Spring is in some ways the start of a new year. The days get longer and the flowers and trees come to life.

Limebrook u3a has been very active with all of our interest groups meeting and enjoying the friendship and social activities that are so much part of our ethos.

Howard Corlett has been so successful with the 10-pin Bowling Group that he has arranged another session for those who prefer the afternoons.

At a recent meeting two of our members – Joan Hutchings and Keith Parrott – bowled a turkey! Actually, no animals were harmed as this is the term used when a player gets three strikes in a row.

Our members generously donated funds towards the national u3a Growing the Future project. The original goal was to plant 5,000 trees.

The trees will be planted in the Brecon Beacons to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the u3a. Limebrook has arranged for 81 trees and we have participated in something that will help benefit the environment, wildlife and climate change for future generations.

Chris Dove organises the Booklovers Group and they are currently reading A Very English Scandal by John Preston. This is a non-fiction novel about the Jeremy Thorpe murder plot and is a different read to their usual selections.

Beverley Hunt leads the Cover-to-Cover Group who now meet at the White Horse. Both now have spaces available for new people who wish to join them.

Each month Graham Churchill arranges competitions for the Photography Group.

A separate section is for Photoshop, where an image is changed by use of computer software. Tim Stubbins entered a before and after image with the theme of "wood". Can you spot the changes he has made?

In the best photograph of the month competition, Paul Madge had an interesting black and white image of a tree, with Peter Thorpe taking an excellent still life of a wooden bowl. Phil Page made us smile with his dinosaur, which was the third most popular image.

Later this year, Chris Stringer will be recommencing our Needlecraft Group and the list is open for new members.

On 8 April, Tony Tuckwell joins us at the West Maldon Community Centre (WMCC) when he will share his talk "The Only Coastal Way is Essex". With almost 350 miles and 19 islands, it is a longer coastline than Cornwall. This fascinating talk includes photographs and details of the amazing variety of flora and fauna to be found and covers the history of invasions into the area.

We are very pleased that on 13 May, Lisa Mitson, the community safety officer for the Essex County Fire and Rescue Service, will be talking about how to reduce the risk of fire in your home.

Her role sees her out and about in the community giving safety advice about a range of topics including home fire safety and water safety to help make Essex a safer place to live, work and travel. This talk could help save lives and is one not to be missed.

Following Lisa's talk we will be having our Annual General Meeting. Reports will be given on the past year and election of our committee.

We have an open day planned and it is being held at Maldon Town Hall on Saturday, 14 May from 10.30am to 2pm.

Our interest group leaders and committee members will be on hand to meet anyone interested in learning more about the u3a. There is no need to book - you can come along and meet us and have a chat, with refreshments being provided.

If you are no longer in full-time employment and want to expand your social life and take up new interests, we will be pleased to see you.

If you have an idea for a hobby, pastime or activity that would appeal to our members, please talk with a committee member or Jo Madge, our interest group coordinator.

Why not think of Spring as the start of a new year and have a resolution to learn more about the u3a?

Please contact our membership secretary Tim Stubbins on 01621 855158 or send an email to [email protected] for more details.

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