U3A in Cambridge Weekly Bulletin
10 – 17 March 2010

AGM - Wednesday 17 March

Members are reminded that the AGM will take place, as in previous years, at 2.15 pm in Room 3 of the University Lecture Rooms at 8 Mill Lane.  We hope that as many members as possible will attend as this is an opportunity to hear of developments over the year.  Members should have received their AGM papers, but please notify the office if this is not the case.

* Norah Boyce Science Lectures

The final lecture, postponed from the 23 February, will take place on the 16 March. Discovering What Genes Do By Knocking Them Out: Control of Puberty and Fertility - Professor Bill Colledge.
Lectures take place at 5.45 pm in the Sackler Lecture Theatre, Institute of Astronomy, Madingley Road.  Please do not arrive before 5.30 as access is not possible until this time.

* Bronowski Group – Saturday 13 March

Please note the group will not meet this Saturday.

Special Event for U3AC members – your support is needed

We have arranged a special event only for U3AC members at St Columba’s Hall (opp John Lewis in Downing Street) on Monday 22 March, between 10 and 12 noon.  This is being held in conjunction with Age UK (originally Age Concern and Help the Aged).  There will be representatives from many organisations relevant to our age range (eg the Police, Library Service, Camtad, Camsight, City Council representatives among others), who will answer questions, give advice or indicate where help can be obtained.  There will be ‘freebies’ on several of the tables including free tea and coffee for those attending.  All the representatives are giving their time so we need your support at this event to make it as successful as possible.  Please spread the word to other U3AC members.

*Coton Rubber Bridge Club

After Easter the Coton Rubber Bridge Club that currently meets on Thursdays from 1.30 – 4.00 pm needs two people to co-ordinate the group.  The main duty is to be the keyholder to unlock the hall & set out the tables.  We currently have one volunteer and are searching for a second.  If you are able to help, please contact the U3AC office.

Madrigal Group Concert

The Madrigal Group are giving a short concert at 1pm, for about 45 minutes on Tuesday 16 March at Christ Church, Newmarket Road, near the Grafton Centre.  They will be singing some of the madrigals they have been learning this year. Everyone is welcome and there is a lift.  If you are unable to be there at the start or have to leave early, feel free to slip in or slip away.

Cambridge Science Festival

8–21 March 2010 Family fun days 13 & 20 March.  The vast majority of events are free of charge.  The full programme is available online at www.cambridgescience.org or call 01223 766766 to request a hard copy.

*Travel Group

The next meeting will be at 4pm on Wednesday 24 March in Room 3, Bridge Street.  The Topic will be Uzbekistan and North Cape.

*Drawing and Painting Exhibition

Gerda Goddard’s 2 groups of students are exhibiting their work at Oakington Methodist Chapel, Coles Lane, in the Community Room, on Monday mornings from 22 March for approximately one month. U3AC members are invited to view (or buy) the art works on display between 9.00am – 12noon.  Tea & biscuits will be available.

U3AC Premises

in the Old Warehouse will close on 1 April and re-open on Tuesday 13 April, on the 1st floor at 27-28 Bridge Street above Brasserie Gerard.

*Special Birding Trips

Jeremy Clare will be leading two field trips for anyone who has attended his bird courses in 2009 & 2010.  They are an evening visit to Wicken Fen on the 28th April to see Woodcocks rodding and a morning visit to Paxton Pits on the 5th May to look for Nightingales.  Please contact the office. Places limited to 20, on a first come basis.

*Summer Short Courses

Could you offer a short one day course in the summer period, June – September?  Please contact the U3AC office and be among the first to run a course in the new premises.

*Travel Club BBQ

Wednesday 23rd June at Dry Drayton.  All U3AC members are most welcome.  The cost is £7pp and includes steak BBQ, strawberries & cream and cheeses.  Congregate from 3.30pm for croquet and enjoying the open space.  Eat from 5.30.  Bring your own wine or soft drink.  Tickets limited and available from the U3AC office.

Exhibition

John Whitehorn is exhibiting watercolour pictures in the foyer at Bridge Street until the end of term.  They are for sale with proceeds going to Oxfam.

Friends Meeting House, Jesus Lane

The lift is still broken, however a new replacement is on order and will be installed late spring. 

Celebration of Words and Music

Friday 26 March at 7.15 pm at the Lee Hall, Wolfson College in aid of CAMREAD. Performers include John Cameron and Jane Bower.  Compere: Christopher South.  Tickets £10 from CAMREAD, 167 Green End Road, Cambridge CB4 1RW. Tel. 01223 424220 / 07758 078910.

*Cambridge Talking News

CTN produces a weekly audio tape of news and features which goes out to about 200 visually impaired people around the county.  After over thirty years with the CTN one of our editors is retiring and we are searching for people to help with editing, recording and copying the tapes.  If you might be interested please contact Ann Nicol at cambridgetalkingnews@googlemail.com or on 07971 004405.

Research Studies

Further information on the following studies are available from the office and on our website:

• The effect of age on face recognition
• How the Brain works 
• Brain activations
• Nerve Study
• Language Research
• Listening

Please send SAE when requesting forms from the office.

* New/updated this week