Dear Member,

(This is going to every member who signed up for "emails from the chair")

This is my first email as chair in this new year, so I'd like to wish you a very happy 2026. I hope that you are able to join in all the interest groups, outings, theatre trips, events and Members Open Meetings that you want to during the year. I also hope that you feel able to contribute to the life of our u3a - whether by helping to lead a group, being part of a team that starts a new group, contributing an article to our Magazine, sharing thoughts and experiences with other members, or in any other way that you feel inspired to.

There is a lot going on in adapting our support systems to our needs, particularly as our u3a membership keeps growing. Our committee are working on our Health and Safety policy and practices, on our Application process, on enhancing our methods of payment, and encouraging new interest groups. You'll hear more about these during the year.

Finally, one of my passions is Artificial Intelligence (AI) - both using it and understanding its implications for the future. We do have an AI Club, which all members are welcome to join, and over the year we have been hearing about how AI is used in Healthcare, the Environment, Education etc. I am now offering two Free AI Workshops where any member can come and find out about how to use AI in practice. These are on Monday 26th January and Wednesday 18th February, 10-12 in the Golden Lion, and you can just drop in during the morning for as long as you like but, as space is limited, if you want to ensure you have a place, then email events@u3aivo.uk (or just reply to this email).

For more information and a blue button see our Events page.

If you want to comment on what I have written or anything happening in our u3a, feel free to click "Reply". If you want to talk, I will be in Wetherspoons every first Thursday of the month and at most Members' Open Meetings on the second Thursdays.

Best wishes

Peter Cooper, Chair, St Ives (Cambs) u3a, chair@u3aivo.uk