April 2026 Newsletter
This month we have a whole load of excellent submissions from many Groups. We begin with ‘April Showers’ by Ron Jarmain of the Art for All Group:
One does hope however the image is not a foreboding of the weeks to come. We have had sufficient precipitation so far this year, don’t really want anymore.
2026 AGM
This year’s AGM will be held on 27 August in the Ash Centre. Whilst the date might seem a long way away there are a number of things we need to put into place fairly soon.
At least 28 days before the meeting we have to publish the names of all the nominees for the various committee positions. Three of these are mandated by law: Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Without these will cannot continue as a u3a. We then need at least two other committee members to reach the required minimum of 5 (with a maximum of 12).
If you feel you could contribute and help the continuation of this excellent charity please let us know and we can advise on what needs to happen next.
Nothing we do as a committee is particularly onerous and shouldn’t take up too much of your time and we do provide tea and biscuits on occasion.
Art in March
We were send this excellent picture of the artworks created by the Art for All group. Really demonstrates their skills and talents.
Poetry for Pleasure
Anne Writes: We have just included Leisure by WH Davies in our recent meeting theme ‘Spring’. At our monthly meetings we always have a theme, find poems to reflect the theme and sometimes compose our own.
The most memorable incident recounted in his autobiography is how Davies attempted to jump on board a train heading for the Klondike gold rush in 1897, slipped and lost his left leg below the knee. He lived as a tramp for many years and was taken up by G. B. Shaw who encouraged his poetry. Augustus John found him interesting enough to draw a raffish portrait in 1918. In 1923 he married a girl more than thirty years his junior and on the failure of their marriage became a recluse.
What is this life if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
No time to stand beneath the boughs
And stare as long as sheep or cows.
No time to see, when woods we pass,
Where squirrels hide their nuts in grass.
No time to see, in broad daylight,
Streams full of stars, like skies at night.
No time to turn at Beauty’s glance,
And watch her feet, how they can dance.
No time to wait till her mouth can
Enrich that smile her eyes began.
A poor life this is if, full of care,
We have no time to stand and stare.
William Henry Davies (1873-1940)
Southwood in March
What lovely weather we had when Bernie led a super walk at Southwood last Monday . Blue sky and sunshine and 21 walkers enjoyed a 3 1/2 mile walk on good paths!
Heading into Space
Getting into space is hard. Charles Stokes has an alternate method. And Reg Phillips told all about the humble microwave.
The next meeting is on 1 May and asks the question: E-Bikes – Should They be Regulated?
The Refectory at Milford
On the 19th March, 21 members had a very enjoyable lunch at the Refectory in Milford.
March Photography Competition
This month’s theme was Winter Views. Some excellent contributions (as normal).
Inter u3a Quiz
6 stalwarts of the quiz team joined many others in Hartley Wintney for the inter u3a quiz (with a cream tea) and didn’t come last!
The Salisbury Poisonings
47 members gathered for the monthly meeting to hear about the Novichok poisoning in Salisbury in March 2018. Paul Barwick explained the background to the attempt on life of a former Russian spy and the effects of the poison on a police officer and an unconnected member of the public.
Lakeside and along Blackwater
24 Healthy Walkers started in the rain and finished in sunshine
Gun Hill
24 Amblers spend a most convivial morning in the sunshine exploring Gun Hill and the surrounds.
Reading Group
On Wednesday 25th March Michelle (Groups Coordinator) had the pleasure of joining the Reading Group to hear what they thought about Em & Me by Beth Morrey
Bookworms
Thursday saw the Bookworms at the Worplesdon Place Hotel for our review of I let you go by Clare Mackintosh
Coming up in April
All our events can be seen on the Events Page. The following are just some of the highlights:
Commonwealth War Graves – A talk by Rebecca Bale for the Social History Group.
The monthly meeting is all about scams to watch out for – a presentation by our very own Tom Gardener.
And then there are all the usual ambles, walks, rambles, photography, garden visits and all the other excitements that we enjoy.
Filling in Forms
Filling in forms is not everyone’s favourite activity but in some cases necessary. We have reviewed a number of the forms used by Ash u3a and with the help of some AI have moved them online. What we need now is a couple of members to assist with a review and sensecheck of these online forms.
Please let us know if you can help.
The Results are In!
The member survey is now complete and lots of interesting results. In summary:
- 215 members took part.
- 67% joined Ash u3a because of a specific group (but a lot of you also joined to socialise).
- 14% of you are members of another u3a.
- 58% find out about activities from the website.
- Half the membership are between 70 and 79.
- 54% are unable to join other groups because it conflicts with something else.
- 53% would like an annual dinner of some sort.
You can see the full results of the survey here