OUTGOING CHAIRMAN’S REPORT
This is my final report to you, and I would like to extend a warm welcome to all new members who have joined our u3a since last year. I hope you have found a group that interests you and have been able to join it. If you have any problems reaching a group leader, please contact Jenny Schofield, our Groups Co-ordinator, and she will help. Our membership now stands at just over 1,000 and we have over 75 interest groups with new groups being suggested.
Unfortunately, under our new Constitution - which was adopted at last year’s AGM - we have lost valued members of the Committee who had served for their allotted nine years: Val Perrin, who served as our Membership Secretary for a very long time; John Laycock, our former Treasurer; and of course, Bob and Nora Charters. Bob was Chair until 2023, and Nora was Secretary until 2023. Also leaving the Committee during my tenure as Chair were Graham Rain (Webmaster), Chris Mingo-West (Welfare), Sylvia Claridge (Public Relations), and Rosie Evans (Cashier). Bob and Nora are still a presence at practically every Coffee Morning, barring occasional holidays, with Nora organising the rotas for table setup and servers.
I would like to extend my thanks to all the members who have served on the Committee for their hard work and service to the u3a, and to extend a warm welcome to all the new Committee members who have taken up the baton.
Thank you, too, to everyone who has organised day trips and holidays over the years; there are far too many to name, and I would hate to miss out anyone.
Finally, I mustn’t forget all the Group Leaders who work tirelessly, and the volunteers who help at the Coffee Mornings. It doesn’t just happen without all your help.
I send a big thank you to everyone for your help in the past and in the future and I wish the new Chair, Maureen, the Committee and all members of Weston-super-Mare u3a all the best in the future.
Regards
Ian Ludbrook
INCOMING CHAIR’S INTRODUCTION
HI - I am Maureen Chambers, your newly elected CHAIR as from 3rd October 2025.
I would like to thank all our members who attended the recent AGM – despite the terrible weather. There were approximately 140 people there and it is good to report that we currently have over 1,000 members in our local group.
We also have a newly elected Committee for the forthcoming year and hopefully we will continue to encourage and receive new members.
Here are some Future Dates for your Calendar - the first of which is the u3a Annual Christmas Carol Service which will be held on 9th December at All Saints’ Church in Weston-super-Mare - starting at 2.00pm.
The last Tuesday Coffee morning of the year will be held on 16th December and these Coffee mornings will resume on Tuesday 6th January 2026.
Lastly, a big thank you to Ian who has served the u3a as Chair for 3 years and will be missed.
Maureen