More about this group …

A new road-only cycling group, Cycling Group 2, is starting and will be led by John Bennett. The group will meet on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month, gathering by the bridge over the railway on Centurion Way.

Rides will be at a moderate touring pace, with a strong emphasis on a “no one left behind” approach. Occasional rides may involve a train journey to or from the start point.

All types of bikes are welcome, as long as they are suitable for road cycling.

To register your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

We are looking to see if there would be interest in getting a new group off the ground that would look at home made, environmentally friendly household cleaning products and practices inspired by the methods of Nancy Birtwhistle.
We will look at recipes, share tips, and compare results as we explore simple, sustainable alternatives to commercial products. No experience needed — just curiosity and a willingness to join in.

The group will meet at the group leader’s home (on Parklands estate, central Chichester) on a Tuesday afternoon from 14:30 to 16:00 and will initially run for 6 weeks, starting in February.

Group members are asked to contribute £1 a week to refreshments.

The maximum number for the group is 10 members so if you are interested, don’t hesitate, register your interest HERE.

A new Lawn Bowls interest group has started, suitable for all – from complete beginners to those of a more competitive nature. Sessions will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The cost will be £6 per session. All equipment supplied. Come along to the breakout group at the next monthly meeting to find out more and meet others who may be interested.

If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

New Bulletin Editor Needed

Dear u3a friends,

I must sadly inform you that we need to find a new Bulletin editor, as, due to the passing of my husband, I shall be leaving Chichester to move near family. I have greatly enjoyed my years at the centre of all things u3a and can warmly recommend this position.

The requirements for the editor are as follows:

Computer literacy - you do need to know your way around a computer, including word processing, manipulation of graphics, and how to copy, paste and adjust, even when the system is a bit bolshie. Desktop publishing experience would be a bonus
Basic editorial skills: spelling, grammar, and formatting; (That said, we do have members who are fantastic editors, so lots of back-up is available!)
Organising the content: keeping track of all submissions for bulletin, doing any chasing or follow-up needed
Responding to queries from members, or more likely forwarding such queries to the appropriate person
Time requirement: about two hours every two weeks, plus keeping on top of your emails and the occasional Bulletin Update

The Webmaster and I will provide training and handholding for as long as you need it!

This is a very key role in our organisation, so PLEASE, PLEASE consider volunteering for it. If you want to discuss the role, feel free to contact me by using this link or simply responding to this Bulletin email.

It’s been a joy and a privilege to serve our organisation, and I know that somewhere among our thousand members there must be more than one person able and willing to take it on.

Your u3a needs YOU!

Yours warmly,

Miriam Knight

Upcoming Events

February Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 3rd February, 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!

PLEASE NOTE: The February coffee morning will take place as usual, however please be aware that a careers event for students will be happening at the same time in the theatre, so expect more people on site and a busier car park.

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Lawn Bowls
Discussion Groups 1 and 2

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Coordinator!

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 19th February at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Andrew Negus "Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade"

Our Speaker at the next Monthly Meeting is Andrew Negus, a retired history teacher who will be relating some of the history of Southampton in a talk entitled "Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade". Many interesting characters will feature, including 2 kings (one being the King of the Pixies), Jane Austen and a very courageous woman!.
There is no charge for the talk, and free refreshments will be served in the Crush Bar at the end of the talk when you will have an opportunity to chat to friends.
If you are a new member to Chichester u3a please do make yourself known to us.

Doors open from 1.15 p.m. ... no booking required.

Groups News & Notices

Lawn Bowls at Fishbourne

If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

Proposed: Green Cleaning Group

The group will meet at the group leader’s home (on Parklands estate, central Chichester) on a Tuesday afternoon from 14:30 to 16:00 and will initially run for 6 weeks, starting in February.

Group members are asked to contribute £1 a week to refreshments.

The maximum number for the group is 10 members so if you are interested, don’t hesitate, register your interest HERE.

New U3A Cycling Group 2

Rides will be at a moderate touring pace, with a strong emphasis on a “no one left behind” approach. Occasional rides may involve a train journey to or from the start point.

All types of bikes are welcome, as long as they are suitable for road cycling.

To register your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

Local and National

Local Events

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd February
and invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

This 90 minute film plots the life and works of this great woman artist and feminist who did so much for the Impressionist and the Suffragette movement.. She is well worth discovering if you have not come across her.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 13 February, 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 contact the Chichester U3A, please call 07490 654524 (and be prepared to leave a message if not answered), or contact the membership secretary.

