Who’s Who
2014—2015
A pull-out-and-keep guide to the people who support your U3A at national level
CHAIRMAN — Barbara Lewis Meet your go-to people
AS OUR U3A movement grows ever bigger,
we need to share the load of responsibilities.
So I am calling this pull-out section the “go
to” document — listing the people you should
go to for answers to your questions, advice
and having your input as we go forward.
Your Regional Trustees, listed in the centre
pages are your local “go to” people. They
should be your first port of call. They are your
bridge to our National Executive Committee
(NEC) discussions.
Also included are the NEC committee
chairmen, the complete office staff, the
editors of Third Age Matters and Sources,
the Resource Centre, field officers and inter­
national representatives.
All of these people are ready and able to
help out. They are your “go to” people.
The idea is not to overload anyone, but to
share responsibilities as our movement grows!
Barbara Lewis, Chairman
[email protected]
TREASURER — John Ellison
VICE CHAIRMAN — Marion Clements
VICE CHAIRMAN — Pam Jones
Keeping costs down
Friendly welcomes
Changing perceptions
AT MANCHESTER Univ­
er­s ity teaching and
researching in physics
with extended spells at
CERN and elsewhere was
combined with activity
in university business.
I joined Lancaster &
Morecambe U3A 10 years
ago and lead/coordinate numerous groups, had
spells as chair, secretary, groups coordinator etc.
I was involved widely in the NW and finished up
as Regional Trustee. For the last two years I have
enjoyed being Treasurer and helping to keep the
Trust’s costs down without significant impairment
in services. Income should fund our activities
on the current capitation fee for many years. I
welcome the clarity of our aims incorporated in
Going Forward and our commitment to the volun­
teering/self-help ethos of U3A which is unique,
successful and satisfying.
[email protected]
I JOINED Cheddar Valley
U3A in 2000, soon after
retiring from teaching
in the local high school.
I joined a few groups
and was impressed with
the friendly welcome in
each of them, making
new friends and joining
the committee, as speakers’ organiser and then
groups’ coordinator. Later I became chairman and
started attending the local network meetings.
This led to an interest in the region; I trained as
a regional volunteer, became network chairman,
and was elected Regional Trustee, spending two
enjoyable years travelling around the region,
visiting the network meetings, developing new
U3As and supporting existing ones. I was sorry
to give this up, but it was suggested that I should
put my name forward and here I am as Vice
Chairman, also heading the standing committee
for education.
[email protected]
A MEMBER of Witney U3A
for 16 years, having been
Treasurer and Chairman.
I then became Chairman
of Thames Valley Network
and am still involved in
organising study days.
I subsequently became
Trustee of the South East
Region for three years. This is the most heavily
U3A-populated region with 180 U3As. I presently
lead a Latin group and am about to start an
exploring religions group. I am planning my 17th
U3A holiday to Suffolk next year. I am currently
chairman of the Development sub-committee
(DSC) with responsibility for support and advice
to all U3As and for the organisation of training of
volunteers. My focus is also to change the general
public’s perception of older people by demon­
strating to them the benefits and joys of belonging
to U3A. Most of my spare time is involved with
my large family, notably grandchildren, who are
embarking on interesting career paths.
[email protected]
FINANCE ADVISER
David Wilson
I have worked for the trust for almost 19 years. Not sure
it’s the job for me but time will tell. As SEO/Company
Secretary, I have a wide range of responsibilities not
least of which is the management of the National Office.
My most important role though is supporting U3As
which need help particularly with legal, insurance and
personnel issues. You know where to find me.
[email protected]
David Wilson was a radio officer in the Mer­
chant Navy and studied metal physics at
Oxford before training to be a chartered
tax advisor. He has a special interest in the
charity sector and holds an MSc in charity
finance. He worked for many years for Knox
Cropper and is now self-employed.
National Office: Telephone 020 8466 6139 • email [email protected] • web www.u3a.org.uk
PETER ALVEY
SENIOR EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Lin Jonas
REGIONAL TRUSTEES
EAST OF ENGLAND
NORTH WEST
SCOTLAND
ADRIAN BREACKER
JENNY CARLEY
GRAHAM CLARK
My work philosophy
Your ideas and views
Starting new U3As
AFTER A short spell in the
building industry, I spent my
working life in youth work
and community education/
development. I regard
myself fortunate not to
have followed anyone into
a job — thus having the
opportunity to promote a
work philosophy as much concerned with learning
processes as with programme delivery. It is this
philosophy that attracted me to U3A.
With a strong sporting background, I live in St.
Neots, Cambs, with my wife, a fully committed U3A
member. Our four children and eight grandchildren
are close at hand.
I have been Chair of my U3A and am a group
leader.
