Until May 2021, Nike advised everyone to ‘Just Do It’ – a slogan urging everybody, whatever their abilities, to try new activities, and thereby discover the joy, inspiration, friendship, and resilience that they can bring.
The u3a couldn’t put it better. So how about trying one or more of the following activities, perhaps shedding a few surplus pounds, working forgotten muscles, and making new friends and acquaintances as you go along?
Walking Football provides gentle, aerobic exercise for all. Unlike the conventional game, this is a no-contact sport, played to strict rules with absolutely no running allowed. Sessions include warm-up exercises and a series of short games, lasting seven minutes per half, in mixed teams of five to seven players. A Rotherham u3a pilot group starts in March. For details please contact John Todd on 01142 208740 or email thetodds1321@btinternet.com.
The Rotherham u3a Strollers take gentle, companionable, fortnightly walks in and around Rotherham, occasionally venturing into parts of Barnsley, Sheffield, and the Peak District. Local buses are generally used to reach the start and to return. February walks include Canklow Woods circular (Saturday 5th) and Laughton Village circular, with a bit of history thrown in (Saturday 19th). For details contact Margaret Tupling on 01709 371949.
Longsword and Rapper Dancing are fascinating and certainly different. Longswords are rigid, while rappers (short swords) are flexible. Dances are performed at a steady jog / trot. Enthusiastic members sometimes get tied in knots performing movements which create patterns, whilst remaining linked together by the swords. It’s great fun. For details of these Rotherham u3a groups contact Denise Young on 01709 306550.
All u3a activities are open to those not in full-time employment, irrespective of age, gender, ability or cultural background. Visit www.u3asites.org.uk/rotherham or call Sylvia Duncan on 01709 374841.