Quilts, quilts and more quilts was the unbelievable sight which greeted members when they arrived at St. Mary’s Church Hall for our February meeting. Over 50 beautifully handmade quilts of all colours and sizes, nearly 100 personal bags and 100 rainbow coloured teddy bears covered every square inch of the stage and were even climbing up the curtains!

Teddy bears had magically appeared from all over the Mole Valley area and, with material sent from as far afield as Devon and the wadding kindly donated by The John Lewis Partnership, the quilts and personal bags had been made with love and care by a small but dedicated band of our U3A needlewomen for the Rianna Davenport Trust, set up in memory of Rianna, an Ashtead schoolgirl who was tragically killed by a falling tree in her school playground two years ago. Each quilt carried the inscription ‘With love to Rianna’s children’.

The intention is that the Trust will maintain a Kenyan orphanage and we were pleased to welcome Tony, from The John Lewis Partnership, to witness the presentation by Val - who had been instrumental in organising the whole thing - to Debbie, Rianna’s Mother. We understand that some of the quilts have already been transported to Kenya and we hope to be able to get some photographs of the children with the quilts at a later date.

The Needlework Team who produced 50 Quilts, over 150 Teddy Bears and over 100 Bags: Mary, Val, Eileen, Peggy, Brenda, Christine, Betty, Ann, Genie, and Rene.

Quiz Evening 19^th March

Group Leaders Meeting 29^th April

New Members' Coffee Mornings

Over eighty new members have been welcomed to our U3A through a series of coffee mornings. The first, last November, was held in Fetcham Reading Room, and since then there have been three smaller gatherings in Jo’s home. At these meetings Ian has talked about the U3A in general terms, then specifically about Fetcham. The many flourishing groups have been discussed and any questions answered. Many new members have joined a range of groups and some are already involved as leaders.

Picture shows those attending the February meeting

Julia, Joyce, Graham, John, Mary, Brenda, Fred
Elaine, Yvonne, Jo, Yvonne, Mary, Joyce
Photo courtesy: Ian

A week in the life of …

Tuesday – Excellent talk by Gayle on the National Gardens Scheme. Pity the sun always shines on days when our speaker has a slide show. Thinks, must find ways of improving blinds. [Now have a supply of black polythene from B&Q at their Wednesday senior discount rate].

Wednesday – New Members Meeting at Jo’s house, fourth this year. Everyone seems very interested and keen to get involved. Jack had a large print of the submarine HMS Ocelot at Chatham Historic Dockyard, taken on the recent Industrial Heritage Group visit. Pat suggested a new group for singing and another on the Middle East; possible link to Current Affairs and Pat had attended the study day on the subject. Ideas passed on to Enid.

Thursday – Regional meeting hosted by Leatherhead. Lots of interesting contributions including a demonstration of the Leatherhead website. Winnie and Graham gave a follow up about our website that was well received, as was Winnie’s suggestion that an informal group be set up for website workers to get together to discuss ideas and introduce other U3As to the ideas. Runnymede and Merton U3As are apparently interested in joining our region.

Friday – Group Leaders Meeting at Fetcham Reading Room attended by around forty members. Lots of enthusiasm and introduction to details of website by our team. Heard that we had a good article in the latest free magazine, Challenger, dropping through letterboxes. Thanks to social team who laid on a delicious working buffet lunch. Agreed meeting was better at this time of year and no need for an autumn meeting.

Saturday – Composed a few ideas in head for contribution to newsletter that was due yesterday; thanks for dispensation Peter.

The newsletter will be available at the May meeting and we will make sure that any that are not collected are delivered. U3A News has been distributed in the same way so far, but we have decided to use direct mailing as organised by the Third Age Trust in future. Best wishes for your summer activities. I look forward to seeing many of you at the Garden Party and hope that we have good weather.

