Who’s Who 2014—2015
A pull-out-and-keep guide to the people who support your U3A at national level CHAIRMAN — Barbara Lewis
Meet your go-to people AS OUR U3A movement grows ever bigger, we need to share the load of responsibilities. So I am calling this pull-out section the “go to” document — listing the people you should go to for answers to your questions, advice and having your input as we go forward. Your Regional Trustees, listed in the centre pages are your local “go to” people. They should be your first port of call. They are your bridge to our National Executive Committee (NEC) discussions.
Also included are the NEC committee chairmen, the complete office staff, the editors of Third Age Matters and Sources, the Resource Centre, field officers and inter national representatives. All of these people are ready and able to help out. They are your “go to” people. The idea is not to overload anyone, but to share responsibilities as our movement grows! Barbara Lewis, Chairman barbara.lewis@u3a.org.uk
TREASURER — John Ellison
VICE CHAIRMAN — Marion Clements
VICE CHAIRMAN — Pam Jones
Keeping costs down
Friendly welcomes
Changing perceptions
AT MANCHESTER Univ ers ity teaching and researching in physics with extended spells at CERN and elsewhere was combined with activity in university business. I joined Lancaster & Morecambe U3A 10 years ago and lead/coordinate numerous groups, had spells as chair, secretary, groups coordinator etc. I was involved widely in the NW and finished up as Regional Trustee. For the last two years I have enjoyed being Treasurer and helping to keep the Trust’s costs down without significant impairment in services. Income should fund our activities on the current capitation fee for many years. I welcome the clarity of our aims incorporated in Going Forward and our commitment to the volun teering/self-help ethos of U3A which is unique, successful and satisfying. j.ellison521@btinternet.com
I JOINED Cheddar Valley U3A in 2000, soon after retiring from teaching in the local high school. I joined a few groups and was impressed with the friendly welcome in each of them, making new friends and joining the committee, as speakers’ organiser and then groups’ coordinator. Later I became chairman and started attending the local network meetings. This led to an interest in the region; I trained as a regional volunteer, became network chairman, and was elected Regional Trustee, spending two enjoyable years travelling around the region, visiting the network meetings, developing new U3As and supporting existing ones. I was sorry to give this up, but it was suggested that I should put my name forward and here I am as Vice Chairman, also heading the standing committee for education. marion1940@hotmail.co.uk
A MEMBER of Witney U3A for 16 years, having been Treasurer and Chairman. I then became Chairman of Thames Valley Network and am still involved in organising study days. I subsequently became Trustee of the South East Region for three years. This is the most heavily U3A-populated region with 180 U3As. I presently lead a Latin group and am about to start an exploring religions group. I am planning my 17th U3A holiday to Suffolk next year. I am currently chairman of the Development sub-committee (DSC) with responsibility for support and advice to all U3As and for the organisation of training of volunteers. My focus is also to change the general public’s perception of older people by demon strating to them the benefits and joys of belonging to U3A. Most of my spare time is involved with my large family, notably grandchildren, who are embarking on interesting career paths. pamjones38@outlook.com
FINANCE ADVISER David Wilson
I have worked for the trust for almost 19 years. Not sure it’s the job for me but time will tell. As SEO/Company Secretary, I have a wide range of responsibilities not least of which is the management of the National Office. My most important role though is supporting U3As which need help particularly with legal, insurance and personnel issues. You know where to find me. national.office@u3a.org.uk
David Wilson was a radio officer in the Mer chant Navy and studied metal physics at Oxford before training to be a chartered tax advisor. He has a special interest in the charity sector and holds an MSc in charity finance. He worked for many years for Knox Cropper and is now self-employed.
