Leader: Mike Gibson Tel: 01604 714513

Deputy: Charles Bond Tel: 07534 372975

See the article about our Microscope Users Group published in the Spring 23 issue of Third Age Matters and reproduced by permission of the Editor.

PROPOSED PROGRAMME FOR 2024/25

Date	Topic	Led by
1st March	DIATOMS	MG
5th Apr	Meteorites under the microscope	Colin B
3rd May	A History of the Northamptonshire Natural History Society	MG (joint meeting with u3a Local History Group
7th June	Pond dipping at Becket’s Park	Everyone
5th July	Bring your own pond samples!	Everyone
2nd Aug	Members’ Contributions including a brief history of forensics	Julia L et al
6th Sept	Birdbaths & other Microhabitats	MG et al
4th Oct	What’s in your compost? (Bring your own samples if you can)	Diana S et al
1st Nov	A brief history & overview of Russian LOMO Microscopes	MG & CB
6th Dec	Bring, show & tell	Everyone
3rd Jan 25	Fur & Fabrics (bring samples if you can)	Everyone
7th Feb 25	Unusual microscopes & designs	MG & any other contributors

All meeting, unless otherwise stated, are held at the Humfrey Rooms, 10 Castilian terrace. We hire both the rooms and equipment from the Northamptonshire Natural History Society which is a registered charity. Guests and visitors who are u3a members are most welcome to attend meetings, but we ask EVERYONE please, to make a donation of £3 which covers cost of room hire, heating lighting, sundry items for practical work, and, last but not least, tea, coffee and light refreshments. THANK YOU to everyone for your continued support which is most appreciated.

Mike Gibson & Charles Bond.

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• Microscopes and equipment provided;
• Beginners welcome - no previous experience needed;

For anyone who may be wondering what this group is all about, let me explain………

First of all, it is a beginners group, therefore no experience or equipment is necessary to join in. The idea is to interest and maybe encourage people to learn, have fun, and get involved in a fascinating new hobby.

On the way, we’ll come across different types of microscope, from the very simple to the complex, and learn about how they are used. There will be plenty of opportunities to try out different microscopes and even make our own! Aspects of the history of microscopy will be covered and we’ll delve into the fascinating world of the Victorian slide makers.

One of the key aspects of our work will be learning how to set up and use microscopes. This will also include practical activities of looking at prepared microscope slides, making our own slides and observing a range of materials and specimens from fur and fibres through to rocks, crystals, plants, pond life and many other living things. And of course, for anyone interested in purchasing their own microscope, there will plenty of advice and help on hand. (Only recently, one of our U3A members in the photography group managed to purchase a fine second-hand quality instrument for a mere £15.)

NEW MEMBERS ALWAYS WELCOME! Remember, you don’t need to have your own microscope to join as there are ones for you to use. We even have our very own “Swift microscope kit” for members who would like to borrow a microscope for home use on a month’s loan.

For further details contact me, Mike Gibson by email by clicking the Group email link or phone me or Charles Bond.

Mike Gibson, Group Co-ordinator

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