Trustees' Annual Report for 2010

At the Annual General Meeting in March 2011 there were reports on activities during our 25th anniversary year 2010, and these are reproduced below. They form part of the Trustees' Annual Report for 2010, which follows the Charity Commission's guidelines for such reports. The complete Report can be downloaded here (5 page pdf file, 100 kB).

Leeds U3A Newsletter

The May 2011 Newsletter can be downloaded here (1 page pdf file, 128kB).

The Summer 2010 Newsletter can be downloaded here (2 page pdf file, 128kB).

YAHR Newsletter

The November 2011 Newsletter of the Yorkshire and Humberside Region can be downloaded here (21 page pdf file, 3.3MB).

Our celebratory year

The weather outside was freezing: the year did not start as we would have wished due to the heavy snow which caused all our activities to be cancelled as Moor Allerton Centre was closed for the first time in our history.

On our first anniversary event we were delighted to greet the Queen's representative, the Lord Lieutenant of West Yorkshire, Dr Ingrid Roscoe, at our meeting in January. She spoke positively about life long learning and the merits of the U3A. The Leeds Waits entertained us with early renaissance music on authentic instruments. Dr Roscoe said that she would not have missed our event for the world, and that she looked forward to joining U3A when she retired. Our fame was further spread by an article and photograph in the U3A news, and a most informative piece in the education section of the Yorkshire Post featuring interesting interviews with some of our members.

Yorkshire Dance welcomed us to take us to take part in a taster session of their classes. Our class was designed for people over 50. Always keen to learn something new, the group opted for Arabic dance (belly dancing). This was a mixture of modern Egyptian style and old traditional moves. This novel experience was enjoyed by all.

The Moor Allerton Elderly Care (Maecare) management committee invited us to a retirement celebration for Carole Gosden. She had worked for fifteen years as a project worker and manager, and often collaborated with us in opening doors for older people.

On 27 April we held a very special celebratory tea party at Castle Grove. This was to give members the opportunity to meet founder members and old friends, and for members to express their gratitude to these pioneers for their unfailing loyalty to Leeds U3A. A splendid time was had by all who joined in this anniversary event. Age UK and the Swarthmore Centre joined in congratulating us on our twenty-fifth birthday. We were invited to afternoon tea at Swarthmore in remembrance of the first U3A Leeds meetings which were held there. Members were delighted to meet Martin Russell who was Warden of Swarthmore when U3A Leeds was established. There was a guided tour of the building and an update of current activities was given; this was much appreciated by those who attended.

For those who use the internet a fantastic new website with all our up to date news was launched. A database was also created enabling us to contact about half the membership by email. These members now receive our programme electronically thus enabling a considerable saving on our postage and printing costs: it has been invaluable for group communications, especially in bad weather.

We were not the only ones celebrating this year: on Saturday 11 September, Harewood House held a Global Festival to celebrate the diverse communities associated with Harewood and its heritage. They invited us, as part of the local community, to celebrate this special day which was held during the Heritage Open Weekend.

Also at Harewood, a guided tour of the Himalayan Garden was laid on for us. The Leeds U3A group was treated to a history of the Stupa, which represents the spiritual path suggested by Buddhist teachings in the Himalayas. After walking slowly clockwise around the building, for good luck, the group posed for a photograph. The head gardener, who conducted our tour, has visited many of the original plant sites, and created wonderful word pictures of these countries and the living conditions of the people in these areas.

The staff of Leeds Museum and Discovery Centre piloted a workshop "Behind the scenes at the Museum" with a group of our U3A members. This aimed to give us a taste of what goes on at the Discovery Centre. We learnt much about the collections, quarantine and conservation, object handling and packaging, and curating an exhibition. We chose objects from those in storage to create our display; the staff congratulated us on turning a dull, empty display case into an inspiring spectacle. We are greatly indebted to the staff for choosing our U3A for this pilot scheme. The Shared Learning Experience was most educational and informative; it will enrich our visits to any museum in the future.

Meanwhile our AGM in 2010 had not elected a new branch chairman. The then present Chair agreed to continue until a new Chair came forward. Carol Wigley agreed to take on the role for a limited period. This arrangement was found to be unsuitable; Carol Wigley stood down in the autumn, leaving Margaret Underhill to continue in her role as vice-Chair, with the support of the Committee who expect a new Chairman to be elected at the 2011 AGM.

What would an anniversary celebration be without a birthday cake? So at the end of the year we had a members' meeting with an iced fruit cake with twenty-five silver candles, blown out by two of our founder members; followed by readings about the Beginnings of U3A Leeds, the Confessions of a Group Leader and a sketch by members illustrating some of our group activities. A DVD of U3A holidays and activities was on view. Answers to the question, "what does U3A mean to me" were displayed around the room. Tea and cakes were enjoyed by all, including our guests from the Regional Committee, Ann Firth and Derrick Franks.

Good news was received from Heart (Headingley Enterprise and Arts Centre) informing us that from 10 January 2011 Headingley U3A groups will be using the new premises on Bennett Road. Unlike the old Community Centre, there will be a lift in the building and some parking spaces. We are most grateful to the Heart Trust for their endeavours in providing this new facility and looking forward to the Open Day on Saturday 8 January 2011.

During the year it was encouraging seeing new groups being formed, and membership rising to over 430.

Who would have believed, when we began our 25th year with snow, that we would finish it in a similar manner, but this did not deter us from enjoying our Christmas lunch at Castle Grove in affable company.

It has been a wonderful year which we end looking forward to our success in the future.

Laura Lambe

Report on the interest groups

It has been a busy and successful year for the interest groups, of which there are currently 21.

During the year five new groups have been set up: Circle Dancing, Choir, Philosophical Discussion and an (occasional) Grand Day Out Group. The Knitting and Needlework Group which started in the summer is still running but is no longer under the auspices of the Leeds U3A.

There have been one or two changes. The very successful Art: Looking at Paintings Group split to become two groups, to accommodate all the members wishing to attend. All the groups that meet in Headingley have recently moved into the new Heart centre in Bennett Street, and are still settling in. Sadly, Ballroom Dancing and Family History came to an end during the year, and we extend our thanks to Bert Pullen and Christine Ball for running these groups.

I step down as Groups Coordinator at the AGM. It has been a delight dealing with the Group Leaders and Administrators. No problem has been too difficult for them to solve, and requests for information about their group have been dealt with promptly and efficiently. Their enthusiasm and energy have been an inspiration, and I send them my heartfelt thanks for making my job so enjoyable. The leaders and administrators of the interest groups are one of the major reasons the Leeds U3A is such a thriving and rewarding organisation, and we are all indebted to them.

Mary Lance