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Group News

Active & Proposed Groups And Their Leaders

Alpine Gardening	Alan	3rd Monday at 14:30	Status: Vacancies
Art - Mixed Media (1)	Margaret	Alternate Thursdays at 10.30	Status: Full
Art - Mixed Media (2)	Janet	1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 14.30	Status: Vacancies
Art Appreciation	Jenny	4th Wednesday at 14.00	Status: Vacancies
Aviation & Technology	Lawrence	First meeting on 12th May	Status: Full
Book Club	Penny & Elaine	1st Wednesday at 14.00	Status: Full
Bridge For Improvers			Status: Proposed
Bridge (with Lhd/Bkm)	Pam & John	2nd & 4th Thursdays at 10.00	Status: Vacancies
Computing	Tony	As advertised	Status: Vacancies
Cookery	Diana	2nd Tuesday at 12.00	Status: Vacancies
Current Affairs	Alfred	First meeting on 9th May	Status: Vacancies
European History	Roger & Gail	2nd Tuesday at 16.00	Status: Vacancies
Family History (1)	John	4th Thursday at 14.30	Status: Full
Family History (2)	Roger & Gail	2nd Tuesday at 16.00	Status: Proposed
French Conversation (1)	Anna	1st & 3rd Mondays at 14.15	Status: Full
French Conversation (2)	Lesley	1st & 3rd Tuesdays at 14.30	Status: Vacancies
Gardening	Beryl & Joan	2nd Friday at 14.30	Status: Vacancies
Gentle Movement	Enid	Every Friday at 10.00	Status: Full
Industrial Heritage	Ian	3rd Monday at 10.00	Status: Vacancies
Investment Club	Tony & John	4th Thursday evening	Status: Full
Local History	Keith	1st Tuesday at 10.00	Status: Vacancies
Explore London Walking (1)	Linda	1st Monday at 9.45	Status: Full
Explore London Walking (2)	Tony & Joan	2nd Monday at 9.45	Status: Vacancies
Mah Jong	Margaret	2nd & 4th Thursdays at 14.30	Status: Vacancies
Music Appreciation (1)	Bryan & Penny	2nd Wednesday at 19.45	Status: Full
Music Appreciation (2)			Status: Proposed
Needlework (1)	Mary	2nd & 4th Fridays at 10.00	Status: Vacancies
Needlework (2)			Status: Proposed
Outings & Theatre Visits	Sheila	Various times and dates	Status: Contact Sheila
Parchment Craft	Genie	Thursdays at 10.00	Status: Vacancies
Play Reading	Winnie & Geoff	1st Thursday at 14.30	Status: Vacancies
Scrabble For Fun	Janet	3rd Wednesday at 19.30	Status: Vacancies
Singles Dining	Genie	Contact Genie for details	Status: Vacancies
Sunday Lunch Club (1)	Geoff	1st Sunday at 12.00	Status: Full
Sunday Lunch Club (2)	Fred	3rd Sunday at 12.00	Status: Vacancies
Walking (1)	Jo & Ernie	4th Thursday morning	Status: Vacancies
Walking (2)	Margaret	3rd Monday at 09:30	Status: Vacancies
Wine Appreciation (1)	Jo & Ernie	3rd Tuesday at 14.30	Status: Full
Wine Appreciation (2)	Geoff	3rd Tuesday at 14.30	Status: Full
Wine Appreciation (3)	Chris & Rosemary	2nd Tuesday at 19.45	Status: Full
Wine Appreciation (4)	Geoff	3rd Tuesday at 14.30	Status: Proposed

To join a group please contact the group leader to check on vacancies and programme. To join a proposed group speak to Enid, Groups Co-ordinator at the Monthly Meeting or contact the group leader. To suggest new ideas for groups speak to Enid at the Monthly Meeting. Would group leaders please keep Enid informed of any changes to the information given above.
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Art Mixed Media (1) - Margaret

We continue to explore landscape and Still Life paintings in Water Colour using different techniques. We have also used video instruction on how to use Chinese Brush painting to portray amazing bamboos and flowers on rice paper. Return To Contents List

