Seaford u3a News

Seaford u3a’s monthly coffee morning continues to be as popular as ever. This month it will be on Wednesday 16th November from 10am to noon at the Con Club, Crouch Lane, Seaford. This is a free event and attendees will be able to enjoy light refreshments as well as some good chatter. Coffee mornings are open to non-members who are interested in joining our u3a, as well as members, so just come along and join in – no need to book.

The u3a is in full swing now, with members able to enjoy groups either in members’ houses or in larger venues, outings, talks at the Downs and pub lunches which take place once a month.

One of the groups which has attracted several members is entitled ‘Climate Change – where do we go from here?’ This follows on from the Climate Change course run by the same group leader last year when the basic science of climate change was discussed. Participating members discussed Technological solutions, Citizen Power with particular reference to the UK Climate Assembly, Education and Consent and then finally Climate Change diplomacy. Some useful videos were used to stimulate discussion and introduce new ideas.

Seaford u3a’s group was timed to lead up to COP27, the 27th United Nations sponsored Conference of the Parties (COPs) due to start on 7th November in Egypt. These yearly meetings, involving 197 countries, aim to reach agreement to limit the rise in global temperatures to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

Nationally the u3a, under the guidance of the National Subject Advisor and her team has taken a major step forward in the last few months with the creation of a u3a Climate Change Toolkit. U3. Around the country, u3a have contributed expertise, knowledge and recommendations. The web site is available to all at u3asites.org.uk/climate-change/home and the Resources page is a treasure trove of information about climate change. More than 100 local u3as around the country are members of the National u3a’s Climate Change Network, including Seaford u3a. By contrast, some u3a members enjoyed an outing to Buckingham Palace just three days before the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll. The outings organiser describes being mesmerized by the grandeur of the State Rooms, the jewellery collection of fabulous tiaras, necklaces and bracelets and the numerous priceless paintings, ornaments and furniture. They saw paintings by Vermeer, Canaletto, Rembrandt and a host of other famous artists. They walked round the gardens and found the whole visit a memorable experience.

The u3a really does have something for everyone. If it doesn’t, by any chance, then it is quite possible that a member will start something. There are new groups in the offing – possibly one on British Sign Language, certainly a new Art Group and maybe others to follow. New talks follow, some at the Tea Parties which have started again and one group of talks on India. For all these activities, except for the coffee mornings, membership is necessary at a cost of £10 per year. There is usually a small extra charge for talks and groups held in hired venues to cover costs.

For more information about Seaford u3a see the website www.u3asites.org.uk/seaford.To find out about membership email seafordu3a@gmail.com, sending your postal address for a welcome pack. Photo: Buckingham Palace from the gardens.

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