In this edition:
- Notices
- Upcoming Events
- Groups Notices
- Local and National
Notices
From the Chair – Autumn Update
Hello everyone,
As the leaves start to turn and the evenings draw in, I hope this message finds you well and looking forward to the months ahead.
We’ve plenty to look forward to: The Social Groups also have events in their diary, Christmas lunches are already being planned and our ever-popular Quiz Night is back on the horizon – you’ll find all the details in the Bulletin and, as always, on our website – do take a look so you don’t miss out!
I’d like to thank all of you for the enthusiasm and energy you bring. It’s what keeps our u3a thriving and makes it such a welcoming community.
That brings me to an important point. Like all u3as, we rely entirely on members stepping up to help – whether by leading groups, volunteering at events, or lending a hand behind the scenes. At the moment, we have a shortage of group leaders and helpers. Without them, some activities simply can’t run. We know not everyone feels able to commit, but if you can share a little time or a skill, it really does make all the difference. Even small contributions keep the whole show on the road.
So, if you’ve ever thought about running a group (or co-running one with a friend), helping at an event, or joining the various teams in some way, now is the perfect time to give it a go. We promise it’s not only rewarding but fun – and there’s plenty of support if you’re unsure. Caroline, our vice chair, runs the volunteer’s bank and you can contact her HERE.
I look forward to seeing many of you at our monthly Coffee Morning – always a lovely chance to catch up.
With best wishes,
Jacky
Chair, Chichester u3a
A Message to Group Leaders
Thank you to all our group leaders; your energy and enthusiasm make our U3A what it is!
- Please keep an eye on waiting lists — if there’s potential for a second group, let us know. We’ll support new leaders every step of the way.
- If your group could grow in size, please contact us
- Encourage members to consider leading new groups — they won’t be on their own!
- Christian’s new Quiz starts in October — Please chat with your group about making up a team.
- Promote your group via a coffee morning breakout table or the bulletin.
We’re here to help — so please don’t hesitate to get in touch via the website HERE.
— Jacky and the Groups Team
News from the Groups Team
Over the past twelve months, Chichester U3A has been buzzing with new activities thanks to the enthusiasm of our members. We have been delighted to celebrate the successful launch of a wide variety of new groups, including French Improvers, Holiday Spanish, Writing for Fun 2, Impressionist Art, Chess, Wine Tasting 3, Pilates, and Latin. None of these would have been possible without members stepping forward to share their time and interests – so a big thank you to everyone involved!
And now, we’re excited to look ahead. The Groups Team is keen to support the creation of some brand-new groups, and we need both leaders and interested members to get them off the ground:
- Sketchbook Art Group: This group is designed especially for beginners. It won’t be a taught class, but members will be guided by internet-based lessons while exploring together. A sketchbook is a brilliant place to experiment, discover and play with different techniques – drawing, collage, and mixing materials to create beautiful mixed-media pages. The sessions will give you tools and confidence to try out new processes to help make your sketchbook dynamic and unique to you. If you’re looking for inspiration and a fun, creative way to develop your art, this might be just right for you.
- Craft Group: A space for anyone who enjoys knitting, crochet, embroidery, sewing, or other textile crafts. Members can work on their own projects, swap tips, and learn from each other.
- Android Help Group: Do you own an Android phone or tablet but sometimes feel baffled by its features? This group would be a friendly, practical place to share knowledge, learn new tricks, and solve problems together.
If any of these appeal to you – whether as a potential leader or simply as someone interested in joining – we’d love to hear from you. The Groups Team will guide and support anyone willing to help set up a new group, so you won’t be on your own.
Ideas and suggestions are always welcome too. Please get in touch with the Groups Team here if you’d like to be involved.
2026 Subscription: Final Reminder
We still have just under one hundred members who are yet to renew their subscriptions for the coming year. Final reminders were sent out via email earlier this week, and at the end of the month we will be closing the memberships of those who have not paid, (unless we hear from you).
If you need: –
a) any assistance with the payment process or,
b) are not sure whether you have renewed already, or
c) are not receiving the reminder emails,
then please use this link to get in touch with the Membership Team or call us on 07490 654524.
Whatever the issue is, we can sort it out for you!
Upcoming Events
October Coffee Morning – Tuesday, 7th October, 10am-12noon
Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!
Our Coffee Mornings are held in the Bar at the MINERVA THEATRE building, opposite the Chichester Festival Theatre. You can chat with our groups team and learn about current and new offerings, meet old friends and make new ones!
Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street – 16th October at 2pm
Revd Colin Chambers:
“Reflections on Nelson Mandela”
Colin Chambers, a former Lieutenant Commander in the South African Navy and ordained Christian minister, knew Nelson Mandela for eight years when President Mandela was imprisoned in the notorious prison on Robben Island, and in Pollsmoor Prison, Cape Town. Colin gives reflections and insights from the years during which he was Chaplain to President Mandela and other Robben Island prisoners.
Doors open from 1.15 p.m., no booking required. You are warmly invited to stay after the talk when tea and coffee will be served in the Crush Bar.
October Quiz Evening – 30 October 2025 starting at 7:00 PM at New Park Centre
We hold our friendly and informal quiz evenings once a month, usually on the last Thursday of every month (except December) in the Jubilee Room at New Park Centre, New Park Road, Chichester. The quizzes will start at 7 pm. Please remember to bring a pen and notepad! There are varied subjects and something for everyone.
You do NOT have to order food but we will arrange for delivery from La Fish for those who want it. (Choice of Fish, chicken, burger, veggie and Chips).
There is a charge of £12 if you have a La Fish Meal (bring your own cutlery etc.) and £2 if you don’t. You can bring your own alcoholic or non-alcoholic refreshment.
Booking via the form HERE on our website is essential.
Groups Notices
“Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength.”
— Betty Friedan
Bus Walks 2
We are a friendly group of keen/experienced walkers who catch a bus/train to a walk start point within a ten mile radius of Chichester.
Walks are approximately 5 miles and can be either linear or circular with the option of lunch afterwards. (Please note that the group walks at a faster pace)
Walks take place on the third Wednesday of each month.
Being in this group is a great way of meeting people, keeping active and exploring the area around Chichester.
Please get in touch via the Website if you would like to join us.
Tuesday Recorder Group
Sue and Chris came for a taster session recently and decided to stay.
They’ve joined the Tuesday Recorder Group and are finding it a very satisfying and enjoyable afternoon. Each is coming back to playing after a long break (40 years in one case!). They’ve been brushing up their rusty skills by doing some practice of scales and arpeggios at home, and realising that with a bit of time and focus they can still get a tune out of their descant, treble and tenor recorders. They’ve surprised themselves by being able to tackle the range of tuneful easier music programmed to help them feel at home in the group. They’re gaining confidence in how to tackle a piece of music to give themselves the best shot at success. And they’ve fitted comfortably into the group, which is mutually supportive.
We meet in a large ground floor lounge, so no access problems. Car parks at the Cattle Market and in Florence Road are 5-10mins walk away, and 51 & 700 buses pass the door.
So if you have at least two recorders from descant, treble, tenor & bass and a music stand, spare time on a Tuesday afternoon from 2-4pm and would like to make some real music in the company of others (we play all sorts from medieval to modern), why not give us a whirl? You can borrow music to play at home and once a month a recorder professional comes along to add an extra dimension to our playing. You do need to be able to read music, keep to a beat, and know basic recorder fingerings because this isn’t a beginners group.
As you probably know, music-making is the best activity to keep the brain firing on all cylinders. And despite what you hear/read in the media, the recorder is a real musical instrument : played solo, or in recorder ensembles or recorder orchestras. Alive and well all over the world, all over this country, including West Sussex and Hampshire!
If this sounds like your kind of group, please think about a taster session.
Contact me by email using this link.
Local and National
National u3a
There is a wealth of information on the National u3a website – www.u3a.org.uk , including online groups, u3a Radio podcast, upcoming events, and the latest issue of Third Age Matters, the monthly national u3a magazine.
The link to the current version is: https://www.u3a.org.uk/news/u3a-matters/screen-reader-editions/u3a-matters-summer-2025-screenreader-edition
The next bulletin is due out on 10th October, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.
Links to our Website
Follow these links to see:
If you wish to unsubscribe from the Bulletin emails, please contact the membership secretary with subject “Unsubscribe from Bulletin”. This will not affect other email communications with the U3A. Please do NOT put the bulletin emails into spam! 😒
Please send a message via the usual channels if you wish to have some item of u3a news put in the Bulletin. Likewise, if you have suggestions as to how to improve the Bulletin or would like to join our team.
Best wishes, Miriam Knight
The Constitution of the Chichester U3A is available to view here, and its Terms of Use here.
Enquiries If you wish to write to the Chichester U3A, then the correspondence address is: U3A Chichester, Box 809, MailboxesEtc., 26 The Hornet, CHICHESTER, PO19 7BB If there is an urgent matter that needs to be discussed then call 07460 109600, or contact the membership secretary.