Cynon Valley u3a: Events

Events

Meetings are held in the Cynon Linc, Aberdare at 2.00pm on the 1st Friday of each month. There is always a speaker on some topic of general interest. Non-members are welcome to attend to find out whether they would like to join U3A.

A small charge is made of £1 per person per general meeting which includes a free raffle.

Forthcoming speakers for 2024:

January 5th
AGM and Angela Powell talks on - Holland During W.W.2

February 2nd
Anne Watts - Living with the Queen

March 8th
Cancellation of Colstars event -so instead Musical Afternoon with Ernie and Electric Guitar (Shadows/Hank Marvin era)

April 5th
Father Bernard Jones -... Little Flea

May 3rd
Allan Thomas ... QUIZ

June 7th
Prof. Tony Curtis... Art and Poetry

July 5th
Mike Ruck .... Photography

August No meeting

September 6th
Heledd Fychan ......The Senedd

October 4th
Jennifer George ........Saving the Best Till Last

November 1st
Deborah John ....... A Victorian Christmas

December
Christmas Lunch Where, when and what !!! To be advised.

Any changes to this programme will be advised at the Monthly Meeting and updates included on the web.

Dates for your Diary
April 2024
Mon Apr 15th →Sun May 5th	Outing	Visit to the Senedd - 19th March 2024. The Group was greeted by a hostess at our arrival at the Senedd who led us through the security screening and introduced us to our tour guide. He led us through a throng of other visitors and a visiting group of African musicians to a quiet area where he outlined the composition of the Assembly members and the area they serve. In addition he explained the techniques used in the construction of the Senedd building. We were then guided to the very impressive visitors gallery which houses a conical glass screen through which we could view and listen to the Assembly member's below. We returned to the Visitor's gallery after lunch in time for the plenary session. Our reserved seats were directly opposite First Minister's podium. One and a half hours later we were still sitting there fascinated by the debate. Regrettably it was then time to return to the bus having been fortunate to witness a chapter in Welsh history. Thanks to Christine, Chairperson, for the information.
Fri Apr 19th →Thu May 9th	Visit to Garden Centre	Visit to The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in November 2023. We began our day out from Aberdare with an enjoy able minibus drive over the Brecon Beacons,(now known as Bannau Brycheiniog). The weather was clear and the views were beautiful. It wasn't long before we reached our destination.(The Old Railway Line Garden Centre LD3 0SG). Our first port of call was going to be the cafeteria but on our way there we came across a four seater sleigh drawn by two singing reindeer. This was too good to resist so those of us who were happy to embrace our inner child couldn't resist clambering aboard for a photo call. Getting out again was easier said than done but with a little loss of dignity we made it.! so on to the cafeteria where we had some lovely refreshments. French scones, shortbread and a variety of cakes were available. As we wandered towards the Christmas display I bumped into a fellow u3a Scrabble player, and we chatted about how many Scrabble points the cakes we had just devoured would have won us!! Moving on into the Christmas display area we were all amazed by the wonderful glittering array of decorations. It was a sight to behold. Every colour imaginable from twinkling red tinsel to pink and blue fairies. As our shopping baskets began to fill it was soon time for some lunch in the restaurant where we joined our fellow travellers. All that shopping and browsing had sharpened our appetites and we had no problems in devouring a very enjoyable lunch. Still, with some time to spare, what else were we to do but continue shopping in the the Gift shop. It didn't take much persuading for us to buy a few more gifts and souvenirs. And then, of course! there were the Christmas plants. Row after row of winter primroses, multicoloured pansies, crocuses and thoughts of Spring planting came to mind. All too soon the visit was drawing to a close and it was time to get back onto the bus and head for home. So, with a big thanks to Christine (our Chair)for the trip we all returned home safely after a very enjoyable day out (many thanks to Marilyn Gardner for writing this cheerful and informative article)

Dates for your Diary
Outings
Mon Apr 15th →Sun May 5th	Visit to the Senedd - 19th March 2024. The Group was greeted by a hostess at our arrival at the Senedd who led us through the security screening and introduced us to our tour guide. He led us through a throng of other visitors and a visiting group of African musicians to a quiet area where he outlined the composition of the Assembly members and the area they serve. In addition he explained the techniques used in the construction of the Senedd building. We were then guided to the very impressive visitors gallery which houses a conical glass screen through which we could view and listen to the Assembly member's below. We returned to the Visitor's gallery after lunch in time for the plenary session. Our reserved seats were directly opposite First Minister's podium. One and a half hours later we were still sitting there fascinated by the debate. Regrettably it was then time to return to the bus having been fortunate to witness a chapter in Welsh history. Thanks to Christine, Chairperson, for the information.
Visit to Garden Centre
Fri Apr 19th →Thu May 9th	Visit to The Old Railway Line Garden Centre in November 2023. We began our day out from Aberdare with an enjoy able minibus drive over the Brecon Beacons,(now known as Bannau Brycheiniog). The weather was clear and the views were beautiful. It wasn't long before we reached our destination.(The Old Railway Line Garden Centre LD3 0SG). Our first port of call was going to be the cafeteria but on our way there we came across a four seater sleigh drawn by two singing reindeer. This was too good to resist so those of us who were happy to embrace our inner child couldn't resist clambering aboard for a photo call. Getting out again was easier said than done but with a little loss of dignity we made it.! so on to the cafeteria where we had some lovely refreshments. French scones, shortbread and a variety of cakes were available. As we wandered towards the Christmas display I bumped into a fellow u3a Scrabble player, and we chatted about how many Scrabble points the cakes we had just devoured would have won us!! Moving on into the Christmas display area we were all amazed by the wonderful glittering array of decorations. It was a sight to behold. Every colour imaginable from twinkling red tinsel to pink and blue fairies. As our shopping baskets began to fill it was soon time for some lunch in the restaurant where we joined our fellow travellers. All that shopping and browsing had sharpened our appetites and we had no problems in devouring a very enjoyable lunch. Still, with some time to spare, what else were we to do but continue shopping in the the Gift shop. It didn't take much persuading for us to buy a few more gifts and souvenirs. And then, of course! there were the Christmas plants. Row after row of winter primroses, multicoloured pansies, crocuses and thoughts of Spring planting came to mind. All too soon the visit was drawing to a close and it was time to get back onto the bus and head for home. So, with a big thanks to Christine (our Chair)for the trip we all returned home safely after a very enjoyable day out (many thanks to Marilyn Gardner for writing this cheerful and informative article)