Unwanted Laptops
Have you got an old laptop gathering dust which you don't know how to clear of your data or to dispose of safely?
Computer Cafe is now offering a service to wdu3a members to:-
- Completely wipe the installed hard drives to remove all records of any and all information relating to previous owners.
- If the device can not be recycled we will dispose of it.
- If it can be recycled we will do some minor upgrades, install a clean version of Windows with Libre Office, and get it PAT tested.
- We would then offer the restored device through the local community to anyone who might benefit from it for a fee to cover any costs.
If you are interested please email John D Morgan
The Greco-Roman World
The historical period from the time of Homer in 8 th century BCE Greece to the end of the Roman empire in the 5 th century CE has shaped every aspect of western culture into the 21 st century. If you are interested in exploring any facet of this period from art or history to myths or literature, this group will provide that opportunity. The poetry of Homer and Hesiod and the heroic culture exemplified in Homer’s Iliad and Odyssey were foundational in building Greek identity and beliefs; Rome’s conquest of Greece had a significant influence on Roman culture as did the transition from Republican Rome to rule by an emperor, which transformed Roman society. The philosophies of Plato and Aristotle are embedded in western thought while the achievements of both Greek and Roman military expansion still resonate through the monumental architecture that is visible throughout Europe.
Please contact Virginia Sharpe if you are interested in joining the group.
Scrabble
Do you like to keep your mind and memory sharp? Playing scrabble might be the solution. If you are interested in joining this new group, contact Jen on wdu3a.groups@gmail.com
Allotment Group
We have an opportunity to take over a large allotment plot at the Milverton New Allotments, off Northumberland Road in Leamington. This is an
established allotment with vegetable beds, fruit trees, a flowerbed, sheds, a pond, a composting toilet and hot drinks facilities.
We are seeking to establish a small group of people to help manage the allotment. An interest in growing fruit and veg and a love of the open air are more important than expert gardening skills. There are also opportunities for handy people to help maintain the various wooden buildings around the site.
The advantages of gardening are twofold: growing the produce then eating it afterwards!
If you are interested in joining this project, or would like to know more, please contact Trevor Humphreys
Very Short Walks Group Walks will be held twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday mornings at 10.30. Members take it in turns to organise the walks in and around Leamington, Warwick and Kenilworth. Walks will be between ½ and 1 hour and will be followed by optional coffee at a local venue. The same route will be walked on both mornings and members can attend either or both. Contact Jackie to join or find out more.
Creative Music Keyboard player seeks other musicians (any instrument or vocals) for collaborative writing projects, maybe with as 80’s/Indie feel, quirky, innovative, with a bit of an edge (not straightforward folk/blues/heavy metal etc). Interested? Want to know more? Contact Tony on 07837 628032
Nordic Walking There is a new Beginners’ Nordic Walking Group which will take place at Victoria Park on the following Fridays - October 9,16,23, November 6, 13. Meet at 9.30am. To join or for more information Contact Jen wdu3a.groups@gmail.com
Warwick District u3a now has its own Facebook page! It is a private page: that is only members can use it so the general public will not be able to access it at all. Members wishing to use the page will need to confirm they are a member of WDu3a and that they agree to the group rules.
What can we use it for? Group Leaders and others might like to put news of their groups; information can quickly be made available about proposed trips and activities; information can be shared about local events; members can keep in touch with each other if they wish, and so on. How do we use it? Well, we need to log on to Facebook itself, then once there just look for Warwick District u3a. On your first use, you will need to confirm you are a member.
Why have we bothered to do this? It's just another way of communicating with each other. Yes, we do know that many members don't use Facebook - fine, but for those of us who do, it may be useful. Your committee has agreed to review its use in about six months. Safeguards? Our Moderator will check for inappropriate content and language of course (surely not in our u3a!!). Queries or concerns to Jenny Mikulsky
CARD AND CRAFT
Card and Craft are looking for new members. We are a small friendly group who meet in a member’s house on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month. Cost is about £1.50 per session to cover refreshments and crafting supplies. We make greetings cards for every occasion and seasonal craft items. Interested? Contact Thelma Dawkes for a chat on 01926 422742 or email Thelma Dawkes
A two course lunch with coffee and a mince pie - £33 a head. (this includes service but not drinks)
To reserve your place, please send your name and menu choices (together with any special dietary requirements or allergy information) to Ann Bailey as soon as possible and no later than 10th November and indicate the people you would like to
sit with. Tables can accommodate 8 or 10 so why not make this your Group’s Christmas celebration? Following the success of last’s year’s Christmas Lunch, early booking is strongly advised. As places are strictly limited the lunch is for members only. See Outings for Menu.
Payment: If possible, please pay by bacs. We bank with Unity Trust Bank, Account name: Warwick District U3A, Sort code: 60-83-01, Account number: 20412500. Please use Xmas lunch as the reference. Your bank might suggest the account name is Warwick District u3a RCN1038532 which is acceptable as it simply includes our Registered Charity Number.
Cheques should be made payable to Warwick District u3a and sent to Ann Bailey at 48 Fishponds Road, Kenilworth CV8 1EZ. Please add 40p to the amount to be paid to cover bank charges.
Just a reminder that these sessions are starting up again this week with:
Friday 25 September
Warwickshire Vision Support, a local charity who have been supporting blind and partially sighted people across Warwickshire since 1911. Come along and see what they can offer.
Friday 23 October
Age UK – information on befriending, home support, counselling, money management and dementia day opportunities. Come along and see if they can help you – or you could help them.
