News and Reports

Here is just a brief introduction to show how you can get started.

Tony Crimlisk, the original founder of our Ukulele Group (now retired leader), provided the following to get a beginner underway. 

 So, you can just click on this link         download these instructions                    to get going. ‘

The daffodils had faded, but there was no shortage of beautiful blooms appearing in our gardens and local countryside. Member, Audrey Patterson, had sent the Web Team a stunning photo of a lovely tree in her garden. This was the inspiration to set up a new Photo Gallery to brighten up both our spirits and the website, and to show off West Lancs in Bloom. A request to members for photos taken when  pottering in the garden or out on a daily walk was so successful that we have now included some late additions and an extra gallery 7 that you may not have seen earlier.

Many Many Thanks for contributing to and viewing these photo galleries. It has proved very popular with loads of hits on this Webpage.  No more photos are required for the time being for this Webpage.  But if the lockdown persists, we may set up another one on  nature seen in the local gardens and countryside later into the summer.

But in the meantime, if you would like to view some further excellent photos taken by members, take a look at the Competition Winners to be found following on from the Digital Photography Group Page.

Click or tap on any of the photos in the Gallery you wish to view, and then scroll through the slideshow for that Gallery to see the images full-size.

Gallery 1

Gallery 2

Bill S indicates, “Princepia, flanked by Pieris”

Taken in a Country Lane (or two) by Geraldine B

From ” A few pictures from a walk in Aughton” taken by John W.

From ” A few pictures from a walk in Aughton” taken by John W.

From ” A few pictures from a walk in Aughton” taken by John W.

From ” A few pictures from a walk in Aughton” taken by John W.

Trees coming into bloom surround St Annes, by Joyce N

“Brightening my front door”, says Christine

“First Hibiscus of the year” from Bill S

Scottish Heather and Welsh Daffodiles spotted in the Grounds of an English Village Hall by Joyce N

Bluebells in Sandfield Park, Aughton, snapped by Alan N

“Tulip pot” in Liz F’s garden

“Hellebore” in Liz F’s Garden

An Amazingly Bright Splash of Colour in Gaynor’s Garden

Blossom in Parkland off Delph Lane, much admired by Joyce N

Gallery 3

Even the leaves are ‘blossoming’ (mostly taken by Alan N)

Gallery 4

Alayne found prolific bluebells and wild garlic on a trip to Aughton Quarry

Taken on April 21 “in the quarry on Delph Lane, Aughton by Liz D”

Liz D also spotted this Lilac among the hedgerows on the A59

Several examples of “Tree Blossom” captured by PatO’H

And Carole D snapped “Blossom in Aughton on daily walk”

A series of “Azalea, Camellia, Rhododendron in my garden Long Lane Aughton” from Colin R

Gallery 5

From Pete and Val’s Garden

Greater Stitchwort

Queen of the night

Germander Speedwell

Fothergilla Major

Broad Beans

Discovery Apple

Viola Freckles

Stitchwort and Germander Speedwell

Snowdrop Tree

Snowdrop Tree

Saxifraga hirsuta

Marsh Marigold in garden pond

Tonight’s salad – Calendula, Nasturtium, Wild Garlic , Chives, Sage

Afternoon drinks

Gallery 6

This Lilac Bush with its own special Welcome sign! Captured by Alan N

Pat B’s wisteria is “better than ever”

Adrienne L found “Bluebells over Church Fields Aughton”

Judy spotted these in The Quarry

A glorious “Clematis Montana” from Christine

Spotted one evening in Rose Place by Alan N

Close-up of same

A Garden Wall on Prescot Road, snapped by Joyce N on an evening walk

Blossom floating on the canal captured by Joyce N

Derrick’s Clematis

and his Cape daisy

and Broom

A wild garden in Aughton

Gallery 7

Lovely, and mostly pink, Clematis, Cherry Blossom and Camelia

From Terry L’s Garden – Clematis ‘ Marjorie’ great over an archway or pergola. A lovely Springtime clematis – masses of flowers and a deep pink colour.

Early flowering clematis -‘Ernest Markham’ – beautiful shape and colour – March / April

Another early flowering clematis ‘Alpina’ I think – masses of strong blue flowers in March – slower growing but masses of flowers.

Clematis ‘ Broughton Star’ – planted this in the side garden about 10 yrs ago – great over walls / fences – masses of flowers – always at its best in April/ May.

Clematis Montana ‘ Freda’ – beautiful pale pink flowers in Spring – fast grower – great over a pergola

Colourful Acers and clematis climbing over a pergola – beautiful in Spring and Autumn

Clematis Montana ‘Freda’ rambling over the pergola . – It’s time for a G and T

Cherry Blossom in the garden of David G

Cherry Blossom in the garden of David G

Beautiful Pink Camelia in the garden of David G

Close-up of the pink Camelia

Following on from the Post called TAT Advice and Info on this website, here are some other great lockdown ideas and activities from the Third Age Trust (TAT).