Art - Mixed Media (2) - Janet

We are still meeting regularly and have vacancies. We hope to get outside more now the summer is nearly with us. Return To Contents List

Art Appreciation - Jenny

The Art Appreciation Group has had a varied and interesting year.
In March last year Penny and Bryan gave us a talk with slides about the Pre-Raphaelites. Then in April we had an afternoon at my house looking at slides of El Greco and learning about his life. This was followed up by a trip up to London in May to see his Exhibition at the National Gallery.
In June I gave a demonstration of early Frescoe Painting at my house. This I had learned from following the U3A Internet course on Italian Painting.
In July a few of us went up to London to see the Edward Hopper Exhibition at the Tate Modern. This was very interesting as none of us had been to the Tate Modern before, and we enjoyed the walk over the Millenium Bridge with the views over the river. In September we joined up with the Bookham U3A on a trip, organized by Sheila, to the Red House at Bexleyheath. This is the only house that William Morris ever bought and has a lot of his original work still in there. The house has only just been opened up to the general public.
In October Alice gave us a very interesting talk and explanation of Modern/Contemporary Art, which certainly helped us to understand this subject.
In November/December we joined forces with the Music Appreciation Group for a Xmas lunch at Blubeckers in Gomshall. Bryan then assumed the temporary leadership of the group whilst I went around the world for 10 weeks. During that time they went to the Raphael Exhibition at the National Gallery in January, and in February had everyone round to their house to watch a video.
In March they went up to the Boucher Exhibition in London. This April we have just had a very interesting trip to the Tate Britain to see the Whistler Turner Monet Exhibition. We have previously studied Whistler and Turner so this re-enforced what we had already learned.
We are a friendly group of 15, which is lovely for when we visit Exhibitions but is a little large for when we are indoors. So far it has not been too much of a problem because not everybody can come at the same time!!! We do have a really enjoyable time. Return To Contents List

Computing - Tony

Group Meetings

Tuesday 12th July '05 at 7:00pm, Waterfield Room, Old Barn Hall, Church Road, Great Bookham.
Presentation on " e-bay" by Tony followed by question and answer session.

Computing Courses

An eight session computing course at the Howard School for Fetcham U3A improvers starting in September 2005 has been arranged. The course will be given by Michael, Graham and Hugh and cover word processing and the finer points of tables and mail merge as well as the specific interests of the class.
The course will use the ECDL Syllabus 4 workbook. Attendees are expected to have keyboard and mouse skills 2.

In January 2006 Peter will give a digital photography course at the Howard School for Fetcham U3A covering the basic techniques of modifying manipulate and modify digital pictures. Expert helpers from the Group will assist Peter during the practice sessions to solve individual difficulties. Attendees will be expected to be familiar with handling files, and have keyboard and mouse skills. Both courses will be on Tuesday evenings from 6:00 to 8:00 pm and the fee for each course is £20.

Application forms available in May for the Computing Course. For further information contact Tony.

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Cookery - Diana

The new cookery group is up and running! We plan to meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 12 noon to approximately 2pm. The first three meetings will have the theme of “starters”. We intend to meet in each others’ homes for these sessions, where group members will bring samples for others to taste, with their recipe to share. We also hope to arrange outings, visits to cookery exhibitions, discussions, a picnic etc. If you are interested in joining, there are a few vacancies – please contact Diana for additional details. Thank you. Return To Contents List

Explore London Walking (1) - Linda

Explore London Walking (2) - Margaret

(previously known as "The London History Group")
This group has increased in size enough to necessitate splitting into two.
With this change in mind we have decided to "rebrand" with a more descriptive title Group 1 will continue to meet as usual on the first Monday of each month and Group 2 on the second Monday unless a Bank Holiday intervenes.
Both leave from Cobham Station (Car Park is only a £1 at ticket office) and meet between 9.30 and 9.45. to catch the 9.58 train We have a full quota of 14 people on both groups and the lists are now closed.
We will start a reserve list for anyone interested - who knows, a third group may be possible? Return To Contents List

