Welcome to the Higham and Rushden Branch of the U3A
From zero to 305 members in its first year! The
Birth of yet another U3A Group!
OUR FIRST
BIRTHDAY PARTY AND "AWAY DAY"
What a first birthday party! Twenty-nine groups displayed their activities, we
were entertained by the Country Dancing Group showing their unbounded energy
and skill with two dances, the Singing Group with an excellent choice
of music which we all hummed for the rest of the day and the Play Reading
Group giving us a taste of drama.
Our two Mayors were present
for the whole afternoon, Councillor Val Newbery from Higham Ferrers and
Councillor Carol Childs from Rushden, both of whom toured all the stands
making wistful comments
about joining the U3A when their tour of public duty is complete and they have more time. Both they
and Margaret Elgood, Chair of Wellingborough U3A, who helped our U3A get
off the ground, joined in the first anniversary cake cutting. Liz Wilson,
the U3A East Midlands Regional Trustee also joined us for the afternoon.
During the afternoon, 183 people took part in the activities of which 157
were members. Seven more people joined
the Branch making a total membership of 305 which must be a record for any
organisation in its first year.
Thank you to Jack and Margaret
Lee who worked exceptionally hard in the planning of this very successful
event and to all the Group Leaders who put on an excellent display of their
group's activities.
June "Away Day"
As
the Pemberton Centre was unavailable for the June meeting an "Away Day"
was planned at Raunds. The Saxon Hall provided
a splendid venue, accommodating
the 65 people who came to enjoy the planned activities.
Sadly, the country dancing which was to have taken place
had to be cancelled due to bereavement and our sympathies were extended
to George Hearnden, group leader for country dancing. Mr Bryan Britten of Raunds Historical Society gamely
offered to do a last minute presentation on Raunds which was enjoyed by the
few members who stayed behind in the hall, whilst the majority split into
four groups and went on a walking tour of the town. Guides
were Chris Holden, Jenny Beasant, Rachel Henderson, Sue Wager, Natalie Pusey
and Ann Webster who kindly volunteered to show off the history and interesting
places and stories about Raunds. Did you know that Raunds is mentioned in
the Guiness Book of Records as having the shortest Zebra Crossing in the
country!! When the walkers returned, everyone reported that they had enjoyed
their morning enormously. One member summed it up by saying she enjoyed
finding the nooks and crannies and the history of Raunds and felt it was
the best way of appreciating a small town. The church was open and members
were thrilled with the information and interest provided by Rita Chantrell. Certainly the warm and sunny weather contributed
to the walkers' enjoyment and the exercise ensured a good appetite for the
splendid shared buffet lunch provided by everyone who attended.
After lunch there was much excitement and jollity as the
Beetle Drive
got under way. Frantic throwing of
dice, howls of laughter, groans of disappointment as everyone, including
the organisers crouched over their beetle drawings, the first to finish
shouting Beetle. Highest and lowest scorers moved to tables on either
right or left; sometimes confusion reigned but this was an excellent opportunity
for members to get to know each other and everyone agreed it was great fun.
The afternoon was rounded off with tea, cakes and a raffle at
around 3 o'clock before everyone left to continue to enjoy the rest of a
lovely sunny day. Grateful thanks are extended to those who acted as guides
and to all the ladies who helped in the kitchen, ensuring a very successful
and enjoyable day.
Picture: The organisers of the
event and the lunch enjoyed by all.
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