Seaford

Programme of Activities 2023 to 2024

Page updated 19/12/2023

Dear Members
New groups and events are being planned all the time and these are advertised in our monthly newsletter which all members receive and will be updated on this website regularly.

As we go thorough the year, expired events and groups will not be deleted but the entire programme will be replaced when a new programme is issued in August 2024.

If you wish to attend an Activity, please contact the organiser
Any Queries about Tea Parties, please contact Rosemary Leech
Any queries around Groups, please contact Tanya, our Groups Coordinator, Tanya Harrington

Venues for Hall Groups (ref H) are listed at the bottom of this page

INDEX OF ACTIVITIES BY DAY

MONDAY AM
GAMESCanasta
MUSICOpera Appreciation
MUSICUKULELE-First Steps
ART Masterpieces of the British Galleries
MONDAY PM
ART Exploring Artists 1
ART Exploring Artists 2
ART Islamic Art 1
ART Islamic Art 2
DISCUSSION What's the News?(expired)
LITERATURE/POETRY Shakespeare's Othello
TALKS Tea Party Talks-various (see below)
TUESDAY AM
LANGUAGES Italian Conversation
SPORT Walking Group
TUESDAY PM
GAMES CLUB NEW A fun mixture of board and card games to challenge you and keep you thinking!
HISTORY Power and Personalities of the Wars of the Roses
LITERATURE/POETRY Creative Writing (WAITING LIST)
LITERATURE/POETRY Delight in Words
WEDNESDAY AM
SPORT Table Tennis at the Downs
Members Coffee Morning (potential members welcome)
WEDNESDAY PM
DISCUSSION Economist, New Statesman, and Spectator
GAMES Mah Jong
MUSIC Recorder Group
THURSDAY AM
DISCUSSION Current Affairs
LANGUAGES Continuing Italian
THURSDAY PM
GAMES Bridge
HISTORY The Last Years of Charles 1 and the Commonwealth
LITERATURE/POETRY Thursday Book Group
TALKS Downs Leisure Centre Talks - various (see below)
FRIDAY AM
COOKERY East European Soups
SCIENCE Climate Change
FRIDAY PM
ART Art Club
GAMES Scrabble
LANGUAGES French Conversation
TBA Social Activities
TBA Activity Venues

TEA PARTIES are held at the Constitutional Club on Mondays at 2pm.
Contact the organiser, Rosemary Leech The charge is £4 to be paid in advance, using the blue Payment Form enclosed with your membership renewal.

  • 4 Sept Ref:C1 Nepal, Tibetan Relics and Rinpoches, Stupas and Stories - Val Franklin
  • 2 Oct Ref:C2 Edith Cavell- a WW1 Heroine - Melanie Gibson-Barton
  • 6 Nov Ref: C3 Henry 111 and the Battle of Lewes - James Dickins
  • 4 Dec Ref: C4 Tom Crean an unsung hero of Artic exploration - James Dickins
  • 5th Feb Ref: C5 Old Time Music Halls - Graham Tubb
  • 4th Mar Ref: C6 THE ICONIC DALAI LAMA AND THE TIBETANS. His Holiness’s extraordinary life in Tibet and intriguing

lifestyles of the Tibetan people - Val Franklin

  • 8th Apr Ref: 0 EVA BRAUN. A German photographer who was the long time companion and briefly the wife of Adolf Hitler

- Melanie Gibson-Barton

DOWNS TALKS

Talks at the Downs Leisure Centre are held on Thursdays at 2pm. The charge is £2 to be paid in advance using the blue Payment Form enclosed with your membership renewal.

Below are the talks which are already organised and will be held at the Downs , but there will be more so keep an eye open for details here on our website and in the monthly newsletters.