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Upcoming Events

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre

Quiz Evenings – on the last Thursday of the month. Booking in from 18.30 and the quiz will begin at ~19.00 to 22.00

We hold our friendly and informal quiz evenings once a month, usually on the last Thursday of the month, in the Jubilee Hall at New Park Centre, New Park Road, Chichester.

Booking via the form below is essential.

Please, when you book in, note your name and team members ( if applicable ) and add your food choices so we can make a pre-order for LaFish – for any queries or changes to your booking email the organiser at: chiu3aquiz@hotmail.com

The quizzes will start at 19.00 Check in from 18.30 Please remember to bring a pen and notepad! There are varied subjects and something for everyone.

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. You do NOT have to order food but we will arrange for delivery from La Fish for those who want it - choice of : fish, (gf available) chicken, burger, grilled Haloumi burger, veggie burger, all with chips).

Booking Instructions

Please book your quiz place(s) using the form below, and let us know in the Comment Box:

How many people you are booking for
The names of the participants
The menu choice for anyone wanting a La Fish Meal
And remember it is cash only paid on arrival. (Notes and £1/£2 coins only.)

Contact Quiz Organiser

Remember the Booking Instructions!! Bookings open at midday on the first of the month and close on the Thursday before the event.

February Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 3rd February, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Discussion Groups 1 and 2

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Coordinator!

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 19th February 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Andrew Negus "Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade"

Doors open from 1.15 p.m. ... no booking required.

Groups News & Notices

New U3A Cycling Group 2

Rides will be at a moderate touring pace, with a strong emphasis on a “no one left behind” approach. Occasional rides may involve a train journey to or from the start point.

All types of bikes are welcome, as long as they are suitable for road cycling.

To register your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

Proposed: Green Cleaning Group

The group will meet at the group leader’s home (on Parklands estate, central Chichester) on a Tuesday afternoon from 14:30 to 16:00 and will initially run for 6 weeks, starting in February.

Group members are asked to contribute £1 a week to refreshments.

The maximum number for the group is 10 members so if you are interested, don’t hesitate, register your interest HERE.

New Craft Group – Important Notice

The group leaders of the new Craft Group would like to apologise, as the overwhelming response to this group means that some people who registered an interest may have been inadvertently missed.

The first meeting of the Craft Group will take place on:

Monday 16 January, 2.00–4.00pm
135 Cedar Drive, Chichester, PO19 3EL

Anyone who registered an interest but has not yet been contacted is welcome to come along.

Lawn Bowls at Fishbourne

If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team via the following link: HERE.

Pilates Group Vacancy

There is now a vacancy in the Pilates group. The group meets on a Thursday morning (10-11am) at St Michael’s Hall, Summersdale Road. The group has only been going a short while but already the instructor has noted some real improvements in the group. One of the group members has also reported “I have learnt loads about my physical strength and weaknesses and have already felt the benefits. It is a friendly and understanding group to learn in, and the teaching and demonstration is excellent” (thanks Ann S for such a glowing review).

Classes cost £51 for a six block session (that’s just £8.50 a session, a really competitive rate). The next block begins on 11 December. So don’t delay, register your interest in joining the group via THIS LINK.

Local and National

Local Events

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd February
and invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 30 January, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

Members' Corner:

Well, we did get a few positive responses to the idea floated in the last bulletin, so if you would like to share your photos, poems, jokes, recipes and the like with our community, you can do so in our new Members Corner. If not, well I tried. So show your u3a spirit and send in your gems by replying to this Bulletin email.

Hoping you have a sparkling 2026!

Miriam

Upcoming Events

January Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 6th January, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Coordinator!

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 15th January 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Ian Worley "Racing around the world on Great Britain II"

Ian was born in Chichester, and later moved with his parents to West Wittering where he learned and honed his sailing skills. He qualified as a Chartered Accountant and worked for some years in the City in stockbroking. He then took the opportunity to enrol as a watch leader, later promoted to 1st Mate on the 78ft maxi racing yacht Great Britain II on the 1977/78 Whitbread Round the World Race.

We have the opportunity to journey with Ian whilst Great Britain II encounters storms, knock downs, raging seas, and icebergs, often while hurtling through raging seas and howling winds, not to mention being struck by lightning shortly after rounding Cape Horn, and all whilst filming for the BBC Sports programme GRANDSTAND.

