ÿþ<html> <head> <link rel="icon" href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/favicon.ico" type="image/x-icon" /> <meta name="contents" content="ashfield u3a welcome page"> <meta name="keyword" content="ashfield, u3a"> <meta name="author" content="Sherweb"> <meta name="robots" content="follow"> <meta name="copyright" content="Copyright 2006 - Sherwood Web Services"> <meta name="google-site-verification" content="7QCsE1MOBTaL97zgsLtULyYYQxPjNBeAJXtlvuZZgUQ" /> <title>ashfield u3a welcome page</title> <script language="JavaScript"> <!-- function MM_swapImgRestore() { //v3.0 var i,x,a=document.MM_sr; for(i=0;a&&i<a.length&&(x=a[i])&&x.oSrc;i++) x.src=x.oSrc; } function MM_preloadImages() { //v3.0 var d=document; if(d.images){ if(!d.MM_p) d.MM_p=new Array(); var i,j=d.MM_p.length,a=MM_preloadImages.arguments; for(i=0; i<a.length; i++) if (a[i].indexOf("#")!=0){ d.MM_p[j]=new Image; d.MM_p[j++].src=a[i];}} } function MM_findObj(n, d) { //v3.0 var p,i,x; if(!d) d=document; if((p=n.indexOf("?"))>0&&parent.frames.length) { d=parent.frames[n.substring(p+1)].document; n=n.substring(0,p);} if(!(x=d[n])&&d.all) x=d.all[n]; for (i=0;!x&&i<d.forms.length;i++) x=d.forms[i][n]; for(i=0;!x&&d.layers&&i<d.layers.length;i++) x=MM_findObj(n,d.layers[i].document); return x; } function MM_swapImage() { //v3.0 var i,j=0,x,a=MM_swapImage.arguments; document.MM_sr=new Array; for(i=0;i<(a.length-2);i+=3) if ((x=MM_findObj(a[i]))!=null){document.MM_sr[j++]=x; if(!x.oSrc) x.oSrc=x.src; x.src=a[i+2];} } //--> </script> </head> <body background="resources/green_texture.jpg" bgproperties="fixed" link="#008800" alink="#ff0000" vlink="#888888" onLoad="MM_preloadImages ('buttons/bar_b1_over.gif','buttons/bar_b2_over.gif','buttons/bar_b3_over.gif','buttons/bar_b4_over.gif', 'buttons/bar_b5_over.gif','buttons/bar_b6_over.gif','buttons/bar_b7_over.gif','buttons/bar_b8_over.gif','buttons/bar_b9_over.gif')"> <br> <center> <table border="0" width="80%" cellpadding="10"> <tr> <td colspan="1" width="350"> <img src="resources/ashfieldu3alogo.gif" border="0" height="300" width="300" align="left"> </td> <td colspan="1"> <br> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="6" color="#000000"> <strong><i>Welcome to Ashfield U3A</i></strong> </font> <br><br><br><br> <!buttons> <center> <!a href="index.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image1','','buttons/bar_b1_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image1" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b1_over.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="u3a_history.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image2','','buttons/bar_b2_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image2" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b2.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="membership.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image3','','buttons/bar_b3_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image3" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b3.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="monthly_meetings.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image4','','buttons/bar_b4_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image4" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b4.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><br><br> <a href="committee.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image5','','buttons/bar_b5_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image5" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b5.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="interest_groups.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image6','','buttons/bar_b6_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image6" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b6.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="diary_dates.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image7','','buttons/bar_b7_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image7" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b7.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><a href="other_links.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage ('Image8','','buttons/bar_b8_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image8" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b8.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><br><br> <img src="buttons/blank.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"><img src="buttons/blank.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"><img src="buttons/blank.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"><a href="sitemap.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Image9','','buttons/bar_b9_over.gif',1)"><img name="Image9" border="0" src="buttons/bar_b9.gif" width="122" height="43" border="0"></a><br><br><br> </center> <! end of buttons> </td> </tr> <tr> <td colspan="2"> <!main body of page> <br><font face="Arial Narrow" size="5" color="#000000"> <strong><i>What Benefits Can Joining the U3A Bring to You?