Family History (1) - John

The Group is bulging at the seams, partly due to the growing interest in Genealogy fuelled by the BBC TV series “Who Do You Think You Are?” We cannot take any more members unless someone is willing to start a 2nd group. We meet on the 4th Thursday afternoon each month and have started to alternate between a meeting in a members home (a problem if all 20 members turn up!) and a visit to a research centre like the Family Records Office (April) The Surrey History Centre (June) and The Public Records Office (September).
Our members continue to make exciting discoveries about their antecedents as they undertake their own research using a variety of techniques. We are acquiring a good library and CD Rom collection to assist our members in their researches. Return To Contents List

French Conversation (2) - Lesley

We have now been meeting about twice a month for a year. The Group Members have conscientiously prepared extremely interesting talks on many varied topics from personal holidays in France, Australia, the USA and Ireland to London walks, visits to shows, concerts and art exhibitions.

Current Affairs discussions have included the Airbus 380, the achievements of Ellen McArthur, modern architecture and noise pollution.

The confidence of the Group, which is now full, has increased and vocabulary has been greatly extended.

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Gentle Movement - Enid

The Gentle Movement Group is progressing well and will now meet weekly. The Group is full, but if there is demand for a second Group it would be possible to arrange this. Please contact Enid if you are interested. Return To Contents List

Industrial Heritage - Ian

Over the summer period the Industrial Heritage Group is organising visits to sites of interest and our meetings will resume in October with a talk by Doug on a Bookham factory history on Monday 17th October. There is a draft programme for the whole winter period until April 2006 with meetings on third Mondays at 10am, but I will wait until all the details are settled before circulating.
We had a splendid day out at Chatham Historic Dockyard on Monday 18th April. Twenty-one attended, our biggest outing yet, and thanks are due to Doug for making the arrangements. The site is very spacious with lots to see, more than can be covered in one day, and we found it relatively quiet so that coffee and lunch arrangements worked very well. We were blessed with clear blue skies, plus a brisk breeze and some scudding clouds, rather than the horrible weather forecast. Thanks very much Doug.
Tony has learned that Howard of Effingham School, as part of its Science College status, is arranging public lectures on science. They are not likely to be well advertised and the tickets will probably be snapped up very sharply. Tony has been talking to the deputy head and would like to know from anyone interested in attending a lecture on the Big Bang by Simon Singh on Thursday 7th July at 7pm. Because tickets will go quickly please reply to Tony by Friday 6th May so that he can make a booking. Return To Contents List

Investment Club - Tony & John

Formed in August last year there are currently 12 members in the Club We meet on the 4th Thursday evening of each month and spend a couple of hours discussing the vagaries of the Stock Market, picking companies with good prospects for improvement and deciding how to manage our growing portfolio of shares. We made a modest profit of £12 in the financial year but are confident that as we gain experience we will improve our performance! We are planning a trip to the London Stock Exchange in the Autumn. Return To Contents List

Local History - Keith

With a welcome influx of four new members, the group is looking forward to increased activity over the coming months. Our next meeting on 7th June will be a visit to the Surrey History Centre at Woking, and we have room for a few more members if they wish to come.
Our current projects include the history of Fetcham, the Pilgrims’ Way in Surrey, and Ley lines. Our July meeting will focus on Fetcham with a brainstorming session on why Fetcham developed where it did. From this we expect to identify a number of topics to be developed by individual members or small groups. Return To Contents List

Music Appreciation (1) - Bryan & Penny

The Music Appreciation Group have had a very busy start to this year. In January we had an evening of Jazz and things which had our feet tapping for the entire time. One starts with the question, What is Jazz? Is it Modern or Traditional, Ragtime or Swing? From Bennie Goodman to Count Basie, from Louis Armstrong to Miles Davis, Duke Ellington to Art Tatum. You name them we had them or they will be on the next Jazz Evening.
Early February some of the group went to Epsom Playhouse for a concert by the Surrey Philharmonic Orchestra of Wagner (Tannhauser), Mozart and Brahms. They are good and I would recommend anyone to go to their concerts.
Later that month saw us studying Ivor Novello and Noel Coward. Although they lived at the same time their styles were so different, from Noel Coward’s “Bitter Sweet” to Ivor Novello’s “Kings Rhapsody”, and many more in between. We went home that night singing round the streets, and not a drop of alcohol touched our lips. In March we allowed everyone to bring a couple of their own favourites. What a variety that produced – Pop music, Maori music, West End Musicals, Tchaikovsky, Chopin, Bach and so many more. We still have not got round to Punk rock or Rap, but I am sure they will get In somewhere.
April again saw us going to a Surrey Philharmonic concert, this time a Tchaikovsky Gala at Dorking Halls, another brilliant evening. Then our regular evening, this time Gilbert and Sullivan, from “Pirates of Penzance”, “The Mikado”, “Yeoman of the Guard” to the less well known “Patience” and “The Grand Duke”, Gilbert and Sullivan’s last opera.
I would like to congratulate and thank those members who prepared these evenings which are very much appreciated by all of the members who are able to attend. Return To Contents List

Needlework (1) - Mary

After our hardworking sessions in which we produced the quilts for Africa, and the excellent presentation of them at the February meeting, we are now trying our hands at beading. We are finding this very satisfying, with an end product either to use or give away as a present. We started by working on a loom and each made a small panel using cross- stitch designs, and now have progressed to making jewellery. We are learning various techniques using different beads and are very pleased with the end results. At the end of May we plan to visit Ramster, near Chiddingfold, where an Embroidery exhibition is being held, and will also visit the gardens which at that time of year are famous for their display of rhododendrons and azaleas. Return To Contents List

Outings & Theatre Visits - Sheila

The following visits by coach are planned for the coming months:
Wed 20th July to HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE, GARDENS & SCIENCE CENTRE in Sussex Set in a series of attractive gardens, with a lake and woodland walks, the castle has an interesting history and is now used as a study centre - Historic telescopes, etc from the old Royal Observatory are housed in the new science centre in the grounds. Optional guided tours will be available.
Sun 21 August to HOLLYCOMBE STEAM COLLECTION near Liphook, Hampshire - come and enjoy the experience of bygone leisure (& work) on the steam trains, tractors and ride-on carousels etc. in a lovely country setting. Bring the family if you wish, picnic or sample the new visitor facilities.

In October (date to be arranged) to the NELSON AND NAPOLEON EXHIBITION at Greenwich - part of the Battle of Trafalgar Bi-Centenary celebrations.
THEATRE at Woking:
Thurs 9 June THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE - stars Lesley Joseph Cost £19.50
Wed 27 July MISS SAIGON - Cameron Mackintosh’s new production £30.50
Thur 27 Oct LA TRAVIATA (Ballet not Opera) by Northern Ballet Theatre Co £19.50
Wed 9 Nov THE HISTORY BOYS Alan Bennett’s success on tour ex the National Theatre £16.50
For further info (or if you have suggestions/requests for our future programme) contact Sheila.
Bookings can be made at the monthly general meeting or contact Sheila. Return To Contents List

Play Reading - Winnie & Geoff

This group meets in a member’s house on the first Thursday in the month. The objective is to talk about, and then read, a published play. The more mistakes there are in the “sight-reading” of the script the more fun there is. A few new members would be welcome, particularly if they are of the masculine gender. Membership does not impose any obligation to appear in public! Return To Contents List

