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Dear <<First Name>>,
2025 is shaping up to be a good year for u3a with so much change on the horizon.
As many of you will know, our elections for new Board members and Council representatives are underway. There will be hustings in the regions with more than one council candidate, and hustings for the Board roles. You can find out about the candidates for both roles and details of the hustings on the u3a website.
The u3a model is all about contribution. I want to say a huge thank you to Margaret Fiddes, who has stepped down as Vice Chair for personal reasons. This won't be the last you see of Margaret as she heads the planning team for u3a Festival 26.
As always, this u3a Friends newsletter is full of stories and examples of u3a members benefiting from the learning and connection found in this movement. Chard & Ilminster u3a member Keith shares his story at the end of this newsletter. I recommend reading it as a reminder of just how beneficial the u3a community can be.
With very best wishes
Iain Cassidy
CEO of the Third Age Trust
Photo of Walton on the Naze taken by Annie from Leigh Estuary u3a, submitted into u3a Found in Nature.
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In this issue...
The joy of Scottish Country Dancing
Judging opportunity for new essay competition
Finding support and community through table tennis
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Join team u3a for the Great North Run
There is still time to apply to run for u3a at the Great North Run. Spaces are open to u3a members and their families. The event is taking place on Sunday 7 September 2025 and we have five charity running places available. If you are interested, please email fundraising@u3a.org.uk by Friday 28 February - heading your email: Great North Run. Please include the u3a you or your family member belongs to and if you have run a half-marathon before.
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SiteWorks team complete migration
Congratulations to the SiteWorks team, who have now migrated all 676 u3as using SiteBuilder to SiteWorks. This has been a huge volunteer-led project, which is estimated to benefit around 250,000 members. Read more on the u3a website.
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Special deals on 2025 diaries
If you have not yet bought a diary for 2025, the u3a diaries are currently reduced on the u3a Brand Shop, costing £5.40 each or £28.80 for packs of ten. Buy your diary now.
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The joy of Scottish Country Dancing
A few years ago, after dancing at a ceilidh to bring in the New Year, member Rosie discovered a passion for Scottish Country Dancing. The interest led to her joining Dorchester u3a and she now meets with the group every week. She talks about why Scottish Country Dancing is good for body and for mind on our u3a blog, Sources.
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A sell out book for Stansted Mountfitchet u3a
A collection of short stories, After the Twa Corbies and Other Stories, has been published by the Stansted Mountfitchet u3a Creative Writing Group. The book contains a wide range of styles and genres. Initially published with a limited run of 100 copies, it had already sold out by Christmas. The group has been running for five years and have plans to publish a second book before Christmas 2025.
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Social media spotlight: Ravenshead u3a
The first meeting of a new Cookery & Food group at Ravenshead u3a was marked with a post on their Facebook page. The post shows their various dishes, which all met an 'All Day Breakfast' theme.
See more on the Ravenshead u3a Facebook page.
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Responding to Learn to Live
In a recent article on our u3a blog, Sources, Harrogate u3a member Jonathan shares his response to the u3a Learn to Live report and its comments on the positive impact of non-forming learning. John says, "I know in my group I have learned so much from my colleagues. This is because the learning is active. We talk. We share ideas. We comment. We refer to other authors and books read. Everyone is learning!"
Read the article on our u3a blog, Sources.
We have revamped the Our Impact section of our website, with new pages collating u3a research projects and reports. Grab a cup of tea and take a look.
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Opportunity to judge new essay competition
There is a new u3a essay writing competition on the horizon, and we are looking for judges. If you're a u3a member with experience in scoring essays or evaluating arguments and evidence, we would love to hear from you. Fill in this form to express your interest in being a judge.
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Ards Peninsula choir was formed in February 2023. Although singing is our main occupation, the social benefits have steadily become of great importance to all of us. We have a very lively WhatsApp group, exchanging music videos and comments. At least twice a year we all meet for dinner and various close friendships have been made or strengthened.
Member Margaret signs a number of songs for us at every performance. This is to make it more interesting to those hard of hearing.
There is no time to be bored as we try to expand our abilities, learning scat, body percussion and even a little choreography.
Iris, group leader of the choir at Ards Peninsula u3a
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... from Chair, Allan Walmsley
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The Trust Board had its penultimate meeting on Wednesday 22 January and the main focus is the transition to the new governance arrangements. This involves setting out the election processes and hustings for the new Board and new u3a Council, as well as receiving nominations for the role of Chair at the u3a Council. Where the number of nominations equals the number of vacancies, there is no requirement for elections, and so Council Representatives in a number of regions have already been confirmed.
