Maldon Nub News aims to be supportive to EVERY element of the community from business and shops to people and charities and clubs and sports organisations.

Everyone is finding it tough at the moment and wants life to get back to normal.

We will be profiling some of these local businesses and groups regularly over coming weeks in a new series of our feature called UP CLOSE IN MALDON in the hope that we can be a supportive springboard for your full return to business as usual.

This week we feature an interview by Brian Harris, Chairman of Limebrook u3a, with member Christine Smith. They hope this will give anyone thinking of joining the group in 2021 an insight into what it's all about – and how it's a great way to enjoy new activities, gain new interests and make friends for life.

Christine says: "I was working full time at the RHS at Hyde Hall when one day someone I had not seen for a while caught my eye and we started to have a chat. Jo Madge had been my son's primary school teacher. She asked me what I was doing, and I explained that I was still working full-time.

"So, what are you going to do when you retire?" Jo asked me. I said I was not sure what I would do to fill my time and it was then that Jo introduced me to the idea of the u3a and told me that they are a group of people who share interests and have monthly meetings with a guest speaker and asked if I would like to come along.

"Well, two years later when I moved from full time to part time work, I decided to take Jo up on her offer and she took me along as a guest to the Limebrook group, which is based at the West Maldon Community Centre.

"The people were very friendly, I enjoyed the speaker and Jo introduced me to various people who ran Interest Groups. These groups were varied, with some things I was already interested in and others which were new to me.

"I joined The Walking Group and I found that during the couple of hours on the walks I would get to talk to different people. There is always time during our break halfway through the walk when we can chat to others as we have something nice to drink and a bite to eat.

"Photography has always been an interest of mine and there is a very active photography group that meet to discuss photography, but we also go out on trips together."

Chris has been successful with her photography. She has had two photographs published in the national u3a magazine. One was in the recent competition called Winter Watch. She took a

photograph early one morning when she went to work at RHS at Hyde Hall.

During the lockdown she entered a competition and was successful with her photograph titled "Connected". In the annual Limebrook calendar for 2021, her photograph of the Maylandsea Raft Race was selected for the September photograph.

"Another Group that has been really interesting is Photoshop, where we get together to discuss how to improve our photographs and to use different technology. I enjoy the theatre and there is a very thriving Theatre Group which arranges trips to theatres both in London and locally," Chris adds.

"A group that I joined a couple of years ago covers History. We have visits to various locations all over Essex and London and we have a series of meetings and talks with speakers. The range of subjects is extremely broad.

"And of course, there is the Social Group which arranges activities for days out and lunches and a good get together at Christmas. There is something for everybody.

"Limebrook u3a really is a wonderful community. It is such a friendly group, and I have genuinely made friends who will be friends for life.

"While I was in still in full time work my son asked me, "What are you going to do when you retire?" When I told him about the u3a and the range of activities offered, he said, "Good for you, you have got to go for it."

"Without the support and friendship offered by u3a, I do not know what I would have done with my time. My husband Steve is still in full time employment and he looks forward to the time when he can be involved, too.

"I have found that my membership at Limebrook has proved to be the best £20 a year that I invest in myself. For that modest fee I have found a great group of friends, many activities that I would not have done on my own and a very active social life. "

We have moved all our u3a meetings and groups online at the current time, but we are still ready to welcome new members and as soon as times change for the better, the groups will meet in person again.

If you would like to know more about Limebrook u3a's various Interest Groups or would like to attend the "Virtual Monthly Meeting", visit the website for more details using the link here.