CATS
PROTECTION
Although it can be very difficult (in view of the exceptionally warm
weather we have been experiencing), it is still very important when arriving home with a
new cat or kitten, to keep it confined in an area with all doors and windows closed.
Before letting the cat or kitten out of its carrier a litter tray should be ready
for use in a private corner and a bed and feeding bowls placed in a quiet place away from
draughts. Even the friendliest cats will make good use of any opportunity to explore
new pastures and being new to their surroundings can quickly get lost. Tig Tig, a
cat recently re-homed by us, managed to escape on her first day in her new home.
Fortunately she was found within hours and is now confined to the house with doors
and windows firmly shut. Having an inquisitive nature, cats do like to explore.
It is therefore also important, especially if the cat is timid, to make sure that
they cannot get through cat flaps, behind kitchen units, under beds or up chimneys.
One of our fosterers even had a cat that managed to climb behind a gas fire!
When introducing your new cat to other pets you must be prepared to be patient. It
must be a gradual process and cannot be rushed. It can take weeks of gentle
persuasion before the animals accept each other. A timid cat will take longer to
settle than a confident one. However, most cats will accept each other eventually
and some even accept each other from the start.
If you are looking for a cat or kitten, call Stephanie on 01692 535858. Alternatively you
can visit http://www.northwalshamcats.co.uk
for a description and photographs of the cats before giving her a call on the above
number.
THIRD AGE UNIVERSITY
At the recent inaugural meeting of U3A North Walsham, guest speaker John
Rant, acting Chairman of U3A Norwich outlined the main purpose of the organisation
explaining that it is to encourage lifelong learning for those people no longer in full
time employment.
He went on to explain that, "Education in most schools and colleges is hierarchical
and rather passive; students turn up to a class, paid teachers teach them. The U3A
turns this on its head. Its philosophy is based on the idea that people who have a
lifetime of work behind them can probably teach a thing or two themselves. So it has
a unique guiding principle: 'Those who learn shall also teach'. In the U3A, teacher
and student are one and the same".
The Chairman of U3A North Walsham Jack Barratt also said that, "Rather than hiring
expensive paid teachers, the U3A capitalises on the accumulated knowledge, skills and
interests of its own members. One person might be an amateur astronomer, another
might grow prize- winning vegetables, another might be a Dickens fan, and another might
paint in their spare time. Put all these skills together into a network and the
astronomer can teach astronomy to the gardener, the gardener can explain vegetable-growing
to the astronomer and all of them, given enough enthusiasm, could set up and enjoy a book
club or a painting group".
"No qualifications are needed to join, no qualifications are awarded & the cost
is just £12 a year. The U3A is about learning for fun and the sheer pleasure of
stretching your mind".
• The next meeting of U3A North Walsham will be held on Friday September 1st 2006 at
2.30pm at the Roman Catholic Church Hall on Kings Loke Road North Walsham, the guest
speaker will be Robert Paul of the Museum of the Broads. Thereafter meetings will be
held at the same venue on the first Friday of the month at the same time. Members &
non-members are most welcome to attend, admission is free.
• Those unable to attend can get details of U3A from Membership Secretary Janet
Chamberlain on 01692 406069. See also the U3A website at www.u3a.org.uk
• Photograph shows John Rant (left) acting Chairman of U3A Norwich with Jack Barratt
Chairman of U3A North Walsham.
Jim Costello - Publicity Officer
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