Helen and Sam Smith, two of the founder members of Barnet U3A, are leaving for sunny Norfolk. It is no exaggeration to say their contribution to BU3A has been immense. Sam has been the technical backbone of the organisation - he leads the technical team who produce the Monthly Meetings, he is the long suffering editor of the Newsletter and has taken responsibility for supplying equipment to any group or event that requires it. Helen runs the very successful Local History Group 1, and with Sam presents one of the two annual BU3A Quizzes. The success of many of our events has been down to their work. They are both active members of numerous groups including Long Walks, Theatre, Art and my group the London History Group.
I run the London History Group with Mary Hartley and we owe an enormous debt to Helen and Sam who have been fantastic members of the group. They are a lovely couple and I will really miss them. I wish them all the best in the future
Mick O'Reilly
I thoroughly agree with Mick's comments above.
ReplyDeleteSam and Helen will be hugely missed in BU3A: their energy, enthusiasm, warmth and friendliness.
I wish them all the very best for the future - hope they stay in touch!
My experience of you both has not been as 'pucker' BU3A members who are the 'salt of the earth' but more as really nice friendly people who are very down to earth.We shall miss you :(
ReplyDeleteMo
We will all miss your enthusiasm and I personally will always be grateful for the help you gave me when I joined the committee. You both have been an inspiration to all in the BU3A and I am certain many people became group leaders because of your example. Have a great life in Norwich and don’t forget the rota for us all to stay in your spare room for our holidays!
ReplyDeleteHelen and Sam, I think that, more than other BU3A members, I have more to thank you both for during my time as CC. Firstly, you were both Founder Members and helped set up BU3A and make it what it is today. Secondly, every year since 2008 you have stretched our minds with your joint running of the highly successful BU3A Spring Quiz. Thirdly, Sam, a big thank you for producing 26 Editions of the very informative and interesting BU3A Newsletter. Finally, Sam thanks for being our Technician in Chief - not only at the Monthly Meetings but also at the many Social Events since 2007. Big Bertha was not my favourite piece of BU3A equipment but, in your hands, she worked like a dream! I hope that you have found a good home for the Old Girl?
ReplyDeleteHelen and Sam you will be sorely missed in BU3A - not just for your assistance in so many areas but also for your friendship and willingness to help others. Our loss will be Norwich U3A's gain!
Pat joins me in wishing both of you all the best for the future.
Ian
Many thanks to you both for all your friendship and especially to Sam for his skill and patience in turning my ancient slides into a state of the art Powerpoint presentation. very best wishes for the future. Lorna Oakes
ReplyDeleteJust to add my voice to those who say how much you will both be missed. I enjoyed socialising with you both on the London History Group outings and will miss our chats while making the tea on Tuesday afternoons Helen. Am sure that you will enjoy life in Norwich, and will soon be busy with lots of interesting activities.
ReplyDeleteAll the best for the future
Chris (Fuller)
Thank you Sam and Helen for your friendship and help over the many years we have been members of the London History Group. It has been a true pleasure knowing you and we will miss you both very much. Thank you Sam for all your help with presentations - you make it all look so easy. Norwich U3A are gaining two stars! Good luck in your new home. Jenny K
ReplyDeleteDear Helen and Sam. We shall really miss you but hope that you enjoy your new life in Norwich. The beauty of U3A is that one gets to know local people that one would not otherwise have met. We have enjoyed our chats at the London History Group and appreciated Sam's technical expertise.
ReplyDeleteGood luck for the future.
Linda and Martin
Dear Helen and Sam, We have been so lucky to have you as members of U3A. I will never forget your joint willingness to persevere with that Local History workshop in the pouring rain! There may be a few panics on the horizon in the newsletter department..And I am anxiously wondering who will help with the technical side at my next study day! Lots of good luck for your adventures in Norwich. Pauline Shelley
ReplyDeleteThere was once a couple from Dalmeny Road,
ReplyDeleteWho decided to uproot, and change their abode.
They didn't consider, that by moving away,
They would disrupt the running of our U3A.
But don't worry, we'll manage when you've disappeared, And hope that it is not as bad as we feared.
