u3a is a UK-wide movement of 1000+ charities that create the opportunity for members to come together to share skills and learn for fun.
West Bridgford U3A supplied this update:
After the usual excesses of the Christmas season many of us batten down the hatches as we try to replenish our finances after our Christmas extravagances, or perhaps, we ready ourselves to face the worst of what winter can do. For some it might be a “dry” January, or for others turning up the central heating as we seek to see out the dark January days until Spring has sprung! But not so the 700 plus members of West Bridgford u3a! They’ve been out and about, ignoring the storms that rolled in, grabbing January and February by their chilly (and this year damp!) throats – and in doing so making the most of life!
One of the many different walking groups that WBu3a offer, the Hiking Group, enjoyed a crisp winter’s day outing under blue skies as they took in villages in the Vale of Belvoir, visiting local churches, making friends with the local animal life and enjoying the quiet footpaths along the way. And to keep them going, they enjoyed a hearty pub lunch at Nag’s Head in Saltby. What more could you ask to drive away the January blues!
But for those who prefer more cerebral ways of passing the dark winter days there was a wealth of activities to enjoy.
The Local History Group were fascinated by a talk about the golden age of the cinema – made especially more rewarding with some local Nottingham connections.
Who knew that “Midnight Premiers” were a regular feature or when a long time Nottingham cinema closed its doors for the last time its ancient rich velvet curtains soon found new homes in many local lounges and dining rooms!
And still on the subject of our part of the world, in late January, at the u3a’s monthly Open Meeting Professor John Beckett, Emeritus Professor of Local History at Nottingham University and the author of many books on Nottinghamshire enthralled members with the story of the Prisoner of War camp in Sutton Bonington and what happened to the 22 German Officers who escaped from there in a break out in September 1917.
Winter didn’t deter the u3a’s Photography Group either. They were out and about come rain, frost or shine, cameras slung around their necks and mobile phones at the ready as they honed their photography and creative skills on a theme of “Through the Window” – and in doing so displayed some wonderfully original and intriguing views discovered in of our neck of the woods. Closer to home in West Bridgford the u3a Knit and Natter group enjoyed their regular meet up at the Stratford Haven pub in Bridgford and not to be outdone, the card playing group and those who enjoy the board game Rummikub pitted their wits and skills against each other, enjoyed a welcome “cuppa” and afternoons of good company while those winter storms rolled in!
There’s something for everyone at WBu3a with over 60 weekly and monthly groups and activities for those not in full time employment, and all aimed at helping members get the most out of life – be it physical health, mental well-being, finding a new interest or simply enjoying good company while doing something you love. You can find out more about these and how to become a member (£15 per year) by visiting the WBu3a website (https://westbridgford.u3asite.uk/) or contacting 0115 871 1810.
