Midsummer in Sherwood Forest with the sun shining, the air full of birdsong and the animated chatter of dozens of u3a members – what could be a better way of idling away a beautiful summer’s day? Good friends, great company, fine food (not to mention the odd glass or two!) and excellent entertainment. What more could you want?
The RSPB kindly gave their permission for North Nottinghamshire u3as to hold their annual ‘Picnic in the Park’ on 26th June. Members flocked to Sherwood Forest from u3as in Ollerton (Dukeries), Worksop, Warsop, Ashfield, Sherwood, Mansfield and Rainworth and District, and were royally entertained by, amongst others ,the gloriously named ‘Geriatrics and the Pacemakers’ – a Steel Band from Worksop u3a – and Ukelele and Banjolele players from the Dukeries u3a. The Major Oak Chorus – a male voice choir which includes a number of u3a members – gave suitably rousing renditions of standards from the choral repertoire. In addition, there was a wide range of games and activities.
Dukeries u3a, on behalf of the other groups, would like to offer their particular thanks to Alex from the RSPB for all the advice and help he gave in ensuring that the day was a roaring success.
The Dukeries u3a ‘Group of the Month’ is Mah-jong – a board game invented by the Chinese in the 19th century which uses beautifully decorated tiles. The object of the game is, briefly, to collect ‘suits’ of tiles – Bamboo, Circles, Characters, Seasons, Flowers, Winds and Dragons – and subsequently to declare ‘Mah-jong’. Incidentally, the name Mahjong is the Chinese word for Sparrow – apparently chosen because the clattering of the tiles on the board is supposed to imitate the chattering of sparrows in bushes and trees. Mahjong is highly recommended by health professionals as an excellent means of keeping the ‘little grey cells’ ticking over. The group meets on the first, third and fourth Thursday of each month at 1.00pm in Ollerton Jubilee Hall (next to the Ollerton House pub). Why not give it a go?
The u3a movement is a good way to make new friends and socialise or learn something new. It is open to all adults, irrespective of employment status. To find out more, go along to up to two of their meetings, on the third Monday of each month, 12.30pm to 3.00pm at Ollerton Jubilee Hall for £1.00 to cover refreshments. After this, annual membership costs £20.00 up to 31st March 2025 and includes access to all activities and interest groups. Find out more at https://u3a sites.org.uk/dukeries/home or call 07756 436177.