The remaining representatives, as well as the new Board members, will all be known by the end of February, and induction training can start, with both bodies ready to be set up towards the end of March and beginning of April.
This is a really tight timescale. However, after over two years of preparation, consultation and voting, everyone involved seems to be enthusiastic and ready to get on with the job.
So where you have the opportunity to vote - whether it's for the new Board, or for a Council vacancy in your region, make sure that your u3a exercises its vote. There's lots of information about each candidate on the u3a website, and the online hustings are your opportunity to question candidates. Dates of all hustings are on the u3a website.
This is the largest election process in the movement's history, and it will bring many new members to national prominence - exciting times are around the corner!
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The Stevenage u3a walking group mainly walk in the beautiful county of Hertfordshire where we enjoy some great weekly walks with a variety of fauna and flora in many places. We walk for pleasure, to improve fitness, health and well-being, FRIENDSHIP and socialising. The majority of the group members take turns to plan and lead a walk which may include stopping at a pub or a cafe for refreshments.
Wendy, Stevenage u3a
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Read more this year with u3a Friends Extra
One of the special deals available via u3a Friends Extra is a BookBeat Audiobook subscription which, until the end of January, you can try for free for 90 days - and then save 10% off your first six months of paid subscription. The subscription gives you access to more than 1 million audiobooks and e-books.* Find out more on the u3a Friends Extra website.
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*This offer is valid for new users and redeemable once per new user. After the 30 hours, users will be offered the choice of ending their trial or beginning a subscription. From 1 February 2025, this will revert to a 75 day free trial and 10% off the first 6 months for new users. u3a Friends Extra is managed and run on behalf of u3a by Parliament Hill Ltd.
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Change the way you see the world with HX Hurtigruten Expeditions
Members of the u3a Friends newsletter community can get 5% off all HX Hurtigruten cruises. On top of this, they are currently having a sale with 25% off all trips booked before 31 March. Find out more on the HX website.
If you want to find out more about HX and the work they do, join us on Wednesday 26 February where Chief Scientist Dr Verena Mereldi will be talking all about the icons of Antartica: penguins. Book your place on the event.
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Learn digital skills with AbilityNet
We have partnered with AbilityNet to provide a series of online workshops, exclusively for u3a members, with tips and tricks to help you make your digital devices work better for you. See the full list of talks on our website.
Other upcoming national learning events include Sociology, Gender Inequality and Feminism; Hadrian's Wall - A Celebration; and An Introduction to Vedic Maths.
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Join your local u3a to be able to come to these events, and more.
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Besides my normal groups at Elmbridge u3a, I joined Richmond u3a as an associate member and attend an opera appreciation group. I haven't yet made it to any of the Richmond u3a talks, but intend to in 2025.
I also occasionally watch talks from other u3a groups. My interest is in the more "arty" ones.
So if you can't find what you want in your local u3a, and it's not feasible to start a group, look in your neighbouring u3as. There is plenty on offer - just not enough time to catch everything!
Cherry, Elmbridge u3a and Richmond u3a
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Start the new year with a commitment to learning more about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Our next online workshop is taking place on Monday 17 February 2025 and all members are welcome to attend. The workshop has opportunity for self-reflection, joint discussion and understanding of the legal responsibilities for u3as.
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Finding support and community through table tennis
Chard & Ilminster u3a member Keith (pictured above, second from right) talks about how the community and exercise found at his u3a table tennis group helps him manage his physical and mental health after being diagnosed with Parkinson's.
I joined u3a when I moved to Tatworth, near Chard, in South Somerset about 8 years ago. I first joined u3a to learn how to play bridge, but soon realised my local u3a offered a plethora of other activities including various sports.
I was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease in February 2019. Unfortunately, having Parkinson's meant my energy levels dropped and the tiredness that ensued exacerbated my symptoms and so gym visits became less frequent. Fortunately, I had by then found the Chard and Ilminster u3a table tennis group and now play twice a week.
I find it helps me physically and mentally. The exercise is good for general symptoms, helping with concentration, balance and coordination. Mentally it helps with social interaction and having fun.
It's not all about competition - although most of us don't like to lose! What is really important is the camaraderie, fellowship and social life that the table tennis group has given me. When I moved to Tatworth I knew very few people. I now have an abundance of good friends and an active social life. My table tennis group know about my Parkinson's and look after me when I'm not having a good day.
I really don't know where I'd be without it. Recently one of them was kind enough to hold a cream tea in support of Parkinson's UK, and we raised more than £160.
If you're a u3a member who loves table tennis, you might be interested in joining the Welsh u3a table tennis competition - hosted in Wales but open to u3as from across the UK. Find out more on the Welsh region website.
Share your u3a story with us by emailing communications@u3a.org.uk.
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