The University of the Third Age (U3A)http://www.u3a.org.uk

The U3A was formed in 1982 and is a non-political, non-religiousorganisation dedicated to providing a social and self-learningenvironment for retired/semi-retired people. In the UK there are over1000 U3As with a new one forming every week and a combinedmembership of over 400,000

Its aim is to encourage members to help each other and to share theirknowledge, skills and experience. The pleasure of learning and socialising isa driving force in U3A and members see themselves as both learners andteachers. Since we learn for the pleasure of it, no qualifications are requiredand none are given.The general format is a monthly meeting at which we socialise, enjoy aspeaker, take part in general discussion and find out about the groupactivities. But the great strength of the U3A lies in its internal activity groupspursuing whatever subject their members wish and meeting where, whenand how often they decide.

U3A MAGAZINE ‘THIRD AGE MATTERS’Third Age Matters is a magazine published 5 times a year by the NationalU3A and it is available to be delivered to members’ home addresses.The mailing list is updated 5 times annually by our Membership Secretaryand sent to head office through a secure online portal, so please keep theMembership Secretary informed of any changes of address. If you don’twish to receive the magazines please inform the Membership Secretary ormake the appropriate indication on your renewal or application form.

U3A RESOURCE CENTREThe National U3A Office also holds very extensive information on manysubjects studied by U3A groups: language courses, discs, and literatureetc. Also there are some national advisers who will help new group leaderson specific subjects. Further information available through the main U3Awebsite. http://www.u3a.org.uk

GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATIONS (GDPR)Stokesley & District U3A is fully compliant with GDPR. A copy of our DataProtection Policy & Privacy Policy is available on the website.

Stokesley & District U3ARegistered Charity (No.1117650)

Stokesley and District U3A was formed in June 2004. Since then we have grown rapidly to amembership of about 575 and about 49 activity groups. We are a member of the Third AgeTrust and a registered charity.

Finance

The annual subscription is a fee of £17 per person, which includes attendance at the main monthly meetings. There is also a £1 meeting attendance charge for attending group activity meetings that incur room hire charges. There are reduced fees for Associate members who are members of another U3A that pays their National U3A Membership Fee. Also there is a reduced fee of £10 for the part year from 1st April. Our subscription year runs from September to August. If you are a UK taxpayer your subscription may be eligible for a gift aidrefund with your consent.

Is your information correct?Are you receiving notifications and information from us? If not, we may not have your correctcontact details. As a member of Stokesley and District U3A it is your responsibility to ensure that we hold the correct information on our system. You can alter or change information by contacting our Membership Secretary, Martin Davies via our website (see back page) and then selecting the Membership button.

Monthly MeetingsThese are held in Stokesley Methodist Church on the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Doors open at 1.15pm with the opportunity for tea/coffee and a chat. The talk then starts at 2pm for about an hour including questions and is followed by any announcements, committee and group leaders’ reports.

Activity GroupsThese can be formed to satisfy any subject, with frequency, location and timing of meetings decided by the group. Someone acts as a leader/ organiser/ tutor/ convener and liaises with the Group Coordinator to avoid clashes, where possible, with other groups on the timetable and to decide on a meeting place, dependent on size. A list of the Groups is shown below.

NewsletterOur Members’ Handbook is issued annually and a Newsletter is published bi-monthly and is sent to each member, wherever possible via email, but if no email is available it will be posted out (however, posting out will mean a delay in receiving the latest Newsletter). Any member is invited to contribute newsletter items.

Speaker Meetings 2019—2020Held in Stokesley Methodist Church 2nd Wednesday of the month. Doors open at 1.15 pmwith coffee/tea served before the meeting and then the Speaker starting at 2.00pm.

12 February 2020 - ‘Gertrude Bell’Lynn Lampert returns to talk about Gertrude Bell and her local connections.

11 March 2020 - ‘Fotherley Pannell - 18th century surgeon and apothecary’David Severs will talk about his research into the life of this local man.

8 April 2020- ‘Bang up to the elephant’ - Fools Gold - an acoustic duo.Live music, spoken words and projected images centring on our Victorian ancestors.

13 May 2020 - ‘Single to Hong Kong’Brian Jocelyn describes his cross country journey to China.

10 June 2020 - ‘A solo walk across Africa’Fran Sandham talks about his 3,000 mile walk from Namibia's Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean.

8 July 2020 - ‘Fighting AIDS in Africa’Peter Sotheran will describe the highlights, the horror and the humour of running an AIDScamp in the slums of Nairobi.

12 August 2020 – ‘Memories of China’Jean Harrod will return to talk about the years that she spent as a diplomat in China immediately after the death of Chairman Mao.

Organisation of the Monthly Meetings.Each month different groups take responsibility for making and serving tea and coffee before the meetings as well as putting up and taking down the tables in the hall.

Future SpeakersIf you hear, or hear of, good speakers, please let the speaker finder or one of the committee know. There have been some excellent speakers and many are found throughyour recommendation. Some of the talent comes from within Stokesley U3A as well.

ACTIVITY GROUPS

GROUP MEETINGSThese are held in a variety of different locations. Some are held in members’ homes,others in hired rooms in Stokesley Community Care Centre and the Stokesley Town Hall,or in village or church halls in the area. Most groups have tea and coffee available at theirmeetings and a small charge is made for this.

JOINING A GROUPPlease contact the leader of that group before you attend a meeting for the firsttime. If the group is full, your name will be placed on a waiting list and the group leaderwill contact you when there is a place available or if it is possible to form another group.

SETTING UP A NEW GROUPActivity Groups are formed as a result of members seeking others with a sharedinterest in a subject. All members of Stokesley & District U3A are free to set up aninterest group but the approval of the Committee must be obtained in order to meet theterms of our insurance. The Coordinator will give advice and support to anyone whowants to set up a new group.

The member who acts as the leader of a group does not have to be an expert in thechosen subject but as leader, he/she simply acts as the organiser of that group’sactivities. It is the members of the group who develop the learning experience within thegroup. Stokesley & District U3A is always seeking to expand the number of activitygroups available to members. If there is a topic that you think would be of interest toother members then why not try to set up a new Group, either yourself or with anothermember to share the organisation?

The Activity Group Coordinator will be happy to help and can provideyou with a leaflet entitled “Group Leader Guidelines”

For more information contact can be made through the general enquiries link on the

Contact page of the website.

VenuesStokesley U3A meetings are held at the following venues:Stokesley Town Hall, High Street Stokesley (STH)Stokesley Methodist Church, High St. Stokesley (SMH)Rooms at Stokesley Community Care /Library (CCC)Friends Meeting House, The Green, Great Ayton (FMH)St Joseph’s Church Hall, Tanton Road, Stokesley (StJ)

Some groups meet in members’ houses.

ART, LITERATURE, IDEASART HISTORY

Explores paintings, artists and art movements with DVDs, the leader, and members.1st Thursday 10.00am excluding August and December. Meets CCC

LIFE DRAWINGTry out your drawing skills on other members (fully clothed) or take a turn at modelling.4th Thursday 1.30-3.30pm Meets CCC

ART AND CRAFTS AND TEXTILE ART GROUP

The group explores techniques in drawing, painting, printing, dyeing and textiles.1st Wednesday 2.00-4.00pm. Meets STH

CLASSIC FILMS STUDY GROUPView and savour those much-loved old films. 3rd Tuesday in Jan, Feb, Mar, April, Oct & Nov. 1.30-3.30pm. Meets CCC

CLASSIC LITERATUREThe history of British literature and novels using DVDs and members’ contributions.4th Monday 10.00am. Meets CCC

CREATIVE WRITINGA weekly meeting to encourage writing by the members of the group.Every Friday 10.00am-12.00pm. Meets CCC

