All hats need to be submitted by 29th September 2010 so please get knitting quickly!
Notices for Members
There has been an upsurge of interest in the web site in recent months and more contributions from members are arriving. If you want to be really helpful and save the webmaster even more time, send them to me by e-mail in "comic sans" font and in this colour. All I have to do then it a simple cut and paste job! Pictures always welcome - reduced in size to about 100 Kb please.
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All hats need to be submitted by 29th September 2010 so please get knitting quickly!
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U3A Computer Courses
We have been given a grant by The Community Foundation for Wiltshire and Swindon to buy 4 laptop computers. We will be using these to provide computer courses which will be available to all members.
The courses will take place in the Nursteed Centre at a mutually convenient time, probably Tuesday afternoons from 2pm to 4pm – but this is not cast in stone! We have laptops for 4 students but can accommodate another 2 if they have their own laptops. Couples will count as one if they share a laptop. Costs will be £5 per session which will be required in advance and will not be refundable.
If you are interested please contact John Weller on 01380 723235 or by email to itadviser@devizesu3a.org.uk
The courses available will be:
Computer Basics
Using the keyboard and mouse. Customising the desktop with wallpaper and a screen saver. Using Windows Explorer to locate, manipulate, rename and delete files. Backing data up to a memory stick.
Email and Internet
Using the internet to search for information. Using eBay to buy and sell. Using electronic banking. Setting up a webmail account. Sending, replying and forwarding emails. Adding and downloading attachments such as pictures.
Basic Digital Photography
Downloading digital photographs from the camera. Using Picasa to view and manipulate photos. Creating a web album to display your photos to the family.
Word 2003 and 2007
A series of 5 sessions on Word. Each session apart from the first two will be stand-alone and cover either 2003 or 2007. Members need only enrol for those sessions which interest them.
1. Word Processing Basics. Keyboard use, emphasis, fonts, page layout, using the ruler, cut and paste. (Two sessions).
2. Borders and Tables
3. Templates and Styles
4. Mail merge and adding pictures to a document.
Excel
An introduction to Spreadsheets. If there is sufficient interest this can be extended as required.
Anything Else
If there is anything else you would like to learn about computers and computing, such as web design, databases or simple programming I will do my best to lay on a course.
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Summer Social
This
year's Summer Social has been cancelled due to lack of support.
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Just in case all you members out there think that the newsletter is generated as if by magic every other month, the following pictures will correct the impression!
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| Newsletter collating | Willing Volunteers take a breather |
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Third Age Trust Resources
The Third Age Trust has an extensive collection of resources including transparencies, videos, DVD's etc. (but not books) that are available on free loan to U3A groups by contacting: Elizabeth Gibson, Resources Centre Manager, Third Age Trust, 19 east Street, Bromley, Kent, BR1 1QH, or telephone 0208 3150199 (Tuesdays and Thursdays only) or e-mail resource.centre@u3a.org.uk
See also the Third Age Trust web site www.u3a.org.uk They also issue their own publications about various aspects of the U3A including advice on setting up new groups, and three times a year produce "Sources: An Educational Bulletin", each issue focusing on a particular aspect of learning.
Webmaster's Note; Due to our web site policy of not giving out local home addresses and telephone numbers, please contact the Devizes U3A by e-mail to any of the committee members listed on the Committee page. All members of the Devizes Branch of the U3A are encouraged to contribute information for this web site. Contact the Webmaster at webster@devizesu3a.org.uk or contact him by telephone at the number listed in the bi-monthly Newsletter.
Archives
If any group leaders have material relating to their groups activity during the past year - items of work, photographs, written articles etc. - would they please send copies of these to our Archivist Jeannie Bradley. These would be of interest and available to all upon request, and worth displaying.
Bi-Monthly General Meetings
(Held in January, March, May [AGM], July, September, November)
Gift Aid
Members are reminded that if they are UK taxpayers and they complete a Gift Aid Declaration, we, as a registered charity, will be able to reclaim £2.53 from the Inland Revenue. Members whom have already completed a declaration do not need to complete a new one. Members who have completed a declaration in the past but are now no longer paying tax will need to inform the Treasurer so that we do not claim back tax to which we are not entitled.
Wiltshire Museum of Archaeological and Natural History Society
Devizes and District U3A has institutional membership. John Simpson is the contact and receives the Society's Magazines etc., which are available to U3A members on request. In addition to the permanent displays the museum has a programme of changing exhibitions and events. Up to three U3A members at any one time are entitled to free admission to the museum on production of their U3A Membership Cards at the desk.
One-off Sessions
Do you have a skill or interest that you would like to share with other members? Would you be prepared to give a one-off talk or workshop? If so please contact Roger Marsh.
Membership Cards
It was felt that these cards should be available and willing to be shown at any meetings of the U3A, interest meetings or bi-monthly meetings. Note that the committee are currently looking into a laminated version of the card for future issue.
It has also been suggested that U3A members could become Crown Centre members, since this allows for a certain reduction on hire charges when using Crown Centre facilities.
U3A Advertising.
We are using the media for the general public to be made aware of the U3A and to encourage new membership. The sharp eyed amongst us may have noticed the heading "Devizes & District U3A" lurking among the pages of the Gazette and Herald.
The Website
Members and Group Leaders are invited to contribute original articles, items of news, pictures, reports from group meetings - in fact anything which may be of general interest to the branch. Contact by e-mail please to webster@devizesu3a.org.uk . I would like to see the group leaders updating their information on the Group Activities page please - some of it remains as it was when the website was started 5 years ago!
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Visitors to this web site requiring further information please contact the Webmaster, Derek Henry. e-mail webster@devizesu3a.org.uk It is the policy of the Branch Committee not to display personal telephone numbers or home addresses. |