May’s Annual General Meeting of Dukeries u3a in Ollerton’s Jubilee Hall was extremely well supported (despite the counter attraction on a warm spring day of a relaxing afternoon in the garden). Officers’ reports of the previous year’s activities and the elections of officials and committee for the new year preceded presentations to four of the group’s stalwarts.
Barbara Baglee, the outgoing Chair, was thanked and praised for her outstanding efforts in holding the group together during a difficult time. Ann Street, retiring Speaker Finder and Publicity Officer, was recognised for the tremendous job she had done throughout her years on the Committee, and June Nunn’s sterling service behind the scenes, keeping members fed and watered during monthly meetings, was also acknowledged. Finally, a special award of Lifetime Honorary Membership of Dukeries u3a was made to Linda Bond, a long serving committee member, group leader (currently of the Jubilee Ukelele Group), past newsletter editor and raiser of significant sums for charity. All four extremely popular members received gifts and very warm rounds of applause.
The afternoon concluded with an uproarious, home-produced skit on a (thankfully!) fictional u3a Committee Meeting by the Playreading Group. For his presiding ‘genius’, and his leadership of the production, James Bartlett received his very own ‘Oscar’.
Elsewhere, amongst many other activities, Tony Brewer organised a highly appreciated visit to Brodworth Hall and Gardens where the spring flowers made a magnificent show. A trip to the International Bomber Command Centre near Lincoln proved extremely informative and a most impressive testimony to the enduring power of the human spirit.
The u3a movement is a good way to make new friends and socialise or learn something new. There are a lot of good things happening at Dukeries u3a which is open to all adults irrespective of employment status. Membership now costs £20.00pp up to 31st March 2026 and includes access to all activities and interest groups, including those of the North Notts Neighbourhood Group. To find out more, please go along to up to two of their meetings, on the third Monday of each month, 12.30pm to 3.00pm, for £1.00 to cover refreshments.
For further information, visit u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/home.