We do hope that you will stay on after the talk for free refreshments, and the chance to meet up with friends. Details of all the 2026 Speakers can be found on our website.

Doors open from 1.15 p.m. ... no booking required.

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre

Quiz Evenings – on the last Thursday of the month. Booking in from 18.30 and the quiz will begin at ~19.00 to 22.00

We hold our friendly and informal quiz evenings once a month, usually on the last Thursday of the month, in the Jubilee Hall at New Park Centre, New Park Road, Chichester.

Booking via the form below is essential.

The quizzes will start at 19.00 Check in from 18.30 Please remember to bring a pen and notepad! There are varied subjects and something for everyone.

Booking Instructions

Please book your quiz place(s) using the form below, and let us know in the Comment Box:

How many people you are booking for
The names of the participants
The menu choice for anyone wanting a La Fish Meal
And remember it is cash only paid on arrival. (Notes and £1/£2 coins only.)

Contact Quiz Organiser

Remember the Booking Instructions!! Bookings open at midday on the first of the month and close on the Thursday before the event.

Groups News & Notices

Ten Pin Bowling Group

Start the New Year with a Strike! Come and join us at Ten Pin, Chichester Gate for a friendly game of ten pin bowling. We have negotiated a reduced rate of £7.50 for two games. We meet on the first and third Friday of each month at 10am at the venue. We usually play for about a hour and half then have coffee together afterwards, we are a really friendly group of differing abilities, no previous experience needed.The group does not meet during school holidays so our first session for 2026 is on 16 January. If you are interested, just let me know via this link HERE. Hope to see you there.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 16 January, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

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, please call 07490 654524 (and be prepared to leave a message if not answered), or contact the membership secretary.

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

A Christmas Message from the Chair

As we approach the festive season, I would like, on behalf of the Committee, to wish all our members a very happy Christmas and a healthy, enjoyable New Year.

U3A thrives because of the enthusiasm, generosity and good will of its members, and this year has been no exception. Whether you lead a group, organise events, welcome new members, help behind the scenes, or simply turn up with curiosity and good humour, your contribution matters. Thank you to everyone who has given their time, ideas and energy — and to all who support U3A simply by being part of it.

Looking ahead to 2026, there is plenty to look forward to. We are planning to launch several new interest groups, alongside a varied programme of monthly speakers covering a wide range of stimulating and entertaining topics. Our regular coffee mornings will continue to offer a relaxed and friendly space to meet new and familiar faces, and we are also developing some new social events to bring members together in different ways.

U3A is, above all, a community — one that learns together, laughs together and supports one another. We hope the coming year will encourage even more members to get involved, try something new, and perhaps even help shape what comes next.

With my very best wishes to you all for Christmas and the New Year.

Jacky
Chair, U3A
(on behalf of the Committee)

A New Year's Message from the Editor :

As we welcome the new year, I'd like to gauge interest in a small addition to our Bulletin. Would you be interested in a "Members' Corner" where we could share things of a creative nature with other members? I was thinking that contributions like photos, poems, jokes, recipes and the like - small but well formed - could add a bit of fun. Do let me know your thoughts, and/or send me your gems! Just reply to this Bulletin email.

Let's try to tune out the news, turn up the music, cherish family and friends, and really enjoy 2026!

Miriam
Your humble servant and Bulletin editor

Upcoming Events

January Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 6th January, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Coordinator!

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 15th January 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Ian Worley "Racing around the world on Great Britain II"

We do hope that you will stay on after the talk for free refreshments, and the chance to meet up with friends. Details of all the 2026 Speakers can be found on our website.

Doors open from 1.15 p.m. ... no booking required.

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre, from 18.45 to 22.00

More details will be forthcoming in the next Bulletin, but if you're really keen you can reserve your spaces on the U3A website HERE

For general quiz enquiries, contact:
chiu3aquiz@hotmail.com

Groups News & Notices

Proposal for Lawn bowls at Fishbourne

A new Lawn Bowls interest group is being proposed, suitable for all – from complete beginners to those of a more competitive nature. Sessions will meet on the first and third Tuesday of each month from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The cost will be £6 per session. All equipment supplied. Come along to the breakout group at the next monthly meeting to find out more and meet others who may be interested.

If you would like to express your interest you can contact the groups team via this link HERE.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 2 January, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

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.

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

Launching the Holiday Season!

