Rayleigh

Groups

LATEST NEWS FROM OUR GROUPS COORDINATOR

As membership of Rayleigh U3A continues to grow, our aim is to increase the opportunities for our members to join new interest groups.

Our existing Gardening group is full and with further members interested in joining, we now have a second GARDENING GROUP.

Our existing SUNDAY LUNCH GROUP is also full with a number of members waiting to join so a further group could easily be established. Despite contacting those on the waiting list, whilst some have registered interest in joining a new group, unfortunately nobody has offered to lead the group, so the wait to join the exiting group will continue - and that may be a long one! If there is anybody willing to take on the role of arranging the monthly booking for this second lunch group, please contact Paul Reeve who can provide more information and provide some initial assistance.

We now have a new WALKING GROUP which takes on slightly longer distances than the our existing groups. The walks take place at locations up to an 1 hour away from Rayleigh, the walk length is between six and eight miles and set at an intermediate level.

We have recently begun a further KNIT AND NATTER Group as well as the following brand new groups:

•COFFEE & CONVERSATION FOR LADIES
•SIT & SEW
•WAFFLING FOR MEN
•YOGA PRACTICE

We are hoping to begin a group soon which will discuss the history and background to the GREEK CLASSICS. Details are still being finalised but do let me know if you might be interested in joining.

Sadly, Sandra and Joan who have organised the regular THEATRE TRIPS to local and London venues have decided to bring down the curtain on their involvement. These trips have been enjoyed by so many members over the years however, unless we have someone who would be prepared to take on making the arrangements, I am afraid there will be no further trips. For now at least, Theatre Trips has therefore unfortunately been removed from the list of our active groups.

If you are interested in the above or would like more information about any of our groups, then please contact me via my email paulreeve@rayleighu3a.co.uk or telephoning on 07825 430159.

Paul Reeve, Group Coordinator

HOW THE ACTIVITY GROUPS MEET

In common with many other u3a's, the majority of learning groups meet in homes. This means that of necessity the groups are often small. This seems to work for our u3a, proving a more friendly and easier learning atmosphere. There are, of course, some groups that meet in public rooms and halls. This is usually due to large numbers, lack of house space, or equipment needed.

PLEASE NOTE: TO BE A MEMBER OF A GROUP, YOU MUST BE A CURRENT FULL OR ASSOCIATE MEMBER OF RAYLEIGH u3a.

u3as draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership. Each Group has a Group Leader or Leaders who work with the members of the group as a team to plan how the subject can be enjoyed by all. U3a's offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography and walking. The National Office can supply DVDs (suspended currently) but if you sign up to Third Age Trust you will find so much info - Subject Advisors, National Programmes and free online resources. .

The variation in groups is enormous, from technical or academic subjects to morning rambles and a pub lunch. The majority of groups have a regular meeting time or venue but this is entirely up to the group members to decide for themselves. Meetings can be far less formal such as the luncheon group whose members choose a pub, restaurant or café they wish to visit each month.

The u3a approach to learning is – learning for pleasure. There is no accreditation or validation and there are no assessments or qualifications to be gained. Group members form friendships, have fun and gain personal satisfaction.

The Group Coordinator will publicise activities at the monthly meetings and via the Newsletter and ask those people who have shown an interest in any new activity to meet together to form a group. If you are interested in an activity and there is no group available, then ask the Group Coordinator for this new subject to be advertised to see how many people come forward and put their names down for that subject.

The current list of activity groups and the normal day they meet each month is shown below.

Please note that dates may vary with some groups so PLEASE ALWAYS CHECK WITH THE GROUP LEADER. You can do this by clicking on the Group below and when the new page opens, click on the bird logo on the right hand of the screen - you can then send an email.

Group List
ARCHAEOLOGY
 3rd Wednesday
 3rd WednesdayART
 1st Thursday
 1st Thursday
BADMINTON
 Every Monday & Tuesday
 Every Monday & TuesdayBOOK READING 2
 Last Friday in month
 Last Friday in month
BOOK READING 3
 3rd Friday
 3rd FridayBOOK READING 4
 4th Monday
 4th Monday
CANASTA 2
 2nd Monday (Evening)
 2nd Monday (Evening)CERAMICS
 1st Tuesday
 1st Tuesday
COFFEE & CONVERSATION LADIES
 Varies
 VariesCOOKING
 1st Friday
 1st Friday
CREATIVE WRITING
 3rd Thursday
 3rd ThursdayCRIB CLUB
 3rd Mon (Evening)
 3rd Mon (Evening)
DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHY 2
 2nd Monday
 2nd MondayFACEBOOK
 
 
FAMILY HISTORY 2
 4th Wednesday
 4th WednesdayFAMILY HISTORY 3
 4th Thursday
 4th Thursday
GARDENING
 4th Friday
 4th FridayGARDENING 2
 3rd Thursday
 3rd Thursday
KNIT & NATTER 1
 3rd Thursday
 3rd ThursdayKNIT & NATTER 2
 2nd Tuesday
 2nd Tuesday
KNIT & NATTER 3
 TBC
 TBCLOCAL HISTORY
 2nd Wednesday
 2nd Wednesday
LONGER WALKS GROUP
 2nd Wednesday
 2nd WednesdayMEETING FOR ALL MEMBERS
 1st Wednesday
 1st Wednesday
MUSIC APPRECIATION
 4th Weds & 4th Thurs
 4th Weds & 4th ThursPATCHWORK & TEA
 3rd Wednesday Afternoon
 3rd Wednesday Afternoon
PSYCHOLOGY
 4th Thursday
 4th ThursdayREAL ALE
 3rd Wednesday
 3rd Wednesday
RUMMIKUB
 3rd Thursday
 3rd ThursdaySCRABBLE
 2nd Wednesday
 2nd Wednesday
SERENDIPITY 3
 3rd Wednesday
 3rd WednesdaySERENDIPITY 5
 4th Thursday
 4th Thursday
SERENDIPITY 6
 4th Wednesday
 4th WednesdaySIT & SEW
 2nd Thursday (afternoon)
 2nd Thursday (afternoon)
STROLLING
 4th Thursday (am)
 4th Thursday (am)STROLLING 2
 2nd Monday
 2nd Monday
SUNDAY LUNCH
 Last Sunday
 Last SundayTABLE TENNIS
 3rd Wednesday
 3rd Wednesday
TABLE TENNIS 2
 1st Tuesday
 1st TuesdayTENPIN BOWLING
 2nd Monday
 2nd Monday
THEATRE TRIPS
 See Group page for details
 See Group page for detailsVISIT ESSEX CHURCHES 1
 2nd Monday
 2nd Monday
VISIT INTERESTING PLACES ESSEX
 3rd Monday
 3rd MondayWAFFLING FOR MEN
 4th Wednesday
 4th Wednesday
WALKING GROUP 2
 Last Friday of month
 Last Friday of monthWALKING GROUP 3
 2nd Tuesday
 2nd Tuesday
WALKING GROUP 5
 2nd Thursday
 2nd ThursdayWINE APPRECIATION
 2nd Tuesday (Evening)
 2nd Tuesday (Evening)
YOGA PRACTICE
 Every Monday Morning
 Every Monday Morning