</i></strong> </font> <br><br> <div align="justify"> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> Are you a 'Baby Boomer'? Can you remember extra classes in school and cod liver oil capsules? Did you wear net underskirts or luminous socks? Are you the generation, educated after the 1944 Education Act, who have coped with the swinging sixties and the peace-loving seventies; flower-power; men on the moon; the Cuba Crisis; computers and the Internet? Have you managed the vagaries of Microsoft Windows and got lost with your Sat. Nav.? Are you now, in retirement, looking for the next challenge or, at the very least, something interesting to do with your time?<br><br><br> <strong>The Ashfield U3A</strong> (University of the Third Age) is a self-help group aimed at providing life-long opportunities for those who are generally over 50 (though there are no age constraints) and no longer in full-time employment. Ashfield U3A meets once a month for a general meeting with topic or speaker, but the real strength of the organisation lies in the interest groups which are small, run by members and allow people with a common interest to meet together with the aim of learning from each other. At present, interest groups include such topics as Amateur Dramatics, Art, Board Games, Book Groups, Bridge, Cake Decorating & Sugarcraft, Card Craft, Cinema, Classical Music, Computing, Craft, Creative Writing, Current Affairs, Digital Imaging & Photography, Family & Local History, Horticulture, Investments, Lunch Group, Navigation, Railways, Real Ale, Scrabble, Singing for Pleasure, T'ai Chi, Theatre Visits, Walking, Wine Appreciation, Woodcarving and Yoga. Future groups may include any topic that a few members wish to pursue.<br><br> Interest Groups are often started because of the interest of one or two members. They will arrange a short meeting at their home or other venue and invite others who may be interested. The interest group decides how, when and where they will meet and how large the group will be. Some, such as outings groups, may not meet formally at all. Some may wish to pay a teacher; others will pursue their interests as a group, learning from each other without an 'expert' or tutor. The co-ordinator of a group does not have to be an expert, but will ensure that meetings happen and that group members are kept informed.</font><br><br> </div><br> <hr><br> <div> <i><font face="Tahoma" size="5">NEWSLETTER - April 2012:<font face="Tahoma" size="3" color="#000000"> <!-- smartlook includes --> <div> <object style="width:420px;height:298px" > <param name="movie" value="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf? mode=mini&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=120511095012-7450b2a5e16b4918a58c486c1a610c36" /> <param name="allowfullscreen" value="true"/><param name="menu" value="false"/><param name="wmode" value="transparent"/> <embed src="http://static.issuu.com/webembed/viewers/style1/v2/IssuuReader.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" menu="false" wmode="transparent" style="width:420px;height:298px" flashvars="mode=mini&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222&amp;documentId=120511095012-7450b2a5e16b4918a58c486c1a610c36" /> </object> <div style="width:420px;text-align:left;"> <a href="http://issuu.com/ron.britton/docs/april2012?mode=window&amp;backgroundColor=%23222222" target="_blank"> OPEN NEWSLETTER</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <a href="http://issuu.com" target="_blank">Publishing</a> &nbsp;&nbsp;/&nbsp;&nbsp;<a href="http://issuu.com/search?q=ashfield" target="_blank">More Ashfield</a> </div </div> <!-- end smartlook includes --> </font></i> </div> <br><hr><br> <i><font face="Tahoma" size="5" color="#ff0000">ANNOUNCEMENTS:<font face="Tahoma" size="3" color="#ff0000"> <! -----------------------------> <ul> <li> <strong>Trailing the Pink Panther:</strong><br><br> As announced at the April meeting of Ashfield U3A, Barrie & Lynne Jackson's daughter , Claire, is in charge of the King's Cross project which is raising money through sponsorship for Global Regeneration and Cancer Research UK. If you wish to sponsor either of these, go to the link at <a href="https://www.justgiving.com/teams/PinkPanther" target=_blank><i>Just Giving</i></a>. This is a personal plea, so note that there is no obligation involved.<br><br> Lynne & Barrie are holding an open garden on Sunday 10th June from 10:00 - 13:00 with coffee and cakes in aid of this cause, so do come along if you are free. <br><br> <li> <strong>Investigative Study in Recognition Abilities:</strong><br><br> The University of Leicester (Psychology Department) is currently seeking volunteers to assist with its present study which aims to investigate recognition abilities in younger and older adults. The study will take approximately 15 minutes and can be completed online. Partcipants of all ages, over the age of 18, are invited to take part and it has been found that members of the U3A have been very helpful in previous research.