a very friendly crowd - as are all our members - you will really enjoy it, painting is very fulfilling and self-satisfying. Contact for more details: Margot Aitken telephone 01506 655547.
Discussion Groups
This group, along with the French conversation, was the first to start. It has a number of members but still space for more. It is held in alternate homes of members, and each member has the opportunity to choose the subject. It is monthly on a Friday morning from IOam-12 noon.
Amongst the past subjects chosen were 'Hell is Other People'; Books; Euthanasia. The next meeting is this Friday 20th October at lOam at 43 Ivanhoe Rise, Dedridge. Subject: Corporal Punishment. For details contact the Facilitator Kathleen at 412707 or by Email grapevinel@blueyonder.co.uk
SUGGESTED GROUPS-some of which are in the process, others just hopes or inspirations. They are listed with Facilitators/contact names. However, you can put , forward any subject which interests you.
ARMCHAIR TRAVEL Margaret Copland tel. 462209
There are a number of names on this list, and it just needs someone to come along and take over the organisation (which is a minor item, once that is done it runs itself)
FAMILY HISTORY: Either Margaret Powrie tel.-sorry don't have a number for her, or Kathleen 412707 email (preferred) grapevinel@blueyonder.co.uk
GARDENING: Margaret Copland 462209, who is a very keen and knowledgeable gardener, or again Margaret Powrie is listed.
HISTORY OF WOMEN IN BRITAIN: Pat Lawson tel. 01501 730796 or Diana Patterson 01506 433656
ITALIAN: Ian Milward tel. 01506 834877
OUTDOORS: Hugh Macrae tel. 01506 890085
PHOTOGRAPHY: Margaret Powrie
POETRY: This is a good possibility of starting soon, thee is interest in this, one ; excellent poetry writer Ann Montgomery. Contact for it is Pat Lawson 01501 730796 READING: This has a number of names and so is a distinct possibility-trouble is
'most of the people on the list are already heavily committed, though eager, Facilitator Kathleen 412707 email grapevinel@blueyonder.co.uk
THE ROMANS; and TRAVELLING IN EUROPE were both suggested by lan Milward, but when the new group co-ordinator is appointed then contact her/him if you are interested in these subjects.
WALKING: Leader: Margaret Powrie
WRITING: This group almost started, a date and place was arranged but had to be cancelled at the last minute. However, there are not really sufficient members, but if it is something that interests you the facilitator is Kathleen (as above)
That's it, that's all the group news, but contact Kathleen meantime if you need any information-preferably by email as she is never available except after midnight!!
COMPUTER USERS GROUP
Now meets at Strathbrock, Broxburn (this is part of the Strathbrock ~ Health Centre) where there is a large computer suite on alternate Thursdays 2pm-4pm Ranges from beginners to more experienced, and they all share their knowledge, you never come away without learning something-even if it is that you did not learn what you wanted to!!! Only kidding, it is good to learn from other people who have gone the same road as yourself, they can help you not to make the same mistakes and show you 'how' to do it correctly. There are seven members listed, but normally as yet there are approximately 5 who attend each meeting-not always the same 5. It would be possible to get an overall tutor for a small fee, but that is at the discussion stage at the moment. Contact: Connie Payne tel. 01506843901
OOOH-LA-LA
FRENCH CONVERSATION
This meets every week for one and a half hours, is well subscribed, and may even have to split into more than one group. There is a very well versed element, and others who only want to learn to speak the language. So that would make two good groups. They take it in turns to meet in each others homes.
Peter Cunningham is the Facilitator for this. He lives at Murieston in Livingston, but other members come from other parts of West Lothian, so you would be at a different place each week.
For more information please contact Peter, telephone 01506 439936
MUSIC APPRECIATION Recently started, this is a magical t group, much enjoyed by all who t attend. There are quite a number of members and I am sure that will grow very rapidly. It is held at Uphall Community Centre in their music room.
The Facilitator and leader of this, is the very knowledgeable Harry Payne, contact him for further details and dates of meetings.
Tel. 01506 843901
Although the telephone contacts are given you will most probably find all these people at the AGM and most general meetings, and if not the contacts then at least someone who can talk on the subject of the groups-even if it is only me! (KRH)
There is no sex discrimination at these meetings-indeed there is no sex!! - all groups have both men and women attending.
Ann Montgomery and Anne Korimboccus regularly attend the Discussion group As you can see it is very informal, with cups of tea, but from the facial expressions they are pouring their hearts into the topic.
This is our Annual General Meeting so a new committee will-hopefully-be formed. In the next issue of our newsletter will be a list of all executives and committee members. Vote well today. Nominations so far are:
Chairperson: Mary Clark proposed by KRH, but who is reluctant to take the position due to being oversubscribed as well, she is happy to continue as Vice Chairperson. Kathleen Ross-Hale proposed by Liz McArthur Secretary: No nominations as yet
Treasurer: Pat Lawson, proposed by Kathleen Ross-Hale; seconded Mary Clark
Publicity: Kathleen Ross-Hale proposed by Mary Clark
Groups Coordinator: it was thought that this post might go along with publicity
Membership Secretary: it was proposed that this could go along with Treasurer
Social Secretary(Speakers and Social events) Connie Payne proposed by Kathleen Ross-Hale
Web Master: lan Millward proposed by Connie Payne, seconded by Mary Clark
Refreshments Coordinator: Margaret Copland proposed by Mary Clark seconded by Kathleen Ross-Hale
Members without portfolio (2) Peter Cunningham; Margot Aitken Both proposed by Mary Clark, seconded Kathleen Ross- Hale
