In this edition:
- Notices
- Upcoming Events
- Groups Notices
- Local and National
Notices
Could You Help Keep Our Chichester u3a Social Events Thriving?
Dear Members,
We’re writing to you with a friendly plea. Our Chichester u3a is wonderfully active, with a warm and welcoming membership — but at the moment, we’re desperately short of volunteers, especially to help run our social events. Without a few more helping hands, it will become increasingly difficult to keep these much-loved occasions going.
We’re therefore looking for a small group of people to form a Social Team — a friendly, informal group that meets once a month to plan and coordinate our main social gatherings.
What’s involved
- Meet once a month to share ideas and plan upcoming events.
- Organise three key events a year:
- Christmas Lunch
- Volunteers’ Thank You Tea
- Summer Event
- Liaise with the Committee once a month and provide a short (bullet-point) update.
That’s it! You’ll have plenty of support from the committee, and no one is expected to take everything on. We’re looking for a team, so tasks can be shared according to interests — from booking a venue to welcoming guests on the day.
Why volunteer?
Being part of the Social Team is:
- Fun and sociable – you’ll meet new people and help others enjoy themselves.
- Rewarding – you’ll see the direct results of your efforts in smiling faces and lively gatherings.
- Flexible – we’ll work around your availability and comfort level.
- Valuable – you’ll be helping keep one of the most enjoyable parts of our u3a community alive.
If you’d like to find out more — with no obligation — please contact me HERE via the website. Even a small contribution of your time would make a big difference.
Thank you for considering it, and for all you do to make Chichester u3a the friendly, thriving group it is.
Warm regards,
Jacky Easton
Chair
FYI
Contacting Group Leaders and the Groups Team
We know that many members enjoy exploring new u3a interest groups and usually get in touch directly with Group Leaders to find out more. However, if you have contacted a Group Leader and haven’t received a reply after a little while, please don’t hesitate to contact the Groups Team HERE.
They will be happy to follow up and help sort things out on your behalf.
Groups at Coffee Mornings
Please note, that most Group Leaders will not be present at our coffee mornings — with over 100 active interest groups, it simply wouldn’t be possible for everyone to attend! The groups that are represented at breakout tables will have information available and friendly volunteers at the designated Groups Information Table will be on hand to help answer questions or take your details if you’d like to find out about a group.
So, even if a particular Group Leader isn’t there, you can still come along, have a chat, and we’ll make sure your enquiry reaches the right person afterwards.
Upcoming Events
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.
Coffee Morning – Tuesday, 4th November, 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!
BREAKOUT TABLES:
- new Wittering-based u3a group
- new u3a Craft Group
- British History Group
Members’ Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 20th November at 2 p.m.
Speaker: Mr. Malcolm Nelson
Forty Years of Catching Smugglers – Why do I always feel so guilty?
Malcolm was a Customs Officer working in many places in the UK, but mostly his career was based in London Port and Heathrow, however he also worked in St Petersburg, Malta and several airports in the EU. He has written two books about his career and he will be giving us insight into how Border Force Officers select people in the Green Channel who they think may be carrying prohibited substances in their luggage. What is it that gives them away? Why, sometimes, is there nobody in the Green Channel? Why do we feel that we’re being watched? These and your own questions will be answered.
Monthly meetings are completely free, and tea and coffee will be served after the talk when you will have the chance to chat with friends.
Doors open from 1.15 p.m. … no booking required.
Groups News & Notices
New Book Group starting January 2026
Love reading and chatting about books? If there is sufficient interest, we would like to set up a new Fiction Book Group meeting on the 4th Tuesday of every month 2.00-4.00pm. The group will enjoy great stories, good company and a cuppa together – with a rota for providing tea, coffee and biscuits.
When: 4th Tuesday of every month
Where: St Pauls, Churchside, Chichester (free onsite parking)
Cost: £20 for a 10-month session (based on 12 members to cover room hire, payable in advance and non-refundable)
How it Works:
The group will decide together:
– Whether to focus on a genre like modern novels, classics, or mysteries
– Whether to choose from popular book list
– Or take turns selecting a book each month
– Who will lead the meetings – perhaps everyone you can take turns leading the discussion and posing questions?
Get Involved: the group will need one or two members to do the minimal admin, (maintaining the member list, sending payment details out every 10 months, managing the refreshments rota etc). Please let us know if you’re willing to help or would like to register in the new book group via the Groups Team link HERE.
New Group – British History
Would you be interested in joining a new group that explores aspects of British history? Jay has offered to lead the group and she says ‘To me British history is always a hobby now more than anything else, with a greater interest in the little things and add-ons that were not so important when learning. For example, research into estates, best buddies, dress etc. I had in mind to guide the group, with each individual choosing and enlarging on their chosen interest.’
However, how exactly the group runs, and what topics are covered, can be up for debate amongst those who show an interest in taking part. We will have a break-out table for this at the next coffee morning Tuesday 4 November, from 10.30 to 11.00am, but if you cannot be at this meeting, please let us know that you are interested via the Groups Team link HERE.
The new u3a Craft Group
Do you enjoy making things with your hands, or would you like to try something new in a friendly, relaxed setting? Our new u3a Craft Group will start in January. It will meet in the Group Leader’s home in Parklands, Chichester (parking available and on bus route) every third Monday every month – 2.00-4.00pm for an afternoon of creativity and conversation.
Bring along your own project — knitting, crochet, embroidery, card-making, patchwork, or any other craft you enjoy — or come to be inspired by what others are doing. From sharing ideas and tips to learning new techniques, the emphasis is on enjoying the process rather than perfection! All ideas welcome.
All skill levels are very welcome — whether you’re an experienced crafter or an absolute beginner. Materials for small projects can be provided to get you started, and refreshments will be on hand to keep the creativity flowing.
If you like the sound of crafting, chatting, and good company, come and join us. There will be a breakout table at the next coffee morning if you’d like to meet the group leaders and ask any questions. If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team HERE.
New Wittering Group Taking Shape
Thank you to everyone who’s expressed interest in forming a new Wittering-based u3a group – it’s clear there’s a real appetite for more local activities, without always having to head into Chichester!
To start shaping what this new group could look like, there will be a breakout table at the next coffee morning on Tuesday, 4th November. This will be a chance to share ideas, suggest possible activities, and see how we can get things up and running.
If you can’t make it, don’t worry – we’ll send out an update afterwards so no one misses out on the plans.
It’s an exciting opportunity to help create something new right here in the Witterings, so do come along if you can and be part of the conversation!
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 7 November, 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 you wish to discuss something then please call 07490 654524 (and be prepared to leave a message if not answered), or contact the membership secretary.