This small group meets once a month on Wednesday mornings to discuss
(among other things!) books chosen by its members. A reading group
is a great way of sharing the pleasure of reading and inspiring us
to try something different. This group is full at the moment, but
other U3A reading groups may have space. If anyone is considering
setting up a book group, your local library can offer help and
advice. There is a huge wealth of reading out there!
At October's meeting of U3A Reading Group One, we read and discussed
"A Thousand Splendid Suns" by Khaled Hosseini.
A new reading group is starting at Rushden Library meeting on the
second Thursday in the month from 2-4 pm starting on 14 April.
Safe Driving Group
The purpose of the group is to
help those drivers who would like to have their driving skills
bought up to the current conditions on the roads today and rid them
of some bad habits. The sessions are based on the techniques
used in advanced driving with the Institute of Advanced Motoring,
IAM, and the publication 'Roadcraft'. You only go up to the
level that suits you and there is no pressure to go further than you
want. Before joining our group you will be invited to take a
Check Drive where your driving techniques will be assessed.
For more information see the Safe Driving Group Page.
Scrabble Group
The Scrabble group is a group of enthusiasts who enjoy a good game
of Scrabble. Beginners and more experienced players
welcome. Accept the invitation on the board "Come and play
Scrabble" for some brain exercise!!! Meetings 1st and 3rd Tuesday
afternoons each month. The Group would like some more members,
beginners or experienced players.
Singing for Fun
Our practice venue is Rushden Hall in Rushden park on the x46/47 bus
route. Our members say “singing in a group cheers them
up”. No audition or ability to read music is required,
we just SING for FUN. We have several soloists too and
entertain at care homes in the area occasionally but we are not a
choir. We have copies of the words of our songs to sing from
as our memories are not what they once were. If previously you
have sung in the bath or on stage and would like to join a group of
like minded singers for a light hearted afternoon give us a try.
Spanish
Hola! Our Spanish classes are well underway. We meet every
other Monday at 10 am. We now have two ladies who are fluent in
Spanish to help our group leader who only knew a few words like
“Sangria” and “Tapas” (the important words)! Come along and
have fun with eight others .
Theatre Trips Group
During the past year several visits to the theatre have taken place.
Our first trip was to The Royal Theatre Northampton to see an avant
garde production of Chekhov's The Three Sisters. The unusual
blend of different periods of history delighted the audience and
made us aware of how fortunate we are in this area to have such an
innovative playhouse on our doorstep. In October members went
to see a stunning production of Webster’s The Duchess of Malfi, also
in Northampton. Again this also proved to be a ground-breaking
production, and received rave reviews in the national press. In a
lighter vein, members went to see The Royal Theatre's Christmas
production of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe. The music
and dance in this show took us into the wonderful world behind the
wardrobe door and away from the snowy weather outside. On
March 17 a group of Higham & Rushden U3A members went to see
Derek Jacobi as King Lear in Milton Keynes. We were very
fortunate in obtaining tickets for this production, which sold out
very quickly. Jacobi's interpretation has been hailed in the
national press as being one of the best "Lear's" ever.
Closer to our own time, some of our members are going to Northampton
to see In Praise of Love by Terence Rattigan on April 14. This
should have the interesting story-line for which Rattigan is
famous. Should you wish to join a group to see Two
Gentlemen of Verona at The Royal Theatre Northampton, on October 20
at 7.45 pm, please get in touch the group leader. This is to
be performed by RashDash Productions, and is brought into the 21st
century with a strikingly stylish swagger.
Walking
Check at the monthly meeting for news of the next planned
walk. The day/time of the walk can be flexible to suit the
majority of the walkers, but as a suggestion it could be the 2nd
Tuesday morning of each month. Most of the walks would be local, and
so on the day of the walk, we could meet at the Pemberton Centre to
share transport to the start of the walk. All walks would be
on recognised paths or tracks but may involve some cross field
walking so suitable footwear and clothing is recommended. Mid
walk there would be a stop for coffee/snack and on some walks it
could be possible to end at a pub for a meal. The choice will
be up to the members of the group.
Wine and Dine Group
The Wine and Dine Group goes
from strength to strength and continues to meet at vari ous pubs or
restaurants throughout the county on a monthly basis. Further
details available to members of the U 3 A.
These are pictures of Christmas Lunch at Knuston Hall December 2011
The purpose of the group is to
help those drivers who would like to have their driving skills
bought up to the current conditions on the roads today and rid them
of some bad habits. The sessions are based on the techniques
used in advanced driving with the Institute of Advanced Motoring,
IAM, and the publication 'Roadcraft'. You only go up to the
level that suits you and there is no pressure to go further than you
want. Before joining our group you will be invited to take a
Check Drive where your driving techniques will be assessed.
For more information see the Safe Driving Group Page.
The Wine and Dine Group goes
from strength to strength and continues to meet at vari ous pubs or
restaurants throughout the county on a monthly basis. Further
details available to members of the U 3 A.