Christmas General Meeting, December 2014 - With wonderful entertainment from "Our Flossie"..........

.....and Brian gets the Lady!!!

Members enjoy a Christmas tea, cakes and mince pies.

General Meeting, October 2014.

Talk by Colin Bauer - My Life as a Passenger Liaison Officer

General Meeting, September 2014.

Talk by Brian Johnson talking on Village Cinemas of Leicestershire

Over 5,000 people supported the Snibston Miners' Gala on 13th September helping to generate a lively atmosphere throughout the day. Although our stand was away from the main thoroughfare, we welcomed a steady flow of visitors and some positive interest.
Grateful thanks are due to the fourteen members who volunteered to give an hour (or two) of their time to represent our U3A. We could not take part in such events without you.
If anyone knows of local events in which we could participate, please alert someone on the Committee.

Promoting our U3A at the Miner's Gala.

Crowds enjoying the event.

The 2014 Party in the Park in Whitwick was a thoroughly successful day for all involved. For the second year, Whitwick and District U3A had a stand at this community event which was very well attended.

Special thanks are due to David Harms, for the loan of his gazebo, and Bill Blakemore for being there to erect and take it down.Twelve members generously gave their time to look after the stand during the day. Without this positive contribution, we could not participate in such events.

There was a steady flow of visitors to our stand with considerable interest from the public. Our volunteers were able to hand out our new attractive flyers which detail relevant information. More importantly, we had a presence there, contributing to raising awareness of our U3A.

Along with the Party in the Park, Whitwick holds a Scarecrow Festival: something to think about for 2015?

Crowds atWhitwick Party in the Park

Members chatting at our stand

General Meeting, Aug 2014

Talk by Gill Welch - National Memorial Arboretum

General Meeting, July 2014

Talk by Sara Crofts - Protecting Ancient Buildings

Coalville Picnic in the Park, June 2014

Volunteers helping out at our stand

Families enjoying the entertainment and atmosphere

General Meeting May 2014

Pete Johnson talking about the history of Morris Dancing, complete with demonstration.

General Meeting March 2014

Katie Woodroffe talking about Twycross Zoo

Some scenes from the December 2013 meeting

Elizabeth Riding - talking about Christmas Eve in Bethlehem

General Meeting Nov 2013

Kevin Barfield gave an interesting and detailed account of the life of George Formby including recordings of the star talking about his life and singing his comical songs. Kevin played his own banjolele and sang songs made famous by George Formby.

General Meeting Sept 2013

John Beesley and David Booth, extreme left, giving their presentation on the unique Century Theatre. They both work tirelessly as volunteers at the Theatre based at Snibston Discovery Museum. Many WAD U3A members support the Century Theatre and enjoyed the opportunity to learn more about its fascinating history.

WAD attend Party in the Park in Whitwick
On Saturday, 7th September WAD had a pitch at the annual Party in the Park in Whitwick.
The event was well-attended and our marquee received a steady flow of visitors who were able to take away our promotional leaflets. Thanks are due to all those members who gave their time so generously to publicise our U3A in such a positive manner - a splendid effort.

One of our display boards

Helping out at an event can be good fun!

Elizabeth Riding speaking on "Chocolate Delight" - August 2013

Liz Brandow's fascinating talk on Richard III comparing Shakespeare's version to contemporary documented evidence.

The "Down to Earth" team, from left to right: Chris Gutteridge, Dave Andrews, John Smith and Alan Dayman.

Whitwick & District U3A host "Down to Earth" During the evening of Thursday, 7th March, the Gardening Group hosted a recording of the long-running, popular BBC Radio Leicester programme "Down to Earth". The audience was made up of fifty members and visitors who found the experience thoroughly enjoyable.
Special thanks must go to Margaret for making the arrangements; Roger for organising the details of the event; Richard for "volunteering" to assist with the roving mike; and all the members who asked a question of the gardening experts. The response from the "Down to Earth" team was both informative and entertaining.
The questions ranged over topics such as vegetable and herb growing; planting a hedge; moving plants; selecting suitable trees; potting compost and the "Chelsea Chop".
The programme recording went very smoothly and was broadcast on Sunday, 17th March.

The Fun Choir in festive spirits, Dec 2012

Speaker Jane Barnes - "Tales from a farmer's wife ", Aug 2012

On Show at the Miners' Gala, Snibston, Sept 2012

Lord & Lady Mayor stop by.

