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NOTES FROM OUR CHAIRMAN

Hello to all Preston Park U3A members. Thank you

for voting me in as your Chairman.

Today is Monday, 12th December, not half way into

the month, and, as far as I am concerned, a long way

away from Christmas!! We have had this afternoon a

most wonderful Christmas Party for the UKE &

Singing Groups, being entertained by The Elderly

Brothers, a band that we formed in June this year. I

think that everyone had a good time, as I hope that

many of you have had at the various Interest Group

Christmas lunches & gatherings that have been held over the past few days.

At the end of our sing-along, Terry Careford,

who currently produces this newsletter (we

need more help on that, please!!!), said to me

“Alan, the January Newsletter is due to be

published for the January 5th meeting. Can I

have your Chairman’s letter for the front cover

by Thursday 15th December, please?”

Blind panic!!! I have only been in the job

for two weeks, and I am being asked to write a

Chairman’s letter to you all. I have looked at

the January newsletters from the last 3 years,

and some of the bits from Terry and Tony (our

chairmen of the time), are still relevant today.

With our start-up in November 2007, our then

chair, Anne Dale, and the rest of the commit-

tee, did not have a newsletter. We were new

and didn’t have such sophistication. We were

more concerned about finding a hall. When

should we meet? How much should we charge

for membership? I still remember us thinking

that we should base our decisions on a total

number of 80 members. Well, well. I think we

must have got it right because here we are to-

day, moving into 2017, with over 400 of you

and with over 50 interest groups.

To start with, I think that I would like to re-

peat some of my speech of 2 weeks ago:

Thank you for all your support and confi-

dence. I will try not to let you down. Thank

you to all who have served on our Committee

and looked after us for the past nine years, as

Chairmen and as Members. Also, thanks to

our Interest Group Conveners but most im-

portantly, you, our members, who have un-

flinchingly supported us all along, by making

teas, putting chairs out, washing up, putting

chairs away, drying up, and generally helping to

continue to move our Preston Park U3A forward.

This is your U3A. If I may use an analogy – Pre-

ston Park U3A is a ship, your committee is the

rudder, but you, our membership, have control

and must help the committee steer the ship in the

direction that you want Preston Park U3A to

go...... It is your U3A.

In the coming weeks and months, we will be ask-

ing you to help us. I know that you will respond

positively to that request.

We welcome to our 2017 Committee new re-

cruits, Kevin Thomas our all-important Treasurer

(he’s already turning out to be a real treasure!!);

and Anita Tarshis our Secretary, who does a lot

more than that, and is saddled with the job of tak-

ing minutes of our meetings. Thank you Anita,

I’m glad I don’t have to do that!! Jean Careford has very kindly (bravely) agreed to

take on the Membership Secretary role and again,

thanks Jean, as she is co-opted on to the Commit-

tee.

I was very fortunate to help with SUN (Sussex

U3A Network; more of SUN in another newsletter),

for a period of time, travelling around and talking

to many of our Sussex U3As from Midhurst to

Crawley, Selsey to Rye and Hastings, and all points

in between, and have picked up lots of different

ideas that I will suggest to our committee in the

coming months.

Finally, a Happy New Year to you all and may it

be an enjoyable and rewarding U3A year.

Alan Beebe

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Obituary -Tony Beirne

Preston Park U3A Chairman, Tony Beirne, sadly passed away unexpectedly

on 6th October 2016, aged 82.

He was a devoted husband to Molly, loving father to Lesley and Graeme and

stepsons, Tim, Andrew and David.

Tony served as PPU3A Chairman from 2014 to 2016 and was just two

months shy of the three year constitutional term. His organisational skills,

dedication and expertise have greatly benefited our U3A; from undertaking

the painstaking paperwork to qualify for Charity Status, to introducing a much

improved Membership System.

During the 1960s, Tony began working for the Labour Party, as assistant

agent in Norwich and finally progressing through to become Regional Organ-

iser. He developed great skills in overseeing and helping local branches of the Party. Throughout his long 30 year

career, Tony made significant contributions to many successful election campaigns. His dedication and calm pro-

fessionalism earned him well deserved praise and respect.

In 1993, Tony retired from the Labour Party but continued to work as a volunteer in the Brighton area, assisting in

election campaigns. He also worked part time in the legal library of a firm of solicitors in London.

Tony and Molly married in 1971, living initially in Kingston near Lewes, then Claygate, before settling in Brigh-

ton. Tony always loved gadgets and technology and made active use of the internet, skype and Facebook, enabling

both he and Molly to keep in regular contact with various branches of the family in New Zealand, Australia, Can-

ada, Scotland, London and the Midlands. To date there are 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

Tony joined the newly formed PPU3A in 2007 and together with his good friend Richard Brown, started the Walk-

ing Group known as ‘Strollers’. He loved the concept of U3As and embraced the whole idea of continued learning

and sharing skills. He joined the Interest Group Sub-Committee with a responsibility for finding venues suitable for

group meetings.

Tony’s own particular interest in art and music helped him to establish the Art History & Appreciation group, the

Opera Group and Jazz Appreciation.

