News
We have now re-introduced Quarterly Newsletters to keep our members in touch with what has been going on and what is planned.
Link to Latest Edition: Newsletter Winter 2023
Note that to save cost (and the planet) this is made available online only - in pdf format, for members to read on screen or to print themselves if choosing to do so. See link above for the most recent copy, or see the link panel (to right or below depending on the size of screen you are using to view this page) for previous editions too. (Alternate arrangements possible for members who do not have any form of internet connection available).
The latest copy is up to date as of end June 2023. However as things do change, do please also look out for
- - All Member Update Emails sent out to current registered members for updates such as new groups, new social events, etc.
- - updates to Groups Listings, Events Lists and to the Calendar page on this website via yellow bar above
- - news items mostly on our private Facebook Pages or occasionally in Newsflashes below
- - information sent out by group leaders via Group Mailing Lists or WhatsApp where relevant to one activity group only, or
- - come along to our drop-in Cricket Club Members Meetings to keep in touch in person
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Autumn Activities
| - | Looking for a bit of Indoor exercise now the weather is getting colder and wetter - then we have two options for you. Pickleball on Wednesday afternoons and Table Tennis on 2nd and 4th Tuesdays. New for Autumn 2023 |
Latest New Groups
| One out and three in! New groups for General History and for Music Appreciation kick off in April 2023, and there is now a Theatre Group for anyone who would enjoy outings to productions in local theatres. Keep an eye on our group lists for further information as arrangements are finalised. Sadly however it is last dance time for Introduction to Ballroom, originally planned for just 6 weeks then running for 16, but now closed. |  |
A Round of Applause for the Ukelele Group
 | In the lead up to Christmas ‘The Pie Eaters’ (Wigan and Ashton u3a ukulele groups combined), over just one weekend performing at local supermarkets, were not only able to bring a bit of Christmas cheer, but also raise over £1200 for our local foodbank and charity café ‘Fur Clemt’. So a big thanks to everyone taking part in this. Always more members welcome here. Perhaps Santa delivered a ukelele for you learn to play? If so here's a great place to get encouragement and training. |
Fundraising Thanks
| Our September Speakers Meeting featured the North West Air Ambulance charity, their representative describing the range of services they offer and the escalating costs they are currently facing - especially for fuelling their three helicopters. Those of us at the talk certainly learned a lot about the great work done by this charity and the challenges they face in carrying out their part in getting paramedics to seriously injured patients in remote or inaccessible locations. A big thanks from the speaker to our generous members for the £217 put into the collection bucket after the talk. |  |
Congratulations to our Craft Group for Success in a National Quilt Design Competition
 | From submitting a draft design to seeing the finished product - members of the Arts and Craft group at Wigan u3a have been demonstrating their skills. The national u3a set a challenge to local branches to each submit their design ideas for an individual panel in a quilt to celebrate 40 years of the UK u3a, and the Wigan branch were just one of limited number of entries selected to go into production. Their final panel was then combined with those from other finalists into the completed quilt which went on display in Manchester last month. Congratulations to all involved. |