Around Our u3as
Syston and District u3a
Syston became a member in March 2016 and at the first meeting over a 100 people attended. The membership steadily grew to 400 until lockdown in 2020 when the membership dropped to approximately 200. Throughout the lockdown period we continued to keep in touch with the members by holding monthly zoom meetings.
Free from all restrictions we started to rebuild the membership and today we have now nearly recovered our numbers and membership stands at over 370. We offer over 30 different groups including walking, singing, ukulele, rummikub, craft groups and kurling.
Enderby u3a
Our main concern at the moment is recruitment of new u3a members. To this end we have organised an open day on 4th.May. .This has been distributed locally and on parish council notice boards. Group leaders and members will be available to discuss their groups and the u3a in general. We shall also be selling raffle tickets up to the day. The prizes are fabulous. I will try to send a photo. The draw will be made by our Blaby district Councillor, Maggie Wright.
We have also linked up with Blaby district council’s lottery. Prizes up to £25000 monthly at a cost of £1.00 per month. We get 50% from our members subscription.
We also have a very successful kurling club and the two leaders are taking part in the WORLD championship in the near future.
Update - I think our open day was a reasonable success. We have several new members and a few who may join.
Mike Moloney
Harborough Welland u3a
Following the successful launch of Harborough Welland u3a in January 2022 where we have attracted some 150 new members – our next major event on the 25th April 2022 is the Public Open day at the Methodist Church in Market Harborough.
The Chair of the District Council, Councillor Stephen Bilbie will be attending and will be greeted by Chair Helen Salisbury. She will invite him to listen to our own musical group the Jordan Jammers and then visit and talk to the activity group leaders and some of our STARs Volunteers. STARs – ‘Special Tasks and Resources.’
We shall then be turning our attention to celebrate the Queens Platinum Jubilee.
With over 70 activity groups Harborough Welland is a vibrant and active u3a.
Jack Horton
Publicity – Harborough Welland u3a.
News from Glenfield u3a
Membership & Groups Activities – Membership has been extended at no cost to April 2021 and to date only two members have said they will not be renewing. Nineteen of our groups have found ways of meeting; whether in small socially distanced groups; by Zoom or WhatsApp.
10 Year Celebrations – Although our planned 10th Anniversary Celebrations have been rescheduled to 2021, we were able to go ahead with a celebratory tree planting at the Glenfield Millennium Green.
Christmas Festivities – We have distributed an 8-page special Christmas Newsletter to members and will be holding a light hearted and festive Zoom meeting to get us in the Christmas spirit on the 17th December.
Website COVID Page - we have added a COVID page to our website, for news and as a place for members to share their ideas and information.
Thanks to Mike Barber – Glenfield Chairman
Seasonal Happenings at Great Glen u3a
Great Glen u3a has continued at full (virtual) strength this month. Highlights include (all by Zoom):
- Special Christmas monthly meeting with excellent outside speaker on “Christmas through the Ages” and entertainments including a YouTube piece from our Ukulele Group and illustrated short stories on Christmas themes presented by some of our Writers for Pleasure interspersed with some singing along
- A Christmas songs Singalong
- Christmas Quiz (History Group but open to other members also).
On Christmas morning our webmaster and his wife will host a purely social event for as many as care to drop in for an hour or so.
We also held a Special General Meeting to change our Articles.
Thanks to Robert Mansfield – Great Glen u3a Chairman