Tony was one of life’s true gentlemen, a true friend, kind, supportive and patient. He will be sadly missed.

Anne Kerrison

I should like to take this opportunity to express my sincere thanks for all the cards,

letters and messages I received from our U3A friends after Tony died so sud-

denly. I was amazed by all the comments about his help and many kindnesses over

the years he was Chairman and, latterly, as Membership Secretary, although I should

not have been surprised, for that was how he lived.

I was so lucky to have had him for 45 years and I miss him terribly. The support

and kindness I have received personally has been very much appreciated.

Molly Beirne

Donations

At the November General Meeting, we held a retiring collection for Tony’s preferred charities.

As a result, to the charity MIND, we sent £38.00 and to the SUSSEX HEART CHARITY, we

sent £50.00.

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News on Our Music GroupsNews on Our Music GroupsNews on Our Music GroupsNews on Our Music Groups

Music Appreciation

This is ably run by Lorna Lappert and Basil Everett. We have two groups and if enough of you

wanted to join us, then I could easily see a third group forming.

We play the same programme at both meetings, so it is not such hard work for us to put an after-

noon together. As an example, in September, we played Beethoven’s 3rd

Symphony “The Eroica”,

a string quartet by Haydn, “The Joker”, a short piece by a 38 year old Norwegian composer,

whose name I could not even pronounce, and finished with “La Mer”, sung by Charles Trenet.

November saw the 100th meeting of the Music Appreciation Group I. Much thought was given as

to what to play on that auspicious occasion. We played some (or most) of the pieces that we

played at Anne Dale’s on our very first meeting, nearly ten years ago, and had a birthday cake.

We didn’t get a message from The Queen!!

Preston Park U3A Singing for Fun group

Yes, we do just simply sing for fun. We have been going for 4 years now, and just gather at my

house every other Monday and warble a few songs. (Apologies to those that come, if you think

“warble” is the wrong word).

Everything from Singin’ the Blues to Over the Rainbow gets a brilliant rendition from the group.

Those who have been to our Christmas Concerts know that they can all put over a terrific per-

formance.

We have been very lucky, and many thanks, to have Jean (on the Keyboard) and Terry Careford

(on the Uke & singing), to help us get back into the correct musical key and mode.

Preston Park U3A Ukulele Group

Now here is a lesson on how one thing leads to another. There we were, happily joining in singing

for fun every two weeks at my house, when I decided to buy a Uke. I’ve had various guitars from

the age of 13 or 14, with a big gap in between, while we brought up our children.

Anyway, Liz Krasnuik, Pat Avard, Wendy Manktellow and Doreen Robinson, had also either just

bought, or were about to buy a uke, (cost for a decent one that stays in tune £40 - £50).

So in February 2016, we thought that we would start a Uke group. I was halfway through a six

week workshop course with Richard Durrant and felt that any wisdom and teaching that he had, I

could relay to my fellow Ukelators.

Well, well, well!! Here we are in December 2016 and we have a group that meets every 2 weeks.

We are 15 people, going on 20 when everyone can make it and we sit around, have fun and play

for an hour, as many songs as we can before our fingers start hurting.

Again, it is a great help to have Jean and Terry with us and IT IS JUST SO MUCH FUN!!!!!!

Sunday, 11th

September, was the 4th

Sussex Uke

Festival, held at The Ropetackle, Shoreham, where

many of the gang turned up for a jam session.

Pictured here: Anne Ellis; Hazel Irvine; Pat Avard

Norma Howard; (Showing us the way to go

home!!!); Terry Careford, and myself. The picture

of the shirt is better than the rest!!!

Want to join us? Of course you can!!

You don’t need to able to read music. Alan Beebe

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News from the Ger-

man Group by San-

dra Cooper

This year, the Ger-

man Group met for a

German Christmas

meal, to which the

spouses of our mem-

bers were also in-

vited. We were

grateful to be hosted

by Lin, one of our members, in her own, seasonally decorated, lovely house.

Everyone of our members contributed to the 3-course meal, based on a German

recipe, including authentic German bread, sausages and mustard, apple Strudel

with cream, Stollen and Pfefferkuchen (Gingerbread biscuits) and, last but not

least, German wine and beer followed by coffee. German Christmas songs pro-

vided the background music and we all joined in and sang Silent Night in Ger-

man.

Everybody greatly enjoyed the event and thanked Lin for her hospitality and Rita

for leading the group since 2008.

The spirit of our group and meal was ably

expressed by Rita’s husband, Len:

Three cheers for the studious German Group,

They’re all bright and perky, all cock-a-hoop.

The language of Goethe, music of Strauss,

Resounds in their ears as they go house to house.

Yes, every member of the group among,

Is avid to master the Teutonic tongue.

Thus, thank you Lin for this fine German meal. And Guten Appetit Euch allen! That’s just how I feel.

Notes from our Ninth Annual General Meeting held in December 2016

There were 117 members at the meeting. After the Chairman’s report and a

financial statement, the following form our Committee (Trustees) for 2017:

Chair: Alan Beebe Vice- Chair: Anne Dale

Business Secretary: Anita Tarshis Treasurer : Keith Thomas

John Colman Terry Careford Julia Clark

Roger Luther Sally Jackson Tina McKellar

Our next AGM will be held on Thursday 7th December 2017.

