GROUPS MEETING OUTDOORS Since out last newsletter in June, when lockdown regulations had just eased enabling members to meet outdoors (up to six people), a number of our groups have seized the opportunity! These include Sunday Picnics Group and Sunday Rambles. Demonstrating just how successfully outdoor space can be utilised for meetings are members of local Guitar Groups (including some of our U3A members) coming together in Woodford Park. (See Group News below).

GARDEN SOCIALS We are also encouraging members to consider hosting a social get-together in their garden (with side entrances) for up to five guests. There would need to be adequate space for social distancing and members would bring their own drinks/cups and snacks. Guidelines/checklists for outdoor meetings are provided. I will be hosting a number of ‘garden socials’ in the coming weeks and any members who would also be willing, to either host their own get-together from time to time, or who would like to attend as guests, please get in touch and I will add you to our Volunteers/Guests lists. Contact Jane: socialevents@woodleyu3a.org.uk

SPEAKERS MEETING by Mary Brenchley-Hole, Speakers Secretary This month, on 15 July, we held the first in our series of virtual Speakers’ meetings which was conducted via Zoom. Fellow member and speaker, Julia Birt, gave us a talk on ‘A Medieval Woman’s Place - The Stoner Family of Stoner Park, Henley.’ Julia has a passion for Medieval history which came through in her interesting and very well researched talk. There were lots of positive comments and the talk was well “attended”. As a result, we will be having a regular monthly Virtual Speakers Meeting until such time as we can meet again at Christ Church. The next meeting will be on the 12 August (topic to be advised). As we book the speakers, topic details will be posted on the Diary Page and News Page. Our Systems Administrator, Chris Mould, has produced a helpful guide on how to access meetings on Zoom. See the ‘Zoom Meetings’ section of our July Newsletter (Link at top of page).

GROUPS  UPDATE by Paula Dove, Groups Coordinator I am delighted that new groups continue to be set up - the History Topics group was very quickly over-subscribed and the on-line Quiz group is also very popular. Both are having their initial meetings in July. As lockdown eases some of our groups are meeting outdoors in groups of six or less - including Sunday lunches (now Sunday picnics) and Sunday rambles. A Cycling Group hopes to start up in July and would welcome a few more members. I have produced guidelines and checklists to allow group convenors/members to see whether it is viable for them to meet up outdoors. I will be updating these guidelines in-line with government and U3A trust guidance. Ask me if you want to find out more. Virtual groups are enjoying the benefits of having unlimited time on Zoom. It is easy to use for small group meetings and there are several of us who can help get you started. Offers to help support your convenor to get the group running on-line are very welcome. Groups meeting virtually with space for new members include - Afternoon Film Group, Photography, Discovering Science and Indoor Board Games.  The next virtual visit group is going to see some wonderful American and European Art in Chicago at the end of the month. There are still a few places on this virtual outing and the instructions are very straightforward. Since the last newsletter we have viewed some great Art - Japanese and European in Tokyo. Bilbao in May with twenty people attending each one. The virtual days out group has visited Peru and Cambodia in the last few weeks and there will be another trip to someway interesting in August. Both groups have been very popular but we still have spaces for a few new members, Look out for the next edition of the Arts Newsletter in a couple of weeks time. I would welcome ideas of things to include. Contact Paula : Groupsco@woodleyu3a.org.uk

WEBSITE UPDATE - Interests & Activities All the twelve categories in the "Useful Links to Ideas for Interests and Activities" section have now been completed. Choose from Healthy Eating; Exercise, Books and Literature; Music, Films & Theatre; Crafts; Gardening; Games and Puzzles; Learning Online; Around the World; Galleries and Museums; Compters & IT and Science & Technology. Something for Everyone! Click on any of the images to be taken to the categories page. Within the relevant categories. you will find lots of recipes and exercises for leading a healthy lifestyle; where to gain access to books, music and films for free or via subscriptions you may already have; ideas for a variety of crafts; gardening tips; ways of keeping your brain active; amazing videos of stunning locations/artefacts from around the world; IT support and recent developments in scientific amd technological research. The Science and Technology category includes key information on Covid 19 research and I would recommend that all members take specific note of reports and updates on the benefits of Vitamin D. These, and other research/developments in the UK and around the world, are presented in well-worth watching daily videos by Dr John Campbell, a former Senior Lecturer in Nursing Studies at the University of Cumbria.

POETRY COMPETITION Congratulations to Hilary Thompson, the winner of our Poetry Competition. Her wonderful, very moving poem "EYES OF BLUE" brought a few tears to our eyes! You can read Hilary's poem in our latest newsletter. (Click on "Blue-Eyes" image to see Hilary's poem in our newsletter).

JULIA AND DAVID'S VIRTUAL QUIZ NIGHTS! EVERY WEDNESDAY & SATURDAY It was with real regret that we had to cancel our planned quiz night at Sonning Golf Club on 29 April 2020. Those of you who attended our quiz night in October will remember our fantastic quiz masters, David and Julia, who played a key part in making the evening such a success! Unable to currently run quizzes at venues around Berkshire, David and Julia have produced Virtual Quizzes that we feel our members may well like to download for their own Quiz Nights. The quizzes can be done individually, with family members living at home, or "virtually" with other family members/groups of friends. The quizzes are free but members may care to make a donation to the Alexander Devine Children's Hospice charity supported by David and Julia. To download the quizzes/access further information, click on the image to the right. The link is sometimes a little slow to download, so please be patient.