Join

u3a Matters

u3a Matters (formerly Third Age Matters or TAM) is sent to those members who have opted to receive it five times per year. We have to send our list to the publisher each time as our list of members wanting u3a Matters is likely to change each time.

The u3a Matters organiser must be given access from the Beacon Administrator so they can download the u3a Matters spreadsheet.

It is only available for Current members who have paid our full membership fee. Associate members must get u3a Matters from their main u3a. As at February 2026 the cost is £3.80 per annum per member household.

Beacon

Entering Members (Membership Team)

  • We only send one copy to members sharing an address so we have to identify this in Beacon.
  • Enter both members by ticking the Polls 'Third Age Matters'.
  • Fill in the 'Share address with' field for one of the members.
  • The other member is automatically updated.
  • This means that when the report below is printed there will only be one entry.
  • Associate Members do not get u3a Matters through Chepstow u3a. They have to get a copy through their main u3a.

Downloading the Spreadsheet from Beacon (u3a Matters Organiser)

  • Go into 'Addresses export'
  • Select Format: 'Third Age Matters'
  • Tick Status: 'Current' 
  • Tick Classes: 'Individual'
  • Go into Polls and select 'Third Age Matters'.
  • Check Group: '- any or none -'
  • Go down to the bottom of the list and click 'Download TAM'.
  • Check the spreadsheet for members living at the same address. This is easy for members with the same surname but difficult for members with different surnames.
  • You could sort on the address field and check. 
  • If there are duplicate records ask Membership to correct them and start the process again..

Spreadsheet

  • Click File, Save as.
  • Save in a folder where you can access it for uploading
  • Give it the name of the form '20260105_TAM_Chepstow u3a.xlsx'
  • Click Save.

Uploading the Spreadsheet into the Portal

  • Go to https://u3a.mamsmail.co.uk/login.php and log in
  • Drag or drop the file, or click ‘Click Here’ and select the correct file from your directory.
  • Check that the file has been added to the upload history.
  • Log out.

January 2026

Click on u3a Matters to send a contact email with any queries