DATE / REF SUBJECT HOST
21 Sept D1 Earthquakes, Tsunamis and Volcanoes Helen Griffiths
19 Oct D2 How American Clocks changed the World Tony Morgan
9 Nov D3 Release your Inner Cartoonist Harry Venning
16 Nov D4 The Jewels of Wallis Simpson Janie Ramsay
23 Nov D5 And what do you do?(Ex MP for Lewes) Norman Baker
30 Nov D6 The Impact of the Ukrainian War on Russia Prof Roger Cockrell
21 Dec D7 Tide Mills Chris Conil
18 Jan D0 Pelissier's Follies Anthony Binns
15 Feb D8 The lifestyle of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, Janie Ramsay
22 Feb D9 Earth Evolution Helena Griffiths
7 MarchD10 A 14th Century Italian Marriage pt 1, A 14th Century Italian Marriage David Hitchin
14 March D10 A 14th Century Italian Marriage pt 2 David Hitchin
21 March D10 A 14th Century Italian Marriage pt 3 David Hitchin
4 Apr D0 Women Artists Kay Blackburn (11th April session CANCELLED)
18 April D11 Leonardo Da Vinci Kay Blackburn
23 May D12 The Pubs and Inns of Seaford Chris Conil
27 June D13 Eric Slater James Trollope