Sunday Lunch Club (1) - Geoff

Sunday Lunch Club (2) - Fred

Meeting for a good meal and good conversation at lunch-time on Sundays continues to be popular, to the extent that a second group has been formed. This group had its inaugural meeting at “The Cock” at Headley on 17th April with seven lunchers present. It was decided to meet in future on the third Sunday in the month. The leader of this group is Fred and he will be pleased to hear from anyone wishing to join.
The original Sunday Lunch Group, which normally meets on the first Sunday of the month, has eighteen members and this is as large as can be accommodated. There is, therefore, a waiting list. Geoff continues to act as the leader of this group which has now met on twenty-one occasions as seventeen different venues. Return To Contents List

Walking (1) - Jo & Ernie

We spoke too soon in the last newsletter! Having stated that we had yet to be rained off, we were in fact snowed off in February! However, apart from that blip, we still walk on the 4th Thursday morning of each month. On the March walk we passed Effingham Ponds where we fed the many ducks, and in April we walked by the river Mole at West End where we saw a wonderful display of bluebells just coming into full bloom.

Future walks planned are:
May 26th 3.75 miles River Mole and Norbury Park. Meet in Bocketts Farm car park. A mostly flat walk, with two quite steep hills and one stile. Refreshments in the Bocketts Farm tea room afterwards, if required.

June 23rd 4 miles Wotton Estate. Meet in car park of the Wotton Hatch pub on A25. There are a number of steep parts and stiles on this walk, but we will take them slowly. Refreshments at the Wotton Hatch pub afterwards, if required.

These walks will start at 10am and sheets with further details are available at the monthly meetings, or from Jo and Ernie. Return To Contents List

Walking (2) - Margaret

There is to be a meeting on Monday 16th May (which sadly is the day we go to press-Ed.) at 2pm at my house to discuss timing, nature, and organisation of walks. The discussions will be followed by a short walk in Norbury Park. Return To Contents List

Wine Appreciation (1) - Jo & Ernie

As planned, in January we watched and tasted the six wines from the Richard and Judy’s Wine Club and had a great afternoon! Since then, most of us went to the ‘Taste Wine and Dine’ evening in April at the Barn Hall in Bookham where we tasted six New World wines while enjoying a very good meal. Future plans include a visit with two other U3A wine groups to Waddesdon Manor in July, where we will tour the Rothschild Cellars. In August, our group is to visit Lugershall Winery, followed by a pub lunch nearby. We still meet monthly in each others’ homes, with a different focus each time and continue to enjoy good wine with good friends! Return To Contents List

Wine Appreciation (2) - Geoff

We have maintained the monthly meetings despite members going off on world-wide tours at frequent intervals. Those of us left behind try to keep up a good standard of research for the benefit of those of a more peripatetic inclination. We have had an afternoon of Argentine wines with a couple of very good whites and more recently four very enjoyable wines from Alsace. Thanks are due to the hosts for putting on such pleasant afternoons and for doing the research which provides the reason for us being there in the first place. Return To Contents List

Central Surrey Region Study Days in 2005/2006

Friday 13th May
A Study in Starlight
Kevin, Surrey University

Friday 17th June – Noon registration & 1pm start
The Organ – Evolution of the First Keyboard Instrument
John, Farnham U3A

Saturday 16th July – 10am registration & 10.30am start
Romanticism into Impressionism in Music & Painting
Janet, University Lecturer, Conductor & Pianist

Friday 9th September
Britain as a Garden
Ian, Lecturer in Garden History & Design

Friday 14th October
Kings & Princes of the Keyboard
John, Open University

Friday 11th November
Has the EU a future?
John, Gordon, Steve, Hugo & John

Friday 10th February 2006
Jane Austen
Jill & Marion, Open University

Friday 10th March 2006
Industrial Archeology
Alan & Paul, Surrey Archaeological Society

Friday 12th May 2006
Views on a Changing World – Iraq, Afghanistan & China
Gail & Roger, Phyllis & Jean, All U3A Speakers

