 Liphook U3A AGM
This year’s AGM took place on Monday, 7th April, with an almost full house in the Millennium Hall.
Bob Robinson, the outgoing chairman, gave his report in which he thanked all those who had helped to make his chairmanship a success. He also thanked all the group leaders, without whom, Liphook U3a could not exist. The treasurer, Cynthia Knowles, covered the financial details and explained some of the accounting changes that had been introduced during the past year.
Terry Pate, who has been Groups Co-ordinator for the past three years, was elected Chairman. New committee members elected were Sheila Ritchie, John Patrick, Jim Miles and Louise Garwood returns to give us the benefit of her past experience with Liphook U3A. Re-elected were John McGregor (Secretary), Ray Davis (moves from vice-chairman to Treasurer), Steve Priestley (Membership Secretary), Carol Burnham (moves to Groups Co-ordinator), Mary Crittenden (Minutes Secretary & Speakers), Francis Williams (Joint Editor) and Mike Andrews (Publicity & Newsletter).
Following the business part of the meeting we listened to a very interesting speaker, Dame Stephanie Shirley, tell us of her most interesting life since arriving here, at the age of 5, with her sister on Kindertransport from Vienna. Telling of her childhood here in Britain and how, in 1962, she set up a technology company which was staffed mainly by women. We heard about her only son Giles, who was severely autistic, died after an epileptic fit at the age of 35, and how much of her life and money has been dedicated to setting up and funding charities to help other sufferers. She has given away more than 67 million pounds to more than 100 philanthropic projects. She was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 1980 Queen’s Birthday Honours and promoted Dame Commander (DBE) in the New Year Honours in 2000.
At the end of her talk Dame Stephanie offered to sign copies of her book to anyone wishing to purchase. This offer was speedily taken up with a lengthy queue forming to grab a signed copy!
Article posted on: 29 April 2014
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