WELCOME BACK!
Welcome to Hadleigh u3a
AN INTRODUCTION TO HADLEIGH u3a
What is the Hadleigh u3a and what is it all about?
Our slogan is Learn, Laugh and Live! Currently there are 1000 u3a's in the UK and we have some 200 members in the Hadleigh area alone so we hope we are succeeding in that aim.
We have no religious or political affiliations and membership is open to all. No academic qualifications are necessary or to be gained. Membership is open equally to men and women, the only requirement being that they are no longer in full-time paid employment yet still have a healthy interest in the world outside the confines of home and daytime television!
For a modest annual subscription (£16.00) members can attend our twelve monthly meetings, each with a guest speaker, and can access any of our special interest groups, some of which incur a small payment from their members to cover venue hire, where applicable. Others are held at members’ homes. The groups are run by members for members and cover a wide range of subjects and new ideas are always welcome. To name just a few, our groups cover subjects as diverse as Antiques & Collectables, Calligraphy, Computer Skills, Current Affairs, Jazz Appreciation, Social History, Painting, Walking and Garden Visiting, among others – see Groups on the website. Associate membership available at £12.00 annually (available to those who are fully paid up members of another U3A and have had this £4.00 fee paid there).
Our monthly speaker meetings play to a full house at the United Reform Church. Subjects in the coming months include Cold War Warrior, Charlie and the Dig, An Essex Scrubber, When Birds Sing, For Better or Far Worse, The White Mouse, The Science of Magic, Astronomy for Beginners, The Heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan.
Our theatre trips, outings and holidays provide experiences and opportunities that many of our members might not otherwise be able to have, and certainly not in such companionable company as when we do it in a group of like-minded people. We also hold a summer party at the Guildhall and a Christmas Lunch, currently at Hintlesham Hall. All these additional events are organised by our committee, charged at cost and open to all members.
So if any of this sounds like your kind of thing, why not come along to the United Reform Church in Market Place on the second Monday of any month at 2.30 pm, where you will be very welcome. Alternatively, find more about us by having a look round this website or contact our membership secretary Louise Daniels here Louise
A link to our membership form, Summer Newsletter and current Committee is on the right.
A MESSAGE FROM OUR NEW CHAIRMAN
If you believe that retirement does not mean just sitting back and taking it easy, then you will understand why I value the u3a so highly. It's true that I did not become involved until long after my retirement, but better late than never. The u3a is more than the sum of its parts; it is a force for good, a national, yet local, group that emphasises how the retired gentlefolk of this good island have a tremendous amount to contribute.
I am happy to take on the role of Chairman of Hadleigh u3a as we move towards 2024. If I can be half as effective as Sue Witham, my predecessor, I shall be pleased. We are in a strong position with nearly 200 members, many interest groups and have an excellent group of speakers lined up, not to mention some wonderful excursions. The committee is very hard working and it is for this reason that I can look forward to our ongoing development, to continue to offer a wide range of topics for a wide range of interests and attract a wide range of people.