<br><br> To find out further information and to participate in the study please go to the link at <a href="http://www.le.ac.uk/pc/cap/jeh42/investigate-recognition-ability.html" target=_blank> <i>University of Leicester</i></a> <br><br> <li><strong>Documents of Interest:</strong><br><br> Documents which have been received by Ashfield U3A and which may be of interest to members are shown below. Please click on them to open the document in a new page and close when viewed.<br><br> <ul> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/creativewritingworkshop.doc" target=_blank><i>Creative Writing Workshop</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/dancecourse.doc" target=_blank><i>Dance Course</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/durhamsurvey.doc" target=_blank><i>Durham University Survey</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/hanbyandbarrett.doc" target=_blank><i>Hanby & Barrett</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/memorynewsletterissue1.doc" target=_blank><i>Memory Newsletter 1</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/over55emailflier.pdf" target=_blank><i>Over 55 flier</i></a><br><br> <li><a href="http://www.ashfieldu3a.org.uk/documents/technologysurvey.doc" target=_blank><i>Technology Survey</i></a><br><br> </ul> </ul> <! -----------------------------> </font> </ul> </font></i> <hr> <br><font face="Arial Narrow" size="5" color="#000000"> <strong><i>History of Ashfield U3A</i></strong> </font> <br><br> <div align="justify"> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> Mansfield and District U3A was so successful that, six years after it was formed, it found itself in the position of looking for ways of dealing with the large number of people wishing to join. As a result, and to meet the demand, Ashfield U3A was set up in March 2006.<br><br> <img src="photographs/ashwood1.jpg" width="350" height="250" hspace="30" vspace="20" align="left" alt="The Ashwood Centre - venue for the monthly meetings"><br><br><br> After the first meeting at Sherwood Court, it was obvious that there was not going to be room for expansion and so the committee decided that it would be prudent to seek out a new venue. As from May 2006, Ashfield U3A held its main meetings at Bentinck Miners' Welfare, Sutton Road, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, where it continued to do so until September 2007, when it became obvious that another venue had to be sought, owing to its ever increasing numbers.<br><br><br><br><br><br> <img src="photographs/ashwood2.jpg" width="350" height="250" hspace="10" vspace="5" align="right" alt="Inside the The Ashwood Centre - venue for the monthly meetings"> Since October 2007, meetings are held in The Ashwood Centre, Portland Street, Kirkby-in-Ashfield. This premises can house a significant increase in membership, is light and airy and has the advantage of being central to the town whilst on one level. It is also just off the main bus routes through Kirkby and can cater for around forty cars, while overspill parking is available in several car parks which are only a few minutes away. <br><br><br> <img src="photographs/110127-01.jpg" width="350" height="250" hspace="30" vspace="20" align="left" alt="Members arriving at The Ashwood Centre main conference hall - January 2011 meeting"> <br><br><br><br><br> The Ashwood Centre also has a number of other rooms which are available for hire to interest groups, at low cost. <br><br><br> If you would like more information about Ashfield U3A or about how to join, please telephone the Chairman, Ron Britton, on 01623-456855 or the Membership Secretary, Barrie Jackson on 01623-750466. <br><br><br> </div> Or email <a href="mailto: barriejackson@ashfieldu3a.org.uk"><strong> U3A Enquiries</strong></a> <br><br> <img src="photographs/110127-02.jpg" width="350" height="250" hspace="30" vspace="20" align="right" alt="Members arriving at The Ashwood Centre main conference hall - January 2011 meeting"> <br><br> Alternatively, <a href="info_request.htm"><strong>request information</strong></a> to be sent by filling in the electronic form.