Limebrook u3a's popularity has grown so much that two new interest groups have been launched to keep up with demand, as Chairman Brian Harris writes...

Liz Jones has successfully launched the Shakespeare Group, which is currently reading 'The Merchant of Venice'. Their next play will be 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'. Members recently attended a matinee performance of the play at the Cambridge Arts Theatre. New members are welcome and they do not need to have any knowledge of Shakespeare's work.

The two existing Book Clubs were full as the maximum numbers are set at ten. Mark Ellis has successfully launched our third group and he looks forward to avid readers of non-fiction, biography, crime, and detection joining them for their monthly meetings.

Chris Stringer organises the Family History Group, which has been looking at Ancestry DNA - one of the few sites that allows you to download your DNA results and upload to other sites. She has several members who are new to family history and offers 1-to-1s with anyone just starting out.

The Real Ale Group started the year with a trip to Chelmsford. Starting at The Cricketers in Moulsham Street, they had an enjoyable lunch where a team photo was taken to commemorate the occasion.

Members of the Real Ale Group enjoying a pint at The Cricketers in Moulsham Street, Chelmsford.

Moving on to The Hop Shop, where the second stop saw Mike Stringer pose with Keith Parrott in this small location filled by 14 Limebrook u3a members. The final stop was The Ale House where the day finished before the bus trip back to Maldon.

Following their Winter break, Meryl Rawling's Garden Chat Group will be getting back to normal in February, starting with a meeting at Perrywood Garden Centre. There will be an opportunity to buy seeds and early bedding plants, followed by a tour of Hyde Hall in April.

The Poetry Group had a very lively and interesting meeting discussing poems ranging from 'The Darkling Thrush' by Thomas Hardy, to 'Still I Rise' by Maya Angelou.

Other poems discussed were by Emily Dickinson, Emily Bronte, Robert Frost, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Siegfried Sassoon.

The Photographers attended the URC Hall meeting, and after a short discussion about plans for group activities for the next few months they watched a slide show of the December competition and the recent visit to the Chelmsford Museum. Graham Churchill announced Dave Dove as the winner of the 'Autumn' competition.

Dave Dove's photograph is the winner of the "Autumn" Competition.

Dave was presented with the much-coveted trophy by Limebrook Chairman Brian Harris.

Dave Dove receiving the

Edwina Ord followed closely in second place.

The Photoshop Competition was won by Tim Stubbings, followed by Paul Madge, Dave Sansom and Phil Egelton.

BEFORE AND AFTER: Drag the white slider left & right to see the original image compared to the Photoshopped version

The Weekend Companions and Weekenders Groups are for members on their own and both arrange meals and outings in and around Maldon. Recent trips have been to the Beach House Café and On the Latch.

To learn more about our u3a, visit the Limebrook u3a website.