CURRENT AFFAIRSEach month a different member of this group leads a discussion on an item of interest.4th Friday 2.00-4.00pm. Meets CCC

PHILOSOPHYRead and discuss some of the greatest philosophical ideas of the last 2,500 years.2nd Monday 10:00am-12:00pm. Meets CCC

PLAY READINGPlay reading from comedies to thrillers, Shakespeare to Ayckbourn.Group 1. 1st Wednesday 10.00am. Meets CCC

Group 2. 1st Wednesday 1.30-3.30pm. Meets CCC

Group 3. 2nd Tuesday 2.00-4.00pm. Meets CCC

POETRY READINGEnjoy hearing and reading some poems on a selected subject or poet.Group 1. 3rd Wednesday 10.00am. Meets Home Group 2. 3rd Wednesday 1.30pm Meets CCC

Group 3. 2nd Wednesday 10.00am Meets CCC Group 4. 4th Monday 10.00am. Meets FMH

READING GROUPMembers read and discuss a book from classics & biography to modern fiction & thrillers.2nd Thursday 10.30am Meets CCC

READING ROUNDMembers read short stories during the meeting and then discuss them.1st Tuesday 10.00am. Meets CCC

SHAKESPEARE GROUPMembers read and discuss one of the plays over two months and watch a dvd. 4th and 5th Wednesday. 10.00am. Meets CCC

TAI CHI and QIGONG (Currently full) A chance to learn and enjoy this ancient art. Thursday weekly 2pm. Meets STH

THEATRE AND CONCERTGroup visits with shared transport to concerts, ballet and plays in the North East.

MUSICACOUSTIC MUSIC GROUP

The group plays a variety of musical instruments. Alternate Mondays 2nd and 4th 10.00am-12.00pm. Meets STH

GUITAR GROUPA successful group in which guitarists meet to make music together. 1st and 3rd Mondays 10.00am-12.00pm. Meets STH

INTERMEDIATE GUITAR A group for those who would like to learn the basics of the guitar.2nd and 4th Mondays 10.00am-12.00pm Meets Kirkby Village Hall

CLASSICAL GUITAR

A small group for improvers looking to enhance their guitar technique.1st and 3rd Mondays 11.30am-1.15pm Meets STH

MUSIC APPRECIATION

Listen to members’ favourite music on a selected topic or composer.4th Thursday 10.00am. Meets FMH

SINGING FOR PLEASUREAn informal, sociable group where previous experience is not necessary.1st and 3rd Tuesdays 10.00am-12.00pm. Meets StJ

UKULELEGroup of players, both learners and more advanced, who play as part of an ensemble.2nd and 4th Tuesdays 10.00am Meets StJ

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGYCOMPUTER , TABLET and SMART-PHONE GROUP

Five skilled members provide assistance to beginners and others with more experience on a variety of topics appropriate to these devices.1st and 3rd Wednesdays 10.00am-12.00pm. Meets CCC

iPAD USER GROUPFor those learning to use their iPads and/or develop their skills.2nd Monday 1.30-3.30pm Meets CCC

SCIENCE GROUPPresentations on a variety of Science subjects introduced by a member or from DVDs4th Wednesday 2.00pm Meets STH

HISTORYFAMILY HISTORY

The group discuss aspects of family history and how to do the research to find out more.1st and 3rd Wednesday 1.30pm - 3.30 pm Meets STH

MODERN HISTORYThe Group is studying the history of the Stuart Monarchy in England.4th Tuesday 2.00pm. Meets CCC

BRITISH MEDIEVAL HISTORY An exploration of British history from 1066 to 1603.4th Friday 10.00am-12.00pm Meets CCC

LANGUAGESGERMAN

Improve your language skills in German1st and 3rd Monday 1.30-3.30pm Meets CCC

GERMAN FOR BEGINNERSThe group is learning the language by talking and acting, listening and writing.1st and 3rd Wednesdays in term times 1.00-3.00 p.m. Meets FMH

