February 2022 Group News

If anyone wishes to start a new group please contact Mark groups@lru3a.org to provide advice and address any questions you may have.

Meet the Group Leaders event
An opportunity for new and existing u3a members to meet with Group Leaders and find a group to join is scheduled for 22 February 2022 at the Uplyme Community Hall at 10:00 am (9.30 am for Group Leaders to set up the room). It is hoped that a good selection of our groups, plus existing and prospective members will participate. All are welcome.
There is still considerable uncertainty about the future progression of the Covid pandemic. Whilst we intend to go ahead with the meeting the recommendations of the Dorset Council ( See https://www.publichealthdorset.org.uk/your-health/protecting-your-health/latest-updates-on-covid-19-in-dorset ) and the National u3a with regard to precautions will apply. These will be issued in good time before the meeting.
Possible new groups – Fencing, ‘Adventures with a Bus Pass’ and Dog walking
Just before lockdown we had a very interesting demonstration of fencing (with swords!).  Covid stopped any plans of starting a fencing group.  The good news is that Nigel Carter is still willing to start a LR u3a fencing group, probably meeting in the Morcombelake Hall. 
Taking an idea from another u3a would anyone like to organise some ‘Adventures with a Bus Pass’?
Also, last year, the idea of a dog walking group was suggested and generated some interest from pet owners.  As spring is coming along and there are many dogs that think this is a brilliant idea is anyone interested in running this group? 
Please contact Mark Gillams, Groups’ Coordinator.
  
             
The update of the group pages on the LRu3a web site has been going well and all inputs received from Group Leaders have been incorporated. If anyone has any suggestions on the accuracy of the information on any of the groups please let your Group Leader or the Groups Coordinator know.
The number of groups has fallen somewhat during the pandemic and many of the remainder are full so this is a really good time for those who wish to share and develop their interests by starting a new group. Support, guidance and advice for Group Leaders are all available. The committee ensures that its administrative requirements for Group Leaders are kept to a minimum. The Groups Coordinator will be pleased to answer any questions you may have about running a group.
There are three groups currently in need of new leaders. These Groups are the Creative Writing Group, the Religion and Ethics Group and the Strollers Group. Please contact the Groups Coordinator if you would like to know more about running one of these groups.
The committee is grateful to those members who have already stepped forward recently to start new groups or ensure the continuity of an existing group.
The following Groups are looking for new members.
Art and Craft
A new Art and Crafts Group is proposed. This group will work with materials and methods of choice for each of the Group members. This could mean any craft such as painting, knitting, stitching, batik, silk pictures, lino cutting, quilting or any other of the myriads of crafts now available.
​It will be a "crafting together" group rather than a teaching group.
As there is already sufficient interest the group will be starting soon.   
Contact Jayne Avery 07743 095919 or email her via the u3a website.
Current Affairs
Gilbert Bland is offering to lead a Current Affairs group. It will be face to face at his home in Ware Lane where there will be good ventilation and reasonable social distancing. It will be held fortnightly, probably on a Tuesday morning. The group will be about eight members. It is anticipated that members will attend meetings unless, for example, they are away or have visitors. 
Gilbert believes the group will work best if it contains people of different backgrounds and views. Coffee and biscuits will be provided. It is expected that each member will have given some thought to the subjects to be discussed and hopefully done a small amount of 'homework'.
There will be two subjects discussed at each meeting (half time coffee break). The subjects to be discussed will be emailed to members two/three days before the meeting. Members will be invited to make suggestions, if they want to, on subjects that can be discussed. Over time the format of the meetings can be changed if members have ideas to make the meetings better and more worthwhile.
Contact Gilbert on gilbertbland@gmail.como or 07754 545590
Intermediate German
Kay Luckraft has volunteered to lead this group which will now meet on Tuesday afternoons.
This is a small friendly group which meets once a fortnight usually in the Group Leader's home; some of us studied German at school (many years ago!) or have 'picked up’ some German when abroad, and a couple of members have family living in German-speaking countries; we all enjoy speaking German together.  
We chat (in German) about what we have been doing recently, and then read and discuss articles or watch videos from a variety of sources on a wide range of topics.  We sometimes play language games or even get together occasionally for a German-style meal.   New members would be very welcome. 
Contact Kay Luckraft on 01297 599416 and come along to a session to see if you enjoy it.
Poetry group
Members are being sought for a new Poetry group. We will be exploring poetry written by ourselves mostly, but occasionally exploring the work of other poets.  
Contact David on davidruffle@hotmail.com for further information.
Sea front gardens
Merry Bolton is hoping to restart activities in our seafront gardens in April. Could all existing and any new volunteers please contact her with their availability on  merrylymeregis@gmail.com or 01297 443334