National Office: Telephone 020 8466 6139 • email national.office@u3a.org.uk • web www.u3a.org.uk
PETER ALVEY
SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lin Jonas
REGIONAL TRUSTEES
EAST OF ENGLAND
NORTH WEST
SCOTLAND
ADRIAN BREACKER
JENNY CARLEY
GRAHAM CLARK
My work philosophy
Your ideas and views
Starting new U3As
AFTER A short spell in the building industry, I spent my working life in youth work and community education/ development. I regard myself fortunate not to have followed anyone into a job — thus having the opportunity to promote a work philosophy as much concerned with learning processes as with programme delivery. It is this philosophy that attracted me to U3A. With a strong sporting background, I live in St. Neots, Cambs, with my wife, a fully committed U3A member. Our four children and eight grandchildren are close at hand. I have been Chair of my U3A and am a group leader. adrian.breacker@ntlworld.com
MY U3A life started in 2005 when I joined Chester U3A. I progressed through several committee posts in Chester, Network and Region before joining the NEC in 2012 as a co-opted Trustee. I am still here in 2014. As Trustee, I have been part of the DSC and Risk team; Communications committee next. I participate in Chester U3A’s family history, computing, bird watching and walking groups whenever I can. In my spare time I enjoy ringing tower bells at Chester Cathedral, being “on call” for grandparent duties, “adventurous” holidays, answering your queries and hearing your ideas and views. carleyjenny@gmail.com
GRAHAM JOINED U3A in 2002 after a career as a research scientist and senior manager in further and higher education. He then undertook assignments as a consultant in interim and crisis management before retiring in 2007. He became Chairman of Inverness & Black Isle U3A in 2008, Chairman of U3A in Scotland and a Regional Volunteer in 2010, and Scottish Trustee in 2013. He particu larly enjoys starting up new U3As, a role which involves much travelling around Scotland as a missionary for the U3A movement. He has several other interests including golf, writing local history and as chairman of an archaeological charitable trust in the Highlands of Scotland. gm.clark@btinternet.com
LONDON
EAST MIDLANDS
NORTHERN IRELAND
IAN McCANNAH
MICHAELA MOODY
STUART POLLARD
History is my interest
I relax by walking
Meeting and greeting
AFTER SPENDING my formative years in Manchester, I moved south to study at London University. I spent the rest of my working life in the City. During this time my wife, Pat, and I founded London Walks in the early 1970s. My U3A life started in 2002 after joining Potters Bar U3A. In 2007, I co-founded neighbouring Barnet U3A. My interest in British history led to forming an interest group and being appointed National U3A Subject Adviser in this subject. My interests are family (two children and two grandchildren ), golf, gardening, walking, lecturing on London and Manchester United! ijmccannah@aol.com
MY CAREER started with teaching and ended with 20 years at Shell helping staff realise the opportu nities offered by IT. I left the London commuter belt in 2003 and moved to Lincolnshire where I quickly became involved with U3A, first in Boston and then in Woodhall Spa which I helped to start. I was also involved in my neighbourhood group and in network activities before I became a Trustee. At a personal level, I enjoy music, theatre, reading, travelling and keeping up with my three grandchildren. As if driving across the East Midlands was not enough, I escape when I can to my Yorkshire bolthole and spend relaxing hours walking in Wharfdale — sadly without my dog who loved this part of the world as much as I do. michaela.moody@btinternet.com
STUART HAS been a member of Causeway U3A since 2005. He is part of the meet and greet team for their monthly meetings, leads the rambling group and is a member of astronomy, bridge and built heritage groups. Outside U3A, he plays classical guitar in a local quartet. Stuart moved to Northern Ireland from Glasgow in 1973 to work for DuPont, with a career in R&D and HR. After taking early retirement in 2005, he worked as a part-time consultant in education before becoming NI Trustee in 2012. Stuart is married to Jan. They have three sons, three grandsons (plus another on the way) and a grand-daughter. sjpollard51@hotmail.com
NEC COMMITTEES
Standing Committee for Education: Marion Clements, chairman; Adrian Breaker, Ian McCannah. Development Sub-Committee: Pam Jones, chairman; Michaela Moody, Tony Randall, Carole Millin Communications: Anthony Hughes, chairman; Jenny Carley, Hilvary Robinson Information Technology: Anthony Hughes, chairman; Graham Clark, Neil Stevens Research: Gwen Dawe, chairman; Stuart Pollard, Diana Holdsworth, Jennifer Anning
NORTH EAST
SOUTH WEST
WALES
GWEN DAWE
DIANA HOLDSWORTH
ANTHONY HUGHES
The icing on the cake
Drama is my passion
Music figures in my life
I HAVE lived all my life in Sunderland. After qualifying as a psycholo gist, I worked mainly in training and develop ment with emphasis on interpersonal skills in management. I joined Wearside U3A in 2009, was quickly recruited onto the committee and served as chairman for two years, as well as leading the reading and health and wellbeing groups. Outside interests include classical music, caravanning — both static and touring — bird watching, enjoying good food and wine, and cruising when the diary allows. Being on the NEC, representing the North East, is a great privilege, challenging and rewarding, and being asked to chair the Research Sub-Committee, the icing on the cake. gwenjane@btinternet.com
