Category Archives: Group Reports

Reports from local U3A group activities.

Group Leaders/New Members Meeting

On the morning of 30th March the above meeting was held at the hall in Merlins Bridge.

Without our Group Leaders we would not have a U3A and equally without a flow of new members we would fade away. The meeting included nineteen Group Leaders and ten new members.  It was pleasing to see so many group leaders who introduced themselves indicating their own group and representing those Leaders who were unable to attend.

The discussion was lively with a new member keen to join the Mah Jong group and others expressing an interest in one of the, always popular, walking groups and the table tennis.  We are most fortunate in the number of diverse groups on offer; the new members became aware they could have both their bodies and their minds exercised!

Should you have an interest not covered by one of the groups why not start your own?  The committee and the National Resource Centre will give you as much help as you may need in setting up a group.

May I on behalf of the Committee extend a big thank you to all the Group Leaders who give freely of their time enabling us to have a great and growing U3A.

Penny Thomas

30th March 2016

Gardening Group visit the National Botanical Garden

Gardening Group

On the morning of 10 September 40 members of the group to include 3 from Narberth U3A boarded a coach bound for The National Botanical Gardens of Wales, the last time we undertook such a trip was in January 2014.  It was decided to make this trip following a talk given by the curator Mr Simon Goodenough who indicated September was his favourite time in the garden and we could certainly see why.

Immediately, we were struck by the changes that had been made particularly to the long boarder leading up to the dome, rather than the random herbaceous plants with a multitude of colours this has now been replaced by a softer colour planting ranging  from the soft pinks of the geraniums and phlox to lavender, and on to the deeper shades of the many asters (we tend to call Michaelmas daisies) and finally tall purple verbena the feature of many dried flower arrangements a plant that appears frequently in the areas leading up to the dome.  A pathway has been laid adjacent to the boarder which takes the visitor to the rear of the plants an excellent addition.

The dome, of course, is amazing and one wonders at the feat of engineering in the construction in addition to the variety of plant is houses which we could not see unless we travelled to the far corners of the world,

The vegetable garden was spectacular with red and yellow stemmed chard, rows of runner beans, the unmistakeable tops of beetroot, turnips, swedes, wonderful red cabbages to name but a few.  Another new addition is a potager plot which combines both flowers and vegetables my particular favourite.

The sun shone all day and as we left the garden it was agreed it had been a fantastic trip

Penny Thomas  10 September 2015

Intrepid Rovers

I thought you might like to see this photo which I took of the Rovers on their  recently billed “adventurous” 7 mile walk near Login.

The “bridge “ is a fallen tree with the rounded edge shaved off to make a crossing. The supports and rail/rope were put into place by the walks co-ordinator and myself prior to the walk.

At the end of the walk 4 said they wanted medals 3 said they would view with gravest suspicion any future walks that I planned , 6 were too tired to say anything and my wife said she wanted a quiet word when we got home!

Fortunately, on completion, they were somewhat mollified by the teas and cakes at the Cardi-Bach celebration at Login “Station”.

Regards   Brian Ball

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Table Tennis Group – 25th Anniversary Match!!

visit

As part of  the Pembrokeshire U3A 25 year celebrations our Table Tennis Group made a return visit to John Wright and his friends who play in Llanfallteg.  John had kindly organised a tournament and fifteen of us enjoyed an evening of great fun and lots of activity. The evening ended with a cawl supper and puddings to die for!

We really appreciated the hospitable welcome and friendly atmosphere which helped to make a memorable evening, and a big thank you is due to John and his friends.  We look forward to them making a return visit in the Autumn – Could this be the start of a tradition?

Penny Tighe and Sylvie Lloyd

As part of  the Pembrokeshire U3A 25 year celebrations our Table Tennis Group made a return visit to John Wright and his friends who play in Llanfallteg.  John had kindly organised a tournament and fifteen of us enjoyed an evening of great fun and lots of activity. The evening ended with a cawl supper and puddings to die for!

We really appreciated the hospitable welcome and friendly atmosphere which helped to make a memorable evening, and a big thank you is due to John and his friends.  We look forward to them making a return visit in the Autumn – Could this be the start of a tradition?

Penny Tighe and Sylvie Lloyd