An annual report is a time for looking back at the highlights of the year, and forward to the challenges to come.
The first thing a Chair person needs to do is acknowledge that he / she is part of a team, and without their support, nothing would be achieved. So thanks are overdue to all the people who make Tenterden u3a a success.
First thanks go to my lovely wife Barbara, without whose support this job would be impossible. You’ll say, modestly, that you don’t do anything, but we all know that’s not true, so a big thank you from me for making it possible to take this job on.
The next round of thanks go to my wonderful committee. They all work very hard and without complaint to make sure the u3a experience you enjoy goes smoothly and seamlessly, and their cheerful support and can-do attitude makes life so much simpler for everyone, especially me.
And a third round of thanks are due to the group leaders and meeting hosts. Without you, there would be no u3a. It is your willingness to share your knowledge and passion with other members that drives the organisation forward. We are a self help organisation and rely on your support entirely.
And finally, thanks to all the people who work quietly behind the scenes to make sure the wheels don’t fall off. Neil and the sound team, Annie, Rosalind and the tea team and everyone else who I might have forgotten who helps make u3a a success.
Jenny Stevens has decided to stand down from the committee. Jenny became secretary in May 2014 and chair in May 2019. She has booked speakers, led pub walks, been a member of books, gardening and other groups and attended almost all Friday morning coffee meetings.
As a new Chair with no experience running u3a, it has been Jenny who has guided me through this first year with advice and suggestions, and the occasional caution when she foresaw the disaster that might come from some of my more hare-brained suggestions. Jenny, I can’t thank you enough, and you will be sorely missed.
We have, for the moment, brought a halt to organising trips and visits. Instead, we have started working with Tenterden National Trust Association on the possibility of joint visits. The scheme is in its infancy. I look forward to seeing our partnership develop
So, to the high points of this year.
In October we celebrated our twenty-fifth birthday with a cake and bubbly, and had the pleasure of inviting three founder members to be our guests of honour. Thank you, Elva, Audrey and Judith.
Our Christmas lunch saw us try out a new venue, The Pig and Sty at Bethersden, which was well attended. We plan to return next Christmas.
We held our Study Morning in April, on Rewilding Tenterden. It was our first face-to-face study morning since 2019. We held successful on-line study mornings in 2020 and 2022, which took a lot of organisation and played an important role in getting Tenterden u3a through the pandemic. This time we were able to meet in person. The speakers showed us the problems facing our wildlife as habitats are destroyed by modern agricultural practices and the increasing absorption of our green spaces for housing. A most worthwhile and enjoyable morning,
My thanks to the subcommittee who worked so hard, under the leadership of vice-chair John Nicholls.
The most amazing development for me has been the great expansion in our membership. Our numbers have gone from 276 in 2020 to 330 by 2022 and now we are approaching 400. Growth is good, but you have heard me say before that we need to grow our groups if we are to sustain our membership. As always, Sally and I are happy to act as midwives to new groups, getting people together, finding time slots that work and arranging initial meetings, before handing the new group over to its members.
Most of all, I need to thank you, the members, for your unfailing forgiveness and good humour despite all my blunders. Tenterden u3a is a friendly and welcoming group, and it is your support and enthusiasm that makes my job worthwhile.
Rennie Halstead