Groups
Speaker Events – Vacant – email: speaker.events@yealmu3a.org.uk
Speaker events are generally held once a month from September to May and cover a diverse range of subjects. These are held in either the WI hall in Newton Ferrers or Noss Village Hall. We welcome new ideas for subjects to add to our ever increasing repertoire and encourage you to contact us with your ideas.
Bird Watching – Susan Hall – bird.watching@yealmu3a.org.uk
This group has restarted under the leadership of Susan Hall after many successful years under the direction of Peter Holt. The group will usually meet monthly visiting different local areas. Where possible, a local guide will be invited to join the group. As a group we aim to help each other with identification, building knowledge and understanding of bird life patterns. – All u3a members are welcome.
Book Group – Bill Duncan – book-group@yealmu3a.org.uk
Organised to promote the enjoyment and reading of a diverse range of fiction and non- fiction, the meetings are held on a three weekly basis from 11.00am until 12.30pm usually on a Tuesday and lead by the person who has chosen the book for discussion. The group promotes friendly and lively debate and, whilst currently taking place on Zoom, in time will meet face to face. The books are chosen by individual members on a three meeting rolling basis so that the lead is shared.
Bridge – Lead Contact: Jane Wain – email: bridge@yealmu3a.org.uk
The u3a encourages bridge players of all abilities, running beginners’ courses , intermediates’ sessions with seminars, and occasional masterclasses. Jane is supported by a large team of volunteers who are experienced bridge enthusiasts. To find out how to get started, contact Jane. There is no need to have a partner. You will be made very welcome.
Cycling – Duncan Macpherson – email: cycling@yealmu3a.org.uk
Not Tour de France but extremely sociable, this well supported cycling group caters for confident cyclers who like exploring our fabulous countryside. Electric bike users are most welcome. Routes are chosen with mixed abilities in mind and a pub stop-off seems to be a very welcome distraction on most trips. There has been an annual foray to Brittany.
Family History – Robin Forrester – email: family.history@yealmu3a.org.uk
Genealogy has become increasingly popular recently and we are fortunate to have excellent local resources. The group extends its interests to ancient ancestries and explores different avenues for research. This is an increasingly popular group and if your question is ‘ Who are we?’ do come and find out!
Flower Arranging – Vacant – email: flowers@yealmu3a.org.uk
These sessions are specifically aimed at those with little or no experience of flower arranging but would like to learn and have some fun! Groups are limited to 12, as these sessions are practical and each session will take the format of a general talk, practical demonstration, followed by creating your own arrangement.
French – Rosemary Smith – email: french@yealmu3a.org.uk
Informal and friendly for French speakers of all levels, these sessions held at home, provide a chance to practise and extend your French over a relaxed cup of tea or coffee or maybe a glass of wine – French of course!
German – Jill Mariner – email: german@yealmu3a.org.uk
Discussions on topical and social issues are aimed at extending and broadening modern German colloquial vocabulary. A reasonable knowledge of spoken German is required; if in doubt about the level please ask.
Pickleball – Carrie Story – email: pickleball@yealmu3a.org.uk
Pickleball is a cross between tennis, table tennis and badminton, and is growing ever more popular. The new Yealm U3A Pickleball Group meets on a Tuesday in the Newton and Noss Village Hall. Times to be confirmed depending on demand. We’d love you to join us – beginners are more than welcome – Bats and balls are provided. If you are interested in playing Pickleball, or just want to learn more about it, please contact: Carrie Story, Vicki Ingram, or Amanda Parry-Smith.
There will be a session charge of £3.50 when you play, to cover the cost of the venue.
Photography – Bob Styring – email: photography@yealmu3a.org.uk
This very active group has provided many of our photos on our new website. It offers budding photographers the chance to explore different topics aiming to further the “Art of Photography”, whilst examining its technical aspects, in different locations in the area. Through members’ shared knowledge and expertise, the group offers a collaborative approach to sharing and disseminating knowledge to one another.
Poetry – Group Leader: Vacant – email: poetry@yealmu3a.org.uk
With different themes at each monthly meeting the group meets to read, discuss and enjoy poetry. There are occasional well supported public events which, for example, might show case local writing as well as popular and well known poems.
Table Tennis – Dora Thomas (am) – email: table.t1@yealmu3a.org.uk, Phil Davies (pm) – email: table.t2@yealmu3a.org.uk
There are two weekly sessions in Noss Village Hall: at 10am – 12 noon (am) on Tuesdays and 7pm – 9 pm (pm) on Thursdays. Bats and balls can be provided.
We have two tables available, and all standards of players are welcome. There will be a session charge of £3 when you play, to cover the cost of the venue.
Visits – Jacqui Gough, Fleur Holt, Jane Jordan – email: visits@yealmu3a.org.uk
We organise informative and interesting visits for all u3a members, which offer opportunities to explore and learn about a diverse range of places. Previous u3a visits have included places such as Dartmouth College, Theatre Royal, The Citadel, The Met Office, Plymouth Gin Distillery, Plym Valley Railway, and Historic local churches. We welcome suggestions for future visits.
Walking through Time – Liz Bailey – email: walking@yealmu3a.org.uk
Concentrating on Dartmoor, you will discover the secrets of this ancient landscape from the Bronze Age to recent times. An expert on the myths, legends and history of this fascinating and once well populated National Park, Liz caters for the keen walker where many of Dartmoor’s secrets may be unleashed over a pub lunch or picnic!
Wine Appreciation Group – Andrew & Sandy Hignett – email: wine@yealmu3a.org.uk
Around the world in 80 wines! The world is our oyster when it comes to sampling wine at our meetings and this is often matched with appropriate tapas or canapes. With a combination of experts from the world of wine, together with individual members who volunteer to host these meetings, members can sample and learn about a selection of 7 or 8 wines from around the world, or a specific region, at each tasting. Wine tasting trips abroad have included Roscoff and the Loire and more locally, Chew Magna where the group sampled a selection of English wines. Needless to say this is a very enthusiastic group!
Yeamblers – Brett and Susan Whitby-Smith – email: yeamblers@yealmu3a.org.uk
These walks provide members with a sociable way to enjoy the local coast and countryside in convivial company. The routes are normally not strenuous and involve either a pub lunch or a picnic, providing good exercise in good company.