In December Retford u3a was busily doing all sorts of warming activities to keep members going, including their walking groups bravely striding out (shout out to David and Sue for their exceptional work with the Moderate Walkers since taking over in the autumn). If you are interested in finding a set of walkers who stride out at your pace and over your distance, the unfailing Rod Duckworth will almost certainly be at the General Meeting on Thursday 26th January manning the ‘Interest Groups Table’ to answer your questions and connect you with your sort of pedestrians.
Whether your interest its gardening, current affairs, wine, poetry, history or just meeting up for a coffee and a natter, go along to the meeting and find out more about the organisation’s huge range of interest groups.
Speaking of General Meetings, members were entertained by the astonishingly professional Highly Strung Ukulele Band from the Worksop u3a in November, and in January they have Michael Massarella, of the well-known Nottinghamshire ice cream family, to tell the story of how a brave Italian immigrant family came to England and carved out a new life introducing Italian gelato. It really is astonishing how a small number of families from a single nation revolutionised our taste buds. Go along to The Well on Thursday 26th January at 2.00pm to hear his story.
There is a new and welcome regular event for Retford u3a’s calendar – ‘u3a Nights Out’, and the second of these sold out events takes place on Friday 13th January at Retford Golf Club. They will be announcing dates for April and July ‘Nights Out’ at the General Meeting.
Meanwhile, the committee has been busy welcoming growing interest from members in running Interest Groups and in joining. They are going to see big changes come April when at least three committee posts come vacant. It is a real opportunity to make friends and keep Retford u3a flying high, so don’t hesitate about coming forward. You will be welcome! It’s a great time to do so. Last month, membership climbed back above 500 for the first time since Covid, so it will be fun. The committee wish everyone a warm and Happy New Year.