Exercise Motivation

Find out about a great opportunity that has been arranged for U3A Members via YouTube.

Mr Motivator has joined forces with U3A for a weeklong series of exercises. Mr Motivator – famous for his brightly coloured outfits and enthusiastic tv workouts- has compiled a workout aimed at specifically at Third Agers. It started on Monday 20 April AM and will run every day through that week working on every muscle in the body.

For for information and trailers and the sessions, check out the official YouTube channel of the University of the Third Age in the UK.

Tech ‘How To’ Guidance

Here you will find links to guides to tools that will help you stay in touch and connected with your friends, family and U3A.

National U3A Support Forum

This is an online message board available to all U3A members.

The Third Age Trust has launched three online discussion forums so that you can share ideas and support each other during this time. This user guide will walk you through the registration process and basic navigation and use of the forums.

The Third Age Trust (TAT) currently issues regular bulletins to members. Please check the TAT website regularly and, if you have not already done so, sign up to their national U3A Newsletter which disseminates advice and information quickly to all U3A members. On a rainy day, stuck in the house  during this lockdown, you might also like to pass some time browsing past issues – see the newsletter archive.

When looking at the TAT website, you will find the first three top menu links particularly useful for the current circumstances viz Home, Learning and Newsletter.  Another very helpful place to go  on the TAT website is down to the grey footer area on the main pages.  Here you will find an area called Covid Links with 3 very useful entries for these times.  Have a browse.

Although fairly familiar, or at least aware of, a good number of apps, I had never heard of Zoom until the start of social isolation.  When asked about video conferencing, a younger family member immediately said Zoom.  Soon after that, we also heard mention of it from a couple of U3A members.  A Computer Helper, Ann P, had already done a family meetup using it and Willem, Computer Advice Leader was already experimenting with it for U3A and non-U3A use. Since then, our Website Media Manager, Alan N, has joined in with a non-U3A online Pub Quiz run with Zoom which after a few initial hiccups – technology rather than alcohol related – worked amazingly well.  And recently the Burscough, Formby and Aughton Nolans have had a Zoom get-together.  After we learnt how not to talk over each other, it was pretty good. We have also heard from Megan, the U3A Secretary, that there is a non-U3A Zumba class being run with Zoom by a local teacher.

If you already have used Zoom, please do share your experiences.  Contact:

webteam@aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk

Or if you would just like to know more about Zoom (and other communication tools), then there is very helpful How To guidance on the Third Age Trust (TAT) website.

Important Caveat

There is no charge for the basic version of Zoom, But remember – ‘there is no such thing as a free lunch’.

And some reservations are already being mentioned in the media.  Thanks, Ann P, for sending this link:

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2020/mar/27/trolls-zoom-privacy-settings-covid-19-lockdown

And for further information on security issues, check out this other recent Guardian article which includes the Pros and Cons af various Video Chat options.

So if you do want to try video chat, as with all Apps,  ……….. Be Aware and Use with Care!

Joyce Nolan (Web Manager)

Many of our favourite activities and interests have been curtailed due to social isolation.  But here are some ideas how can keep your participation alive.

National Theatre at Home

Watch top-notch online shows for free. Productions are shown every Thursday at 7pm and are then available for 7 days.

‘Local’ Theatre

Spot On is Lancashire’s touring theatre network. They are obviously currently not able to Tour but they area launching and an innovative project to compensate for this.

We will be launching Spot On Stories on Tuesday 21st April at 3pm via our website, Facebook and YouTube. Find out more about our first show.

Tuesday afternoons will be stories for children and families, and Thursdays will be something a little more grown-up. Once they are live, they’ll be available to watch on the Spot On website for 30 days.

The Royal Opera House

The ROH is offering selected productions on demand free of charge as part of a wider package of online content available for audiences.

Travel

If you are missing  holidays, enjoy seeing the sights  from your armchair courtesy of the BBC.

Virtual Museum Tours

Take a trip round a Museum without leaving your home.

Zoo Outing

Chester Zoo

All suggestions to add to the above list are very welcome.  Contact us:

webteam@aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk

Following a meeting of the Management Committee and Trustees, all Aughton & Ormskirk U3A face-to-face activities are suspended with effect from 17 March 2020, until further notice.

This government guidance on coronavirus includes ongoing and changing information about how to protect yourself or check if you need medical help, and provides advice about social distancing, staying at home and travel etc.

The Third Age Trust (TAT) has published a special new and ongoing bulletin on their website – Covid-19 News and things to do.