Here are the winners of the Short Story Competition organised in 2020 by the Creative Writing Group. Click or tap on the links below for a good read! Winner: The Mojave Flute Player – by Mike Briggs Highly Commended: Breath – by Ann Henders Highly Commended: Last Memory – by Sue Watkinson Highly Commended: The Man In The Smiling… Read More »
A poem for this time of social distancing – penned by Ballroom Dancing and Keyboard Music Group member, Margaret Hobson Last Updated – Saturday, July 25, 2020
Thanks to the U3A Gardening Group members (and a couple of other enthusiasts) that sent in photos of their gardens taken during this lockdown summer, the Web Team have created this interesting and colourful gallery. Click or tap on the first pic to run a full-size slide show. Last Updated – Wednesday, August 5, 2020
John and Joan, Leaders of the Bridge Group, have sent the Web Team some very interesting news about what the Group has been doing to keep going during Lockdown. What an active and adaptable Group! During the lockdown, we have been in touch with all the group members with a regular email contact as well as by… Read More »
A new virtual group – Science during Lockdown – has been specially set up for these strange times. It features a Daily Science Snippet, Science Jokes and Cartoons, Illusions, online Science Quizzes that any member can try out and links to Coronavirus articles. Last Updated – Thursday, July 23, 2020
The daffodils had faded, but there was no shortage of beautiful blooms appearing in our gardens and local countryside. Member, Audrey Patterson, had sent the Web Team a stunning photo of a lovely tree in her garden. This was the inspiration to set up a new Photo Gallery to brighten up both our spirits and the website, and… Read More »
Following on from the Post called TAT Advice and Info on this website, here are some other great lockdown ideas and activities from the Third Age Trust (TAT). Exercise Motivation Find out about a great opportunity that has been arranged for U3A Members via YouTube. Mr Motivator has joined forces with U3A for a weeklong series of exercises.… Read More »
As there will be no Horizons meetings for quite some time, you can renew your U3A Membership in one of two ways: Renew online – just click on this link and follow the instructions. This is the preferred method. Use the Membership Renewal form in the Magazine which you should have received though the post by now. Last Updated – Thursday,… Read More »
Although fairly familiar, or at least aware of, a good number of apps, I had never heard of Zoom until the start of social isolation. When asked about video conferencing, a younger family member immediately said Zoom. Soon after that, we also heard mention of it from a couple of U3A members. A Computer Helper, Ann P, had… Read More »
Many of our favourite activities and interests have been curtailed due to social isolation. But here are some ideas how can keep your participation alive. National Theatre at Home Watch top-notch online shows for free. Productions are shown every Thursday at 7pm and are then available for 7 days. ‘Local’ Theatre Spot On is Lancashire’s touring theatre network. They are… Read More »
Following a meeting of the Management Committee and Trustees, all Aughton & Ormskirk U3A face-to-face activities are suspended with effect from 17 March 2020, until further notice. This government guidance on coronavirus includes ongoing and changing information about how to protect yourself or check if you need medical help, and provides advice about social distancing, staying at home and travel… Read More »
As you probably are aware, enews is emailed to all members with an email address on the Beacon Membership System. But you may not be aware that Group Leaders can send emails to all members in their Group. A number of Groups are set up in Beacon to enable this already – extremely useful in the current circumstances.… Read More »
Short Courses – (1) Learn to Play Bridge; and (2) Improve Your Bridge The Bridge Group will run a 10-week course starting in March for members who would like to learn how to play Bridge or to return to playing after a break from the game. We plan to follow this up in the Autumn with a course… Read More »
Check out the Digital Photography Group Page (and the Group Posts that follow it) for details of the first meeting this year and exhibitions of the excellent photos taken in past years. Last Updated – Thursday, February 13, 2020
From the beginning of February, certain days and times will be dedicated to U3A swimmers, with the services of a Lifeguard and Instructor to help members regain confidence. These are not swimming lessons for beginners although classes may be possible as the months go on. My items in the magazine and the last enews attracted over 20 names, which is a… Read More »
English Medieval Cathedrals of the South and South-east Commencing Tuesday 28 January, for this fourth series of Church History we move to medieval cathedrals in the south-eastern extremity of England, interspersed with two visits to more-local medieval sites. The 1st talk is on Canterbury Cathedral – part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site and mother church of the… Read More »
Wednesday January 8: The Walled Garden – A talk about Norton Priory. See Gardening Group for details and for future Meetings in 2020 if you missed this one. Last Updated – Monday, March 30, 2020
The new Marketing Manager at West Lancs Leisure Services will be our Guest Visitor at Horizons on Thursday 9th January. He is hoping to generate interest in specific U3A activities at Park Pool, Nye Bevan Pool and Burscough Sports Centre and wants to talk to members about their preferred sport. He is in contact with the other five… Read More »