Transcripts of the AGM Minutes and the Chairman’s Annual Report may be

found on our website. After the AGM there were carols, followed by mincepies

and drinks.

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Jottings from our Committee

Our Committee felt it could be useful to keep us aware of some of the ways we operate at PPU3A.

1. It is now the responsibility of Convenors to keep Sally Jackson abreast of the current names of members

in their Group and to ensure that they are all members of Preston Park U3A. ( Sally, if asked, will always

let a Convener know if a person is a current member.)

2. Please remember to keep your membership details up-to-date. You will not receive news updates if we do

not have your current details.

3. In order to save postage, we make use of the email system for much of our communications. If you know a

member who is not on email, please let them know of any news you receive.

4. Please also remember to keep your Group Conveners informed of your Contact Person, in case of illness

and also details of any critical medical conditions. This particularly applies to activities that take us away

from our normal surrounding, i.e. visits etc.

• I started out with nothing, and still have

most of it.

• My wild oats are mostly enjoyed with

prunes and Allbran.

• I finally got my head together, and now

my body is falling apart.

• Funny, I don't remember being absent

minded.

• Funny I don't remember being absent

minded.

• Some days you're the "top dog"; some

days you're the lamppost.

• It was a whole lot easier to get older, than

to get wiser.

• I wish the buck really did stop here; I sure

could use a few of them.

• Kids in the back seat cause accidents.

• It's hard to make a comeback when you

haven't been anywhere.

• The world beats a path to your door when

you're in the bathroom.

• If God wanted me to touch my toes. he'd

have put them on my knees.

• When I'm finally holding all the right

cards, everyone wants to play chess.

• The difference between a rut and a grave

is the depth.

• These days, I spend a lot of time thinking

about the hereafter -I go somewhere to get

something, and then wonder what I’m

‘here after’.

• Funny I don't remember being absent

minded.

• Have I sent this message before?

Poem submitted by Val Edwards

TRUTHS I'VE LEARNED AS I GOT OLDER As I was lying around, pondering the problems of the world,

I realised that at my age I don't really care a rat's ass anymore.

If walking is good for your health, the postman would be immortal.

A whale swims all day, mainly eats fish, drinks water, but is still fat.

A rabbit runs and hops and only lives 15 years, while a tortoise doesn't run and

does mostly nothing, yet lives for 150 years.

And you tell me to exercise? I don't think so.

Just grant me the serenity to forget the people I never liked, the good fortune to remember

the ones I do, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

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The Preston Park website is u3asites.org.uk/prestonpark

Please send any items for the April newsletter by:

Friday 24th March 2017

to Terry Careford: terry.careford@ntlworld.com

For the latest details of events, please see our Preston Park U3A website.

U3A HOLIDAYS

DATES FOR YOU DIARY

OUR MONTHLY GENERAL MEETINGS AT 1.30 P.M., KNOYLE HALL

Thu Jan 5th Jackie Marsh-Hobbs is the speaker. Jackie will bring us more

details from behind the scenes at the Royal Pavilion.

Thu Feb 2nd Our speaker will be Katy Bourne, Police and Crime Commissioner for Sussex and

previously a Mid Sussex Councillor.

Monday 8th -

Friday 12th

MAY 2017

'ART, GARDENS AND CASTLES of WALES' Price from £515.00 per person. More details on our website. Spaces are limited.

Please contact Ann Kerrison.

Tel: 01273 880189. Email: ann.kerrison@ntlworld.com

Sun Feb 5th BRIGHTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA,

Classical Music Concert at The Dome, Brighton. Start time 2.45pm. Cost £20. The

latest date for receipt of booking forms is January, 5th, 2017.

Sun Mar 5th BRIGHTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA,

Classical Music Concert at The Dome, Brighton. Start time 2.45pm. Cost £20. The

latest date for receipt of booking forms is January 5th, 2017.

Sun Mar 26th BRIGHTON PHILHARMONIC ORCHESTRA,

Classical Music Concert at The Dome, Brighton. Start time 2.45pm. Cost £20. The

latest date for receipt of booking forms is January 5th, 2017.

Booking Forms available from Julia Clark or may be downloaded from the link on our Events page.

CLASSICAL MUSIC GROUP Please contact Julia Clark tel:01273 557015 email: juliaclark1@ntlworld.com

Thu Mar 2nd Local Musician, Richard Durrant, guitarist and multi instrumentalist, who regularly

performs in concerts, both locally and nationally, will entertain us with a talk

entitled: Cycling Music.

Thu Apr 6th Janet Pennington will return to talk about Sussex Inn Signs. Janet is an independent

researcher with a degree in the architectural and social history of early-modern

Sussex inns and taverns.

Thu May 4th Our speaker will be Ken Norman,will talk on ‘How to Plant a Bonsai Garden’.

Ken, who represents Westdene as a Councillor on the City Council and is also a keen

Albion supporter, has written three best-selling books about Bonsai growing.