Dukeries u3a continues to grow its membership with new activity groups starting and the number of members increasing to 159. There are now 19 different activity / interest groups, with ideas in the pipeline for new subjects in 2023.
They are pleased to be joining with other local u3a groups to provide more opportunities for their members and plans are being made for future collaborations for trips and holidays which will help to keep costs down.
Dukeries u3a was very pleased to exceed its target of £3,000 and raise £3,339.91 for the members’ chosen charity: the Lincs and Notts Air Ambulance. This has been achieved with members supporting the bring and buy stall and raffles at their monthly meetings and social functions.
The Ramblers and Whatsapp walking groups joined together for a winter walk at Ollerton Pit Woods and afterwards changed into their ‘glad rags’ for a celebratory dinner at Forest Lodge in Edwinstowe.
As well as entertaining members at the Christmas party, the Ukulele group played for visitors at the Creswell Crags visitor centre, while the Tuesday lunch club will start its annual programme in February at Rose Cottage, Rufford.
Details of all interest and activity groups can be found at www.u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/welcome. Also on the website you can read about plans for more social evenings in 2023, such as quizzes and beetle drives, and information on meeting speakers.
Speakers for the members’ meetings in 2023 are now booked, with varied topics including health, travel, local history, sporting legends and humour. February’s speakers will be specialist nurses Helen and Rebekah, who will give information on osteoporosis – a condition which can affect many people.
There is an extra talk in February by John Perry at the Ambleside Centre, New Ollerton, which was postponed in September 2022 owing to the sad passing of Elizabeth II. He will tell members about the role of magistrates in the criminal and civil justice systems and give members the chance to try sentencing.
The monthly meeting in March will be open for members to renew their annual subscriptions up to 31st March 2024. These will be £20.00 or £10.00 for associate members. This meeting will also showcase the various groups that Dukeries u3a offers. Non-members are very welcome to go and find out more.
Dukeries u3a is one of the smaller u3a groups in Nottinghamshire with members drawn from Ollerton, Edwinstowe and the surrounding villages. For more information, visit www.u3asites.org.uk/dukeries. Alternatively, contact chairperson Leslye for more information on 07756 436177 or du3achair2020@gmail.com.
If you have an interest you would like to learn more about, or share with others, while making new friends and socialising safely, Dukeries u3a may be for you. Meetings are at Jubilee Hall, Wellow Road, Ollerton on the third Monday monthly; doors open at 12.30pm. New membership is open to adults irrespective of employment status with a subscription of £22.00 from February 2023 up to 31 March 2024.