[email protected]
MY U3A life started
in 2005 when I
joined Chester U3A. I
progressed through
several committee posts
in Chester, Network and
Region before joining the
NEC in 2012 as a co-opted
Trustee. I am still here in
2014. As Trustee, I have been part of the DSC
and Risk team; Communications committee
next. I participate in Chester U3A’s family history,
computing, bird watching and walking groups
whenever I can. In my spare time I enjoy ringing
tower bells at Chester Cathedral, being “on call”
for grandparent duties, “adventurous” holidays,
answering your queries and hearing your ideas
and views.
[email protected]
GRAHAM JOINED U3A
in 2002 after a career
as a research scientist
and senior manager
in further and higher
education. He then
undertook assignments
as a consultant in interim
and crisis management
before retiring in 2007. He became Chairman of
Inverness & Black Isle U3A in 2008, Chairman
of U3A in Scotland and a Regional Volunteer in
2010, and Scottish Trustee in 2013. He particu­
larly enjoys starting up new U3As, a role which
involves much travelling around Scotland as a
missionary for the U3A movement. He has several
other interests including golf, writing local history
and as chairman of an archaeological charitable
trust in the Highlands of Scotland.
[email protected]
LONDON
EAST MIDLANDS
NORTHERN IRELAND
IAN McCANNAH
MICHAELA MOODY
STUART POLLARD
History is my interest
I relax by walking
Meeting and greeting
AFTER SPENDING
my formative years in
Manchester, I moved south to
study at London University. I
spent the rest of my working
life in the City. During this
time my wife, Pat, and I
founded London Walks in the
early 1970s.
My U3A life started in 2002 after joining Potters
Bar U3A. In 2007, I co-founded neighbouring Barnet
U3A. My interest in British history led to forming an
interest group and being appointed National U3A
Subject Adviser in this subject.
My interests are family (two children and two
grandchildren ), golf, gardening, walking, lecturing
on London and Manchester United!
[email protected]
MY CAREER started with
teaching and ended with
20 years at Shell helping
staff realise the opportu­
nities offered by IT. I left
the London commuter
belt in 2003 and moved
to Lincolnshire where I
quickly became involved
with U3A, first in Boston and then in Woodhall Spa
which I helped to start. I was also involved in my
neighbourhood group and in network activities
before I became a Trustee.
At a personal level, I enjoy music, theatre,
reading, travelling and keeping up with my
three grandchildren. As if driving across the East
Midlands was not enough, I escape when I can to
my Yorkshire bolthole and spend relaxing hours
walking in Wharfdale — sadly without my dog who
loved this part of the world as much as I do.
[email protected]
STUART HAS been a
member of Causeway
U3A since 2005. He is
part of the meet and
greet team for their
monthly meetings, leads
the rambling group and is
a member of astronomy,
bridge and built heritage
groups. Outside U3A, he plays classical guitar in
a local quartet.
Stuart moved to Northern Ireland from
Glasgow in 1973 to work for DuPont, with a career
in R&D and HR. After taking early retirement in
2005, he worked as a part-time consultant in
education before becoming NI Trustee in 2012.
Stuart is married to Jan. They have three sons,
three grandsons (plus another on the way) and
a grand-daughter.
[email protected]
NEC COMMITTEES
Standing Committee for Education: Marion Clements, chairman; Adrian Breaker, Ian McCannah.
Development Sub-Committee: Pam Jones, chairman; Michaela Moody, Tony Randall, Carole Millin
Communications: Anthony Hughes, chairman; Jenny Carley, Hilvary Robinson
Information Technology: Anthony Hughes, chairman; Graham Clark, Neil Stevens
Research: Gwen Dawe, chairman; Stuart Pollard, Diana Holdsworth, Jennifer Anning
NORTH EAST
SOUTH WEST
WALES
GWEN DAWE
DIANA HOLDSWORTH
ANTHONY HUGHES
The icing on the cake
Drama is my passion
Music figures in my life
I HAVE lived all my life
in Sunderland. After
qualifying as a psycholo­
gist, I worked mainly in
training and develop­
ment with emphasis on
interpersonal skills in
management.
I joined Wearside
U3A in 2009, was quickly recruited onto the
committee and served as chairman for two
years, as well as leading the reading and health
and wellbeing groups.
Outside interests include classical music,
caravanning — both static and touring — bird
watching, enjoying good food and wine, and
cruising when the diary allows.
Being on the NEC, representing the North
East, is a great privilege, challenging and
rewarding, and being asked to chair the Research
Sub-Committee, the icing on the cake.
[email protected]
I WAS born in Llanelli,
South Wales, and soon
moved to the north east.
I trained in Bishop Otter
College in Chichester
and after teaching in
Chiseldon and Leaming­
ton Spa I spent most
of my working life in
Aylesbury, where I helped to set up a resource
centre for supply teachers. I was also a lay
assessor for care homes.
Drama has been a great passion of mine and
I performed in several groups in Leamington and
Aylesbury, chairing the Jubilee Players in Bierton
and chairing the Aylesbury Festival of Arts. I also
worked in prisons doing drama.
