Limebrook u3a's December newsletter: Interest groups proving hugely popular, festive fun, and 'life as a continuity announcer'
Limebrook u3a, a group for those no longer in full time employment in Maldon, has had a very successful year, as Chairman Brian Harris writes.
Our membership has grown and the number of people enjoying the activities, hobbies and pastimes has gone from strength to strength.
People who are no longer in full time employment are able to join others who are like minded, and benefit from our Monthly Meetings. There is also a wide range of opportunities to socialise and learn more about their favourite subjects.
The Walking Group, led by Jo Madge, has more than 40 members. It has become so popular that it has become difficult to manage and find refreshment venues large enough to house everybody, so there are now two groups each month.
The recent walk included the opportunity to have their photograph taken at Hylands House.
The Family History Group are looking at paid and unpaid websites and what value they have in aiding research. They have used My Heritage, Ancestry, Genes Reunited, Lost Cousins, Free Reg, Family Search - along with others found by Chris Stringer. This group is so popular that Chris has split it in to two to accommodate those who are keen to benefit from her 30 years of research in this area.
Our Ten-pin bowling group has been so successful that Howard Corlett now has two separate meetings to accommodate everyone who wishes to play. He achieved his personal best score in November and made sure that the success was recorded with a photograph.
Graham Churchill has found that the Photography Group has also become so successful, that he has changed the location for their meetings to a larger venue. Some months, they go out to different places to take photographs; others, they review the images and run a monthly competition.
Throughout the year, another competition is organised with aim of producing a calendar. This year, the theme was 'Events in Essex' and the judging is taking place with the final 12 images being prepared for the December launch of the printed 2023 Calendar.
A Poetry Group was recently set up by Liz Jones and they now have 12 enthusiastic members. Following this success, she would like to start a Shakespeare Group, for the purpose of reading out loud, and discussing his works. She is also looking to arrange trips to see plays.
The History Group have managed to get out for a visit most months this year. The last two trips were to the Gardens at Easton Lodge, and the Museum of London.
Mike Stringer has arranged a mix of Zoom and face-to-face talks to take the meetings through the winter and has already laid plans for more outings next year. The first four talks have been booked and the topics for the first two are 'The Gardens at Easton Lodge', with Gary Matthews, and 'The History of Nursery Rhymes' with Rose Twiddell.
The Real Ale Group has been to the beer festivals at the Hurdlemakers Arms in Woodham Mortimer, one in Colchester, and another in South Woodham Ferrers.
Among other outings, the final trip was the annual Maldon tour, starting at The Cricketers and working their way down the High Street, including a selection of pubs in the town centre. Members ended at the Queen Victoria for their Christmas Meal.
With the New Year fast approaching, we are planning a wide range of activities and social opportunities for our members.
Why not look at u3a as a way of meeting new people, making new friends and enjoying 2023? Come along to one of our monthly meetings as a visitor.
Guests are welcome to join us on Friday 13 January 2023 at the West Maldon Community Centre, when Sally Lawrence will be talking about 'My Life as a Continuity Announcer'.
Our Membership Secretary, Sandra Stubbings, can be contacted on 01621 855158 and she will be pleased provide details and arrange your invitation to the meeting.
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