</font> <br><br clear="right"></font> <hr> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="5" color="#000000"> <strong><i>Recent site updates</i></strong> </font> <hr> <ul> <li>23-05-2012 - Weekenders Group <li>23-05-2012 - Theatre Visits Group <li>16-05-2012 - Classical Music Group 1 <li>11-05-2012 - April Newsletter - [see above] <li>08-05-2012 - Lunch Group Photographs - May <li>01-05-2012 - Committee Page - Your New Committee <li>30-04-2012 - Monthly meetings - April speaker <li>30-04-2012 - Monthly Meetings 2012/13 speakers list <li>30-04-2012 - Zumba Gold Group Group <li>24-04-2012 - National Trust Visits Group <li>20-04-2012 - Railway Interest Group <li>20-04-2012 - Classical Music Group 2 <li>20-04-2012 - Walking Group 'A' <li>18-04-2012 - Weekenders Group [errata in April/May dates] <li>18-04-2012 - Walking Group 'B' <li>07-04-2012 - Documents of Interest to AU3A members [see 'Announcements' above] <li>07-04-2012 - Hanby & Barrett local play [see 'Announcements' above] <li>06-04-2012 - International Dining Group [erratum] <li>06-04-2012 - International Dining Group <li>06-04-2012 - Cycling Group <li>06-04-2012 - Classical Music Group 1 <li>05-04-2012 - Weekenders Group <li>05-04-2012 - Holidays Group <li>04-04-2012 - Theatre Visits Group [Thoresby Courtyard] <li>03-04-2012 - Sugarcraft Group <li>15-03-2012 - Board Games Group [Goes to 'Countdown' - see Boardgames page] <li>14-03-2012 - Zumba Gold Group [Date cancellations] <li>14-03-2012 - Singing for Fun Group [Date change] <li>11-03-2012 - Late Breakfast Group <li>11-03-2012 - Textiles Group [NEW] <li>11-03-2012 - Holidays Group <li>11-03-2012 - Weekenders Group <li>11-03-2012 - Family History Group <li>11-03-2012 - Theatre Visits Group <li>10-03-2012 - Classical Music Group 2 [May/June date changes] <li>10-03-2012 - Theatre Visits Group <li>08-03-2012 - Rock Music Group [NEW] <li>05-03-2012 - Investigative Study [see 'Announcements' above] <li>05-03-2012 - T'ai Chi Group [April meeting] </ul> <hr> <br> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="4" color="#000000"> <strong><i>VISITS to U3As in other regions</i></strong> </font> <br><br> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> <ul> <li><a href="bridlingtonu3a.htm"><b>Bridlington U3A</b></a> - Visit by Ron & Carole Britton to this relatively new U3A. <br><br> If you visit friends or relatives who belong to U3As in other regions, why not go along as a visitor? Take a few photographs and send them to Ron Britton along with a short writeup about it, and I'll put the visit up here on the website. <br><br> </ul> </font><br><br> <hr> <br> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="4" color="#000000"> <strong><i>Features</i></strong> </font> <br><br> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> <ul> <li><a href="tradesmen.htm"><b>The Tradesmen's Register</b></a> held by Barrie Jackson has now been made available online. Please feel free to add to this register with the names and contact details of workmen you feel you can recommend. For advice on 'How to avoid rogue traders and find a good tradesman' visit <a target="_blank" href="http://www.traderscams.co.uk/home.htm"> TraderScams</a>. <br><br> <li><a href="showcase.htm"><b>Showcase</b></a> your items for sale online. Members are free to use this service for which a small charge is levied on sale only (not for submissions). Purchasers of these items do not require U3A membership but your details will be passed on to the seller for a private transaction. Ashfield U3A will not be held responsible for any transaction and are merely facilitators of transactions between seller and purchaser. <br><br> </ul> <br><br></font> <hr><br> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="4" color="#000000"> <strong><i>Forthcoming Events</i></strong> </font> <br><br><br> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> <ul> <li><strong>Jubilee Celebrations - Hog Roast & Swing Band</strong> - Ashfield U3A celebrations for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee will take place at the Ashwood Centre on Saturday, 26th May, 2012, at 19:00, when a hog roast will be served and entertainment provided by Ravenshead Swing Band. Further details will be posted when known.<br><br> <li><strong>NNNG Jubilee Event</strong> - The North Notts Neighbourhood Jubilee Event will be held on Tuesday, 12th June, 2012 at 14:00 at the John Fretwell Centre. The event is open to all and is free but tickets are being sold for food. Entertainment has been organised and Ashfield U3A is exhibiting indoor games.<br><br> <li><strong>Gardeners' Question Time</strong> - Ashfield U3A have, by popular demand, once again invited Martin Fish to speak at the Ashwood Centre and give us his gardening tips and answer our questions. This will take place on Thursday, 4th October, 2012. Further details will follow.<br><br> <li><strong>Murder Mystery Evening</strong> - This is scheduled for Saturday, 27th October, 2012 but further details will follow.<br><br> <li><strong>Christmas Craft Fair</strong> - This is scheduled for Thursday, 20th December, 2012 but further details will follow.<br><br> <li><strong>New Year's 60s Night</strong> - This is scheduled for Monday, 31st December, 2012 but further details will follow.<br><br> <li><strong>Quiz Night and Pie & Pea Supper</strong> - This is scheduled for Spring 2013. Details to follow.<br><br> <!li><!strong><! title without brackets><!