WELCOME FROM CHAIRMAN
Dear Reader, and Fellow Members of Ballymoney U3A
In 1938 as the crisis in Europe deepened the prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, described the issue regarding the Sudetenland it as a "quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing."
When we first heard about Covid-19 a year or so ago it was a bit like that. China is a long way away and we have had these scares before – swine flu, avian flu, etc, but they soon passed. The so-called Spanish Flu killed countless millions of people all over the world between 1918 and 1921 but there is no one alive today who actually remembers that awful pandemic. And time seems to have erased the memory of some of the practical steps used at that time to counteract it. Medicine has come a long way in the interim but victory over the Coronavirus doesn’t look as if it is going to be conquered any time soon, if ever.
Our entire world has been turned upside down. Many of the activities that we simply took for granted until only nine months ago have been suspended indefinitely. Some may never be resurrected. Life during the Spanish Flu pandemic has many parallels to life to-day except that 100 years ago the marvels of the technology that we now take for granted did not exist. At least to-day we can communicate using the internet via Zoom and other media which has been a Godsend. It has been a real life-line for organisations such as U3A.
Covid-19 has seen to it that his year’s programme has had to be curtailed, but thanks to our committee, only to a certain degree. Obviously, our monthly meetings have had to be suspended, as with other activities where we were required to gather together. But we have managed to put together a pretty varied programme of events that can be carried out either physically, within the current regulations, or by Zoom.
I sincerely hope, therefore, that it will continue to hold your interest in U3A for as long as this “plague” continues to disrupt our normal lives.
Keep safe.
John W D Pinkerton, Chairman
Dear Reader, and Fellow Members of Ballymoney U3A
In 1938 as the crisis in Europe deepened the prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain, described the issue regarding the Sudetenland it as a "quarrel in a far away country, between people of whom we know nothing."
When we first heard about Covid-19 a year or so ago it was a bit like that. China is a long way away and we have had these scares before – swine flu, avian flu, etc, but they soon passed. The so-called Spanish Flu killed countless millions of people all over the world between 1918 and 1921 but there is no one alive today who actually remembers that awful pandemic. And time seems to have erased the memory of some of the practical steps used at that time to counteract it. Medicine has come a long way in the interim but victory over the Coronavirus doesn’t look as if it is going to be conquered any time soon, if ever.
Our entire world has been turned upside down. Many of the activities that we simply took for granted until only nine months ago have been suspended indefinitely. Some may never be resurrected. Life during the Spanish Flu pandemic has many parallels to life to-day except that 100 years ago the marvels of the technology that we now take for granted did not exist. At least to-day we can communicate using the internet via Zoom and other media which has been a Godsend. It has been a real life-line for organisations such as U3A.
Covid-19 has seen to it that his year’s programme has had to be curtailed, but thanks to our committee, only to a certain degree. Obviously, our monthly meetings have had to be suspended, as with other activities where we were required to gather together. But we have managed to put together a pretty varied programme of events that can be carried out either physically, within the current regulations, or by Zoom.
I sincerely hope, therefore, that it will continue to hold your interest in U3A for as long as this “plague” continues to disrupt our normal lives.
Keep safe.
John W D Pinkerton, Chairman
'Not Again' by Kieran Casey
WHAT'S HAPPENING?
PHOTOGRAPHY
Every month the photographers can post themed photos on their Facebook page. Two socially distanced outings are planned.
Tuesday 22/9/20 Roe Valley Country Park
Tuesday 29/10/20 Antrim Castle Gardens
If you are interested in joining this group check out their page in the Activities section.
PHOTOGRAPHY
Every month the photographers can post themed photos on their Facebook page. Two socially distanced outings are planned.
Tuesday 22/9/20 Roe Valley Country Park
Tuesday 29/10/20 Antrim Castle Gardens
If you are interested in joining this group check out their page in the Activities section.
Join us on Facebook.
At this time social media is a good way of staying in touch.
We have a closed group called 'Frae the Toon'. It is only for members of Ballymoney U3A.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/617781468384594/
At this time social media is a good way of staying in touch.
We have a closed group called 'Frae the Toon'. It is only for members of Ballymoney U3A.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/617781468384594/
Dear member,
I hope that you are all well and surviving the lockdown in the best way possible. As you are aware, we can no longer meet in large groups the way we used to. Because of that we are trying to find ways to keep our group active and involved.
I am sure you are all aware and many of you may already be using technology to keep in touch with family and friends. There are various different platforms which can be used - Zoom and What’s App are the most popular and used by other U3A’s. To get you started, guidance will be provided by our IT Expert Michael Diver on using ZOOM.
The technology is simple to use, whether you use an iPad, tablet, laptop or mobile phone.
We are asking for your response to a suggestion that BU3A use ZOOM to deliver the regular monthly meetings. If this is something which would interest you and you would like to participate would you please let me know via newsu3a@gmail.com
Speakers would deliver their presentation via Zoom and you would be able to access this in your own home, at the same time seeing other members and being able to have a chat. Sorry no coffee but you can have a cup ready for the start!
We are very keen not to lose touch with you. After 5 years friendships have been built and the monthly meetings are always an enjoyable event. I hope you will participate and I can look forward to seeing you in September, if not in the Holmes Memorial Hall, then together by the wonders of modern technology. Please let me know your thoughts, and whether or not you require assistance to get started using ZOOM. (Replies to: newsu3a@gmail.com)
Meantime take care!
Marion
I hope that you are all well and surviving the lockdown in the best way possible. As you are aware, we can no longer meet in large groups the way we used to. Because of that we are trying to find ways to keep our group active and involved.
I am sure you are all aware and many of you may already be using technology to keep in touch with family and friends. There are various different platforms which can be used - Zoom and What’s App are the most popular and used by other U3A’s. To get you started, guidance will be provided by our IT Expert Michael Diver on using ZOOM.
The technology is simple to use, whether you use an iPad, tablet, laptop or mobile phone.
We are asking for your response to a suggestion that BU3A use ZOOM to deliver the regular monthly meetings. If this is something which would interest you and you would like to participate would you please let me know via newsu3a@gmail.com
Speakers would deliver their presentation via Zoom and you would be able to access this in your own home, at the same time seeing other members and being able to have a chat. Sorry no coffee but you can have a cup ready for the start!
We are very keen not to lose touch with you. After 5 years friendships have been built and the monthly meetings are always an enjoyable event. I hope you will participate and I can look forward to seeing you in September, if not in the Holmes Memorial Hall, then together by the wonders of modern technology. Please let me know your thoughts, and whether or not you require assistance to get started using ZOOM. (Replies to: newsu3a@gmail.com)
Meantime take care!
Marion
17th December, 2019: Booklaunch by our creative writers
Guitar Man by Ian Marr
