CHAIRMAN’S REPORT – AGM 2026

As we move into our fifth decade since our formation in 1985 I am pleased to report that our u3a continues to prosper and, indeed, to flourish. Our membership number has risen to over 600 which makes us a larger than average u3a and it is very pleasing to record that most of our members still derive a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment from Taunton U3A.

I want to begin by expressing my thanks to many, many people but don’t worry I am not going to name them all individually! It has been said that a u3a is only as good as its membership but I would challenge that. I believe a u3a, including ours, is only as good as its volunteers. I was at a u3a conference earlier this year where someone said:

“A u3a has three types of people. Type one make things happen. Type two watch things happening and type three wonder what’s happened! “

Well I am delighted that in our u3a we have so many type one members. So, to the committee members who have been so supportive and hard working throughout the year, I say thank you. I really appreciate your work and the time you give. To our convenors who month after month, week after week make sure their groups are meeting their members needs including making sure the refreshments are there when needed, I say your contribution is invaluable. The time you give to u3a is appreciated so much. We’re all busy people, we’ve all taken responsibility before in our working lives but you are the salt of the earth, you still give up your time and take on responsibility even in your retirement years. So, to you I also say a very big thank you. And then to our volunteers, those of you who work behind the scenes in various ways, including at our Meet and Greet sessions, please don’t think your contribution goes un-noticed. It doesn’t. Again we owe you, too, many thanks and our utmost appreciation. You are the people who ensure that everything goes according to plan and make everything appear to be happening naturally. Please know that we understand what a difference you make. Type ones – all of you! I am only sorry that more of these wonderful people were not able to attend our celebration tea recently. I hope next year’s committee will repeat this idea and, this time, give more notice of the event! It was certainly very well received.

However, I regret that I must, yet again, appeal to you as we are always looking for more such heroes, so please contact any committee member if you would like to become involved and, in particular, if you would like to come along to a committee meeting to see how we operate and, hopefully, then join us. We are losing more stalwarts this year so we need new members.

It has been quite a challenging year for your committee. First, Mike Tompsett stood down as Chair after serving this u3a so well for many years. Mike remains on the committee and takes responsibility for the newsletter production and publication.

Secondly, after conducting research into the impact of the newsletters, in particular the emailed version, we decided at the beginning of the year that from 2026 we would produce an annual handbook in paper form which would contain all the information members would need. You will receive this when you renew your membership on the first of July.

Thirdly, now that the Beacon database becomes more and more prominent in managing u3a affairs it was decided to change the annual membership year which has been from April to March to July 1^st to June 30^th. This provided member with an added bonus of three months extra membership at no extra cost! It also makes renewal of membership much less complicated for the treasurer and membership secretary.

I agreed to take the Chair, hopefully, for only one year and we assembled a strong committee of ten very good members including some new ones who have worked together well and taken on several major responsibilities over the year. It was so refreshing to have new ideas and new enthusiasm featuring prominently at our meetings. It was also noticeable that the bulk of our meetings were involved with looking forward and not looking back at the past. Our meetings are lively at times, but always cooperative. Unlike in some previous years there have been no major fallings out (yet!)

We have had to deal with some difficult issues - various health and safety matters, the continuing saga of PLI for visiting speakers and, most recently, licensing and copyright issues being two more that have consumed a great deal of our discussion time.

All committee members now have a generic email address which not only makes it easier for our members and the public to find us but also gives us a level of protection from using our personal email addresses. You will see this in the new membership booklet when you receive your copy.

I am delighted to say that Elaine Bowyer has become our website manager and has worked hard to make Taunton u3a’s website not only informative but also very attractive, easier to use and, perhaps most important, kept up to date.

We continue to remain in very good shape financially, as you will hear from Trish shortly, this being due to her continued good management, so much so that we have been able to maintain our subscription fee in spite of high inflation elsewhere.

Several new interest groups have been added this year and there are some more in the pipeline once we have come to terms with the licensing and copyright issues I referred to earlier.

Finally I would like to convey our thanks and appreciation to Joanna here at TMC, who continues to provide so many essential facilities for us.

I hope I haven’t overlooked anyone, but if I have, I offer my sincere apologies, but I have been a bit busy looking into copyright issues!

Thank you.

Mike Knight