CHARD, ILMINSTER & DISTRICT
 University of the Third Age (U3A)
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'GROUPS' PAGE

Summaries of the groups that are currently available are given below, together with the group leader/coordinator and the days and times of the month when they usually take place. Some group meetings are held in public meeting rooms whilst others (usually the smaller groups) are in private residences.  In some cases further details such as the current programme are available by clicking on 'More...'. Please note that some group details are subject to frequent change (e.g. venue, group leader) and that although the website is updated regularly the list may not reflect the very latest situation in some cases.

 
GROUP DESCRIPTION TIME/PLACE/CONTACT
Art
 


 

 PLEASE NOTE: This group has been suspended. A new group leader is needed. Anyone interested in leading such a group would be most welcome - please contact Beth Toman on 01460-65093.

 

 

 
Art Appreciation This popular group is currently viewing and discussing a series of excellent DVDs on artists and art movements. 
 		 1st Tuesday, 10am - 12

St Mary's Church Room, Chard

Beth Toman,
01460-65093
Bird Watching This popular group meets once a month weather permitting and visits a variety of recommended sites. There are some local venues but many activities involve travel, including all-day excursions. There are good opportunities for all members to learn and swap information. 2nd Tuesday

Terry Williamson,
01460-66637
Book Club

 

 Members of the group choose the authors or books that they wish to read, and bring their impressions to the group for comment and discussion. 3rd Tuesday, 2.30pm

Beth Toman,
01460-65093
Bridge Beginners are welcome at these bridge-playing sessions. The group aims to encourage those who are at an early learning stage. 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 2.15pm

Leslie Liddle,
01460-68022
Calligraphy

The group, as beginners, work on a broad hand and then progress onto other hands, learning something of the history and application of this craft. Each year members get involved in a project which is very stimulating, giving them confidence to go further. It needs patience and determination.

 2nd and 4th Thursdays, 2-4pm,
Tatworth Hall

Janet Brown
01460-66462

 

(The logo, left, was designed by Iris Leake for use by the U3A Trust. She is the national coordinator for Calligraphy.) 

Circle Dancing A gentle way of exercising through dance, to music from all over the world. Great
fun, come and join in.
 		 3rd Friday, 2pm,
Chard Town Hall

Mavis Harper,
01460-52994
Discussion The group usually deals with one topic per meeting. Topics, selected by the group, are introduced by one member and then opened to general discussion.  Examples of recent discussions are:
Is "not in my backyard" selfish and antisocial? and
Is "political correctness" incorrect?		 1st Monday, 2.15pm

Don Macdonald,
01460-64687
Etymology The study of English words and phrases. Because of its popularity, there are two parallel groups. 2nd Monday 10am OR
1st Wednesday 10am,

Don Macdonald,
01460-64687
Europe and Us Which European country intrigues you the most, and which do you find the most aggravating? If you too are interested in Europe, that is all of Europe not just the European Union, then this group is the one for you. The group focuses on one country at a time. Members find out information on the country and then discuss their findings and views at one or more meetings. 3rd Thursday, 2pm

Janet Brown,
01460-66462
French Beginners are welcome to this group which uses BBC courses plus articles from 'La Vie de Outre Manche' - a magazine for Francophiles. Much fun is had unravelling French jokes. Some conversation takes place. 1st and 3rd Thursdays, 10.30am

Bob Holmes,

01460-53543
Gardening For members who may or may not have green fingers. 2nd Monday, 10am

Peter Easton,
01297-553537
Genealogy Researching family history. Help is provided at all stages. 1st Tuesday, 2.30pm.

Sandra Kibble-White,
01460-66711
History

 

 Members of the group volunteer to research a particular topic and give an informal presentation to the group. Sometimes two or three members share a presentation. Often a theme is chosen for the year. Emphasis is on learning together; there are no experts. Most years the group goes on a weekend visit to an area of historical interest. 3rd Tuesday, 10.30am,
Windwhistle Golf Club

Barbara Ingrams
01460-64008
Italian

The Italian Group meets at a member's house in Knowle St Giles, so we try to arrange lifts for people without their own cars. We all have more than a basic knowledge of Italian, so the group is not suited for absolute beginners. We start each meeting with some relaxed and informal conversation, then we read out a little composition on a topic chosen the previous week. Next we read a short story or a newspaper article, before tackling an Italian crossword puzzle. We finish with more general discussion over the ' te e biscotti '.

