Group News

Hello from Johanna 

The recent Group Leaders' lunch was a jolly event with more than 70 attendees. Particular thanks to Jan Dickins for dressing the tables and more, to Melanie for excellent organisation and food. Also, thanks to all the Events Team, aided by Committee members, working together, they created a relaxed atmosphere to enjoy a beverage and munchies. Everyone enjoyed the opportunity to chat with friends and exchange ideas. I took the opportunity to thank the Leaders and circulated to meet as many people as possible. 

The Leaders I never hear from are the heroes who week in, week out, or each month, go quietly and efficiently about running their groups. Many for more than ten years, some as much as twenty, and even a few who have been running groups right from the early days of Tonbridge u3a. 

It was wonderful that “the mother of the house”, Joyce Graf, took the opportunity to share her experience of being a leader for many years. It was interesting to hear how most Leaders find it easy and rewarding - a ten-year veteran remarked on his own experience of finding like-minded people, having fun, and he had also formed a solid, supportive friendship group.

 I am currently looking for a leader for a second Gardening for Wildlife. Rosie Bairstow has been leading Gardening for Wildlife for many years. She is willing to help get the new group going. At the moment, there are several people wanting to join. Do you enjoy gardening? It would be good to share your experience, even if you now only have a few pots on your balcony. You don’t have to be Alan Titchmarsh or Monty Don, just someone wanting to learn and have fun.

Tappers is now well established and is exploring the possibility of putting on a new class for beginners. Do register your interest with Diane Gittings if you think this might be for you. Tappers report it is “great fun as well as super exercise” 

Family History is well on the way to being an established group.

As we approach the winter months, we intend to go further with getting a Knitters group going. 

Are you a knitter looking for company?

The group “Conversational Italian” is not changing. It will continue to be a group who have fun together, improving/practising their Italian language skills, but you will now find them listed as Italian Conversation. The reason for the change of name is to list the language groups in the same way. Did you know that we have French and German Conversation Groups? German Conversation has decided that in the future, they will meet on the third Wednesday of the month at 10:30, normally at a private house. For more information, please contact: italianconversation@tonbridgeu3a.uk 

How lucky we are to have so many opportunities - Thank you very much to all our group leaders. 

Johanna Kiernan groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk

Reading Shakespeare

Every three months approximately. 10.00am

Next dates: Thursday 24 July & Thursday 31 July 

Joyce Graf

Poetry for Pleasure 2 

The purpose of this group is to read poetry that they enjoy on a theme chosen in advance of the monthly meeting, which is held on the fourth Wednesday of the month at 10:30 a.m. 

July is Happiness; 

There is no meeting in August, and the theme for September is People.

Jennifer Hughes 

Galleries, Exhibitions and Museums

Friday 4 July to the National Portrait Gallery 

Meet at 9.45 at Tonbridge Station. Cheap day ticket after 10am for London. 

Margaret Pavlidis (details in your Journal)