Limebrook u3a has a wide range of activities and interest groups avaible to our members. These range from photography, book lovers, social sciences, theatre trips, Scrabble, poetry, walking and weekenders.

U3a is UK-wide collection of 1000+ charities that provide the opportunity for those no longer in work to come together and learn for fun.

The Maldon group's website has details of all of the interest groups availabale locally.

Mike Stringer organises the History Group and here is his report following this month's activity.

"Our History Group had their largest outing since the pandemic, with 21 people making the trip out into Essex for our "Guildhalls" visit. We started in one of the prettiest villages in Essex, Finchingfield, complete with duck pond in the middle of the village. We had a fascinating insight into the building and uses of the Guildhall there. The building dates back to around the 1500s, reckoned to be built at minimal cost, so some rather wonky windows and doorway to negotiate! The Guildhall Museum has some amazing technology in it, including a view screen showing the village from 450,000 years ago to the modern day, as well as short biographies on local notables, including Dodie Smith, the author of One Hundred and One Dalmatians, and Spains Hall, the local manor hall.

"We then moved on for an afternoon in Thaxted. After a short introductory talk, we were shown around the church and then the Guildhall. The church was reputed to have been built with its tower as high as the church building is long, but tower renovations left it two feet shorter! The church has its own alms houses nearby, also close to the windmill. Our visit concluded with a tour of the Guildhall and a look at some of the collection it houses, including cutlery (Thaxted was once the cutlery centre of Essex) and Morris Men.

"A fascinating day out, we learnt a lot about the Guildhalls and the people who used them, and also got to see a very lovely village, well worth a visit on its own."

The group's next monthly meeting is entitled "My Life in the Theatre" to be held at the WMCC this coming Friday (9 September) at 2pm, when members will meet Jennifer Haley who will talk about her life as a dancer, singer, actress, choreographer and a director. If you would like to attend or learn more about other Interest Groups, contact membership secretary Tim Stubbings on 01621 855158.

On the Monday, 3 October, Limebrook u3a will be attending the second annual Senior Safety Silver Day meeting. This is organised by Maldon District Council and Chelmsford City Council and is a free ticketed event, that includes a variety of engaging safety, health and wellbeing talks. Lunch will be provided and it is open to residents over 65 living in the Chelmsford or Maldon District. Booking is via Eventbrite using the following link senior-safety-and-silver-sunday-tickets

The website Limebrook u3a will provide more information on how members 'Learn, Laugh and Live'.