Chair Report 2024
As | sit to write this report in late March 2024 | see in my diary notes that it is almost exactly four years since , after a wet and stormy weekend our Prime Minister Boris Johnson came on te our TV and chillingly warned us of the dangers of COVID-19 and told of our first of several lockdowns. There followed a tranquil period of around three months which were exceptional in our lifetimes .For those of us impacted by the illness these were dark and dangerous times, but for those that weren't some adjustments were made that simoplifed life significantly, slowed things down and | have often been told how many people enjoyed that beautiful Spring. There followed two extremely difficult years that now seem so distant ago to many of us.
This is really me warming up to saying that my term of two years as Chair come to an end now and they have been....normal.
Our U3A has returned to much the way it was in 2019. We have a healthy membership of more than 1350 and around 90 active groups . A few have disappeared and some new ones have started and that is the natural way of things. | would suggest that ' bang for bucks’ , our South Lakes group must be one of the most active in the network.
During my term we have taken steps to ‘steady the ship' financially. these have been achieved by small cuts and an increase in meeting fees . We continue to experience significant cost inflation and the time has come for slightly more radical action to ensure we are fit for the future. The committee will propose and increase in annual membership fees from the current £9 to £15 at the AGM . | hope that members continue to see this as money well spent but in case they don’t then lam sending my apologies for non attendance at the AGM (which clashes with a family wedding}.
Our U3A only works if there are volunteers to help run things . | thank each of these people , the group coordinators, Committee members and folk who always put their hands up to make coffe and tea and move tables and chairs around.
| would also like to thank each of those who have made my term of office straightforward and enjoyable. | appreciate many new friendships and kindnesses and | look forward to continuing these from the ' Back Benches’.
Martin Douglas OBE April 2024
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