CHAIRMANS REPORT TO 2025 AGM FOR WsM u3a 03/10/35
I have served my final year as Chairman, as under both the 9-year rule for Committee members and 3-year rule for Officers, I can no longer be part of the Committee.
The start of this year in September 2024 was difficult, we had a totally new constitution just accepted by that AGM, and –apart from two Officers, a totally new committee as well as the proposal to use Beacon, a totally new computer system,
Mike Lynham, stayed on as Secretary, and also for a while acted as Treasurer as we did not have one, as well as social treasurer. The two of us tried to give as much assistance to the new committee members as we could. Sadly, a few weeks in, Mike became seriously ill and had to resign everything to do with u3a. We are so pleased that, under the watchful and caring eye of his partner, Pamela, he is now – many months later, making slow but good progress – but he will not be taking on any sort of volunteer roles.
This left us without a Secretary and the committee were appreciative when June Tatch stepped up to take this on as Acting Secretary. A difficult role as without Mike to guide her she had little previous experience to assist her. The whole committee are happy with everything she has undertaken. June made it clear from the start that she did not wish to stand for this role but will continue with it until someone comes forward. Nobody actually nominated so this post stays open for this AGM, but it is thought that June is in talks with a member who may be willing to become our Secretary very shortly.
Without Simon Pratt not sure if we would have survived this transition year. Not only did he take on the whole concept, introduction and control of Beacon, and trained other committee members in its use, but he was also treasurer for much of the last year, as well as his own role as Membership Secretary. He has been very patient with other committee members, even when he has to repeat training on Beacon on several occasions. As we all start to use this more, the benefits of it are increasingly apparent. He now has the job of ensuring that all Group Leaders can access their own groups on it giving them a very easy way of emailing their members. Only in the past couple of months have we a new Acting Treasurer who will be standing for official election at the AGM.
As I had to undergo an operation during this last year, I was delighted to have a very supportive Vice--Chairman in Maureen Chambers. She has always been there to assist in all ways at the coffee mornings, etc.
Sheena Harris became our Social Treasurer, also present at every coffee morning handing, etc all the monies involved in the very many coach outings, trips and holidays organised by Weston u3a. Laura Woodward is our Welfare Officer who ensures that should any of our very large membership become ill or have any sort of medical treatment, they receive a Get Well Soon card from her on behalf of us all.
Chairmans Report for WsM u3a AGM (Page 2 of 2)
Shirley Harvey became the Lectures Co-ordinator (another role that Mike has fulfilled). She has speakers arranged for many months ahead and is always the person who opens up URC for the lectures and other events and ensures that refreshments are available. Very grateful for her work in this.
Jenny Schofield remains both as Groups Co-ordinator and also in charge of the Coach trips, theatre visits and holiday. Due to the 9-year rule she is unable to be a committee member, but does attend the meetings, to give her regular reports in person – then has to leave before the rest of the committee business takes place. She will issue a separate report to the AGM but has the heartfelt thanks from myself and the committee for her work in this. Other people do run some coach outings for WsM u3a, but the majority are organised by Jenny, and hundreds of our members experience her excellent organisation of these.
As with any volunteer organisation, there are always people who are the stalwarts. On behalf of us all we give our thanks to those who carry out the setting up, etc of the Friends Meeting House room, every Tuesday for the coffee morning, and those that ‘man’; the tea/coffee urn there weekly also those who sit in the back room, particularly the Meeters and Greeters for people coming in to enquire about u3a.
We also have nearly eighty individual interest groups – and ALL of these have a Group Leader, who organises and run it. The Committee is delighted that Jenny Schofield is able to have a Thank You afternoon tea once a year for these very important members.
This new Committee welded itself together from the start, all very friendly and helpful to each other, although all feeling their way in their new roles. As all of them are willing to continue next year, along with newer people, I feel that I can step down and back knowing Weston-super-Mare u3a is left is very safe hands,
Within a week of this AGM, we will be holding our annual OPEN DAY, where we hope to be able recruit even more members.
It is important to clarify that no U3A in the United Kingdom operates as a branch; each U3A is an independent charity with its own governance. Even the Third Age Trust (TAT) serves only in an advisory capacity.
I am pleased that the membership has risen to around pre covid figures and apologise if I didn't welcome new members personally when you joined u3a,
I will pop into coffee mornings from time to time.
It is an honour to be on the committee but it has been even bigger honour to be chair.
IAN LUDBROOK
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Weston-super-mare U3A Registered Charity No 1048773 Annual Report, Financial Statement and Ststement of Assets and Liabilities for the year ending 31 March 2025 Independent Examiner's Report to the Trustees ofweston-super-mare U3A I report on the accounts of the Trust forthe year ending 31 March 2025 which are set out on the following pages. Respective responsibilities of Trustees and Examiner As the Charity's trustees you are responsible for the preparation of the accou nts. You are advised by the Third Age Trust that the audit requirements of section 43 (2) of the Charities Act 1993 (the Act) does not apply. It is my responsibility to state, on the basis of procedu res specified in the General Directions given by the Charities Commissioners under section 43 (7) (b) of the Act, whether particular matters have come to my attention. Basis of Independent Examiner's Report My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the Charity and 8 comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It al so includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the acGounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concem ing any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an Audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts. Independent Examinevs statement In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention: (1) which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect the requirements to keep accounting records in accordance with section 41 of the Act and to prepare accounts wh ich accord with the accou nting records and to comply with the accou nting requ irements of the Act have not been met; or (2) to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in orderto enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached. Signed: d /V. /LPeALIS