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Membership
The new form is being sent to all existing members, having a very modest fee to cover the portion for the headquarters etc.  Please help by completing the form as soon as you can and return it to Rae.

Gilwern U3A list of Talks on Zoom. 
If you have not tackled Zoom and heard and seen our talks, Lynda Somme-Dew is very willing to show you how to do it.  It's quite simple.  Lynda is very willing to help you on 831181.

Annual General Meeting 16 June 2021 will be held on Zoom, with, if possible, the number of permitted Members in the Community Centre at 2pm  followed by the lecture, The Land of Song.  It is intended to open the Zoom site at 1.45pm to give everyone a chance to see and possibly speak to one another.

Library in action!
 On visiting the Library, Rhiannon W was asked by the Librarian, Lisa, to mention around that Gilwern Library openings are now back to normal. Timings are:-
Mon & Tues 9 a.m. - 1.00 p.m.
Wed 1.30 p.m. - 4.30 p.m.
Fri. 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. & 1.30 p.m. - 5 p.m.
The online booking, Request & Collect, is still available on Monday mornings.
While opening hours are back to normal, social distancing & masks are still required - only 2 people at a time inside.


Past and current issues of The Unsocial Times:
No 1  No 2  No 3  No 4  No 5  No 6  No 7  No 8  No 9  No 10  No 11  No 12  No 13  No 14  No 15  No 16  No 17    
Your latest Newsletter:  No 18 for May 2021
Please send material to:  David Hall at: webmaster@gilwernu3a.org.uk

All members carrying out group activities are asked to ensure that they have read and taken note of the "Personal Members' Check List" from the u3a Headquarters before participating in group activities.

Walking Group.  The dates of the Short Walks change to Thursdays (still the 2nd & 4th).  There are plans for two long walks: Crickhowell by river, and canal and possibly the iron works

The Creative Writing Group in action.  There is a report of their fourth meeting on their web page.  Perhaps you could join them.

Garden Group.  A couple of striking photographs showing the colours of Autumn when the Garden Group visited Hergest Croft, Kington.  Link.

Art Challenge - April pictures
See the images near the bottom of this page.

Art Challenge - Lock down - open up!
The Art Challenge is taking place and is open to all members of Gilwern u3a. Have a go! 
The theme for the month of May is "Beautiful Buildings".  There are some important brief notes for guidance, and some brainstorming ideas for a start.  Then there are lots of helpful and relevant video links .  The deadline for handing in work is 25 March to lyndaokeefe12@yahoo.com.   Sarah Hoddy, who judges our monthly challenge, and who chairs the Abergavenny Art Group, recommends this excellent link on learning new techniques:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCLicphjZ4y8GoKtRnz_gLxw

Winner of the Art Challenge for April 2021
Anona Fitzgerald's was chosen for April with her painting of a Yorkshire beck.  Sarah Hoddy, who chairs the Abergavenny Art Group, judged the paintings, and gave helpful and encouraging comments to all participants.....

Judge's Comments:

This picture has a lovely balance in its composition. The background misty and indistinct but there. The mid-ground filled by the spreading tree and the river filling the foreground. The colour palette gives good aerial perspective, the water is well executed  and, in all, this is a pleasing watercolour. One that satisfactorily meets the brief.

As ever a difficult choice this month. However my pick is Anona’s Yorkshire Beck. A clear vision of the view before us, good perspective and well drawn water! Well done.

All paintings entered for April are at the bottom of the page.

Walter Daw sends a letter of appreciation from his new home of Ilfracombe.

Age Cymru Project to bring HOPE to older people.

What does Spring mean to you?
Torfaen Museum has set an interesting competition for all ages: artists, photographers, poets and essayists.  Why not have a go and show what you and Gilwern can do!  Deadline 1 June.

Are you a Member?
If you are not a member of Gilwern u3a, and you would like to hear this talk please send an email asking to be included to membership@gilwernu3a.org.uk.  Members of other U3As who want to join in should also contact membership@gilwernu3a.orgouk

To use Zoom
To set up and use Zoom is very simple.  Here is an instruction produced by our Secretary on how to join and use Zoom.  There are also helpful videos such as this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w3Y_9FLgc4&app=desktop

Micellany Sketches by Mike Johnson
Many will be familiar with the sketches involving mice in most of the Newsletters.  Mike has now produced a book of them available on sale in the Road House Narrow Boats Gilwern.  Profits to charity.  Details by clicking on the image.

 

Keep a record
Gwent Archives ask us to make a record of how we are coping with this strange situation.  Further details.

Hello! If you are self-isolating we can offer help
Two members of Gilwern u3a, Helene Brice and Nery Lewis, have generously offered help for those of us who are self isolating by collecting subscriptions, going to post letters, and picking up shopping.  Their telephone numbers are: 07468696322 and 07783083240.  They say "Feel free to ask for help over these matters".  They are having a busy time.

Helping others - telephone befrienders
We all wish to keep contact with others in these difficult times. There are some who, living alone, have few if any contacts, and loneliness sets in. We have been sent the attached list of contacts. Do have a look and see if you can help.

The Welsh Government offers care
Welsh Government have started a scheme where anyone staying at home with no friends, carers or family to get food or medication for them can call a duty number for social services to get support. Duty line numbers are: Monmouth 01600773041. Maindiff Court Abergavenny 01873735513. Chepstow 01291635666

 



Publication of Gilwern World War 1 book.
This book contains the biographies of those servicemen who died or served in World War I and who, at the time, came from Llanelly Parish.  The research has been carried out by members of Gilwern u3a Family History Group to commemorate the debt we owe these servicemen.  This follows two exhibitions of the biographies that were held in the Village Hall in 2014 and 2018.
Only a small number of copies have currently been produced to be placed in local libraries, churches, chapels and other locations where they may be inspected.  If there is sufficient interest, further copies can be produced for sale locally. The Book Launch was held on 27 November 2018 in Gilwern Village Hall.		  
The book cover illustration was produced by Lynda O'Keefe of the Gilwern U3A Art Group.

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To sign up for the u3a Headquarters Newsletter: a href="https://www.u3a.org.uk/newsletter" https://www.u3a.org.uk/newsletter

Names of canal bridges: How many do you know? https://canalplan.org.uk/waterway/pp9g

Art Group on display
Three or four paintings from members of the Art Group are on display in the library and will be replaced by others on a regular basis.  Some are sometimes for sale!
The Llanelly Community Council's web site
Other local u3a websites:
 As a result of connections made with other local U3As it is now possible to attend each others' monthly meetings free of charge.  To find out what is on look at their web sites:
Abergavenny website: https://u3asites.org.uk/abergavenny/welcome
Crickhowell website:
https://u3asites.org.uk/crickhowell
Brecon U3A: 
https://u3asites.org.uk/brecon/welcome

Gilwern Roots: Here to help promote the village to help growth in all Community ideas and projects from seed to oaks! a href=https://www.facebook.com/pg/gilwernroots/about/?ref=page_internal
 https://www.facebook.com/pg/gilwernroots/about/?ref=page_internal

Paintings - Challenge of the month

The subject set was Down by the Riverside

Anona Fitzgerald's Yorkshire Beck


Irises art waterside Edge Lynda O'Keefe



Llangenny Bridge - Jim Blackwell



River Clydach Tony Godfrey
Riverside Rock - Karen Langlois





Skye River - Marilyn Tranter