Members Open Meeting: Thursday 14th May St Ives Corn Exchange 1.20 for 2.00pm Articles and features for the June magazine should be sent to Anne by 17th May: editor@u3aivo.uk Newsletter May 2026 Website: u3aivo.uk, email: info@u3aivo.uk Or call 07458 197372 All Members Open Meetings are held at the Corn Exchange, St Ives 1.20pm for 2.00pm start. Please note: We kindly ask that members wishing to discuss membership matters or to book outings or theatre trips please arrive early to avoid disruption. Committee members and the Group Support Team will be available after the meeting to answer questions and discuss any matters of concern. From Score Box to Press Box Speaker: Ray Markham A humorous autobiography and engaging presentation by Ray Markham, detailing his journey from local club cricket to scoring Test Matches and internationals at Lord's and other major venues. He offers a behind-the-scenes, witty, and insightful look at the life of a professional cricket scorer.

Booking Procedure for Outings, Theatre Trips and Events PLEASE DO NOT PAY FOR TRIPS BEFORE YOUR BOOKING HAS BEEN CONFIRMED • Bookings can be made at Open Meetings or on the website • Theatre Trips: u3aivo.uk/theatre • Outings: u3aivo.uk/outings • Events: u3aivo.uk/events • Outings: Sue Belcher (07778425052 — Strictly for members with no internet) • When booking a trip on the web page, click on the blue envelope, please DO NOT click on 'CONTACT' at the very top of the page. • ALWAYS BOOK BEFORE PAYING. All bookings will be confirmed. • BACS payment preferred please, either online or by going into your branch • Payment: St Ives (Cambs) U3A Social Account • Sort code: 40 - 16 - 08 Account: 74557352 • Ref: u3a membership number and trip name • If no alternative, cheques made payable to: St Ives (Cambs) U3A Social Account • Payment to be made at least six weeks prior to the trip Special General Meeting 2 I hereby give notice that there will be a Special General Meeting of St Ives (Cambs) u3a at 2 pm on 11th June 2026 in St Ives Corn Exchange (ie. at the beginning of our normal Members Open Meeting in June). The Agenda will consist of just one item: To approve the following amendments to our constitution: Clause 16(2)(b) - removal of Vice Chair as a necessary Officer Clause 21 - removal of the note "No person may be proposed for appointment or serve as an Officer or as a non-Officer member of the Executive Committee if they are currently serving as an Officer or non- Officer member of the Executive Com- mittee of any other local u3a." and - addition of 21(1) "No person may be proposed for appointment or serve as an Officer of the Executive Committee if they are currently serving as an Officer of the Executive Committee of any other local u3a." Title - removal of the word "Model" from "Model Constitution" Sheila Louth, Secretary St Ives (Cambs) u3a For more info see https://u3aivo.uk/sgm/

3 Theatre Trips The Choir of Man Friday 18 th September Cliffs Pavilion Southend The Choir of Man is a one-of-a-kind musi- cal chock- filled with uplifting, joyous fun. Set in a typical British pub “The Jungle”, nine men have a foot stomping good time as they jam through popular songs by art- ists such as Katie Perry, Sia, and Guns & Roses to name a few. The men form a sense of community and friendship in their local pub and take the audience on a roller coaster of emotion through their comradery and love for one another. TICKET FOR 4pm PERFORMANCE £43.75 PLUS TRAVEL TBA BOOKING WILL OPEN AT THE OPEN MEETING ON THURSDAY 14 th MAY Twelfth Night at Tolethorpe Saturday 25th July Unfortunately due to lack of interest this trip will not run. Operation Mincemeat Milton Keynes Wednesday 10th June The trip to Milton Keynes will have some spare seats on the coach so if anyone fancies a shopping trip to MK do get in touch via the blue envelope on the Theatre trips website page (see left). The coach will leave the Marley Road Co-op bus stop at 11am and St Ives bus station at 11.15 and the cost will be £15. Abba Voyage Sunday 3rd May Not long to go now! Many people dress up in suitable Abba type gear, have a look through your wardrobe and see if you've got anything appropriate lurking at the back. See photo below for inspiration.

4 Outings Outings coming up Charlecote House and Upton House Tuesday 30 th June WAITING LIST ONLY Barnsdale Gardens and Stamford Thursday 16 th July WAITING LIST ONLY Booking information p.2 Hatfield House and Gardens Thursday 20th August Hatfield House is a Grade I listed country house set in a large park, the Great Park, on the eastern side of Hatfield, Hertfordshire, England. The present Jacobean house, a leading example of the prodigy house, was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury and Chief Minister to James I. Hatfield's connection to Elizabeth I, however, holds the greatest fascination for visitors. The Rainbow Portrait and The Ermine Portrait of Elizabeth are in the main house, along with her hat, gloves, and a pair of her silk stockings, thought to be the first hosiery of its kind in England. • Arrive in time for coffee (not included) • Guided tour of the House & free wander of the Gardens • Rest of the day free • Time for lunch (not included) in the cafe or bring a picnic • If you have time to shop, you will find an eclectic mix of independent businesses open throughout the year in The Stable Yard • Please note the visit does not include the Old Palace which may be closed • Cost £39 (Includes driver’s gratuity) Payment due on or before 18th June British Motor Museum Tuesday 19 th May SPACES AVAILABLE Join us on a visit to the British Motor Museum, the world's largest collection of historic British cars. Includes Coffee/Tea and Cookies on arrival with introductory welcome. Includes Guided Museum Tour in small groups. Time to wander at your own leisure Café available for lunch (own cost) Cost £38 Driver’s gratuity included

