It’s nice to know I can be right sometimes! Last month I said that the days were getting longer and things were starting to look brighter. Well the days are getting longer and it’s now officially spring. However, the old saying states that if March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion, so it is probably a bit early to pack away the winter woollies. We have spent most of the past twelve months in lockdown. Governments are optimistic that the new vaccines are effective, but there is still a fair bit to go. Our last monthly Zoom meeting was Andy Middlemiss’s talk about General Bill Slim and his role in the World War II Burma campaign – particularly relevant given the current situation in Myanmar. Andy’s talk was well received and the Vote of Thanks was given by Doreen Hortstmann. Do note, we are also looking for members to propose Votes of Thanks for future speakers. Sheena Lawson has been hard at work to produce a programme of speakers up to the end of 2021. Social distancing means these will have to be done by Zoom – perhaps with the possibility of “mass” Zoom meetings later. Watch this space! Remember that the Third Age Trust and u3a Scotland have also produced online talks and activities. Google u3a Scotland for more information. As mentioned in the February Newsletter, your committee has decided the AGM will go ahead in May but, like last year, by mail and email. The actual date is Thurs 13 May but some matters have to be underway before then. With the next Newsletter there will be reports and resolutions for you to read and vote on. These will include the 2020 AGM Minutes, the 2020/2021 Annual Report, the Financial Report and the nomination of the Independent Financial Examiner along with any resolutions to be considered. If an election is required there will be voting forms for the new committee. Currently we have vacancies for up to six new members, so I repeat my appeal from last month for people to put their names forward. If that’s you, contact either Muir (07580 329247 or [email protected]) or Mary Hannah (07894 087925 or [email protected]). It’s your u3a! Muir Shaw Chair Fife u3a Members' Meeting Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85769576601?p wd=YnltVERwWnlCTU5VVjhXeURmM1FLUT 09 Meeting ID: 857 6957 6601 Passcode: LiveLearn You can try out the link before - you don’t get in to the meeting before the "host" signs in. March Monthly Meeting You may have heard an Adult Protection advert on Kingdom FM radio and had your curiosity aroused. Whether or not, join us by Zoom at 2pm, Thurs 11 March to hear Shona McEwan, Engagement & Participation Officer from Fife Council's Adult Support & Protection Team, for an overview of what the team does and help that's available. Her talk will touch on matters like financial harm (including scams), how to complain about services and advocacy. Sheena Lawson March 2021
Transcript
It’s nice to know I can be right sometimes! Last month I said that the days were getting longer and things were starting to look brighter. Well the days are getting longer and it’s now officially spring. However, the old saying states that if March comes in like a lamb, it will go out like a lion, so it is probably a bit early to pack away the winter woollies. We have spent most of the past twelve months in lockdown. Governments are optimistic that the new vaccines are effective, but there is still a fair bit to go. Our last monthly Zoom meeting was Andy Middlemiss’s talk about General Bill Slim and his role in the World War II Burma campaign – particularly relevant given the current situation in Myanmar. Andy’s talk was well received and the Vote of Thanks was given by Doreen Hortstmann. Do note, we are also looking for members to propose Votes of Thanks for future speakers. Sheena Lawson has been hard at work to produce a programme of speakers up to the end of 2021. Social distancing means these will have to be done by Zoom – perhaps with the possibility of “mass” Zoom meetings later. Watch this space! Remember that the Third Age Trust and u3a Scotland have also produced online talks and activities. Google u3a Scotland for more information. As mentioned in the February Newsletter, your committee has decided the AGM will go ahead in May but, like last year, by mail and email. The actual date is Thurs 13 May but some matters have to be underway before then. With the next Newsletter there will be reports and resolutions for you to read and vote on. These will include the 2020 AGM Minutes, the 2020/2021 Annual Report, the Financial Report and the nomination of the Independent Financial Examiner along with any resolutions to be considered. If an election is required there will be voting forms for the new committee. Currently we have
vacancies for up to six new members, so I repeat my appeal from last month for people to put their names forward. If that’s you, contact either Muir (07580 329247 or [email protected] ) or Mary Hannah (07894 087925 or [email protected]). It’s your u3a!
Muir Shaw Chair
Fife u3a
Members'
Meeting Link:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85769576601?p
wd=YnltVERwWnlCTU5VVjhXeURmM1FLUT
09 Meeting ID: 857 6957 6601
Passcode: LiveLearn
You can try out the link before - you don’t get in to
the meeting before the "host" signs in.
March Monthly Meeting
You may have heard
an Adult Protection advert on Kingdom FM radio and had your curiosity aroused. Whether or not, join us by Zoom at 2pm, Thurs 11 March to hear Shona McEwan, Engagement & Participation Officer from Fife Council's Adult Support & Protection Team, for an overview of what the team does and help that's available. Her talk will touch on matters like financial harm (including scams), how to complain about services and advocacy. Sheena Lawson
Sadie Seath passed on this postcard from National Poetry Day .. 4th Oct 2001 - issued through the Scottish Book Trust
Quite fitting maybe for what’s happening just now?
