The Dukeries u3a Sunday and Tuesday lunch group members enjoyed delicious meals at two excellent local venues, the Dog and Duck at Clipstone and The Lion at Farnsfield.
On 26th June sounds of music and laughter could be heard when Dukeries u3a joined with their u3a North Nottinghamshire Neighbourhood Group colleagues to present A Picnic in The Park in Sherwood Forest, with the kind permission of RSPB. Visitors to the Forest were invited to take part in games and activities and listen to performances of u3a singers, banjolele and ukulele groups.
Dukeries u3a members were treated to a private guided tour of Southwell Minster and gardens after which they were entertained by a wonderful concert by musicians from the Minster School.
Continuing with the saga of the adventures of the Ramblers, this enthusiastic group are enjoying good times together. Their first get together of the month saw members walking through woods full of wild garlic into South Anston and then down to the Cuckoo Way, along the Chesterfield Canal and back to Lindrick Golf Course. Their second walk in June started from Gunthorpe Bridge, via Caythorpe and Hoveringham back to the River Trent.
July’s speaker will be Stephen Booth, author of the Cooper and Fry detective novels set in the Derbyshire Peak District. Stephen left his career in journalism in 2001 to become a full time novelist, and since then he has received many awards and nominations for his crime fiction.
Group of the Month is the Whatsapp Walkers – so named because they communicate with each other by Whatsapp or text. The walkers have continued the short walks through the winter months in spite of the wet conditions, staying on well-worn footpaths and trails and avoiding muddy fields, though now the weather is improving they can venture into the fields again. Since January they have done the following walks: Bevercotes Pit, Hexgrave farm estate, Rufford Park, Creswell Crags, Poulter Park, Silverhill Wood, Walesby Forest, Edingley via the Southwell Trail, Edwinstowe, Chesterfield Canal and Budby Forest. They walk twice a month on Thursday mornings, meeting at Jubilee Hall to car share. The walks are circular and between three and four miles and are quite leisurely on mainly level footpaths. They usually end the walk with welcome refreshments at a suitable pub or café. All members are welcome and can contact Hazel on 07484 728027.
The u3a movement is a good way to make new friends and socialise or learn something new. It is open to all adults, irrespective of employment status. To find out more, go along to up to two of their meetings, on the third Monday of each month, 12.30pm to 3.00pm at Ollerton Jubilee Hall for £1.00 to cover refreshments. After this, annual membership costs £20.00 up to 31st March 2025 and includes access to all activities and interest groups. Find out more at www.u3asites.org.uk/dukeries/home or call 07756 436177.