Retford u3a finished its year (April to March) on a high note with highly informative meetings in February and March, featuring two strong presentations that brought Retford past and present together.
In February, Jenny King told over 80 members the story of how her team of craftswomen brought the 400th anniversary of the arrival of North Nottinghamshire’s Puritan Pilgrims in America to life through their Pilgrim Father Tapestry series. In March, Canon Dick Lewis told them about Trinity Hospital, which has played a major part in Retford’s development since soon after the Pilgrims sailed away and is still doing so four centuries later.
They also held a new members coffee morning in March at the West Retford Hotel. Twenty new members got to meet each other and find out about interest groups. There is even the possibility of a new interest group emerging from this set of new members. Watch this space for an announcement!
On 28th April, the Retford u3a Recorder Group, which has performed all over the East Midlands, will entertain the group after the AGM – the first of a year of general meetings devoted to local interests. These include meeting the Idle Valley beaver colony, gardening, history and crafts.
On an entirely different point, would you want to do something to help Retford celebrate the Queen’s 70th year on the throne? Anyone interested in staging an event or joining a working party to plan an event this June will have the full support of Retford u3a.
Looking further ahead, it’s the 40th anniversary of the founding of the u3a this September. If you would like to help plan and stage Retford u3a’s celebration here’s your opportunity; contact any trustee to register your interest.
Nicki Mollison’s Dressmaking Group held its first meeting on 15th March. If you are interested, contact nicki.mollison@yahoo.co.uk. She will be happy to welcome you.
This is also a good time to remind everyone about the coming opportunities for new trustees. Without members who are prepared to take on active roles within their u3a, the whole movement would collapse. The trustees are a friendly group, working together as volunteers doing as much as they comfortably can – and making many new friends along the way. Why not give it a try?