Monthly Meeting - this Tuesday - Jan.18th - 2pm - Priory Centre.
Covid - u3a Topics.
For some time now, each Newsletter has included a section on Covid and how we should conduct ourselves during u3a activities. On each occasion, our guidance references the relevant Government and National Office websites and the need for Group Leaders to be aware of any Venue procedures as well as their own personal requirements when running their group(s)

Recently, two questions have been raised regarding Masks:-
Are masks mandatory within indoor u3a meetings/activities?
and another question relating to individual exemptions.

As anyone who has ventured on the Government website will know, a full answer covering all eventualities will cover multiple pages and will more than likely change with time. The next Government review is due on 26th January.

Until then, a short(ish) answer would be...
Your Executive Committee (EC) would not readily implement any mandatory rule unless there is a clear legal direction from the Government websites, as it does in the case of "Public Areas".
Currently, indoor u3a meetings have been considered as "private areas" where the guidance changes from "masks must be worn" to "masks should be worn" at the discretion of each member.
Group Leaders can insist, and some have, on specific attendance requirements, such as mask wearing and Jab certification or a recent negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT).
There are general exceptions such as when eating, drinking, dancing and singing. Also. there can be  individual exemptions due to individual member health issues. In this latter case the Government states the individual does not have to show proof. In a u3a environment, with such circumstances, a Group Leader may require proof of a recent LFT,  i.e. less than 3 hours old.

As stated previously, we do recommend members make LFT part of their everyday life, 
So, if everyone does the test, we can hold events with some confidence of safety. 
We also continue to recommend the use of hand gel, social distancing, good ventilation and further remind members that the main reason for wearing a mask is to protect others.
Each member must continue to consider their own health and circumstances before attending any u3a activity during Covid times. 

We will continue to keep up to date with Government and u3a Head Office guidance and review our policies when necessary.
 

Group News - from Group Co-ordinator Dot Morfett

Having attended quite a few myself I know they are a very enjoyable, sociable and much anticipated. This year should be no different, even allowing for the COVID procedures' that the organizers will have in place.
We can do our bit by following the advice mentioned early, namely do a Lateral Flow Test on the day and do not attend if you are positive or have any symptoms.

More news next month when we hope all our Groups will be fully operational and maybe even one or two new ones to tempt you .

As always, full details of our Groups can be found on the Website / Groups page

Many thanks  and stay safe in the meantime
Dot.

The price per person is approx. £38 and includes lunch at the Anchor Inn and Restaurant plus coach transfer.
30 members have already booked, so we only have 10 vacancies remaining.
To make a booking or for any enquires please contact Iris Parr 07753 269573.
Alternatively, speak to Iris at the monthly meeting this Tuesday when you can also pay the deposit of £10.
*Please note this cruise may not be suitable for all wheelchair users.

YOUR PUBLICITY and COMMUNICATIONS TEAM (PCT)
Sarahjane Williams.   sarahjane.williams@ntlworld.com
Trevor Parmenter.    trevor.parmenter@ntlworld.com
Chris Tibbenham     christibb@live.co.uk

As you can imagine I went home with a selection of tinned veg, shampoo (prizes from the Tombola stalls) a book (purchased from a stall) and a water butt! Not sure why I bought the water butt as, at the time, I was not interested in gardening. That has since changed and I have now added another two water butts to my collection!
Anyway, back to the book, it was Lee Child’s; Bad Luck and Trouble, a Jack Reacher novel. At that time, as I have mentioned before, I only read when on holiday, so it was a while before I got round to reading it, but when I did, what a fantastic story. The basic plot line is that Jack Reacher is a retired Military Policeman (American) who leads the life of an itinerant because since leaving the Military he has chosen not to settle anywhere. (he should join the u3a then he would not have time to wander all over the country!). He gets into all kinds of trouble and because of his background and physique he gets involved in many fist fights! He always supports the innocent, oppressed and bullied and tries to “right wrongs”. The stories are complex and he uses his talent for sleuthing to get to the bottom of the problem, and once you start reading you don’t want to put the book down until you finish. These novels became such favourites with myself and my husband that it has been our mission to search all the charity shops to get the back issues!
There are many books in the Jack Reacher series and some of been made into films. “One Shot” and “Jack Reacher” are the two film titles, however they make one fundamental mistake by casting Tom Cruise as Jack Reacher.

Featured Sites  (Links to previous items of interest)
Feel free to click on these links for a wealth of interest and fun.

Black Cat Radio
Black Cat Radio our local Radio station has moved to 102.5 FM 
We receive almost daily shout-outs promoting St Neots u3a and every month we get a session with Ernie Almond, on his morning programme, to talk about our activities.

Bite Size Newsletter
For email buddies who wish to print a bite size version of this Newsletter,
please click here.