Gloucester and District u3a Annual General Meeting
Report from the Chair
Welcome to the 35[th] AGM of the Gloucester u3a. I am happy to report that our groups are active and generally flourishing, our finances are comfortable and our numbers are steady, in fact no different from last year. I will begin with the events that are open to all, or just happen as a part of keeping us running.
In October the Robot Challenge was held. This was a whole day event of competition between Electronic Groups in u3as of the south-west. The competition involved a number of courses and tasks that the robots had to carry out (or not, or with an occasional poke). The event was organised by our Electronics Group headed by Keith Bostock together with valued assistance from the Churchdown u3a Group. Susan Parker, the south-west Trustee, was present throughout, and at the end awarded the top prize to none other than our very own Robby, made by Keith’s Group, of course. Susan was enthusiastic about another event in perhaps two years’ time, and recommended greater publicity to enable a fun time for more spectators.
The annual Subs and Clubs was held in August last year, and in February we had the New Members meeting. Both were very busy events and were greatly helped by Thelma Miller and her team of caterers. Much of the organising was done by our Membership Sec Barbara Morgan and Groups Coordinator Triss Pollington, and it was good to have many of the Group Leaders at both events. To maintain interest at the New Members event, speakers, i.e. Group Leaders, were limited to one minute maximum. This ensured an excellent pace, which was applied with great enthusiasm to all, including the Chair.
Our Monthly Meetings brilliantly organised by Mary Kitchen continue to be well attended. At these events the speakers always present something new and intriguing. However, I particularly enjoyed the musical sessions, both Noel Coward, and our very own Choir Group who presented us with a varied and challenging programme - I’m still smiling (a poem from one of the Choir).
The Cotswold Link provides us with an opportunity to liaise with other u3as in the region. The Spring Meeting and AGM was attended by ex-Vice Chair Clive Harper, and myself.
At the Third Age Trust Annual General Meeting last October, the proposal of linking capitation (the amount from your annual subscription that goes to HQ) to inflation was defeated. At a follow-up meeting in Blackfriars, London, I attended a meeting where the financing of HQ administrative costs was discussed further.
Triss Pollington, our Groups Coordinator continues to organise the Cathedral Cuppa event, where we meet outside the Cathedral coffee shop for an al fresco chat – most enjoyable. Only one so far has taken place this year, but more are promised.
Of course, the members and their groups are the essence of all u3as. It is good to see us recovering from lockdown, with the number of groups increasing from 31 to 38. The new groups are: Art, Book Club, Concert Group, Italian for Beginners, RummiKub, Social Cycling, and three started by Clive Harper, Humour, Singing Together, and What the Papers say. Many thanks to all the new Group Leaders who have given up their time to organise the start-ups. Unfortunately, three groups have closed over the same period. Understanding Art is no longer running and Walking Football had to close owing to a reduction in regular participants. It’s no joke that Clive’s Humour Group also finished
for lack of support. It is worth mentioning here that as a full member of Gloucester u3a, you can join as an associate member to take part in one group in another u3a.
As well as regular meetings. A number of groups have organised study trips which were enjoyed by many members. The Travel Group booked a 5 day tour to Llandudno in April which included visits to many fabulous gardens and grand Stately homes. Recently, there was a day trip to Bishop’s Palace in Wells which I understand had an eventful journey home as they had to wait for a replacement coach. Horticulture Group had a trip to Hampton Court Castle which is in Hereford, but the coach might have been heading to Hampton Court Palace in Richmond on Thames if their mistake had not been pointed out beforehand. There was also the possibility that some of the members might not have been on the coach home as they were stuck in the maze! The Group also went to Coughton Court in Alcester - the guide said it is easy to remember that it is pronounced Coaton as it is so cold there that you always need to keep your coat on! The house has been in the same family for more that 600 years and I have been told that the herbaceous borders were outstanding.
Local History Group had guided tours of The Folk in Gloucester, Tewkesbury Abbey and Woodchester Mansion which gave a far greater insight into the fascinating history of these places. The Steam Railways Group visited the Didcot Railway Centre and had a trip on the West Somerset Railway. Theatre Group had two trips to the theatre in Malvern and the recently formed Concert Group have already been to concerts in Birmingham and Cardiff.
My very great thanks to all the Group Leaders and their helpers for the enthusiasm and hard work that has gone into organising and running their groups. More detailed reports are published in the Newsletter, and there are, of course, groups that are content quietly to beaver away without any publicity; let’s hear more from you.
A very warm welcome to our 87 new members over the year. As mentioned earlier, the total number of members has not altered since last year, which just shows as many left (some sadly deceased) as joined. My thanks to all involved in recruiting.