As it was!

Speaker Felicity Austin - "Oh I do like to be beside the seaside", Aug 2012

Record Numbers Enjoy a Cream Tea
There was a record-breaking attendance at the July general meeting. In place of a guest speaker, one hundred and two members and visitors were given the opportunity to relax and socialize with each other. St David’s Church Hall was transformed into an attractive tea-room.
Entertainment was provided by our own Fun Choir Group who sang a medley of popular numbers. Everyone was then served with a delicious tea of scones, jam, cream and strawberries with tea or coffee.
The enthusiastic response from members was a pleasant reward for the team who had organised the afternoon’s event. Helper Coordinator, Joyce Clarke stated, “Everyone enjoyed the friendly atmosphere and the time to indulge in a traditional cream tea.”
In the "small hall", group leaders had also worked hard to produce a display of the activities provided by their groups. The individual information boards looked amazing and attracted a lot of interest from both members and visitors.

Chris Andrews (RSPB) - Birds in your garden - Jun 2012

Our own Play Reading Group, May 2012

New Members' Coffee Morning

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On Wednesday, 9th May, we held our second Coffee Morning for new members. Invitations had been sent out to all who have joined our U3A in recent months. Those who came along were joined by some visitors, keen to find out more about us, some Group Leaders and Committee Members.
The event gave everyone an opportunity to see the range of activities offered by WAD, admire some displays arranged by Group Leaders and talk to each other in a pleasant, relaxed atmosphere.
Thanks are due to everyone who attended and helped to make this such a successful occasion.

The thank-you to the retiring chair from the new chair - AGM Apr 2012

Speaker Delphine North - 50 years of Coalville twinning - Apr 2012

Speaker David Seaton on "A Leicestershire Officer in WW1"- Mar 2012

David Bell speaking on Down the Garden Path - Feb 2012

Derek Jarram on speaking on "Dam and Blast" - Jan 2012

Dec 2011

Felicity Austin on An old-fashioned Christmas

Some of the raffle prizes

New members, Group Leaders and Committee Members enjoying a chat at the New Members' Coffee Morning - Nov 2011

Age concern talk - Oct 2011

One of our teams in the Thringstone Quiz

Elizabeth Riding on All about Coffee - Nov 2011

Jim Miller speaking on events in 1910, Sept 2011

Philip Warren with a talk on fashion for men and women in the 1950s and 60s, August 2011

Eileen Glasper talking on the work of a Magistrate, July 2011

A fascinating talk on the Great Central Railway, June 2011

We are grateful to Dr Wendy Freer who gave a talk on Canal Boat People at very short notice, May 2011

Roger Bisgrove asks "Do we really know what we are saying?", Apr 2011

Patsie Jarman answering a question following her talk, Mar 2011

Some scenes from the Open Meeting, Mar 2011

Helen Bralsford speaking about the forthcoming census, Feb 2011

Liz Wilson, Regional representative of TAT pointing out the forthcoming Regional Study Day, Feb 2011

Hannah Sandrom from Severn Trent Water looking for answers, Feb 2011

John speaking about the work of The Samaritans, Jan 2011

Anne Hughes speaking on The Twelve Days of Christmas, Dec 2010

Neil Hughes speaking on Wildlife Crime, Nov 2010

Dr Wendy Frear speaking on "Goings on below stairs", Oct 2010

Joyce Clarke at our stand at the Happy Hearts day held at the Hermitage Lesure Centre in Sept 2010

John Heal from the Computer Group, Using your PC for Family Hisory, Sept 2010

Felicity Austin speaking on Life in Tudor Leicester, Aug 2010

David Bell speaking on Murders in Leicestershire, July 2010

Maureen Partridge on Whitwick History - Mar 10

Marilyn Palmer on Comfort & Convenience in the English Country House - Feb 10

John Cox et al on Dickens Fellowship - Dec 09

Some Xmas entertainment courtesy of the Long Walks group

Presentation to 100th member Nov 09

Dr Wendy Freer on Life in the Workhouse - Nov 09

Speaking about Vanessa & Virginia Sept 09

Speaking about the Library Service Oct 09

Speaking about the Snibston Collection July 09

Speaking about LOROS Aug 09

January 2009, Scams and door-step crime

Preparing for talk on Whitwick Nov 08