Dear Members of U3A Carrick,

As Chairman, it behoves me to offer my best wishes to our members for a Happy and Successful New Year. At the most, there are 250 of you at the monthly social meetings combined and our present membership is 839 and rising.

Changing the subject, it have been my privilege to write about the speaker at the recent Perranwell Meeting. On this occasion I asked for a repeat lecture. Our member, Dr. Roy Fisher, had already spoken to the Science Meeting in Truro in March 2011 and you will find the write-up on his presentation in the April 2011Newsletter. At Perranwell, we had a high turnout and the subject was personal to each one of us and much discussed afterwards.

Our monthly meetings have in the past been places where members could view Minutes, photographs of group events and details of lists of DVDs available from the Trust. On the whole, it was noticed that current events were more popular and the table by the door has been given over to Attendance Registers, (in case of Fire), membership issues, outings lists, etc.
Another table with current events listings as been made available inside the room.

The Third Age Trust's 'U3A News' Autumn issue, has arrived in three boxes and been distributed around the chairs at the meetings and a few even taken onto the beach at Pètanque! A few of you have opted to pay the extra £1.60 to have this magazine posted direct to your home. The Minutes of Meetings which have been signed may also be viewed on request.

Our President celebrated a wonderful 80th birthday last Autumn with a visit to the Minack Theatre with some members of the U3A, followed some days later by a private party at the County Arms in Truro, when some 80 guests were invited. Many of our members sent cards and presents and various collections were made. We all wanted to thank Tony for all his past work and to wish him just to continue into the future as before. The money was presented to Tony at the Table Top Sale at our October Perranwell Meeting. He has written a quiet "thank you" on line. All the collections added up to about £300 and Tony was able to give £100 each to three local charities, the Cinnamon Trust, Shelter Box and the Cornwall Air Ambulance.

Marion Tapp
Chairman