A very big thank you to all those not on the Executive Committee, but who have undertaken essential responsibilities: Keiron Helmy, Beacon administrator; Sarah Maidlow, Newsletter Editor; Thelma Miller, Welfare and catering team; Keith Bostock, Webmaster. This has been Keith’s last year as Webmaster and I offer my sincere thanks and greatest admiration to his skill with digital things, and his patience with the unskilled, like me. Keith is replaced by John Harding (bass guitar, Folk Band) who has already demonstrated his skill as Webmaster. Keith will still be available for assistance if needed.
My thanks to all who have served on the Executive Committee over the last year. Two very welcome members joined us early in 2023: Linda Morris and Gillian Talbot. Gillian came to Gloucester from Ross-on-Wye where she had had experience of being Business Secretary, a role she has now undertaken with us.
Many thanks also to Barbara Morgan(Vice Chair and Membership), Gerald Robins (Treasurer), Triss Pollington (Groups Coordinator), and Mary Kitchen (Monthly Meetings and Minutes Sec). They have worked hard on your behalf, and given me support and good advice throughout the year.
Future effort, it is suggested, should be directed at recruiting more members, although, as yet, we have no one on the committee who has a special interest in this. I am reminded that our membership once reached eight hundred. I know that among our members there are some who have ideas on recruitment - at least one on committee would be a great asset.
And that brings me to my final point, the minimum and maximum number on the Executive Committee is 5 and 12. At the time of writing we have 7 nominees – room for another 5. According to the Constitution the Officers are the Chair, not more than two Vice Chairs, Treasurer and Secretary, the rest are non-Officers. As a non-Officer you need not have any role other than to join in discussions and offer opinions. However, all Executive Committee members are Trustees. Having more non-Officers on committee is a good investment in the future, as the Officers have a limited period of service, and in just one year’s time two replacements will be necessary. We look forward to the future with optimism and expectation. May we continue to learn in an atmosphere of happy companionship.
Denis Riley Chair
Gloucester U3A Statement of Accounts: all accounts Pnnted 1st Jun8 2023 19.'05 Income & Expenditure. 1st June - 31st May starty8ar 2022 Catagory 2021 -Account Transfe L)onations Membershlp P8yPal u)mmissi PC1 Rwm Hire PC2 3AT & Cotswold Link PC3 Postag8 PC4 Printing Copying Stat PC5 Gfft8 PC6 Central Other Payment PG1 Room Hir8 PG2 Groups Other Costs RC3 Central Other Recelpt £893.28 RG1 Groups Acti Chg £26.485.88 SutOls £36,453.66 Brougm foTh¥ard £23,799.78 £3.700.00 £18.> £5,356.(K) £3.7LYI.IKI £9,076.67 £10.00 £5.416.25 £9.076.67 £95.( £99.81 £83.52 £3,866.50 £53.91 £1,141.99 £88.30 £972.68 £8,949.36 £6.822.65 £5.524.58 £73.78 £897.43 £4.IX) £22.97 £14,928.80 £11.542.30 £1.158.72 £15.138.23 £30.803.87 £24,151.30 £32.C £37.193.90 £31,155.39 Total £23.059.54 £23.799.78 Balance Sheet Current FairFX PayP81 Sooal NW £22.258.62 £626.29 £174.63 £22.602.93 £932.16 £264.89 Totsl £23,059.54 £23.799.78 I certlfv that the above Statement of Accounts Is a true summary of the accounts of Gloucester and Distrirt U3A for the year ending the 31st May 2023. Signed: Gerald Robins, Treasurer Gloucester and Distrirt U3A Date: 1st July 2023
I report to the Committee and Members on rny e¥amination of the accounts of Gloucester U3A (the Charity) for the year ended 31 Mty 2023. Responslbllltles and basv5 of report The Committee of the Charity are reSnSIble for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charities Act 20111 the ACV). I report in respect of my examination of the Charitys accounts carrled under settlon 145 of the 2011 Art and in carrying out rny examination I have followed all the applicable Dlrecbons given by the Charity Commission under 5ethon 145{5llbl of the Art. This examinatlon Is not an audit. I have completed my evmlnation. I confirn) that no material rnatters have cvme to my attentlon in connecilon with the examlnadon glvlng me cause to believe that In any rnaterlal respect: accountln8 records re not kept In respert of the Charfty as requlred by sectlon 130 of the Act; or the accourrts do not accord wlth thc•se records; or the accounts do not comply wlth the applicable qU1rernents concemlng the form and ontent of accounts set out in the Charlties (Accounts and Report5) Regulatlons 2008 other than any requIrnent that the accounts SI a true and fair vir•/ whkh Is not a matter consldered as part of an Independent examlnlo I have no concerns and come across no other matters in connertron wlth the examination to whi¢h attention should be drnwn in this report In order to enable a proper understandln8 of the accounts to be reached. Signed: Name: Penelope M D Brown FCA Address: 94 Bloomfield Road, Gloucester GLI 5BP Date: