Group News

Tonbridge u3a is a valuable part of our Tonbridge Community. As you all go about your busy lives, do remember please to publicise all we do in a spirit of fun and friendship. If you can help in any way, please do - together we are Tonbridge u3a! 

Help Shape the Future of Tonbridge u3a 

Leadership Opportunities 

Trips Group Leader 

In recent months, and with more planned ahead, our organised day trips - from Brighton, Brooklands, Rochester Dickens Festival and Bletchley Park, to winery visits and river cruises - have been well received. Seven volunteers already help deliver these successful outings. We are looking for someone to coordinate the programme and help shape what comes next. Work with an established and supportive team Help plan inspiring days out Play a central role in a popular activity .

Study Day Coordinator

Our study days bring members together for in-depth exploration of fascinating subjects led by knowledgeable speakers. We are seeking someone to help develop a programme, liaise with speakers and ensure each event runs smoothly. The role involves supporting speakers and the delivery team in the run up to the event and helping out on the day. Help deliver stimulating and well run events Develop engaging themes and topics Work closely with others 

Support, mentoring and handover will be provided for both roles 

Hello from Johanna

Spring has finally arrived, even if the weather has not quite caught up yet. The days are getting longer and there is definitely a sense of things warming up. Just as the birds are busily building their nests, many of our groups are getting back into action for the season. Some never stopped through the winter. I’ve heard entertaining stories about muddy walks and the occasional shoe left behind in the mud! It is wonderful to see the enthusiasm continuing all year round. 

Our Coastal Walks 2 group has some fantastic walks planned for the summer. A big thank you to the leaders, Marion and Richard, who have also helped with the revival of Coastal Walks 1. It is a great example of how one group lending a hand to another can help a new group get started. 

I would also like to especially thank the members of Literature 1 who have helped nurture the newer Literature Lovers group as it finds its feet. Seeing groups support and encourage each other like this really shows what our community is all about. 

A special hello as well to everyone I met on 4 March at the Angel Centre. This was part of a new idea from the Groups Team to occasionally have a presence outside the monthly talk. It gives us a chance to meet members, have a chat and help people discover groups they might enjoy. It is also a great opportunity to hear your ideas for new groups.

Suggestions that came up during conversations included darts and local history. But what about you? Is there something you enjoy that might be even more fun to do with others? Do you have knowledge or a skill you’d like to share? Don’t worry if you are not an expert – learning together is one of the things that makes a group special. National u3a has a wealth of resources that are always available to us. The more groups we have, the more opportunities there are for fun, friendship and trying out something new. 

Someone recently shared a lovely thought with me: Groups are like friends – joined for a reason, a season, or a lifetime. I was reminded of this recently while in a queue at the Angel Centre. I let a lady go ahead of me because she was rushing for a class. I asked if the group she was heading to was a u3a group. Her answer really made me smile. “Not today!” she said. “But I was one of the early members. I went from being retired to suddenly having fifty new friends and so many activities to choose from. In fact, most of my friends came through contacts I made at u3a.” What a wonderful reminder of how important these connections can be. Having something to look forward to – meeting friends, keeping active, enjoying discussions, planning trips, going to the theatre, or simply sharing a coffee and a chat makes all the difference. 

u3a belongs to all of us, and it is already something very special. Could you help make it even better? 

Johanna Kiernan

groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk