Singing, dancing and a ceilidh!
It’s been an energetic month
Let’s start with the amazing night out at the club
It was a case of take your partners when members enjoyed an energetic ceilidh at the club.
Thanks to the band for the lively music and judging from the pictures/videos it looked and sounded like a like a rip roaring evening!
After the dancing…the singing
Some sweet harmonies have been coming from the clubhouse now the singing group has got underway.
They were in fine voice and hopefully we can get a video for the next newsletter.
Fancy joining? Just go to the Singing Group page on the website and sign up.
Guess the characters
It wasn’t just the schools who took part in this year’s annual Book Day.
Members of the reading group got into the spirit and took on the persona of some colourful characters.
See if you can spot them! Answers at the bottom of the Newsletter.
Sign up to sign..
April’s speaker will be Rhys Mahon from Deafway, a charity devoted to achieving equal access and opportunities to those who are deaf. She will be providing an insight into how the organisation works.
And that takes us nicely to how members might want to be involved….by learning BSL – British Sign Language.
The first six week course will be starting on Wednesday, April 15 at the clubhouse from 4pm until 5pm. There is still room for any members who may wish to join, so if you fancy learning the basics of BSL please complete the form on the U3a website British Sign Language and Bronwen will be in touch with more information. The Introduction to BSL is run by Deafway, through West Pennine Village U3a so there is a charge of £60 for the six weeks along with a small charge for the Club each week which will be determined by how people are attending. Members can also sign up on the day.
Back to the speaker meeting, it is on Wednesday, April 1, starting promptly at 10.30am. Entry is £2 which can be paid in cash or by card. Level access to the Clubhouse is available, just let Lynne know if you need assistance. If you need a car space reserving next to the venue can you let me know in advance. Otherwise, parking is available in the usual places.
Croquet is back!
…….depending on the weather and the deer!
Great news – croquet is back on from next week.
After what seems like a massive break, it’s mallets at the ready – weather permitting.
However, it appears we were beaten to the freshly growing lawn – by a herd of deer.
They looked at home and seemed to be enjoying a graze.
And while we have all been suffering from a lack of croquet and sunshine – one of our members was enjoying some practise in the beautiful Sri Lankan countryside.
Judith looks to be a natural with a mallet.
Walking football
Walking footie for men and women looks like it’s getting ready for a kick off.
But before it enters the Championship, it’s been decided it needs a trial, possible at the club.
There are two places where it can be played: South Ribble Tennis and Fitness Centre, Cuerden Way
Preston, behind Sainsbury’s. There’s and Astroturf pitch and available times at Thursday, 10am or 2pm.
Or Clayotn Green Sports Centre at Clayton le Woods which is indoor and is available from 2pm and 3pm.
There needs to be a minimum of ten players to make it viable. Please contact Mike Smith at Mike Smith
Countdown to the Bard
A reminder that the new Shakespeare Group is starting in April!
It will meet for six weeks at a time in order to study a play – five weeks will be for study with the sixth week for watching a DVD of a good stage production of that particular play. We are starting with Macbeth.
Please don’t be put off by the word ‘study’. There won’t be tests or homework and it doesn’t matter if you are already familiar with, or a newcomer to, the plays. Maybe you haven’t read or seen a Shakespeare play since you were at school, or indeed ever – no matter – it’s never too late to start! It’s all about getting to know and understand the plays.
If you would like to become a member of the Shakespeare Group, please contact Moyra via the group’s page on the website where there will be a link to do so.
All meetings will be on Fridays 1.30 – 3.30 apart from Week 6 which will be 1.00 – 4.00
Friday, April 17 Act 1
Friday, April 25 Act 2
Friday, May 1st Act 3
(Friday, May 8 No meeting – another group using the clubhouse)
Friday, May 15 Act 4
Friday, May 22 Act 5
Friday, May 29 Watch DVD of a production of Macbeth.
The group will NOT meet on the particular Friday once a month when another group uses the clubhouse at that time
A Spring stroll
The Walking Group managed to escape the bad weather when they ventured to East Lancashire and took in the delights of Barrowford.
AI…..don’t be baffled
It’s everywhere – AI!
Baffled by the new technology that seems to be taking over the internet? How about a special online workshop run by national u3a exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) and how it can support learning, creativity, and u3a activities across the North West Region.
The session will take place on Monday, April, 27 from 10am to noon via Zoom.
It is designed to be friendly, accessible, and suitable for all members—no technical background required. The workshop will cover: – What AI is and how it works in everyday life – Practical demonstrations of AI tools for learning and group activities – Tips for staying safe and avoiding misinformation – Opportunities for questions and discussion.
Register for a ticket to the event by emailing: groupu3a@gmail.com
In your email you should include the following information
Your Full Name: The Name of Your u3a: Your Email Address.
Get your u3a online
Interest Groups Online (IGO) is the u3a movement’s national online community — a virtual equivalent of a local u3a but entirely online. Like all u3a activities, IGO groups are member-led and member-run, offering a friendly, informal space to learn, share and socialise from the comfort of home.
- A wide range of interest groups, covering subjects such as languages, history, music, literature, science, creative writing, technology and much more. Many groups are interactive, and members are encouraged to take turns sharing skills, leading discussions or presenting topics that interest them. The ethos is informal learning for fun and shared fulfilment, not for qualifications or taught courses.
- IGO members also have access to u3a’s broader national online learning programme, which includes additional talks, workshops and competitions open to all u3a and IGO members. Annual fee £12 join in April. Go to https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/learning/interest-groups-online/how-to-join-igo for more information.
Brinscall baths latest……
While this isn’t exactly a u3a group – yet? – we thought we would pass on the details of the new opening times at the newly refurbished Brinscall Baths, one of the oldest still in existence in country.
The pool will be open to the public on Sundays from 10am until noon in addition to lane swims on Monday, Wednesday twice a day 3-4pm and 8.30-9.30pm.
So if anyone wants to get together for some lovely exercise, please let us know how you get on. Check the Brinscall Baths website for opening hours.
North West News
As well as you WPVu3a Newsletter, there is a North West one which some of you might like to read.
Fancy a browse then click here:
Don’t forget the drop in!
It’s a great way to meet old and new members. It is free as it is included in your membership fee. Come along for a proper brew – and biscuits! From 11 am until noon at the clubhouse at Withnell Fold Sports and Social Club on Wednesdays. Please check the online calendar.
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Did you guess the book characters?
Answer to book day pic. Left to right Lesley, Father Brown from GK Chesterton’s novels, Anne, Nisaba, the Mesopotamian goddess of Wisdom and Literature, Anne, Arthur Dent from Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams, Jackie, Gabriel Oak from Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd and Yvonne, The House Maid from the book of the same name by Frieda McFadden.