Starting Monday 13th January at 1.30 pm, Dave, our Digital Music Advisor, is inviting any U3A members who are bemused by their keyboards, to come to the Scout & Guide HQ. Dave will happily advise what the ‘Keyboard Buttons’ are for. You don’t have to be a member of the existing Keyboard Group, which recommences on 6th January.… Read More »
For photos of the some of the Social Highlights of 2019, brought to you by the hard-working Social Subcommittee and their helpers, please see the Social Events webpage. Happy memories! Last Updated – Sunday, January 5, 2020
A special Gardening Group Meeting on Wednesday November 13: Jaqueline Iddon – Christmas from the Garden. A practical demonstration, making a blue spruce door ring, winter pots and other festive ideas to help decorate your home for Christmas. All welcome! Last Updated – Tuesday, November 19, 2019
Do join us on Thursday the next Speaker Meeting on 7 November when our own U3A member, John Winter, will speak about his book: Blame it on the Beatles – and Bill Shankly. Last Updated – Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Tickets now available for the U3A Musical Theatre Production on 8th & 9th November. Don’t miss the “Chance” for an enjoyable night out at the Civic Hall. Bring your friends along too. Note that you can buy your tickets online via ticketsource as well as purchasing them at Horizons. Last Updated – Tuesday, November 12, 2019
Age UK Lancashire is launching a brand new service in West Lancashire for people living with mild to moderate dementia. Maintenance Cognitive Stimulation Therapy (MCST) is a 12 weekly programme designed for people living with mild to moderate dementia and is the only non-drug treatment recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to improve cognition,… Read More »
Come along to the Film Appreciation Group, Monday morning, 28th October to see: The Guernsey Literary Meat and Potato Peel Pie Society (2018). This is an historical romantic drama based on the book of the same name. In the aftermath of WW2, a writer forms an unexpected relationship with the residents of Guernsey. The film has wartime pathos,… Read More »
Have you seen or used the Guillotine that usually resides in the Scout & Guide HQ? It has disappeared in the last few weeks. It’s quite a large one so not easily missed or hidden from view. Contact the Secretary if you have any ideas on where it might be lurking. Last Updated – Monday, October 14, 2019
The Local History Group returns to Indoor Meetings in October! Last Updated – Friday, October 4, 2019
Come to the Sunday Social on Sunday 22nd for Songs from the U3A Choir, Refreshments and Prize Bingo. Last Updated – Thursday, September 26, 2019
Heritage Open Day in Christ Church, Aughton on Saturday 21 September. Church Tower open for viewing and a talk on Christ Church History given by U3A member, Peter Goodrich. See the Parish Newsletter and also Posters in the Christ Church Ministry Centre Last Updated – Thursday, September 26, 2019
The U3A diaries are now available from the Social Subcommittee. A useful bargain to be had at only £2.75 each. Last Updated – Friday, September 20, 2019
There have been some wonderful sporting events to sit and watch on the TV this summer – golf, cricket, netball, cycling. But if you feel like being more active, we have a good number of Groups in our U3A that provide a range of opportunities for members to get going – albeit at a more leisurely pace. And… Read More »
Try your hand at a new skill ……… Click to view poster full-size. Last Updated – Monday, August 26, 2019
Enjoy a series of classic films this summer with the Film Appreciation Group. NB if you’ve missed them so far, there is still one to come in September! Last Updated – Thursday, September 26, 2019
A message from Brian Bostock (our U3A facebook Editor and Computer Helper): It’s that time of year again when many members are on holiday, so to avoid staffing difficulties it has been decided to close Computer Advice, both Monday and Tuesday mornings after next week’s sessions (Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 July). We will reopen on Monday and… Read More »
If you missed this Year’s AGM, you can read Reports from the past Chair and Hon Sec via the links in the AGM 2019 webpage. You can also browse for full details such as the Agenda and Minutes. (Also find out more about all the hard work done by the various Committees and Subcommitees year-round to keep our… Read More »
So come along to the Gardening Group. Click or tap on any picture to run the gallery as a colourful slide show. Last Updated – Friday, July 19, 2019
WOW! ~ hasn’t the last two years gone quickly, as your Chairman, as I realise I will very soon pass the reins of office onto my successor. In accordance with our Constitution the maximum period of tenure as Chairman is two years. Last Updated – Friday, July 19, 2019
The Web Team consists of : a Web Manager who maintains an overview of the website content a Groups Editor who keeps an eye on the Group Pages and updates those that do not have a Group Author a Media Manager who manages the WordPress Media Library The Web Team is assisted by a very large number of… Read More »
For our next Speaker Meetings, on Thursday 6th June, we will welcome local resident, writer and photographer, Peter Rimmer, who will present a talk on Morecambe Bay. Last Updated – Friday, June 7, 2019