/strong><! - blurb without brackets> </ul> <br><br clear="right"></font> <hr> <br> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="4" color="#000000"> <strong><i>Past Events</i></strong> </font> <br><br> <font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> <ul> <li>Ashfield U3A New Year's 60s Night<br><br> The popular 60s night returned for New Year 2011/12 with the Storm Beats for an evening of sixties music, entertainmenment and New Year's festivities. Once again it was held at the Rainworth Village Hall and a bar was available. A good night was had by all those who attended.<br><br> <li>Ashfield U3A Fifth Pie & Pea Supper & Quiz Evening<br><br> Saturday 6th October 2011 at the Ashwood Centre saw a return of this popular event.<br><br> <a href="pie_and_pea_2011.htm"><b>See photographs and writeup</b></a><br><br> <li>North Notts. Neighbourhood Group of U3As held the Third 'Picnic in the Park' at Rufford Park. This took place on Monday, 13th June, 2011 from 10:00 until 16:00. For photographs, click on the pages below:<br><br> <a href="picnic2011_1.htm">Images 01-12</a><br><br> <a href="picnic2011_2.htm">Images 13-24</a><br><br> <a href="picnic2011_3.htm">Images 25-37</a><br><br> <li>Ashfield U3A St. George's Day Celebration<br><br> Saturday 23rd April 2011 at the Ashwood Centre saw a celebration of St. George's Day with a 'Last Night of the Proms', which included a two-course English meal (beef or turkey) and apple pie. Entertainment was provided by Newstead Brass Band.<br><br> <a href="st_george_2011_1.htm"><b>See photographs and writeup</b></a> <br><br> <li>Ashfield U3A Burns' Night Celebration<br><br> Tuesday 25th January 2011 at the Ashwood Centre Burn's Night with a range of entertainment on a Scottish theme from U3A members, including an appearance by the well-known Scotsman, Willie Mac Sense, who 'Addressed the Haggis' [Pictures courtesy of Ruth Harper]. <br><br> <center> <img src="photographs/110125-01.jpg" width="250" height="350" hspace="30" vspace="20" alt="Willie Mac Sense brings in the haggis"> <img src="photographs/110125-02.jpg" width="250" height="350" hspace="30" vspace="20" alt="Willie Mac Sense brings in the haggis"> </center> <li><strong>October 2010 - </strong><a href="sixties_night_2010.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A 60s Night at the Rainworth Village Hall</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>June 2009 - </strong><a href="picnic2009_1.htm"><b>NNNG Second Picnic in the Park [images 01-10]</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>June 2009 - </strong><a href="picnic2009_2.htm"><b>NNNG Second Picnic in the Park [images 11-20]</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>June 2009 - </strong><a href="picnic2009_3.htm"><b>NNNG Second Picnic in the Park [images 21-30]</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>June 2009 - </strong><a href="picnic2009_4.htm"><b>NNNG Second Picnic in the Park [images 31-40]</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>May 2009 - </strong><a href="coffee.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Lottery Grant Celebration Coffee Morning at The Ashwood Centre</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>April 2009 - </strong><a href="harrogate_spring_2009.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A visit to Harrogate Spring Flower Show</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>March 2009 - </strong><a href="skittles_2009.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Skittles Evening at The Little John, Ravenshead</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>December 2008 - </strong><a href="xmas_lunch_2008.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Christmas Cruise and Festive Lunch</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>October 2008 - </strong><a href="millionaire 2008_1.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Millionaires' Evening</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>September 2008 - </strong><a href="denbies_2008.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Denbies/Vinopolis Trip</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>August 2008 - </strong><a href="jazz_cruise_2008.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A River Trent Jazz Cruise.</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>March 2008 - </strong><a href="pie_and_pea_2008.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Second Pie & Pea Supper.</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>October 2007 - </strong><a href="murder_mystery.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A Murder Mystery.</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>June 2007 - </strong><a href="picnic_in_the_park_2007.htm"><b>NNNG Picnic in the Park.</b></a><br><br> <li><strong>March 2007 - </strong><a href="pie_and_pea_2007.htm"><b>Ashfield U3A First Pie & Pea Supper.