ACITIVTY DETAILS AND BOOKING INFORMATION

Art Art Club
Ref: H1 An informal group of people who enjoy painting or drawing together in a relaxed and sociable atmosphere. No experience necessary, but no tuition provided. We share creative ideas and enjoy trying different topics and techniques. Supply your own materials. When: Fortnightly Fridays 2 to 4 pm 15 Sept to 10 November (further blocks of 5 sessions to be arranged) Where: St James' Trust. Cost: £10 for 5 sessions. Contact: Clare Craig on 01323 897 939
Art Exploring Artists 1
Ref: R2Weekly discussion of participants' choice of an interesting, possibly less known artist. Rather like a book group. When: Weekly Mondays at 2 pm, starting on 5 Feb to 4 March 2024. Contact: Margaret Westwood on 01323 895 734
Art Exploring Artists 2
Ref: R3As above, Weekly Mondays at 2 pm from 6 May to 10 June 2024. Contact: Margaret Westwood on 01323 895 734
Art Islamic Art 1
Ref: R4 A gentle introduction to the wonders of Islamic Art. When: Weekly, on Mondays starting at 2 pm from 11 Sept to 2 Oct 2023.Contact: Margaret Westwood on 01323 895 734
Art Islamic Art 2
Ref: R5 When: Weekly on Mondays starting at 2 pm from 16 Oct to 3 Nov 2023.Contact:Margaret Westwood on 01323 895 734
Art Masterpieces of the British Galleries
Ref: H2 When: Mondays 10am to 12 noon. Dates: Nov 13 and 27 and 11 Dec 2023, followed by 8th and 22nd January and 5th February 2024. Where:Chyngton Methodist Church, Milberg Road. Leader: Kay Blackburn, Contact: Aileen Ray on 01323 899 440 and Pay in advance £2 per session to Gill our Treasurer Treasurer, Cove Cottage, Chyngton Lane, BN25 4BS cheques made payable to u3a Seaford.
Cookery East European Soups
Ref: R6 Four East European soups offered as a lunch after video and discussion. Soups will be vegetarian and can be non-gluten, but meat may be added if participants want this. Week 1: Lithuanian cold young beet soup with stems & leaves with cucumber, chives and dill. Sour cream/kefir an optional addition. Week 2: Polish sauerkraut and fresh cabbage soup (Polish sausage optional extra). Week 3: Hungarian mushroom soup with sweet paprika. Week 4: Ukrainian Barszcz (beetroot vegetable soup). When: Fridays starting at 11:30 until after lunch from Friday 8 to 29 Sept 23 then repeated course on 12,19 and 26 January 2024. (There will also be dates in April 2024). Cost: £4 per session for ingredients. Contact: Ewa Fothergill on 01323 891715.
Discussion Economist, New Statesman, and Spectator Discussion Group
Ref: R The objective of this group is to enable evidence-based discussion of topical aspects of economics, current affairs, and politics. When: Fortnightly on Wednesdays from 2:30 to 4:30 pm - ongoing. Where: The View, Seaford Head Golf Course. Contact: Roger Oliver
Discussion Current Affairs
Ref: H3 General discussion with members presenting a topic of interest. When: Weekly on Thursdays from 10 to 12 am, commencing on 5 Oct to 14 Dec (with break). Where: the Constitutional Club, Cost: £20 for 10 sessions. Contact: Ralph Wood on 01323 896 981.
Discussion What's the News?
Ref: H5Topical discussions. When:Fortnightly on Mondays from 2 to 4 pm, commencing on 18 September at St James' Trust. Cost £2, pay on the door. EXPIRED
Games Bridge
Ref: H6 Strictly social rubber bridge. When: Weekly on Thursdays from 1:30 to 3:30 pm commencing on 19 Oct to 21 Dec. Where: St James' Trust. Cost: £20 for 10 sessions. Contact: Sheila Ogden on 01323 318 464
Games Canasta
Ref: R7 Learn to play Canasta - a fascinating card game to get you thinking. When: Fortnightly, on Mondays from 10:00 am. Commencing on 11 Sept to 11 Dec and Jan to Easter 2024. Contact: Pauline Steele on 01323 895 150.
Games Mah Jong
Ref: H8 Experienced players and beginners welcome. Please note: to keep new players to a workable ratio, inexperienced players should contact the leaders beforehand. When: Weekly on Wednesdays from 1:45 to 4:00 pm. Commencing on 6 Sept to 6 Dec. Where: The Downs Leisure Centre, Cost: £28 for 14 sessions. Contact: Rosie English on 01323 885 165 or Heather Johnson 01323 897 239
Games Scrabble
Ref: H9 Are you a logophile? Join our friendly group, all abilities welcome. When: The 2nd and 4th Fridays of month from 2 to 4 pm, commencing on 22 Sept to 8 Dec. Where: The Constitutional Club, Committee Room. Cost: £12 for 6 sessions. Contact: Rowena Auger on 01323 872 465
Games Games Club
