As February comes to an end, every time I’ve stepped outside this month I’ve been reminded of the first record I ever got. It was as a Christmas present around 1964 which might make you think it was an early Beatles or Rolling Stones. However, it was nothing quite as grand as that but a recording of the children’s tv show Pinky and Perky singing Michael Flanders classic “mud, mud, glorious mud, nothing quite like it for cooling the blood……”!
The rain really has been quite unrelenting. During the hot weather of last summer, I recall hoping for a wet spring to help with reservoirs and the garden, but I didn’t imagine this. I hope you’ve all managed to find a way to enjoy all your various activities. I know some of the walking groups have turned into quite a feat of endurance as trekking across fields carrying kilograms of mud on boots is not like the normal gentle stroll.
Despite all the rain, it was wonderful to see so many of you at both the monthly meeting (where we had over 230 people turn up) and for the recent new members’ meeting. Welcome tall of the new people who joined us at the Rugby Club for that and I hope you’re managing to join in various groups and activities.
Being inside a lot more has meant being able to catch up reading books I got for Christmas. One such book Santa brought me was “This is for Everyone” by Tim Berners-Lee, a story of the invention of the world wide web.
As Christmas presents go, it is a bit more highbrow than a Pinky and Perky single, but it’s a fascinating tale of the iconic invention. Whilst we may all have differing opinions of the commercial race it has unleashed which polarises public debate, what is clear is that through the web we now live, work, dream and connect. This has only been achieved by Tim’s tireless efforts to keep the web accessible for everyone as a service to humanity and with no commercial reward whatsoever.
Although on a much smaller scale, but just as important to our local community, it’s a similar altruistic behaviour that I see across all the u3a groups and events I attend. Here, groups of dedicated volunteers lead, teach and organise all the fantastic things that Southwell u3a offers. This includes over 80 separate interest groups, trips and social events throughout the year, a programme of workshops and short courses, coach trips to Nottingham concerts and our monthly meetings with different speakers.
It is the best value around you’ll find for £15, so when Richmond’s email about the subscription renewal lands in your inbox (thanks, of course, to Tim Berners-Lee) I hope you’ll all renew as soon as possible.
Lastly, on the wider u3a front, elsewhere in the Newsline there is note on the u3a Festival being organised at the University of York in July. It’s an opportunity to meet new people, explore an existing interest or take the leap and try something completely new. More details are included in the article if you’re interested at all.
Mike Freemantle, Chair