The first two study days are to be held at the Royal School of Church Music followed by one in Banstead Community Centre and the next in St. Mary’s Church Hall, Fetcham. Venues from October have still to be arranged. The programme for each study day will normally start at 9.30am with registration and will run from 10am to 4pm with breaks for coffee, lunch and tea. The cost including coffee/tea and biscuits will be £9, £5 for the half-day in June, with attendees bringing a packed lunch. For latest information see www.fetchamu3a.org.uk/centralsurrey.htm. Booking is necessary and booking forms will be available at Monthly Meetings. Jennifer acts as bookings secretary. Return To Contents List

Garden Party 15^th May 2005

The tickets said “What a lovely way to spend a Sunday afternoon”, and that could not have been more accurate. The weather was perfect, the garden was stunningly beautiful, the tea was delicious, and the company could not have been better.
The garden belongs to Margaret. It is a wonderful garden, with excellent mature planting, and full of colour and beauty. The rhododendrons and tree peonies were in full magnificent bloom, and wherever you looked there was something to delight the eye. It is a lovely garden to wander round, in and out of various ‘rooms’, along almost hidden paths, and finding many rare and exciting plants.
On arrival we were welcomed with a glass of ‘fizz’ by Hugh or Neville, which was very pleasant on such a warm afternoon. Brenda was in charge of the raffle, and Marilyn had organised some excellent prizes. During the afternoon plants were on sale in one of the large greenhouses, and Marilyn, Janet and Trevor worked very hard selling and packing plants. Most people left carrying tomato plants, bedding plants or some of the more exotic items. Proceeds of the raffle and plant sales go to a tsunami charity selected by Margaret.
Tea was served from the Conservatory, and it was a perfect Garden Party tea – there were scones with jam and cream and an excellent selection of small cakes and meringues. There was not a sandwich in sight! Thanks go to all the members who worked so hard – Yvonne, June, Joan, Beryl and all those who made the delicious cakes, and helped with the washing up. People sat round small tables for tea or on the grass, and enjoyed the excellent music, organised by Bryan, which was perfectly chosen for the mood of the afternoon.
Ian drew the raffle and thanked Margaret for her hospitality, and also thanked the many members who had worked so hard to make the event so enjoyable. Members all agreed that it was a wonderful afternoon, and we are all very grateful to Margaret for her generosity and for undertaking all the hard work involved.
Reported by: Patricia Return To Contents List

Website News - Mick, Webmaster

Fetcham U3A now has it's own Website. You can view this at www.fetchamu3a.org.uk. A team of three have put together what you can currently see on the Website over the past couple of months and I think that you will agree the results are very good indeed. Particular credit must go to Winnie, our Wordsmith, who developed the 'look' and the 'feel' of the pages and Graham who created the html pages using the least amount of data he could.
Already we have started the jargon! HTML (hypertext mark-up language) is the data understood by your PC to display the page exactly as Winnie intended. The intention is that the pages should look the same regardless of which screen size you have or which browser you use. More jargon? The browser is the application you use on your PC to access the internet – it could be Internet Explorer, Netscape Navigator, Mozilla Firefox, etc.
Most people use a dial up connection to their Internet Service Provider (ISP) and so Graham's work, to keep the data that is sent to your PC to the absolute minimum, benefits us in two ways. Firstly, you see the page arrive quickly without sitting and waiting and secondly, it keeps your connection time to a minimum and saves you cash.
The Website is hosted by Dataflame and provides us with 200Mb of disc space and 10Gb of data transfer per month. We also have the use of email addresses of the form name@fetchamu3a.org.uk. We can then forward emails sent to, say, chairman@fetchamu3a.org.uk to the Chairman's own email address, which can be changed as the chairman changes.
Where do we go from here? We are developing a 'form' which can be used to send messages to Group Leaders and other key U3A members from the Website pages. It has been working in a trial but the exercise of creating the email addresses for forwarding the messages to members is not yet complete.
This is expected to take a couple more weeks. Newsletter End - Return To Contents List

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