5 Events We need YOU! In September our current Chair and Secretary will be standing down from their roles as they have completed their terms of office. We therefore need to replace these critical roles and will be holding a short meeting on Thursday 21st May in the front room of the Golden Lion at 3pm. The objective of the meeting is to enable members to meet with our current Chair and Secretary so they can explain the role and also the support resources available. Should you be interested in one of these roles and would like to meet with the Chair or Secretary, please can you book a place here: u3aivo.uk/events Free AI Workshop Events Curious about Artificial Intelligence (AI)? Want to try AI for yourself? Why not book to come to one of our workshops to get a glimpse the new world that is coming? No previous experience is required, just a willingness to explore the future. Ask questions, share thoughts, voice concerns, or bring a challenge. Already over 40 members have experienced these workshops, and 2 more are planned in the Golden Lion front room between 10 and 12 on: • Friday 15 th May 2026 • Friday 19 th June 2026 To book email events@u3aivo.uk, or via our “Events” webpage u3aivo.uk/events Peter Cooper Golden Games! A review At the beginning of the year the Events Team arranged, through One Leisure, two free Exercise Sessions for members of St Ives u3a, one in January and the other in March. The groups on both occasions were small but ready to have a go. I attended the second one and arrived wondering what I might have got myself into, particularly with the name, Golden Games! I was pleasantly surprised. The session was geared to our ability with exercises to improve both lower and upper body strength, balance and postural stability. I even managed to walk backwards without falling over! We all enjoyed the experience and I for one felt encouraged to go back for more which I have now done, having joined similar sessions recently. Sue Belcher

Group News 6 Group Support Team The team encourages new groups to get off the ground and offers support to Group Leaders when they need it. The team would love a bit more help. If you can spare a couple of hours a month then this might be for you. To find out more please email: gst@u3aivo.uk Environment Matters St Ives Methodist Church, on the Waits (Church car park available) Thursday 7th May at 2pm: 'The Great Fen Project' - Past progress and plans for the future - Speaker - Rebekah O'Driscoll, Communities & Education Officer, The Wildlife Trust for Beds, Cambridgeshire & Northants. Thursday 4th June at 2pm: 'Do we need Town Planners?!' Speaker - Richard Probyn - a retired Planning Officer and u3a member Thursday 4th July at 2pm: A cream tea at Mary Gatehouse's bungalow (current Group Leader) - an informal discussion about future admin from September 2026. Please text or phone Mary on 07511 428856 for her address so that she can give you it, and then she will know how many fresh scones to order! u3aivo.uk/env Craft in the Conservatory This group met for the last time in April and will now be closing. On behalf of the group members and the Committee, we would like to thank Elaine Barnes for all the work and commitment she has put into the group over recent years. This was a popular group, so if anyone has an idea for a similar activity, and would be willing to help set up a new group, please let us know. Support from the Group Support Team is always available for any new group starting. gst@u3aivo.uk Italian Beginners 2 The initial meeting for this group was postponed due to holidays and hip surgeries, but a new date has been arranged for Thursday 14 May, 10.30am at Robin’s house in Bluntisham. Members who previously expressed interest have been contacted but if anyone else would like to know more about joining this group, please contact Joy via the Group Support Team here: u3aivo.uk/contact

St Ives Library 7 Forthcoming events at your local Library Our quarterly Saturday coffee and cake mornings are proving to be very popular. We have had over 100 people attend in the last few months. They have enjoyed finding out all the library has to offer, as well as books. We have an amazing support from professionals for health, eyes and banking, held in the meeting room at the library, free for you to use. More details can be found at the reception desk in the library. Hope to see you all in our amazing library soon. Jeff Heather Engage Talks on Wednesday Afternoons at 2pm 6th May Tree Rings: Cambridge University Scientific Research What can we learn from tree rings? Discover more as Alexis Arzipe share scientific research into tree ring dating. 3rd June Why on earth would a Mayor jump out of a plane? And other stories… Come along to discover the answer which will be delivered by our former Mayor of St Ives Julie Kerr. Julie will give us an insight into ‘A Year in the Life of a Town Mayor’ and will be happy to take all your questions. These are free events, donations welcome. Booking is essential, places for these events are limited. Email: Stives.Library@cambridgeshire.gov. uk or call 0345 045 5225 to reserve a place, or ask at the library. Open+ out of hours access at St Ives Open+ access is available at these times: • Monday: 8am to 9.30am • Tuesday: 8am to 9.30am • Wednesday: 8am to 9.30am, then 5.15pm to 7pm • Thursday: 8am to 9.30am, then 1.30pm to 4pm • Friday: 8am to 9.30am, then 5.15pm to 7pm • Saturday: Open+ not available • Sunday: 10 to 4pm During these times your library card becomes the key to open the library doors. Registered customers will be able to browse the shelves, use the free Wi-Fi, log onto a computer and print from the photocopier, relax and read. The self-services kiosks will be available to return and issue books. You can find out more about Open+ on our website. To register for access, please speak with a member of staff during normal open hours. A short induction is required.

8 Around St Ives Screen St Ives, Corn Exchange Thursday 7 May, 7:30pm