The association for retired staff welcomes new members. It’s a way of keeping in touch with former colleagues and making new friends.
Retired staff from any area of the University can join: technical, administrative and secretarial staff; staff from Campus Services; academics. Partners of retired staff are members, as are partners of staff who died in post or in retirement. Former rather than retired staff and people who served on the Court are also members. SURSA needs to be self-funding so we pay a subscription fee of £10 per person per calendar year, which covers the cost of mailing and other administrative costs.
Social Events
Twice a year we have a lunch party – about 40 people usually come to it. It’s a lively occasion that lasts into the afternoon. On the first Wednesday of every month we meet for coffee from 10:45am until about 12.
Gardens Group
This group, co-ordinated by Stephanie Tytler, meets at regular intervals to visit local gardens or to go on bus trips to places like Culzean Castle in Ayrshire and Dumfries House in the Borders.
Walks Group
About once a month a group meets in the morning to do a circular walk in the local area chosen by a team including Maureen Mitchell, Max Penfold, Bill Kidd and Peter Fairweather. The walks vary – some on level ground, others involving hill-walking. A special walk visits a local pub for a Christmas lunch.
Theatre and Concert Group
Doris Littlejohn provides a programme of plays and concerts for us to visit in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Pitlochry and Perth as well as Stirling and makes block bookings of tickets.
Book Groups
We have one book group that meets during the day and another that meets in the evening.
Workshops/Discussions
About once a month we have a two-hour session at which one of our members gives a talk followed by tea and a discussion. Topics range from the University’s art collection to the management of pain.
Oral History
We are recording an oral history of the University from its inception to the present, interviewing a wide range of staff and students, past and present.
If you wish to join SURSA, fill out the registration form.
Angela Smith (Chair of the steering committee)