The first of the Christmas Lunches took place on Wednesday, 3rd, we hope that the one taking place on Tuesday 9th will be just as enjoyable. The Committee would like to express their appreciation to Maggie Brisbane for stepping forward to undertake all the arrangements.

New Year's Resolutions:

> Eat better
> Exercise more
> Volunteer for U3A
> Learn, laugh, live!

Upcoming Events

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 11th December at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Neil Sadler
(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

Working with police in Trinidad and Tobago

Life in Barbados. The fictional island of Saint Marie in the TV series: Death in

Paradise. The real Pirates of the Caribbean.

What time did pirates go to bed? What was marooning?

“The answer’s Rum... now what was the question?”

Monthly meetings are completely free. Do join us after the talk for tea, coffee, mince pies! and a natter with friends.

Doors open from 1.15 p.m. ... no booking required.

Groups News & Notices

Serendipity 3.0

Everything is on the table for discussion except sex, religion, and the A27 bypass. And if we disagree, then we will do so agreeably. Suggestions in advance are welcome to get things started but once we're going who knows where we'll end up?
More importantly, all opinions are equally valid and everybody's voice will be heard. (Mansplainers shouldn't bother to apply!) No specialist knowledge is needed, just curiosity and a willingness to join in.
Our venue is Trents on South Street in Chichester from 10 am to 12 on the first and third Wednesdays of each month. They make no charge on the understanding that attendees will pay for hot or cold beverages at the start and/or halfway break of each meeting.
Get in touch to find out more or to join our first meeting.

You can contact the groups team via this link HERE.

Pilates Group Vacancy

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 19 December, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

We are also seeking a technically capable member to support the IT area. This role is to replace an existing volunteer who is stepping down. He is very willing to talk through the specifics of the role, the current setup, and the technical environment with anyone who would like more information.

Routine website updates will continue to be managed by our existing volunteer. The new role focuses on understanding the underlying structure and functionality of the website, including:

JavaScript and associated front-end technologies;
Website architecture, plug-ins, and custom scripts;
Troubleshooting issues requiring technical insight;
Advising on or reviewing technical changes when needed.

This is an occasional-need role rather than a regular operational commitment. Typical time requirement is 1–2 hours per month, with some months requiring no action at all.

If you would like to learn more or express interest, please contact the Web Editors

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

Message from the Chair

I am delighted to open this bulletin with some genuinely encouraging news. Many of you will remember our recent appeal for volunteers to support the Social Team. Your response was outstanding. Thank you to everyone who stepped forward or expressed a willingness to help. Your support has reinvigorated the Team and once again demonstrated the strong community spirit that defines the u3a.

Volunteering remains the foundation of everything we do. Our groups, events, and activities all depend on members who generously contribute a little of their time to benefit many others. Your continued involvement is deeply appreciated by the Committee and by the wider membership.

Thank you once again for your tremendous support, goodwill, and readiness to help. Together, we continue to ensure that Chichester u3a remains welcoming, vibrant, and thriving.

Warm wishes,
Jacky

New Opportunities

Join Our Volunteers Bank Team

As we develop our organisational capabilities, we are strengthening our Volunteers Bank, coordinated by Caroline, our Vice Chair. We are now seeking a small group of volunteers to join her in maintaining and running this important resource.

This role is supportive, well-structured, and not time-intensive. The team will:

Keep an up-to-date register of members willing to volunteer occasionally;
Match volunteers to short, one-off tasks and upcoming events;
Liaise with group leaders to understand needs;
Help ensure a friendly, organised, and responsive process.

Estimated time commitment is 2–3 hours per month, mostly via email, with occasional short meetings. It is ideal for members who enjoy coordination, clear communication, and making a meaningful contribution without taking on a major role.

If you are interested, please contact: chair@chichesteru3a.org.uk

Opportunity: Monthly Meeting / Speakers Team

We are also seeking one or two members to join our Monthly Meeting / Speakers Team. This team plays a central role in shaping our programme of talks, helping to identify engaging speakers, confirm arrangements, and ensure each monthly meeting runs smoothly.

The role involves:

Sourcing and contacting potential speakers;
Assisting with scheduling and practical arrangements;
Helping meetings run smoothly on the day;
Contributing ideas to keep our programme varied and enjoyable.
Occasionally welcoming the Speaker to the Assembly Room, introducing and thanking them, and helping them field any questions from the audience

Time commitment is approximately 2–3 hours per month, plus attendance at the monthly meeting if you are available. It is a collaborative and enjoyable opportunity for anyone who likes organising, communicating, and supporting events enjoyed by the whole membership.