Last Updated – Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Click or tap on any photo to see a slide show of bigger pictures! Last Updated – Wednesday, April 24, 2019
Note that the deadline for the next U3A Magazine is now past. If you missed, there is still time to send your item in to appear in the next enews. And remember, you can additionally / alternatively have your info appear on both this website or the U3A facebook page at any time. See the latest U3A Magazine… Read More »
Click or tap on photographs to enlarge. Last Updated – Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Do check out a new item on the top horizontal menu bar of our website called Events. This connects to a new page that provides easy links to non-Group-related events of general interest to members across the U3A. (Some, such as certain Speaker Meetings, may also be open to non-members.) To keep content on this and all other… Read More »
Join our U3A Choir on a Desert Island! Last Updated – Sunday, May 26, 2019
On Bank Holiday Monday 6th May, U3A member and local historian, Andrew Beeston, will lead a free walk on the ‘War Horse’ route, from the start at Ormskirk Station to Lathom and return. Setting off at 10.00 a.m. Andrew will tell the story of the war horses and the contribution they made during the First World War. Lathom… Read More »
After having a peek at Dee’s career in the recent magazine we are eager to know more, so she has agreed to bring along some pictorial exhibits of her musical life including a short video. We are making this an excuse to have a fun day without keyboards just cakes, chat and bubbly. We realise that other U3A… Read More »
Click on the movie to see the group in action. Last Updated – Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Last meeting in December Jaqueline Iddon – Christmas from the Garden A practical demonstration, making a blue spruce door ring, winter pots and other festive ideas to help decorate your home for Christmas. Jaqueline gave us a very entertaining and amusing talk whilst showing us how to make beautiful christmas decorations using foliage from the garden with added… Read More »
The October meeting was an informative talk by Maureen Sawyer, a garden designer and consultant, on the A-Z of garden gems. In November – Matthew Smith from Brighter Blooms presented ‘Weeds ~ to love or to loathe’, a topic that effects all gardeners. This talk aimed to get you thinking about weeds differently. Samples of Mare’s Tail and… Read More »
Newsletters from the Previous Gardening Group (written by David Blanchflower) February / March 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 September 2018October 2017 March 2017 December 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 See also some Posts below describing meetings of the Previous Gardening Group (run by David Blanchflower). Last Updated – Sunday, January… Read More »
Make a date for a heated debate at this month’s Sunday Social. Last Updated – Monday, April 29, 2019
In December, we received a message from Sur Watkinson: The Jazz Appreciation Group held its last event on Friday evening 14 December with a superb performance by the Chicago Teddy Bears Society Jazz Band. Group numbers for regular meetings have fallen to single figures and our mainstay, Keith Lamb, has retired to spend more time with his family. … Read More »
Alan Starkie has issued a message asking for volunteers. Alan is to be found most Thursdays at Horizons at the Digital Camera / Computer Table in the far corner of the Aughton Room in the Scout & Guide HQ. He also is a Helper at Computer Advice on Mondays. There are vacancies on the Finance and Resources Sub-Committee.… Read More »
A message from the current Magazine Distribution Organiser, Peter Trigwell: Many rumours are flying about the U3A at the moment with a view to what is happening with the magazine distribution. Let me try and answer some of them. The next Distribution date is the 28th February, and nothing will change at this time, magazines can still be collected… Read More »
Magically, each Thursday morning, members arrive for their coffee and chat to find chairs and tables set out ready for them, cups lined up and kettles brewed. The small teams of helpers arrive just after 9.00 a.m. and spent around 20 minutes getting the rooms ready. Over the last twelve months the number of members willing to help… Read More »
Church History Group is starting a new Series on Medieval Cathedrals in January. Keep an eye on the Church History Group Page for details of these ever-popular Talks (and a Cathedral Visit). Last Updated – Sunday, January 27, 2019
British History is a brand new Group, starting on 7 January, in which you can learn anew or refresh your memories about the fascinating History of our homeland from the Norman Conquest till the reign of Victoria. See the new British History Group Page for full details. Last Updated – Monday, January 21, 2019
In December, many of our U3A Groups have a special December Meeting with a seasonal flavour. Check the Groups List or the Programme Page to see if there is one for you to attend If any Group Leaders would like their Xmas Do added to the Calendar on the Sidebar of News Page, please email: webteam@aughton-ormskirk-u3a.co.uk December 25th… Read More »
Paula Gatterall from West Lancs Borough Council is running a FREE weight management programme and attended Horizons as Guest Visitor on Thursday 13 December to talk to members about this. The programme will be held in the Christ Church Ministry Centre starting in January 2019. The meetings are on Thursday mornings, so handily timed to combine with a visit to Horizons beforehand!… Read More »