New for 2024 – Learn to Play Bridge
Bridge is the most popular and enjoyable card game in the world, offering constant mental challenges and a great way to make new friends. If you would like to learn to play bridge or to return to playing after a break, then why not join the u3a Bridge Group’s next ‘Learn To Play Bridge Course’.
It will start in April and run for about 30 weeks, on Friday mornings, at the Scout & Guide HQ.
To find out more, please ring Nick Dowrick on 07988 119408.
Aughton & Ormskirk u3a had been organising Short Courses by and for its members over many years. Originally, these courses usually ran for around 6 sessions in length. In the past we have covered a diverse range of subjects such as chemistry, botany, astronomy, geology, poetry, painting, stained glass, meditation, memory, dancing, crafts. They typically drew on the skills, knowledge of members,
Over time, the Learning Opportunities became more varied in format eg a Series of Talks and / or Outings, One-off Workshops, Demo Sessions, Practical Tutorials and so on. Topic examples have included sessions on First Aid and the Use of Defribillators (from Professionals). Taster sessions on skills such as Ukulele, Tai Chi and Tap Dancing have led to extra permanent Groups being formed. Of more recent times, a Philosophy course designed for beginners and run by the retiring Leader of many years helped ensure that the Philosophy Group could carry on with some new members and a new Leader.
But please bear in mind that Short Courses, in whatever format, can only continue if members step up to share their skills and help organise them. And unfortunately, there are currently no courses in the pipeline.
Help and support to set up and run a course are provided by the Group Support Subcommittee. Contact groups@aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk.
Late in 2023, we had a visit from a member of Southport University Extension Society (SUES) – a local organisation that offers learning opportunities such as lectures and short courses. There may be opportunities for collaboration with SUES.
Examples of Past Courses
See below some of the plants we learnt about on the excellent Short Course on Botany in 2018 run by Peter Gately. This took place in the classroom and, literally, in the field!
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- Wood Sorrel
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- Wood Anemone
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- Lords and Ladies
Church History Group have run several excellent series of talks and visits on Cathedral Architecture over 2016 – 2017, another in 2018 and a third in 2019. Unfortunately, the 2020 series was cancelled for the obvious Covid reason, but partly recommenced in 2021 when deemed safe to do so. The Series was then completed in 2022 with a Trip to Beverley Cathedral. Check out the Church History Group page for great photo galleries of some cathedrals they have covered.
Last Updated on March 4, 2024