</b></a><br><br> </ul> <br><br></font> <hr> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="5" color="#005500"> <strong><i>The Virtual U3A</i></strong> </font> <hr> <font face="Arial Narrow" size="2" color="#005500"> The Virtual U3A (vU3a), which went live in January 2009, is an online-only U3A, affiliated to the Third Age Trust. One of its principal aims is to provide the U3A experience for those who are rendered isolated in some way by circumstances or geography and unable to play a full part in a terrestrial U3A.<br><br> More information is available on the public website <a href="http://www.vu3a.org">www.vu3a.org</a> where one can also apply for membership. Why not pay it a visit? And if you know of anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on.<br><br> <hr> <br> <center> <strong><i>A BRIEF INTRODUCTION TO OPEN UNIVERSITY S OPENLEARN<br> Website: <a href="http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php" target="_blank">http://www.open.ac.uk/openlearn/home.php</a> </i></strong> </center> <br><br> <strong>1. The OU has provided on the web over 5000 hours of study material FREE.</strong><br> All you have to do is go to the website, browse and then register (it s easy and free), and study a unit of your choice.<br><br> <strong>2. Have a look in Learning Space (a sub set of the website).</strong><br> The learning material is arranged in units which take from 4 to 50 hours. There are currently over 400 units (and the number of units is increasing all the time) arranged in 13 topic areas ranging from Arts & History to Business & Management and to Science & Nature. It is good-quality learning material taken from OU programmes from Introductory to Masters levels.<br><br> <strong>How can we use it for U3A purposes?</strong><br> <ul> <li>Individual study <li>Group study  e.g. a U3A group could agree to use the material as the basis for study and discussion. This could be a single unit or a series of units. </ul> <strong>3. Have a look at Lab Space</strong><br> This is really exciting. In Lab Space, you can modify the units to suit your needs. They show you how you can do it and you are then asked to upload the modification so others can share in it. This is true shared learning.<br><br> <strong>How can we use it for U3A purposes?</strong><br> <ul> <li>A U3A group may like the look of a single unit or number of related units but conclude it/they are not quite what the members want for the Group s purposes, so the members modify them. </ul> <strong>4. What the OU has done</strong> is to provide us with 5000 hours of high-quality, free learning materials. How many U3A groups might be interested in that?<br><br> <strong>5. This year, we have started a pilot scheme</strong> where U3A members have studied units and then reviewed them from a U3A member s viewpoint. We are extending that pilot in 2008/9; would you like to take part? If so, e-mail me at <a href="mailto: alandbev.morris@tiscali.co.uk">alandbev.morris@tiscali.co.uk</a>.<br><br> <strong>6. The OU has incorporated,</strong> and is extending all the time, other exciting facilities e.g.:<br><br> <ul> <li>Learning clubs  you don t have to be studying a unit; you might just want to talk to other people interested in, say, creative writing. <li>Knowledge maps <li>MSG instant messaging <li>FM live communication (video conferencing) </ul> </font> <hr> <br><br> <!-- Start Bravenet.com Service Code --> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/javascript" src="http://pub29.bravenet.com/counter/code.php?id=397185&usernum=2489968552&cpv=2"> </script> <!-- End Bravenet.com Service Code --> <br> <center><font face="Arial" size="3" color="#000000"> Counter started 29/03/2006<br><br> Ashfield U3A is&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<img src="resources/cake6.gif" height="70" width="70">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;now 6 years old!<br><br> </font> <hr height="1" width="350"> </center> <!end of main body of page> <!------------- Dynamic Copyright Notice --------> <center> <font face="Baskerville" color="#000000" size="2"> <i> <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> today=new Date(); y0=today.getFullYear(); </SCRIPT> <center>All rights reserved&nbsp;&copy;&nbsp;Ashfield U3A (2006 - <SCRIPT LANGUAGE="JavaScript"> <!--- Hide from old browsers document.write(y0); // end hiding ---> </SCRIPT>) Site courtesy of <a target=_top href="http://www.sherweb.co.uk">sherweb.co.uk</a></center> </i> </font> </center> <!------------- Dynamic Copyright Notice --------> </td> </tr> </table> </center> <script type="text/javascript"> var _gaq = _gaq || []; _gaq.push(['_setAccount', 'UA-21148025-2']); _gaq.push(['_trackPageview']); (function() { var ga = document.createElement('script'); ga.type = 'text/javascript'; ga.async = true; ga.src = ('https:' == document.location.protocol ? 'https://ssl' : 'http://www') + '.google-analytics.com/ga.js'; var s = document.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; s.parentNode.insertBefore(ga, s); })(); </script> </body> </html>