After coming to Paignton I have been involved
with two U3As and set up a local network.
[email protected]
I WORKED at board level
in insurance, consultancy
and payments (respon­
sible for 5bn electronic UK
payments p.a.) Most recently
I helped Romania, Iraq and
the Maldives implement
national payment infrastruc­
tures including developing
systems, staffing, updating country law and building
relationships with central banks, governments and
third parties.
I have been chairman of Swansea U3A where I
still teach iPad and ukulele. Music also figures in my
personal life as I play in care homes, rest homes and
to dementia sufferers.
I do this with the help of my wife who then takes
me for extended breaks to our house in Greece!
[email protected]
WEST MIDLANDS
SOUTH EAST REGION
YORKSHIRE AND THE HUMBER
TONY RANDALL
HILVARY ROBINSON
NEIL STEVENS
Metal detecting
I came back enthused
Involved from the start
I SERVED in the Royal
Navy for over 32 years,
my active service being
in submarines. Upon
retiring I sailed exten­
s i ve l y t h ro u g h t h e
French canals and the
Mediterranean and, on
return to the UK in 2004,
started my own small business. I joined Rugby
U3A in 2005, served on the committee for five
years, Chairman for two years and am currently
group leader for the demanding subject of ten
pin bowling. Hobbies include metal detecting,
caravanning and my dog. I am also the treasurer
of my local metal detecting club.
[email protected]
RETIRING FROM
teaching in 2004, I
joined Lymington U3A
and became speaker
secretary — then my U3A
sent me to the Edinburgh
Conference in 2009 and
wham!
I came back so
enthused that I went on to become Chairman
for four years. I also became Chairman of the
New Forest Network of U3As. I enjoy travelling
the world, reading, and running shared learning
projects with St.Barbe Museum and Lymington
Humour Group. I play mahjong and practise
yoga with Lymington U3A. I am interested in
technology but need to assimilate which develop­
ments will benefit the U3A.
[email protected]
AFTER A career in direct
marketing I joined Ilkley and
District U3A six years ago to
play croquet. From the start
I became involved with the
running of my U3A, looking
after communications and
then groups coordinator for
two years.
I have led a number of groups including digital
photography, geology and vegetarian curries.
Two years ago I joined our regional committee.
Life with the U3A was interrupted at the beginning
of 2014 as myself and my wife worked in a hospital
in Uganda for six months. I am now looking forward
to a new adventure, having just been elected to the
NEC where I will also be serving on the technology
sub-committee.
[email protected]
Pictures: Mark Thomas
The U3A’s international representatives,
who represent Britain at the third age
international IAUTA, are Ian Funnell and
Morag Tamisari.
PETER ARKELL
STEFANO CAGNONI
INTERNATIONAL
Who’s Who
NATIONAL OFFICE
U3A national office staff who help
the movement’s 340,000-plus
members won’t, quite, fit into a
telephone box — (left to right) Anna
Smith (enquiries, merchandise and
stationery); (front) Linda Hodson
(special events administration and
insurance queries); (rear) Fran
Walton (direct mail, website and
special projects); Philippa Bassett
(national summer schools and special
U3A events); Julie Travers (new
U3As, meetings and travel, national
summer schools); Lin Jonas (senior
executive officer and company
secretary); Sharon Ahtuam (publicity
events, mailings and competitions);
Tim Harris (bookkeeper).
THIRD AGE
MATTERS
Third Age Matters is the U3A national
magazine, published five times a
year. It brings members news both
about the U3A and about matters
of general interest to third-agers.
The editor is Francis Beckett (right),
[email protected].
Business manager Gerald Brigg
handles all commercial aspects of
the magazine, including advertising,
and is the person to speak to if you are considering buying space
in the magazine. [email protected].
Third Age Matters’ designer and sub-editor is Alan Slingsby
[email protected].
SOURCES
Sources is published three times a
year. It helps members and group
leaders by focussing on a different
theme for each issue.
A copy is held on the U3A website
as an accessible reference resource.
The editor is Tony Thornton (left),
who joined the U3A in the early 90s
and ran a study group for seven
years. He then wrote and tutored an
online course for three years. He fine
tunes the articles and pictures and
designs the 20 colour pages.
[email protected]
EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT
Zazia Pratt (left), Education and Development Officer, helps U3As to set up in London, the
East and South East regions and provides support to existing U3As.
Carole Millin, Training Support Adviser, organises training days for new Regional
Volunteers and workshops and seminars in various parts of the UK which deal with
growth and committee procedures.
RESOURCE CENTRE
The Resource Centre staff, respon­
sible for the U3A’s collection of
non-book learning materials: (left
to right) Chris Van Welsenes, library
assistant; Susan Radford, Manager
of the Resource Centre; Cassy
Langley-Goundry, clerical assistant.
[email protected]