Centenary of the Armistice

One of the special events held locally to mark the centenary of the Armistice was an Afternoon Tea Dance in Whitwick on Saturday 10th November. Our U3A was invited and several members attended and thoroughly enjoyed themselves. There was music, dancing and flag-waving as well as table service for the tea which was delicious. The event organisers had worked very hard.

One of the displays in the hall was that put together by the U3A Book Group to illustrate some of the novels and poems read during the last four years that were related to the Great War.

Part of our display at the Afternoon Tea Dance

The singer who entertained everyone with songs from both World Wars

Some of the U3A members present, enjoying their tea

August's General Meeting - Whitwick and District U3A's 10th Anniversary

In the morning of 17th August there was an open-to-all event to showcase the activities available through membership of the U3A. This was very well attended by both visitors and U3A members. In the afternoon was the usual monthly meeting attended by a large number of U3A members. Maybe it was the tea and cakes that attracted them, or maybe it was in anticipation of being entertained by the superb talents of singer Natalie Nightingale. More pictures of the day's event can be found here.

Whitwick & District U3A at Woodstock in Whitwick 2018

Our U3A had a pitch at the annual community event that is Woodstock In Whitwick. The organisers kindly offered us the use of a ready-erected gazebo which we were pleased to accept since the weather was damp and the sky overcast.

Several members volunteered to help out during the day which was greatly appreciated. Although there was limited interest in our display, we did have a presence as one of Whitwick's community groups. We did our bit to support the event which has raised thousands of pounds for local charities.

some of the members who volunteered to help during the day

Whitwick & District U3A at Picnic in the Park 2018

On Sunday, 24th June our U3A had a pitch at Picnic in the Park, the annual event organised by NWLDC in Coalville Park. We have attended regularly but this year was different: the sun shone and it was warm.

Crowds of local people came along to enjoy the music, visit the marquees, watch the entertainers and simply enjoy themselves. There was a steady flow of visitors to our marquee. The pleasant weather encouraged them to linger, look at our displays, chat to the team and take away our flyers. The level of interest was the best we have experienced and made all the preparation worthwhile.

Special thanks must go to the team who erected and dismantled the marquee; put up the tables, bunting and display; and blew up balloons. Volunteers who gave up an hour or more of their day to stand in the marquee and talk about the opportunities that the U3A can offer to retired people are thanked too. Without this support we could not attend such events and raise awareness of our U3A. If you enjoy your U3A activities, this is a pleasant way to put something back into the movement. There will be further opportunities to help out in August at our 10th Birthday Celebration and Woodstock in Whitwick.

Our marquee - open and ready for business!

Volunteers chatting during the afternoon

The event was very well attended

One of the entertainers close to our pitch

June's General Meeting

Our speaker at the June Gneral Meeting was Bev Smith from North West Lecestershire District Council.

Whitwick & District U3A at the Charles Booth Centre Launch Event

Whitwick & District U3A had a stand at an event to re-launch the Charles Booth Centre (formerly Thringstone Community Centre) on 4th May 2018.

U3A members manning the stand

Our impressive stand

One corner of the event

April's General Meeting

At the April meeting we were entertained by the highly talented musician, singer and songwriter, Andy Smith. He sang a journey through his life from baby to grandchildren, playing three different guitars, a mandolin and a ukulele and many of the songs he had written himself. What talent! A very enjoyable afternoon.

January's General Meeting

Peter Barratt spoke to members about his suffragette great-grandmother, Alice Hawkins, with the help of Dorothy, who was dressed as a suffragette.

December's General Meeting

Rosie Woodland gave a very interesting talk on Joyce Grenfell, including some of her very famous monologues. This was our Christmas General Meeting and a good time was had by all!!

October's General Meeting

Julie Attard gave a very informative talk on her role as Project Manager at Charnwood Roots and the 2015 Whitwick Big Dig.

September's General Meeting

Professor Sarah Hainsworth gave an interesting, and sometimes humourous talk, on her work as a Forensic Engineer, including a description of the injuries sustained by King Richard lll.

Members using 3D specs to view a 3D image of King Richard lll's skull.

Woodstock in Whitwick 2017

On Sunday 20th August, Whitwick and District U3A had a pitch at Woodstock in Whitwick, held at the Hermitage Leisure centre. This friendly community event was held over two days for the first time this year with Sunday being a more family-orientated day.
There was a good attendance during the afternoon and steady interest from the public in what the U3A has to offer. A huge bonus was that we enjoyed some dry and pleasant weather.
As usual, our presence there was possible due to the good nature of many members who gave their time so generously and represented our U3A in such a positive manner. We thank them all.

Some of the members who volunteered to support our U3A at the event.

Families enjoying themselves during the afternoon.

Taking a coffee break after setting up our display.

One of our display boards.

August's General Meeting

Barbara Meyer gave a very interesting talk on Big Cats from her experiences photographing them.

July's General Meeting

Tim Coltman gave a fascinating and moving talk on his great-grandfather, William Coltman VC, who was awarded on several occasions for his courage and bravery in saving lives at the front in WW1.

Picnic in the Park - Sunday June 25th

It was a busy day for members of our U3A when we attended NWLDC's Picnic in the Park on Sunday 25th June. A small team was there early to erect the marquee, referring to the instructions when all else failed but keeping a sense of humour. The theme was the U3A colours of blue and yellow with balloons and bunting as decoration.