Friday 27 November
Defibrillators – how to recognise a cardiac arrest, what happens when an AED (automated external defibrillator) is used and how the device provides clear prompts to guide the person helping.
These sessions are free of charge and open to all u3a members. They start with coffee at 10 a.m. at Hill Close Gardens, Bread and Meat Close, Warwick, CV34 6HF. There is 2 hours free parking just outside the gates on Warwick Racecourse.
Playreading Group 2
The Playreading Group has been very successful and not able to take and more members. Therefore we are starting a new group – Playreading Group 2.
We already have some interest in this group but would like to offer it to all members in case there are some potential actors amongst you. Please see the Playreading Group details for further information and, if you are interested, contact Margot O'Keeffe 07766 797133 or email Margot O'Keeffe
WELLNESS SESSIONS AT HILL CLOSE GARDENS, WARWICK
10 am starting with coffee/tea
Friday 25 September - Warwickshire Vision Support, a local charity supporting blind and partially sighted people across Warwickshire since 1911.
Friday 23 October - Age UK - information on befriending, home support, counselling, money management and dementia day opportunities
Friday 27 November - tba.
Book your place on any of these at the lovely Hill Close Gardens by emailing Anne Powell
The English Novel and English Novelists
This Autumn there will be three talks and discussions on Zoom on Friday afternoons covering the following topics:-
30 Oct What is a Novel? / Publications before 1700 / The 18th Century Novel
6 Nov The 19th Century Novel: Key Characteristics & Themes / 19th Century Novelists
13 Nov The 20th Century Novel: Significant Periods & Themes
To register your interest in these sessions, please contact John D Morgan
MANAGING YOURSELF IN DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS mm@reflectivepocess.co.uk
New group members very welcome !!!
The first group’s sessions have now come to an end, and I’m starting a new group. During the group sessions you will be introduced to the principles and skills that will enable you to improve the way you manage yourself in the difficult conversations we all encounter, whether with family, friends or in a social setting; the sort of conversations that leave us feeling frustrated, stressed or despondent.
If you’re interested, email Mel as above for more information or to go on the waiting list.
SINGING FOR FUN STARTS AGAIN!
September, October and November on the fourth Tuesday of the month. Come along to join those of us who can't sing, don't sing, or always wanted to sing on 22 September at 2 pm at St Mark's Church. £5 for all three sessions this time, payable online in the usual way or, if you absolutely must, a cheque payable to Warwick District u3a and give to Anne on the 22nd. Email Anne Powell
QUESTIONS ABOUT SIGHT?
Find out how a local charity, Warwickshire Vision Support, can help you, your family or a friend. They support blind and partially sighted people across the county - have been doing this since 1911. Book your place at Hill Close Gardens on Friday 25 September starting with coffee at 10 am. Email Anne Powell
We intend to organise another visit to Sherbourne Recycling Facility, in Coventry, to take place later this year. It will comprise:
A presentation providing an overview of Sherbourne and its operations.
A guided site visit, subject to operational requirements and safety considerations.
Refreshments will be available and hard hats and boots will need to be worn. Anyone can attend the talk, but you'll need to be able to use stairs for the tour. Transport will be by car-sharing, but that will be arranged when we have a firm date and know who's attending.
Please send a message to Sam Sexton to register your interest.
VERY LOCAL WALKERS
This new group will meet for a short walk (less than an hour) around local parks and towns, followed by optional coffee and chat.
Interested? Contact Jen wdu3a.groups@gmail.com
Cinema Group
We are thinking of starting a Cinema Group, run on similar lines to the new Theatre Group using WhatsApp.
Interested in learning more? Then please contact Sue Sheen
Living with Loss
Loss in our lives comes in all forms - a bereavement of course, but also loss of health, hair through chemo, loss of mobility, loss of cheer.....Need to talk to others in a safe space? How about joining us for a chat and coffee? No advice given, just sharing experiences with others.
Contact Anne Powell
Theatre Group Pam Saunders The story so far - this new group has had an excellent start with a number of our 30 members enjoying local theatre productions together throughout April. Arrangements are made via WhatsApp and we plan to meet up for coffee and a chat in June.
COULD YOU BE OUR SPEAKERS ORGANISER?
Do you enjoy our speakers each month? Would you like to have a say in choosing them? What’s involved? Finding a speaker (internet, word of mouth, advertisements, repeat visits from good speakers!), confirming their attendance nearer the time, passing an invoice for them to be paid. That’s all!! And note - we have already booked speakers for the whole of 2026. What else is involved? A committee meeting once a month. You don’t have to attend these meetings but it’s a great chance to be one of the team having a say in what we do in Warwick District u3a! It
really is fun, and we all support one another. Interested – then please email [u3a_conatct name = "Anne Powell"] to arrange a chat about this important role.
Tenpin Bowling
This new group meets at 1.30 on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays in the month, at Tenpin, Tachbrook Park Drive, Leamington Spa, CV34 6RH. The cost will be £7.50 for two games payable directly to Tenpin on arrival. A game lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Interested? Contact [u3a_ contact name = "Andres Prior"] to book a place or for more information.
Receiving Info
Did you know that you can receive Info via email? Over 500 of you already do so, but others are not aware of this option. You can have both the email and the paper version if you like. One advantage of the former is that you’ll get it a bit earlier than the printed version.
If you’re happy with what you receive at the moment, there’s no need to take any action.
If you’d like to receive this, please send an email to Ann Bailey. stating “Info email only”, “Info paper only” or “Info both” as appropriate.