Discussion Group
| Group Con tact | Dudley Tolkien Phone 01752 402048 |
| Deputy | Sue Clements Phone 01752 408402 |
| Venue | Fort Stamford Health & Fitness Club |
| Day/Time | 1st Thursday in the month from 10:30 to 12:30 |
Please click on Group Website for further details or alternatively click on the link on the right hand side. All past questions can be viewed in the group website.
Our 10th birthday meeting took place on 3 August. Please see the photo of the group, 11 of us minus two, one had to go early for a doctor's appointment, the other was the photographer. I am shown cutting the excellent coffee and walnut celebration cake, baked by Sue (far left). This took place during our half-time break.
Our first meeting was on 1 August 2013, there were only four of us there on that day, but all four, including myself as group leader, were present that day. We've never bought into the idea of having a blank month, such as August, so we have met 12 months of the year right through these ten years.
Group size. Previously we stated maximum eight, ideally six, but what has happened is that we have grown into double figures, often eleven and recently twelve, but it has worked and has seemed to lead to livelier discussions, which is good. It is no longer viable for everyone to ask a question, but that doesn't seem to upset anybody, perhaps quite the opposite for some! In practice we get to address six or seven questions in the two hour session. If we were to grow much further I would need to think about splitting into a second Group, but for now everybody seems to be happy and see the experience as improved, even if I sometimes have to announce 'Order, Order!' to retrieve focus to the single conversation.
It's a bit boring if everybody always agrees! Every question ever asked over what will be 10 years come next August is available from the group website, accessed from the Plymstock & District u3a site, or directly from www.duds.org.uk/u3aaq. Unlike several groups we meet 12 months of the year without fail.
Based on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions? Everyone brings a question, which is discussed long enough for all to contribute, short enough for all to ask their question and sessions entirely participant led and interactive. What sort of questions asked? See Group website for an historical record of past meetings, but your question is your choice, and the others don’t know it in advance.
IS IT FOR YOU? Yes, if you enjoy exchanging ideas in an informal, stimulating and relaxed manner, and are comfortable with others disagreeing with you (cordially) on occasions.