If Mr Motivator’s ideas for sitting exercises last month got you moving then you might want to follow up with his fitness series he did specially for u3a - aimed at U3A and Third Agers. Just a gentle reminder that if you haven’t yet, you can still
take part in the fitness sessions on a weekly basis. It is a six day programme of eight minutes a day - and works every muscle group in the body. It's so important to be sure to take regular exercise particularly during lockdown so this is a shout out to all third agers to please join us. This is the link that takes you direct to the Mr
Motivator playlist -
Mr Motivator Fitness sessions - YouTube
1- 2 - 3 - 4 -5 WAYS TO WELL BEING
If you’re looking for a way to improve your all-
round well-being, why not try and work some or
all of these five simple practices into your daily
life? These Five Ways to Well-being have been
developed by the New Economics Foundation and
The Children’s Society.
Connect: Chatting to people is really good for your
well-being, so make sure you’re regularly reaching
out to people by phone, video link, letter or email.
Try to exercise: Research shows that exercise
releases feel-good hormones, which give you
energy and boost your mood. Even starting off
with 10 minutes a day will make a huge impact.
There are lots of indoor exercise ideas online.
Take notice: It’s often very calming and relaxing
to take time to be in the moment. A little time
spent doing simple things – looking out of a
window at the view, or enjoying the warmth of
your cup of tea – is time well spent.
Try something creative: Getting in touch with your
creative side can help you feel happier and more
relaxed. Whether you fancy trying some baking,
writing, drawing, being musical or playing a game,
don’t worry about creating a masterpiece – just
focus on enjoying yourself.
Try something new: Many of us now have a lot
more time on our hands, and finding a new activity
you enjoy is a great way to while away a few hours.
Brain Check Try these Tenables: Name 10 American presidents (of any vintage), 10 crime books or films, 10 fictional heroes, 10 philosophers and 10 sandwich fillings.
Come up with an A to Z of European dishes.
continues to urge older people to keep on following
the guidance issued by NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government – even if you’ve had your first or even second vaccine jab – lots of others haven’t yet. Scotland, like the rest of the UK, now has more local rules and guidance in place. For more information about these keep checking and remember to keep checking as these levels go on being changed. This is an anxious time for many people, and has required people to make big changes to the way they live their day to day life. But, following the advice of experts gives us the best chance to fight this outbreak and gradually get back to ‘normal’. One of the best things people can do is to wash their hands more frequently than usual and for longer – as long as it takes to sing 'Happy Birthday' twice, remember to sneeze into your elbow and always use a disposable tissue if you sneeze or cough and throw it away after use. For lots more useful information of all sorts contact https://www.ageuk.org.uk/scotland and you can sign up for their email newsletter too.
ARE YE A ‘JEENYASS’? Always imagined that the National Library of Scotland was a bit highbrow? Well, you might change your mind if you check out their
‘Oor Wullie Guide Tae Scots Language’ - Oor Wullie | Home (nls.uk). It’s “a guid fun wey tae lairn oor language” and the three level quiz in the Activities section will let you test out just how much you remember from all those years of reading the Sunday Post and the annuals. If you do want the more highbrow stuff, there are millions of items available digitally in “the nation’s information portal”, including the Moving Image Archive, where you can browse 125 years of Scotland’s screen history captured by amateur and professional film makers. You can check it all out at the National Library of Scotland site at National Library of Scotland (nls.uk).
See if these
5 AWESOME QUOTES ABOUT GETTING OLDER
“click” with you, too
1 “Age is no barrier. It’s a limitation you put on
Really relevant for now: 'Hold plans lightly'. This seems to come from 'Hold plans lightly, not
tightly' in the Hindu scripture Bhagavad Gita.
!!! MIND OUT FOR SCAMS !!!
COVID-19 vaccination scam alert
The vaccines are only available from the NHS and
the NHS will contact you when it is your turn. The
NHS will: • NEVER ask you to press a button on
your keypad or send a text asking you to confirm
you want the vaccine. • NEVER ask for payment for
the vaccine or for your bank details.
HMRC, Banks, insurance & other scams
Some people are receiving fraudulent calls and
text messages. Don’t press any numbers on
keypads Don’t send any text messages Don’t
give any personal or financial information. Don’t
click on links or attachments in unexpected texts,
emails or instant messages. Do challenge every
request for your personal details.
It doesn’t matter what they say or what they
seem to know about you, don’t respond to
unexpected phone calls. Hang up, take five then
verify their claims via a trusted method (such as
the usual website or official phone number). Any
reputable organisation would rather you check.
Upcoming Monthly Meetings
Second Thursday each month, at 2pm, by Zoom. The Zoom link is the same each month and
always available in the newsletter.
April 8 – Allan Pinkerton, Detective – Ian Templeton
May 13 – Civil Engineers are the People’s
Engineer – but what exactly do they do?
Kevin Smith
Kevin is happy to cover your queries as part of his talk. (Apparently potholes are one of his specialities!) If there’s anything you’d like to ask, email our Programme Organiser using the link on the Contact page of our website.
June 10 – Members Day – the lockdown version
Stay safe . . . Stay well . . . Stay safe . . . Stay well
Stay safe . . . Stay well . . . Stay safe . . . Stay well