We had a full rota of members at our pitch during the day and thanks are due to all of them for generously giving up their time. It was particularly pleasing to have several new members making a contribution in this way. Others came to help take down and pack away at the end of the afternoon.

Attendance at the event was good, with many families enjoying the variety of activities and attractions. There was a steady show of interest in our display. Hopefully, the aim of raising awareness about the U3A was met. And, it only rained intermittently!

April's General Meeting - Stewart Shepard gave a talk on the Hospice Hope organisation.

February's General Meeting - A packed hall listened intently to a fascinating and informative talk by Prof. Martin Barstow entitled "What has space done for us?"

January's General Meeting - A very high attendance at this month's meeting enjoyed a very informative talk on "The History of the 78rpm Record" by Peter Varden.

December's General Meeting - At our Christmas meeting we were entertained with some festive and amusing songs by Medieval Musicians Brandywine Bridge.

October's General Meeting - Sandy Leong gave us a fascinating talk on the History of Witches and Witchcraft.

August's General Meeting - Ian Rogerson gave us a very interesting and entertaining talk about cheese, entitled Smile Please, Say Cheese. There was an opportunity at the end of his talk to taste a selection of several cheeses.

Ian preparing his samples

Ian mid talk........

.........and explaining the different characteristics of his cheeses to the members.

Woodstock in Whitwick on Saturday 13th August was a very popular event with hundreds of people attending to enjoy the live music and other attractions. Our U3A had taken a pitch and made good use of the marquee which looked bright and cheerful. The team of volunteers from the membership gave out information and chatted to the public. Altogether, it was a pleasant and positive day, with the bonus of dry, warm weather.

Members chatting by the marquee

Crowds relaxing and enjoying the music

Potential members?

General Meeting, July 2016 - With Kath Reynolds giving a talk entitled "Goose Grease and Brown Paper" - bygone remedies for various ailments.

The 2016 NWLDC Picnic in the Park saw a massive commitment by local community groups, including Whitwick and District U3A, to participate in the celebrations to mark The Queen's 90th Birthday. Coalville Park looked amazing.
Unfortunately, the weather was rather damp. In spite of this, attendance was reasonable and everyone there was determined to be positive and enjoy themselves.
We were so pleased to be in our own weather-proof marquee which had been decorated in red, white and blue, rather than the U3A colours of yellow and blue. As in previous years, members came along to talk to visitors and give out flyers and leaflets about our U3A. Some of these volunteers were "old hands"; others had come along for the first time. The generosity and good nature of them all is greatly appreciated. Without that support, we could not attend such events and thereby help to raise awareness of Whitwick and District U3A.

Dancing in the rain!

One for "Spring Watch"?

Our marquee decorated in patriotic style.

Annual General Meeting, May 2016

Bis hands over to Wendy as Secretary.

General Meeting, April 2016 - With Mal Trott talking on My Life with Puppets

General Meeting - March 2016 - Helen Baxter talking about the work carried out by the Shuttlewood Clarke Foundation

Afternoon Tea - March 2016 - with cakes made by the Discovering Dishes Group

Group Members with some of their creations - and more below.........

Some of the excellent recipes on display

Please help yourselves and enjoy..........

General Meeting, February 2016 - With Jo Golby talking on The Time Travelling Tourist

General Meeting, January 2016 - With Paul Owen of Roberts Coaches

General Meeting, December 2015 - The Christmas Party

Members were entertained with a talk on the Myths of Belly Dancing, including some very interesting demonstrations of the art, by Roxanne Dinsdale. Below are some pictures taken during the afternoon.

General Meeting, November 2015 - Talk by Bob Massey - Tricks of Light & Colour - optical illusions

Afternoon Tea, November 2015 - Tricia Nicholson demonstrating the activities of the Juke Box group

General Meeting, October 2015 - Talk by Bill Wells - Fire Safety with a Smile

The 2015 Picnic in the Park in Coalvile was a thoroughly successful day for all involved.
Once again we had a pitch at this popular event held in Coalville Park. This year however, it was a dry day and, during the afternoon, even warm and sunny. This better weather helped to encourage a pleasing turn-out by the public.
Our stand looked inviting with the bunting and roll-up banner at the entrance to the gazebo. We had a steady flow of visitors taking away our information leaflets.
Special mention must be made of the eleven members who volunteered to look after the display throughout the afternoon. We could not attend such events or promote our U3A without that support. On behalf of the Committee and the whole membership: Thank you.
We have received an email thanking Whitwick and District U3A for our attendance from Julia Harley on behalf of the Cultural Services Team at NWLDC.

Members chatting at our stand

Various visitors at our stand

A quieter spell

General Meeting, June 2015 - Talk by Dr Mark Edworthy - Flying a Tiger moth

General Meeting, May 2015 - AGM

Members receiving Water Confidence certificates

General Meeting, April 2015 - Talk by Ella Tonge - Dogs Trust

General Meeting, March 2015 - Talk by Colin Bower - Humour around us

Practising CPR on a dummy at the First Aid morning, Feb 2015

General Meeting, February 2015 - Elizabeth Riding talking about Food

General Meeting, January 2015 - With local MP Andrew Bridgen