I WAS born in Llanelli, South Wales, and soon moved to the north east. I trained in Bishop Otter College in Chichester and after teaching in Chiseldon and Leaming ton Spa I spent most of my working life in Aylesbury, where I helped to set up a resource centre for supply teachers. I was also a lay assessor for care homes. Drama has been a great passion of mine and I performed in several groups in Leamington and Aylesbury, chairing the Jubilee Players in Bierton and chairing the Aylesbury Festival of Arts. I also worked in prisons doing drama. After coming to Paignton I have been involved with two U3As and set up a local network. diana@gmx.co.uk
I WORKED at board level in insurance, consultancy and payments (respon sible for 5bn electronic UK payments p.a.) Most recently I helped Romania, Iraq and the Maldives implement national payment infrastruc tures including developing systems, staffing, updating country law and building relationships with central banks, governments and third parties. I have been chairman of Swansea U3A where I still teach iPad and ukulele. Music also figures in my personal life as I play in care homes, rest homes and to dementia sufferers. I do this with the help of my wife who then takes me for extended breaks to our house in Greece! anthony@e-freedom.co.uk
WEST MIDLANDS
SOUTH EAST REGION
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
TONY RANDALL
HILVARY ROBINSON
NEIL STEVENS
Metal detecting
I came back enthused
Involved from the start
I SERVED in the Royal Navy for over 32 years, my active service being in submarines. Upon retiring I sailed exten s i ve l y t h ro u g h t h e French canals and the Mediterranean and, on return to the UK in 2004, started my own small business. I joined Rugby U3A in 2005, served on the committee for five years, Chairman for two years and am currently group leader for the demanding subject of ten pin bowling. Hobbies include metal detecting, caravanning and my dog. I am also the treasurer of my local metal detecting club. aprandall@btinternet.com
RETIRING FROM teaching in 2004, I joined Lymington U3A and became speaker secretary — then my U3A sent me to the Edinburgh Conference in 2009 and wham! I came back so enthused that I went on to become Chairman for four years. I also became Chairman of the New Forest Network of U3As. I enjoy travelling the world, reading, and running shared learning projects with St.Barbe Museum and Lymington Humour Group. I play mahjong and practise yoga with Lymington U3A. I am interested in technology but need to assimilate which develop ments will benefit the U3A. trusteeseregion@gmail.com
AFTER A career in direct marketing I joined Ilkley and District U3A six years ago to play croquet. From the start I became involved with the running of my U3A, looking after communications and then groups coordinator for two years. I have led a number of groups including digital photography, geology and vegetarian curries. Two years ago I joined our regional committee. Life with the U3A was interrupted at the beginning of 2014 as myself and my wife worked in a hospital in Uganda for six months. I am now looking forward to a new adventure, having just been elected to the NEC where I will also be serving on the technology sub-committee. neil@nebstone.co.uk Pictures: Mark Thomas
The U3A’s international representatives, who represent Britain at the third age international IAUTA, are Ian Funnell and Morag Tamisari.
PETER ARKELL
STEFANO CAGNONI
INTERNATIONAL
Who’s Who
NATIONAL OFFICE U3A national office staff who help the movement’s 340,000-plus members won’t, quite, fit into a telephone box — (left to right) Anna Smith (enquiries, merchandise and stationery); (front) Linda Hodson
(special events administration and insurance queries); (rear) Fran Walton (direct mail, website and special projects); Philippa Bassett (national summer schools and special U3A events); Julie Travers (new
U3As, meetings and travel, national summer schools); Lin Jonas (senior executive officer and company secretary); Sharon Ahtuam (publicity events, mailings and competitions); Tim Harris (bookkeeper).
THIRD AGE MATTERS Third Age Matters is the U3A national magazine, published five times a year. It brings members news both about the U3A and about matters of general interest to third-agers. The editor is Francis Beckett (right), francis@francisbeckett.co.uk. Business manager Gerald Brigg handles all commercial aspects of the magazine, including advertising, and is the person to speak to if you are considering buying space in the magazine. gerald.brigg@talktalk.net. Third Age Matters’ designer and sub-editor is Alan Slingsby alan@editionpublishing.net.
SOURCES Sources is published three times a year. It helps members and group leaders by focussing on a different theme for each issue. A copy is held on the U3A website as an accessible reference resource. The editor is Tony Thornton (left), who joined the U3A in the early 90s and ran a study group for seven years. He then wrote and tutored an online course for three years. He fine tunes the articles and pictures and designs the 20 colour pages. tony.thornton@virgin.net
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT Zazia Pratt (left), Education and Development Officer, helps U3As to set up in London, the East and South East regions and provides support to existing U3As. Carole Millin, Training Support Adviser, organises training days for new Regional Volunteers and workshops and seminars in various parts of the UK which deal with growth and committee procedures.
RESOURCE CENTRE The Resource Centre staff, respon sible for the U3A’s collection of non-book learning materials: (left to right) Chris Van Welsenes, library assistant; Susan Radford, Manager of the Resource Centre; Cassy Langley-Goundry, clerical assistant. resource.centre@u3a.org.uk