President's Report
May 2026

This year began with a full executive of President, Secretary and Treasurer and what a difference that has made! As opposed to sharing the responsibilities of Secretary, members of the Steering Committee could concentrate on their own responsibilities within the Association as well as their Club and other activities.

We are delighted that Gillian McArthur has become Honorary President of our Association. Gillian has already demonstrated enthusiasm and commitment to her new role, and we look forward to working with her in the future.

​

Moving forward we are now in the happy position of having secured the nomination for Vice President of a very experienced individual and of having the continued support of an enthusiastic Social Events Team

Elaine Paterson quickly (re)settled in as Secretary and is again doing a great job. Jean Love continues to fulfil her remit as Treasurer with true professionalism, and we are all indebted to her for continuing to look after the finances of this Association, a role which carries a great deal of responsibility.

​

After the long process for the recruitment of a new Administrative Assistant in winter/ spring 2025, Josh Longton emerged as the successful candidate; this is now his 12th month in post and he has he been absolutely fantastic. Thank you Josh from all of us in the 3LS.

​

We continue to enjoy strong and positive links with CLL and are indebted to all the office staff who have assisted in a variety of ways during the year. I would like to give a particular mention for Lynda Scott who has been especially supportive to me personally. Thank you to the Ambassadors whose support at CLL Meet and Greet activities was much appreciated by CLL and ourselves; such contributions serve to strengthen the cooperation between CLL and 3Ls which has proved mutually beneficial.

​

Following the success of Freshers’ Week in 2024 this venture was repeated in 2025 All Clubs were invited to set up tables in GH742 while refreshments were served in the adjacent social area. Decorated tables were in abundance; some clubs really went to town and offered prospective members enticements e.g. fancy bookmarks or French champagne. Incoming and outgoing members of CLL classes were met as they entered level 7. Lynda Scott thanked in particular Mary Larkin, Mary Crearie, Jimmy Reid, Sheena O’Grady, Bob Hume, Jean Love and myself. All CLL tutors were accommodating; thanks to prior warning given to them by Lynda, Ambassadors were welcomed into classes where they were afforded the opportunity to advertise and to endeavour to recruit new members. Thank you to all our Ambassadors during Freshers’ week and thanks to all who seize the opportunity to promote 3Ls during one of their own classes.

​

Last year I intimated that I hoped to conduct a survey of members to find out what other areas of interest they have so that we could be better enabled to provide new experiences. This was done during Freshers’ Week 2025 Information gained from the short survey highlighted an array of interests and provided some interesting ideas for future CLL classes and 3LS Clubs. Suggestions for new clubs ranged from Poker to Philosophy through Art Appreciation, Scrabble, Swedish, Poetry, Creative Writing and Economics; most of these topics were repeated as suggestions for CLL classes but also included were Mandarin, Genealogy, Geology, Architecture, The Future of Democracy, Women’s History, Public Health, Museum/cultural visits and a Dance Class to include vintage ballet: for 2026 we have decided to focus on the establishment  of clubs for Creative Writing and Art Appreciation which are two of the most popular CLL classes. We are grateful to Maria from CLL for her assistance in advertising this.

​

Clubs are the lifeblood of this Association, and it is sad to report that the Genealogy Club has disbanded. This was disappointing for all the remaining members and especially for the hardworking committee who have given so much time and commitment to the Genealogy club and by so doing have encouraged and enabled many 3Ls members to participate and benefit from club activities and to pursue their own lineage. I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank Senga Simpson, outgoing President of the Club, who has proved to be a stalwart of the 3LS for very many years; her contribution to the Association has been outstanding and she has enthusiastically supported many initiatives of both CLL and 3LS.  

​

Annually each club nominates a representative to sit on the Steering Committee which meets a minimum of 4 times a year; this is usually the club President: if the named representative is unable to attend, he/she is asked to send another club member in their stead so that every club can contribute to the management of the Association. This year Mary Larkin is standing down as President of the Spanish Club and as Steering Committee member as is Wendy Clark of the European Crime Book Club. Both these ladies will be sorely missed as they have each made valuable contributions to the management of the Association as well as to their respective clubs. There may also be other changes of which we have not yet been notified. New blood is always welcome, and we look forward to meeting and greeting those who will replace them.

​

The Walking Group and the Theatre Group continue to flourish and provide members with opportunities for adventure and cultural experiences. Thank you to all the organisers. Several clubs have continued to include visits in their yearly calendar. Such outings enrich already busy Club syllabi and highlight the wide variety of experience to be gained from 3LS membership, 

​

The Oran Mor ‘Mary Doll Poppins’ experience in December was a resounding success, and Bob Hume is again to be congratulated for coordinating the pantomime and the lunch.

Our website contract has been renewed and updated. There is now more space for contributions from clubs so please send in photos or news to Josh. Information on each club and their activities is also available on the 3Ls notice boards which are located just outside the 3Ls Office on level 7.

​

The President’s Charity is the Arran Mountain Rescue Team. Information about the team and their activities can be found here on our website. Very many thanks to all those individual members who have already supported this worthy cause and to the many Clubs who have made donations. I greatly appreciate your support.

Neither the 3LS Association itself nor its constituent clubs are intended to be profit making in their outlook. It is gratifying to note that many clubs were in surplus for 2025/2026. If any club requires assistance or advice with respect to their financial position, please contact Jean Love.

​

I would like to take this opportunity to express my thanks to everyone for their contributions to the successful running of our Association and for the personal support given to me as President. To those who are stepping down from Club Committees or from the Steering Committee, I hope that you have enjoyed your time as part of the management of the Association and that you will continue to participate within the 3LS for very many years to come.

​

 

Dorothy Sim

President