ITALIANPractise your Italian in a friendly environment. Basic knowledge of Italian is needed.Conversation 1: 1st and 3rd Monday 10.00am-12.00pm Meets CCCConversation 2: 2nd and 4th Thursday 09.30-11.30am Meets in members’ homes

FRENCHFrench 1:‘French for Enjoyment ‘ is a new group for basic learners up to ‘O’/GCSE level. 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 10.00am-12.00pm Meets STH

French 2: 'Parlez! On vous ecoute!' is a new more advanced French group.

2nd and 4th Tuesday 10.00am-12.00pm Meets Carter Room in STH

GAMES GROUPSCANASTA

Learn and enjoy playing Bolivia Canasta1st and 3rd Thurs 1.15-3.30pm Meets CCC

SCRABBLE2nd and 4th Thursday 1.15-3.15pm. Meets Carter Room STH

OUTDOORS AND TRAVEL

GARDENTalks and discussions on aspects of gardening-visits to gardens large and small(May-Oct)2nd Tuesday 10.30am (Nov-March). Meets CCC

NATURAL HISTORY

November- March indoors 3rd Thursday 10.30am Meets CCCSummer visits to nature reserves.

MOCKTAILS AND TALL TALESRecently formed group, informal chats about holidays, mishaps and life in general. 1st Wednesday 12.30-2.30pm Meets The Rudds Arms, Stokesley Rd, Marton

WALKING GROUPSShort: 2nd and 4th Friday at 10.30. 2 to 3 mile walks in the local countryside. Slow Walking Group: 1st Monday. 4-5 mile walks at a leisurely pace. Intermediate: 2nd Thursday. Walks of 5 to 7 miles.

Long ; 1st Friday. Walks of 7 to 10 miles.

Week Day Groups AM Groups PM1 Monday Italian Conversation 1

Guitar Group & Classical Guitar Group Slow Walking

German

1 Tuesday Singing for PleasureReading RoundFrench advanced

1 Wednesday Play Reading 1Computer and Tablet GroupFrench for Enjoyment

Play Reading 2Family HistoryArt and Crafts and Textiles ArtMocktails and Tall TalesGerman for Beginners

1 Thursday Art History CanastaTai Chi & Qigong

1 Friday Long WalksCreative Writing

2 Monday PhilosophyAcoustic Instrument Players Intermediate Guitar

iPad Users

2 Tuesday Garden GroupUkulele Group

Play Reading 3

2 Wednesday Poetry Reading 3 Monthly Meeting

2 Thursday ReadingItalian Conversation 2Intermediate Walks

Tai Chi & QigongScrabble

2 Friday Creative WritingShort Walk

3 Monday Italian Conversation 1Guitar Group & Classical Guitar Group

German

3 Tuesday Singing for PleasureFrench advanced

Classic Films (Oct-April only)

3 Wednesday Poetry Reading 1Computer and Tablet GroupFrench for Enjoyment

Poetry Reading 2Family HistoryGerman for Beginners

3 Thursday Natural History CanastaTai Chi & Qigong

3 Friday Creative WritingArmchair TravelLong Walks Extra

4 Monday Classic LiteraturePoetry Reading 4Acoustic Instrument Players Intermediate Guitar

4 Tuesday Ukulele Modern History

4 & 5 Wednesday Shakespeare Study Group (4th & 5th) Science (4th Wednesday)

4 Thursday Music AppreciationItalian Conversation 2

ScrabbleTai Chi & QigongLife Drawing

4 Friday Creative WritingShort WalkMedieval History

Current Affairs

CONTACTS

WEBSITE: https://www.u3asites.org.uk/stokesley

Some Group leaders can be contacted directly from the website by email otherwise contact the U3A Secretary by email at:u3asec@outlook.com