No Ref Would you like to join our Games Club? We meet on a Tuesday from 1:30 to 4:30 with refreshments in between for a relaxing afternoon of fun with a friendly atmosphere in a cosy room at St Peter’s Church, Belgrave Road. (please note that the room is up two short flights of stairs) We play Rummikub or Canasta sometimes cribbage,. The first meeting will be on Tuesday 2nd January, 16th,30th February 13th and 27th and March 12th Venue: St Peters Church, Chapel Rooms, Belgrave Road. Time: 1:30 to 4:30 (with cake and tea/coffee break in between, please bring £1 to each session to cover the refreshments) Cost: £12:00 for 6 x 3 hour sessions. Players must Contact: Karen Watts via the COMMITTEE page or telephone: 07946 829163 to reserve your place, and then, send a cheque to Treasurer, Cove Cottage, Chyngton Lane, BN25 4BS for £12:00 made payable to u3a Seaford –marked on the reverse of the cheque “ GAMES at St Peters”
History The Last Years of Charles 1 and the Commonwealth
Ref: R9 When: Fortnightly on Thursdays from 2 to 4 pm, commencing on 2 Nov to 14 Dec. Contact: Mike Allen on 01323 899973
Languages Continuing Italian
Ref: R10 Focus on improving conversational skills and enjoying easy readers. When: Weekly on Thursdays from 10 to 12 am commencing on 5 Oct to 7 Dec and 4 Jan to 7 March 2024. Contact: Rosemary Leech on 01323 895 598
Languages French Conversation
Ref: H10 An informal group run by the participants. We meet to read and discuss themed articles, share our experiences of France and participate in activities such as games and crosswords. A reasonable understanding of French is required as no formal tuition is provided. When: On the 1st and 3rd Fridays of month from 2:15 to 3:45 pm, commencing on 15 September. Cost: £12 for 1st block of 6 sessions. Where: The Constitutional Club. Contact: Ursula Brunet and Helen Guyatt on 01323 890873.
Languages Italian Conversation
Ref: R11 Talk a lot, laugh a lot and translate a bit. No grammar. When: Weekly on Tuesdays from 11:00 to 12:30 am-Ongoing. Contact: Elisabeth Kaye on 01323 898 120.
Literature/Poetry Creative Writing
Ref: R12A light hearted approach to writing stories, poems and recording memories. When:Fortnightly on Tuesdays from 2:30 pm commencing 12 September. To put your name on the waiting list, Contact: Shirley Wallas on 01323 892456.
Literature/Poetry Delight in Words
Ref: R13Look for poems and short prose readings around given themes, and meet to share them. Enjoy old favourites and discover new delights! When: The 2nd Tues of month from 2:15 to 4:15 pm commencing on 10 October until 12 March 2024. Contact: Eleanor-Ann Jury on 01323 898 505.
Literature/Poetry Shakespeare's Othello
Ref: R14 Partly a discussion, partly watching a DVD. Those attending do not need to read the play before, but might enjoy sessions more if they do. When: Weekly on Mondays from 2 to 4 pm commencing on 2 October to 23 October 2023. Contact: Pat Foster on 07919 480 655
Literature/Poetry Thursday Book Group
Ref: R15 We all get the chance to choose a book and are a very friendly bunch. When: Monthly on Thursdays from 3:45 pm - ongoing. Where: Meet in each other's homes. Contact: Maggie McLean on 07831 385 353
Music Opera Appreciation
Ref: H11 Come and enjoy opera, not elitist, not expensive ….When: Fortnightly on Mondays from 10 to 12 am commencing 25 Sept to 4 Dec. Where: Chyngton Methodist Church. Cost: £12 for 6 sessions. Contact:John Cremona on 01273 575 209
Music Recorder Group
Ref: H12 A mixed ability recorder group/ensemble performing on four types of recorder SATB. Very friendly and helpful to beginners or returnees. We have a huge library of music ranging from medieval to modern. We are led by local composer Nigel Goss who also contributes music arrangements. When:Weekly on Wednesdays from 2 to 4 pm commencing 20 Sept to 18 Oct, then 1 to 29 Nov 2023 and 10 Jan to 7 Feb 2024. Where: Constitutional Club Cost: £30 for first block of 15. Contact: Nigel Goss on 07999 064 809
Music Ukulele - First Steps
Ref: R16 More and more people are playing the ukulele. It's good for the brain and the spirits. If you would like to try it out before buying a uke, come along to a few sessions to sing (preferable), strum and learn some simple chords. When: Mondays On demand. Contact: Anne Burrowes on
Ref: R17 Climate Change The National u3a now has a climate change web site at u3asites.org.uk/climate-change/home. The group will select and discuss items from the web site. When: Monthly on Fridays from 10 to 12 am commencing 15 Sept 2023 to 8 March 2024. Contact: Robert Plank on 01323 894 375
Sport Walking Group
Ref: S1 A friendly group of able walkers - 3 to 5 km walks. When: On the 1st Tues of month - Ongoing. Contact: Pauline Steele on 01323 895 150

Venues used for Hall Groups (ref H) are as follows

  • Chyngton Methodist Church, Millberg Rd, Seaford BN25 3ST
  • Constitutional Club, Crouch Lane, BN25 1PU Seaford
  • Downs Leisure Centre, Sutton Rd, Seaford BN25 4QW
  • St James Trust, 11 Blatchington Road, Seaford BN25 2AB
  • St Peter’s Church, Belgrave Rd East Blatchington Seaford BN25 2HE
  • The View, Seaford Head Golf Course, Southdown Road, Seaford BN25 4JS