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June 3, 2009
Branston and District U3A - Summer 2009
The Branston & District U3A is fully committed towards providing a wide range of opportunities in order that its members can share a variety of educational, creative and leisure pursuits in a friendly and relaxed environment. Moreover, social events and organised coach trips take place throughout the year. Coach outings usually involve visiting heritage locations, cathedrals and historic houses. Most recently a very successful trip involved visiting Southwell Minster which included a conducted viewing of the Quaker tapestries.
In order to provide an effective means of communication with its 120 members, and to update them on forthcoming activities, monthly meetings take place at the Branston Village Hall on the fourth Tuesday of each month. Usually, most members arrive at 1.30pm for tea or coffee and biscuits prior to the meeting which commences at 2pm. Guest speakers are invited to each meeting and talks are given on a broad range of interesting subjects. Non U3A members are welcome to attend these meetings in order that they can glean information about the activities and special interest groups that are currently available within the Branston & District U3A.
At the moment the special interests groups consists of:
- Archaeology, Ancient & Medieval History
- Armchair Travel *
- Art Appreciation
- Aspects of History *
- Bridge
- Classic Movies *
- Creative Writing
- Croquet
- Discussion Group
- Exploring the Past
- Five Mile Walks
- French Conversation
- Gardening Group
- German Conversation
- Literature
- Local Heritage History
- Luncheon Group
- Natural History
- Mah Jong
- Music Appreciation *
- Painting For Pleasure
- Photography
- Play Reading
- Poetry and Prose for Pleasure
- Quiz Teams
- Scrabble (Groups 1 & 2)
- Singing for Pleasure
- 33 *
- Walking Group
- The Strollers
The requirements for joining any of the above groups is that you must be a current member of the Branston & District U3A, having paid the annual membership fee of £13.
It is also stressed that the majority of the special interest groups are now full, and new applicants are therefore placed on a waiting list. The reason for this is that many special groups are held in members' homes and they would not be able to cope unless the group number was restricted.
However, the five groups marked with an asterisk are 'Open Groups' and therefore no restrictions are placed on attendance. These groups are held in village halls. The Music Appreciation Group is particularly keen on attracting new members who enjoy listening to mainly classical music of all genres, with the occasional forays into opera.
In addition to the 'Open Groups', the Luncheon Group and Croquet have places for 4 new members each. If you would enjoy dining out once a month at some of the well known haunts within the local area, and at a moderate price, then give Anne Eveleigh a call on 01522 527700. Your contact for croquet is Ralph Timms on 01526 322515, and he will assure you that croquet is a good combination of the mental and physical that requires tactical ability, judgement and skill rather than strength and fast reflexes. (Just the perfect thing for U3A members). This is one of the few sports that women and men can play on equal terms. Furthermore, Christine Metcalf has some places in her two groups which are Poetry and Prose for Pleasure, and Exploring the Past. It should be noted that Exploring the Past only has vacancies for certain visits, and this includes a visit to Boston on 26th June. For further information please contact Christine on 01522 795005.
Should anyone wish to consider becoming a member of the Branston & District U3A then it is strongly suggested that they should attend a meeting in the Branston Village Hall where they can obtain all the relevant information concerning this organisation and its full activity details. Alternatively, please contact Christine Anderson on 01522 790951, email: christine.anderson@virgin.net. Prospective new members may wish to start new special interest groups, and this will be actively encouraged.
Dick Newman Publicity Officer
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