2022 is an exciting year as Dukeries u3a is planning events celebrating its 30th birthday, plus the 40th anniversary of u3a being inaugurated in the UK. Founded in 1982, u3a is a UK-wide movement of groups locally run by members. They aim to provide a wide range of opportunities to come together and learn for fun, socialise and make friends.
Members enjoyed the postponed Christmas party which took place in February – renamed as the ‘Missedmas’ party!
Monthly meetings and activity groups continue including the first meeting of the restarted Wine Appreciation Group. It is hoped that day trips will start again soon. The Ramblers walked the Rufford Poacher trail, which is a seven-mile circular route from Limes Café through Rufford Pines. Their next walk was the eight-mile Southwell Trail, taking in Farnsfield and Edingley. Both routes are of interest to military history followers as they include the crash site of a Wellington bomber and the Halifax Bomber memorial.
At the postponed January meeting members heard Lisa Dean, Pet Detective, give a talk about her charity, ‘Beauty’s Legacy’. It was a delight to meet a rescued dog and owner who had recently been reunited. Dukeries u3a was happy to welcome five new members at this meeting. February’s guest speaker was Geoff Harris, who revealed ‘The London No-One Tells You About’.
March’s speaker will be Simon Cork who will tell members about the great philanthropist, Andrew Carnegie.
Now it is becoming safer to meet socially, there is a Race Night planned for Friday 4th March at Jubilee Hall. Meanwhile, Leslye’s Zoom quizzes and social evenings are continuing in March.
As part of their commitment to engage in the local community, Dukeries u3a members joined with other groups and local businesses to take part in the RSPB Sherwood Forest’s Heart Trail in February. Members sewed, knitted and crafted hearts which were displayed around Edwinstowe village leading up to the RSPB Visitor Centre.
Membership to Dukeries u3a is open to all older adults, whether or not they are still in full-time employment. Dukeries u3a has a varied calendar of activities and interests, and there is always room for new subjects in their programme. You can join at any time. If you would like to sample what Dukeries u3a has to offer, you can attend up to two monthly or activity group meetings for a nominal sum of £1.00 each time. Annual membership subscriptions up to 31 March 2023 are now available for £19.00.
Members’ meetings take place at the Jubilee Hall, Wellow Road, Ollerton on the third Monday of each month, starting at 1.00pm. Dukeries u3a members follow the u3a motto ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’ and believe and believe that ‘Now is the time to make the most of your life’. The group now has more than 140 members drawn from Ollerton, Edwinstowe and the surrounding villages.
For further information, visit www.u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/welcome or contact chairperson Leslye on 07756 436177 or du3achair2020@gmail.com.