(The very best of luck anyway!)
Helen and Sam, we are sorry you will be leaving us but would like to wish you all the best of luck with your move to Norwich. You have been very dedicated and active members of our London History Group and you will be missed greatly.
ReplyDeleteWith our best wishes. Jackie and Joseph
Hi Helen and Sam
ReplyDeleteThank you for all the hard work you have done since the inception of Barnet U3A.
Wishing you much luck and happiness in your new home. Also thank you
for your help in showing us how the Newsletter gets produced each quarter. I
hope we can continue to edit it successfully in the future. You will certainly
be missed. Our loss is Norfolk's gain!
Very best wishes, Sandra
Thanks for all support, Sam. Hope you and Helen have a great time in Norwich.
ReplyDeleteIn your leisure time, track down the diary by Parson Woodforde (1740-1803). He had the parish of Weston Longville, and used to drive the 7? miles into Norwich to get supplies and see friends.
It is the most FABULOUS account of daily 18th century living. May well be that you have already read it?
Anyhow Happy Times!
Katharine Sathe
Dear Sam & Helen, will miss you both, even though Norwich is not that far away .Best of luck in your new life. Peter Cox
ReplyDeleteWe'll miss you both. Sam, thanks for your patience (and tolerance) as deadlines loom. Thanks also for taking on the second of the annual quizzes and thus supplying a greater variety of mental challenges for the members. Without all your work and commitment the Barnet U3A would not be as it is today! A large group of us will be up in Norwich in November to check up on you and make sure you are settling down well in your new home and surroundings (did we have a premonition about your move?). Enjoy yourselves - John & Elizabeth
ReplyDeleteI am sure that all of us in the London History group will miss you both greatly. Your kindness and helpfulness to our technical problems knew no bounds. I wish you a very happy life in Norwich
ReplyDeleteBest wishes, Rosemary"
Really sad to see you go but I am sure if you join Norwich 3UA you will be just as enthusiastic and successful as you are in Barnet. Good Luck and have a good
ReplyDeletelife in Norwich
Maureen
Enjoy the new life in Norwich and all that goes with living on the edge of a beautiful city (a bit like New Barnet really). Best Wishes to you both. Linda and Terry.
ReplyDeleteP S Say hello to Delia!!
We never saw Sam and Helen without a smile on their faces. We shall miss them.
ReplyDeleteRhona Hunter
Good to have known you and the fun we have had with the Fringe Theatre group. Enjoy your new life in Norwich. Pauline and John.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam & Helen It has been a pleasure to have you as neighbours, fellow group members and friends. Enjoy Norfolk. Take care. Brenda.
ReplyDeleteWe will all miss you,but very best wishes for your new life in Norwich, I admire you for taking the plunge.
ReplyDeleteHi Sam & Helen
ReplyDeleteWe have enjoyed getting to know you both since the founding of Barnet U3A in late 2007, and thanks for all the help since then. As someone else has said “never without a smile on your faces”. We hope that you will enjoy your lives in Norwich and although we’re sad to see you go, we’re sure that Barnet’s loss will turn out to be Norwich’s gain.
With Very Best Wishes, Marion & Ray
Yvonne R
ReplyDeleteThankyou most sincerely, Sam, for always being the same calm, pleasant, cheerful, utterly reliable Sam, what ever got thrown at you. That is something else that you set a flawless template for, right from the beginning of BU3A. Bless you!
Wishing you all the best with your new life in Norfolk. You will be truly missed and I have enjoyed having the chance to get to know you both via the local history group. Good luck for the future.
ReplyDeleteLiz Galloway
Thank you for all you have done for Barnet U3A, particularly the History of London Group, and I send you my best wishes for your new life in Norwich.
ReplyDeleteHeather Rowland
We haven't met, but thanks very much for your contribution, and good luck for the future.
ReplyDeleteGeoff Lee, grateful U3A member.
We will miss you a lot and wish you all the very best in Norwich.
ReplyDeleteChristine Bye
Barnet's loss is Norwich's gain.
ReplyDeleteWe have always enjoyed your company and will miss you.
Paul & Iris