Issue 25
Spring 2007
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STRAY NEWS
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New Committee Members
I am grateful for the response to requests for contributions to this issue. Keep more of them coming for future issues.
I would like to develop the content to include more feature articles illustrated where appropriate with black and white images. I feel that regular group news should be more in the nature of diary entries with the occasional more expansive article where there is something of exceptional interest to share. New (and existing) members do need to know what are a group’s activities to assist in making a decision to join.
Stray News is your newsletter and although it must include national and local policy issues Including those discussed by the trustees (your committee) it should primarily be filled by members contributions. I would expect these to be relevant to the activities and aims of U3A. Some thoughts follow.
Although new committee members are asked to provide a biography we seem to know very little about group leaders and their interests or how they came to head a group.
I am trying to persuade the reading for pleasure group to submit the occasional book review, the photography group to select a photograph for each issue and the vegetarian cookery group to submit a recipe. Perhaps we can be the first to serialise the first novel from a member of the writing group.
I need to know what you expect to find in Stray News so that it can be considered for inclusion if appropriate. Please let me have your suggestions and importantly your contributions.
Chris Rush
Lee Parkes
My route to Harrogate was via London (where I was born), Kent (where I went to school), Singapore, Aden, Germany and several other parts of England. I arrived here in 1977. I have a family connection with Harrogate from the beginning of the 20th century and have the name on the cenotaph. Since its opening, to the present day, we have supplied several pupils for Harrogate Grammar school. My career as a teacher began in Oxford and took me to schools in the places mentioned above. After a couple of teaching posts in North Yorkshire, one as a head teacher, I ended my career as the head teacher of a school in Leeds. Retirement is proving to be very interesting but busy! Space does not allow me to list all that I do and have done since I retired but I had hoped to do pottery and to paint. Other things jumped the queue. I find I've joined the Bridge for Beginners group. Its title ought to include the word "laughter", because we are a happy group.
Gill Sellers
Although I only joined U3A in September, when asked if I would serve on the committee I quickly decided that it would be a worthwhile activity.
I was born in South Wales, and lived in Epsom in Surrey for some years before coming to Harrogate when I was sixteen. On leaving Harrogate Grammar School I worked in the Research department at ICI Fibres.After a number of years bringing up my four children I went to train as a teacher at what was Ripon College.This soon became the College of Ripon and York St. John and I, along with many others was sad when the Ripon site closed a few years ago.
I taught in primary schools in Harrogate for twenty three years before retiring (happily!) in 2001.
Eight grandchildren give me much pleasure, and I am enjoying having time to pursue a wide variety of interests. Discovering U3A has added many opportunities to keep the brain cells ticking over.
Although I only joined U3A in September, when asked if I would serve on the committee I quickly decided that it would be a worthwhile activity.
I was born in South Wales, and lived in Epsom in Surrey for some years before coming to Harrogate when I was sixteen. On leaving Harrogate Grammar School I worked in the Research department at ICI Fibres.After a number of years bringing up my four children I went to train as a teacher at what was Ripon College.This soon became the College of Ripon and York St. John and I, along with many others was sad when the Ripon site closed a few years ago.
I taught in primary schools in Harrogate for twenty three years before retiring (happily!) in 2001.
Eight grandchildren give me much pleasure, and I am enjoying having time to pursue a wide variety of interests. Discovering U3A has added many opportunities to keep the brain cells ticking over.
Alan McCredie OBE 1924-2007
Alan was born in Christchurch, Bournemouth. His career as a Chartered Accountant brought him to Harrogate, where he became Director of Finance for the Yorkshire Electricity Board. He was awarded the OBE in 1985 for services to the electricity industry.
On retirement, Alan worked on a charitable basis for several years on assignments for the British Executive Service overseas in Jamaica, Zanzibar and Poland.
When he really stopped working, Alan concentrated on his many interests, which included sport (he was playing golf the day before his fatal stroke), music, bridge, travelling and the Rotary Club.
He was a very early member of U3A and worked tirelessly as Treasurer and in many other capacities including organising general meetings at Trinity Methodist Church where he was organist for almost a decade.
In 2000, Alan chaired the 10th Anniversary Celebrations committee and it was largely due to his organising ability, quiet authority and expertise that we had such a memorably successful day at the Old Swan Hotel.
Harrogate U3A has lost one of its guiding spirits; a man who believed firmly in the ethos of the U3A and was unstinting in his efforts to promote it. Members who knew Alan will remember him playing piano at Christmas parties. He was a kind and distinguished gentleman and great fun.
Alan's wife Sylvia was also an early active member and was a great support to him. He leaves Sylvia and three daughters.
On retirement, Alan worked on a charitable basis for several years on assignments for the British Executive Service overseas in Jamaica, Zanzibar and Poland.
When he really stopped working, Alan concentrated on his many interests, which included sport (he was playing golf the day before his fatal stroke), music, bridge, travelling and the Rotary Club.
He was a very early member of U3A and worked tirelessly as Treasurer and in many other capacities including organising general meetings at Trinity Methodist Church where he was organist for almost a decade.
In 2000, Alan chaired the 10th Anniversary Celebrations committee and it was largely due to his organising ability, quiet authority and expertise that we had such a memorably successful day at the Old Swan Hotel.
Harrogate U3A has lost one of its guiding spirits; a man who believed firmly in the ethos of the U3A and was unstinting in his efforts to promote it. Members who knew Alan will remember him playing piano at Christmas parties. He was a kind and distinguished gentleman and great fun.
Alan's wife Sylvia was also an early active member and was a great support to him. He leaves Sylvia and three daughters.