If you are interested, please contact: secretary@chichesteru3a.org.uk

Technical IT Support Needed

Routine website updates will continue to be managed by our existing volunteer. The new role focuses on understanding the underlying structure and functionality of the website, including:

JavaScript and associated front-end technologies;
Website architecture, plug-ins, and custom scripts;
Troubleshooting issues requiring technical insight;
Advising on or reviewing technical changes when needed.

This is an occasional-need role rather than a regular operational commitment. Typical time requirement is 1–2 hours per month, with some months requiring no action at all.

If you would like to learn more or express interest, please contact the Web Editors

Upcoming Events

u3a Quiz Night, 27 November - Get Your Thinking Caps On!

We had an excellent turnout on 30 October for the reboot of our ever-popular Quiz Night — thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such an enjoyable evening!

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 27 November, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre, from 18.30 to 22.00.

This time, we’re making a few improvements, including a better sound system, speedier rounds and a quicker entry process. All entries must be made via the U3A website HERE, where you’ll also be able to select your meal option in advance.

Meal options (all served with chips):

Fish (GF available)
Chicken
Veggie burger
Sausage
Halloumi kebab

Prices (cash only, payable on the night):

Food & Quiz: £12.00
Quiz only: £2.00 per person

Please book your teams of six as soon as possible — numbers will be restricted this time to keep things running smoothly.

A few important notes:

The evening is run entirely by volunteers, so please help with setting up and clearing away tables and chairs.
Everyone must bring their own drinks, glasses, cutlery and crockery.
Please take all rubbish home with you at the end of the evening.

For general quiz enquiries, contact:
chiu3aquiz@hotmail.com
(Please note: entries will not be accepted by email — use the website link above.)

Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 2nd December, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLE:
new U3A Fiction Book Group

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Team!

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 11th December at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Neil Sadler
(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

Working with police in Trinidad and Tobago

Life in Barbados. The fictional island of Saint Marie in the TV series: Death in

Paradise. The real Pirates of the Caribbean.

What time did pirates go to bed? What was marooning?

“The answer’s Rum... now what was the question?”

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

Strength and Conditioning Class – New members welcome

This class meets every Wednesday at the Westgate Leisure Centre at 1.55 and finishes at 2.40. We are a friendly and welcoming group. A small core of us attend most weeks, but there is no requirement to attend weekly. We exercise using light hand weights to build core strength and muscle tone – very important for our age group. The class is led by Melissa who is very knowledgeable and understanding about the issues we face in our senior years. She adapts exercises for those who have problem areas. Please come along and give it a try, we need some new members as the group size has fallen and we regular attendees don’t want the class to end due to lack of support. The Westgate Centre do require a minimal number for a class to be financially feasible. No equipment or special clothing required, simply soft-soled shoes. Any lapsed members, please consider giving it another try!

Please just come along, but if you have any questions you can contact the groups team via this link HERE.

Exciting News – New Book Group Launching!

We’re delighted to announce that we are trialling a new U3A Fiction Book Group which will start on Tuesday 27^th January 2-4pm at St Paul’s. The group will meet every 4^th Tuesday and the cost will be £20 for 5 months (non refundable to cover hall rental).

The new group will be welcoming, relaxed and very much for readers who enjoy good conversation without any pressure. Whether you’re already an avid reader or simply looking for a gentle nudge to read more, a book group is a wonderful way to discover new authors, share ideas, and enjoy lively discussion in friendly company.

Practicalities:

· Free parking at venue

· Small, heated, light meeting room

· Kitchen facilities available for making tea/coffee

· A warm supportive atmosphere where everyone’s contribution is valued.

The opening read will be the bestselling Precipice by Robert Harris - a gripping, elegantly paced thriller that blends political intrigue, human drama, and moral tension. Harris’s sharp storytelling and vivid characters make the high stakes feel personal, drawing in readers of all backgrounds. It appeals to both men and women because it balances action with emotional depth—pairing strategic, high-pressure scenarios with intimate character moments and ethical dilemmas. Its layered themes, timely questions, and twist-driven plot also make it an excellent choice for bookgroups, sparking lively discussion about power, responsibility, and the choices that shape our futures.

If this sounds appealing do register your interest at groups@chichesteru3a.org.uk or via THIS LINK.

