David Coates - Member of SSU3A since 2011

It is with great sadness that we report the death of David Coates, a long time member of SSU3A. David died on 28th April 2020 after four years of battling prostate cancer.
David was an enthusiastic member of 4 interest groups - the Walking Group, the Science Group, the Art Group and the Philosophy Group and didn’t let his illness curtail his enjoyment of those pursuits.
​A quiet, erudite man with a deep knowledge on many varied topics, he was always one to have in your group for SSU3A quizzes! He will be sorely missed by many in our U3A.
Our thoughts go out to his wife Jan and their family. 

Jim Foster - Member of SSU3A since 2011.

I have been advised of the death of Jim Foster who had been a long-time member of SSU3A. He started our first Bridge Group, this being also one of our oldest groups. He will be sadly missed by his wife Dot and all the Bridge Group members.  Jim died after a fall at home. Mo Noden pays this respect : "He was a lovely caring quiet gentleman with a lot of patience, especially when we used to chatter whilst playing Bridge. We were all very fond of Jim and will miss him very much"

Norman Watson - Member of SSU3A since 2012

I am sorry to report the death of Norman Watson, Our thoughts and prayers are with Norman's wife Brenda at this most difficult of times.
Joan Taylor writes "Norman was such a lovely man and we remember him fondly from all the LH1 outings when he was able to join us."

Keep visiting this page as it is going to be updated very frequently

DON'T FORGET TO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE ALL OF THE INFO ON THIS PAGE

​South Solihull U3A​

What is U3A?

The U3A exists to provide a framework in which retired and semi-retired people from all backgrounds can get involved in helping to create, join and run different learning-based activities. These improve our knowledge and skills, enhance our physical and mental well-being and keep us socially connected.
​

Who are we?

South Solihull U3A are a lively and friendly group of 170 members, who meet in Bentley Heath Community Centre, Widney Road, Bentley Heath, Solihull, B93 9BQ every second Monday of the month (see Diary). Free parking is available on site and in the adjacent car park. We host a range of interesting speakers and offer a wide range of topics and activities managed by members as group coordinators (see Interest Groups). 

We are always open to new members - for further information please click  contact us

WE ARE NOT MEETING AT ALL AT THE MOMENT - WE WILL ANNOUNCE RECOMMENCEMENT HERE - MEANWHILE KEEP YOURSELF SAFE

Be aware of Scams

Several members have asked me to remind you about the current wave of scams which seem rife at this time. So here are a few - but in general the best approach seems to be to say NO to anything that anyone suggests to you unless you know that person well
1 Your bank or the police will never ask you to move money from one account to another, Never give your bank cards or their details to anyone,
2 Refuse to buy or try anything from anyone at your door - they should not be there in the first place
3 Unless you have very good reason to do so, never accept "gifts" from charities
4 There is no such thing as a "superior" Cororanavirus face mask for the general public, Nor is there any publicly available medicine, bleach, tablet or potion which prevents you from getting the disease or alleviates symptoms
5 Put the phone down to anyone saying that they have noticed that your wi-fi speed is slow, That can be the start of a very expensive and on-going problem. Also NEVER give anyone access to your computer to do things remotely, unless you are ABSOLOUTLY certain of that person's identity

If in any doubt look on the Friendsagainstscams.org.uk website or report your problem to the ACTION FRAUD number 0300 123 2040

Overall be suspicious rather than accepting.  
Picture

Government Advice  STAY ALERT - STAY AT HOME - WASH HANDS WELL WITH SOAP

Coronavirus is affecting us- if you have cancellations or news to announce let me know and I'll post it here - click here to send me an email

General Meetings at Bentley Heath Community Centre are cancelled for April, May and June
Philosophy - All future meetings are cancelled for the time being


Walking Group - All forthcoming walk are cancelled

Art Appreciation -  Also cancelled are ; The Oratory in June; and RBSA Gallery in July 
Go out for a walk but avoid being closer than 2 metres (6foot) from another person unless a person of your houehold
Bake some biscuits
Set up a bird feeder, create a diary of what arrives  and when - some birds are quite choosy as to their meal times
Set aside a time to read a book
Phone a friend you haven't spoken to in ages
Write to someone you haven't written to for years
Form a research Group. Send me <johneveson.cix.co.uk> details of what you would like to do and I'll publish details for you. The internet has millions of pages of stuff to look at
Prepare a 5 minute speech on a subject dear to your heart to be presented when SSU3A resumes its meetings
Contact Richard Batchelor if you would like to join a MOOC -Philosophy session. See the Philosophy Interest Group page  for more details.
Read the manual for that camera, Ipad, iPhone, microwave that you always intended to do
Learn more about Word, Excel, or even Weebly and become an editor for our website
Learn a language -Try Duolingo ​https://www.duolingo.com/
**Some Open University short courses are available at (https://www.open.edu/openlearn/free-courses/full-catalogue 
**Sign up for the U3A National newsletter by clicking this link
** I have also received this Link from Mary Ing
https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/covid19-novel-coronavirus?utm_campaign=fl_march_2020&utm_medium=futurelearn_organic_email&utm_source=newsletter_segment&utm_term=200320_TAR_HP_0090_COVID&utm_content=copy
​NB** The virus can be spread on Filling Station - petrol pump nozzles - wear proper gloves or wrap nozzle in tissue, fill, dispose of the tissue AND after - WASH YOUR HANDS WELL

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Member's current times pictures 

When you are out in your garden or on your daily exercise - take a picture, send it to me and I will publish it here - mainly for members - so no pics of people without their permission. Click here to send me a email - a short caption can be included


Recent Additions to the "Things to do" list

Date added
Value
link
Detail
26th March
Member contribution from Pam Hunter
https://solihull.spydus.co.uk/
Free access for the duration to Ancestry.co.uk - you will need your current library card:
if your pin has been forgotten
email libraries@solihull.gov.uk

Some Exercise websites - links

 ** an Exercise page https://www.fitnessblender.com/videos/at-home-cardio-workout-with-no-equipment-why-we-dislike-gym-cardio-equipment

Qi Qong
** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzD4svzG9js
​** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c44pAYUZHx8
YOGA
** https://www.youtube.com/user/yogawithadriene 

​Please Note:  SSU3A accept no liability for information on these sites nor for any injury sustained by following any exercise

 NB If there are 2 stars at the beginning of an entry above this has come from a SSU3A member.
Please send me any ideas you might have to help ensure an active mind and body in these trying times and I'll publish them <click here>
Call back here as more ideas are coming in ---- thank you to all contributors  ----  keep ideas rolling in

"ARMCHAIR THEATRE GROUP 2"

We are  a recently formed group and meet on the last Tuesday of the month at 14:00.  There are 9 members at present, but not all members are available each month. 
If you are interested in joining us then please contact Helen Woodcock

Please read this​

Interest has been expressed in:
​ Italian. Poetry and Current Affairs.
If you're interested, in forming a group, including any of the above please contact Kris Clark ​

An updated U3A WEBSITE

www.u3a.org.uk

The U3A National Website has been revamped.  Click the link to the left to log in.  All previous logins to the MEMBERS AREA have been deleted so if you have not recently logged in  you'll need to login again by pressing the button: CREATE ACCOUNT