 Every Friday at 2pm.

Martin Shirley,
01460-62608
Lunch Club This is a social group that meets at various eating places in the locality. 2nd Tuesday, 12.30pm,
various venues.

Eve Glover,
01460-62458
Music Appreciation The group aims to broaden understanding and appreciation of classical music by listening to recorded music selected in turn by group members. Various aspects of the music are discussed by the group.  2nd Wednesday, 10am

Ann Hipwood
News and Views The group discusses topical news reports. Each member in turn introduces a news item of their own choice for discussion in the group. The topics may be about eccentric, puzzling, amusing, thought-provoking or irritating aspects of human nature but may result in lively, good-humoured discussion. 3rd Wednesday, 10am

Don Macdonald,
01460-64687
Patchwork/ Quilting We are in the middle of an exciting project, each doing eight inch squares to join up into a large double bed sized quilt. This is a steep learning curve for most of us, and we are all developing and honing  our skills. When the quilt is finished we hope to raffle it to raise monies for a charity, which has yet to be decided. We also make visits to exhibitions and shows. 2nd Wednesday, 2pm
St Gildas.

Maggie Darby,
01460-63428
Play Reading The group reads one-act plays, usually comedies, which are chosen by members. Each person has the chance to read a main character. 1st Wednesday, 2pm.

Norma Evans,
01460-67265
Poetry This is an informal group for those who enjoy discovering, reading and listening to a wide variety of poems. Each member reads his or her own choice of poetry on a theme selected in advance. There are two parallel groups. Poetry 1:
4th Wednesday, 2pm.
Sonia Hanson,
01297-35287

Poetry 2:
3rd Wednesday, 2pm.
Gillian Macdonald,
01460-64687

Portuguese for Beginners Conversational Portuguese for beginners. 2nd & 4th Monday (Tuesdays on bank holidays), 2-4pm.

Tony Schofield
01460-261817
Rambling A variety of leisurely walks are undertaken, usually taking about 2-3 hours and finishing at a pub for lunch. 1st Friday, 10am

We assemble in Crowshute Car Park, Chard, and then decide how many cars are needed to take us to the starting point of the walk.

Adrian Cornelius,
01460-62926
Reading for Pleasure An author or title is chosen by the group. Sometimes everyone reads the same book, other times any book by the same author. The books are discussed in a very relaxed way - the emphasis being on 'reading for pleasure'. Last Wednesday, 2.30pm.

Mavis Harper,
01460-52994.
Relaxercise Gentle, effective, seated exercise to improve mobility and a sense of wellbeing. 1st & 3rd Wednesdays, 10am.
Bowden Centre, Chard.

Thelma Francis,
01460-63323
Religion & Philosophy The yearly programme is selected by members of the group and is designed for those who have a wide interest in religious ideas and practices worldwide, and for those who are willing to examine elementary philosophical thoughts. Research and discussion are key features of the group. Visiting speakers are sometimes invited to explain particular faiths or ideas. 4th Monday, 10am-12.
Chard Youth Centre

Brian Harper,
01460-52994

More...
Scrabble Strictly lighted-hearted fun!
N.B. This group meets during the evening.		 1st Thursday, 7pm
Judith Minter
01460-52486
Shiatsu Practical introduction to the traditional Japanese healing therapy Recent change of time/place. Please contact Clive for details.

Clive Pembury
01935 822093
Spanish Conversational Spanish for beginners. Participants do a variety of exercises and games to improve their vocabulary. 2nd Wednesday, 2pm.
Various locations

Don Macdonald,
01460 64687
Theatre & Music The group chooses a programme which includes frequent visits to popular local venues such as the Yeovil Octagon Theatre, Bristol Hippodrome, Taunton Brewhouse, etc.  The programme is wide-ranging and includes musicals, opera, ballet and drama. Coach travel is normally arranged. Various dates and venues.

Mary Coller,
01460-63461
Writing for Fun Members choose subjects for all to write about and discuss the following month. Creative criticism is shared. 1st Monday, 2pm

Marry Williamson,
01460-66637

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