WHAT'S ON
General Meeting – Wednesday 1st April at 9:30 a.m
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St. Heliers Church Community Centre – Centennial Hall - 100 St Heliers Bay Road
Welcome
One quarter of the year has melted away with beautiful March weather. April is usually stable and we will enjoy lighter mornings once again from Sunday when daylight savings finishes for half a year.
At our last meeting we were much educated and entertained by Wendy Hampton who walked us through her wonderful booklet 'The Estate Planner'.
The words that ring in my head are 'write everything down.' She regaled us with many humorous stories. If you did not get to the meeting (and there was an excellent turn-out) and want her books, go to her website: www.wendyhampton.com.
We have a few vacancies for mini-speakers (10 mins or so) to give us a talk on any subject of interest. We have had mini-talks from every subject in the past. Again, if you think you would like to come and share a story, please let Jim, me or one of our committee know.
Our Committee look forward to seeing you at the April Meeting to listen to Dr Lindsay Diggleman present 'The Magna Carta'. We will see its importance then (1215) and now.
Main Speaker –
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Dr Lindsay Diggelmann Assoc. Dean, History, School of Humanities – Magna Carta
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​​Dr Lindsay Diggelmann is an Associate Professor in History and also Associate Dean (Teaching and Learning) in the Faculty of Arts & Education at the University of Auckland. He teaches a wide range of topics concerning many aspects of European history but his specialist area is the history of the Middle Ages, and particularly the Anglo-Norman period of the 11th and 12th centuries. When he is not teaching, Lindsay is a keen pub-quiz participant and an avid armchair sports watcher. He has been a regular speaker on the U3A circuit for many years. Some of you may remember him speaking in 2005 and 2013.
Magna Carta and its Medieval Origins
Magna Carta (1215) is one of the most well-known but least understood documents of the Middle Ages. Why did an agreement between King John and his barons, which emerged from a feudal society and initially failed to meet its aims, come to represent a foundation point for modern views on liberal democracy and the rule of law? This talk will place the document in its historical context and show why its meaning has changed over time.
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Please Note- St. Heliers Church Community Centre does not open their doors on the morning of our meeting before 8:30am.
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Mini Speaker: Adrienne Joyce – Saving Ben the Orca
Study Group Presentations: - Countries of the World – What makes them tick (Heather Baigent)
Kitchen Duty: – Current Affairs (Katherine Swift) and Famous & Infamous (Gary Preston)
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New Members:
Jannie Van Hees
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NEXT MONTH – Wednesday 1st April 2026 (no April Fools Jokes please)
Main Speaker: - T.B.A.
Mini Speaker:: - Terry Palethorpe – Crime Prevention through Environmental design
Study Group Presentation: - Non – fiction Book Club (Laurie Guy)
Kitchen Duty: - Global Issues (Sue Burnett) and Scrabble Group (Laurie Guy)
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Study Group News
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From Helen Jakobi - Who knows what these words mean
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Hippopotomonstrosesquipedaliophobia
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Ephebiphobia
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Alektorophobia
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Welfare
Please note we rely on our members to advise our Almoner if you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement. Wendy Jeffrey would appreciate you contacting her either by phone 02102579792 or email:- Almoner.stheliersu3a@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Protocol.
Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.
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Monthly Meeting Protocol:
Please note sending an apology for non-attendance of the monthly meeting is no long a requirement.
St Heliers U3A Website
Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater. Newsletters, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.
Name Badge.
A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency. Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.
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Study Group Presentations: - Gallery Visits 2 (Margaret Horsburgh)
Mini Speaker: - Adrienne Joyce, A House on the Move: by barge, by sea and by sheer determination.
Kitchen Duty: - Art History (Sue Bhargav) and Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)
New Members:
- Olga Moule​
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NEXT MONTH –
Main Speaker: Professor John Collins Breaking Barriers: The Evolution of women’s education.
Study Group Presentations: - Famous and Infamous (Gary Preston)
Mini Speaker: - Leslie Skelton and Diane Hankins, Personal careers and experiences in
Special Education.
Kitchen Duty: - The Scribblers (Helen Jakobi) and Gallery Visits 1 (Inie Knoef)
Study Group News
Provided by Helen Jakobi, Quote from Maria Callas – “I will always be as difficult as possible, to achieve the best”
One of the relatable Diva’s featuring at the latest exhibition at the Auckland War Memorial on loan from V&A is Maria Callas.
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Heritage Walking Group made a visit to Auckland Grammar School. The archivist has been for some time transferring their historical records into digital form. If you are interested go to the website: https://ags.recollect.co.nz
Up and coming events
Digital Seniors – FREE one-on-one tech help for Seniors
Heliers Community Centre: Thursday mornings 10-12. No booking or membership needed – just pop in and we’ll do our best to help you, please remember to bring your device along.
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Welfare
Please note we rely on our members to advise our Almoner if you are aware of any member who is ill or incapacitated, or suffering bereavement. Wendy Jeffrey would appreciate you contacting her either by phone 02102579792 or email:- Almoner.stheliersu3a@gmail.com
Monthly Meeting Protocol.
Please ensure that you register at the Greeting Table when you arrive.
​
Monthly Meeting Protocol:
Please note sending an apology for non-attendance of the monthly meeting is no long a requirement.
St Heliers U3A Website
Our website www.stheliersu3aauckland.com is updated every month by Kathy Slater. Newsletters, relevant information on study groups and much more can be found on this interesting site.
Name Badge.
A reminder to all members, and especially our new members, that you should put the name and contact details of your preferred contact person on the back on your name badge in case of any emergency. Please ensure that you wear your Name Badge to all U3A meetings.
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