Activity groups from Dukeries u3a continued to meet through February. Walking groups the Ramblers and the WhatsApp Walkers braved the cold weather. The Ramblers walked the Teversal Trail, which took them past a couple of frozen ponds, onto the old railway track on a circuitous route back to the friendly café for delicious bacon butties. The WhatsApp Walkers enjoyed a walk around Bevercotes Wood followed by a visit to Thaymar Café.
New group the Cheeky Blinders (banjolele players) met for the first time in February and was well supported. As expected, a good jamming session was enjoyed by all.
Social events continued with members joining with local u3a groups to celebrate Chinese New Year at the Springwater Restaurant at Calverton. February’s speaker Jerry Jarvis treated members to an interesting light-hearted talk entitled ‘The Nuclear Deterrent and My Part in Your Survival’. Dukeries u3a was pleased to take part in the February Hearts Trail organised by Edwinstowe in Bloom, where hearts made by local community groups were on display throughout the village and in the Forest.
The Group of the Month is the Sewing Bees, which started in August 2022 with no equipment but a lot of enthusiasm. Two members donated sewing machines to the group and other members donated an iron and ironing board. The group applied to Newark and Sherwood District Council and received a grant which bought a brand-new sewing machine and other equipment for use by everyone. Not everyone who goes wants to sew, so they take knitting, crochet or tapestry. Anyone who wants to learn can go along and there is always someone who can help. One member took in squares a friend had knitted and a member made them into a beautiful blanket.
The Sewing Bees’ current project is to make banners for the music stands for the u3a Jubilee ukulele group. Another recent project was to make tablecloths for the Bridge group. They meet at Ambleside Centre on Yew Tree Road in Ollerton on the second and fourth Wednesday mornings of each month from 10.00am to 12.00pm for just £1.00 to cover refreshments.
Perhaps you would like 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.
To find out more about them please go along to their open and subscription day on Monday 18th March, 12.30pm to 2.30pm, at Jubilee Hall, Wellow Road, Ollerton. Existing and new members will be able to join for just £20.00 up to 31st March 2025.
For further information visit www.u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/home or call 07756 436177.