Pilates group

As the new year approaches, do you want to kick start a healthier you?
The Pilates group is now established, the group meets on a Thursday morning from 10-11am in Chichester and classes are just £51 for a six week block (that’s £8.50 a session). From time to time there are vacancies in the group; if you would like to add your name to the waiting list or would like more information, please get in touch via 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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

The next bulletin is due out on 5 December, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

IMPORTANT MESSAGE: Group Leaders 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 every leader to attend — and we don’t want to place extra demands on our volunteers, who already give up their time to run these groups.

At the coffee mornings, you’ll still be able to find out plenty about what’s on offer. The groups represented at breakout tables will have information available, and our friendly volunteers at the Groups Information Table will be happy to answer questions or take your details if you’d like to find out more about a group.

So even if the Group Leader themselves isn’t there, please do come along — have a chat, enjoy some coffee and company, and we’ll make sure your enquiry reaches the right person afterwards.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

u3a Quiz Night - Get Your Thinking Caps On!

We had an excellent turnout on 30 October for the reboot of our ever-popular Quiz Night — thank you to everyone who came along and helped make it such an enjoyable evening!

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 27 November, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre, from 18.30 to 22.00.

Meal options (all served with chips):

Fish (GF available)
Chicken
Veggie burger
Sausage
Halloumi kebab

Prices (cash only, payable on the night):

Food & Quiz: £12.00
Quiz only: £2.00 per person

Please book your teams of six as soon as possible — numbers will be restricted this time to keep things running smoothly.

A few important notes:

The evening is run entirely by volunteers, so please help with setting up and clearing away tables and chairs.
Everyone must bring their own drinks, glasses, cutlery and crockery.
Please take all rubbish home with you at the end of the evening.

For general quiz enquiries, contact:
chiu3aquiz@hotmail.com
(Please note: entries will not be accepted by email — use the website link above.)

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.

Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 2nd December, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Team!

Groups News & Notices

A new choice for wine tasters

Two new wine tasting groups are in the process of being established – one on the second Wednesday of each month from 4-6pm and the other on the second Thursday of the month between 7 and 9pm.

Depending on the amount of interest the groups are likely to consist of around ten members each and take place in members’ houses.

If you would like to join one of these groups please let the groups team know via this link HERE.

New Android Help Group

We’re pleased to announce a new Android Help Group, starting on Tuesday 20 January. Sessions will be held on the third Tuesday of every month, 2.00–3.00 pm, in the Upstairs Meeting Room at St Paul’s Church.

This is a drop-in help session – no regular commitment needed. Just come along whenever you’d like a bit of guidance with your Android phone or tablet. The group will be led by Barry Easton and Simon Sherrington, who’ll be on hand to answer questions, offer demonstrations, and help you get the best out of your device.

It’s the perfect chance to ask all those questions you’ve always wanted to – whether it’s how to tidy your home screen, use WhatsApp more confidently, manage photos, or explore those mysterious “settings”! You’ll find a friendly atmosphere, practical advice, and plenty of shared learning.

Everyone is welcome – just bring your device and your curiosity!
If you have any questions, please contact the Groups Team HERE.

Short Tennis – Wednesdays, 2.00–4.00pm

Come and join our Short Tennis group at the Westgate Leisure Centre, where there are vacancies for new members!

We play every Wednesday from 2.00–4.00pm in a fun, friendly, and relaxed atmosphere. Short Tennis is easy to pick up, great exercise, and suitable for all abilities — whether you’re a seasoned player or completely new to the game. Rackets available.

There’s free parking, and you simply pay at the Westgate reception desk on entry – no need to book or let anyone know in advance. Enjoy a coffee and chat afterwards, making it a sociable and welcoming way to spend an afternoon.

Come along and give it a try — we’d love to see you!
If you have any questions, please contact the Groups Team HERE.

Table Tennis – Tuesdays, 10.00am–12.00pm

Our Table Tennis group meets at the Westgate Leisure Centre every Tuesday morning from 10.00–12.00, and we’re looking for new members to join in.

It’s a friendly, informal group that welcomes all abilities — from confident players to those who haven’t picked up a bat in years. It’s a great way to keep fit, have fun, and enjoy some lively games in good company.

There’s free parking, and you just pay at the reception desk on arrival – no need to let anyone know beforehand. Afterwards, many of us stay for a coffee and chat, which is all part of the fun and friendly spirit of the group.

Come along and see what it’s all about — everyone’s welcome!

Local and National

Local Events

The Spirit of Ukraine: Ukranian Cultural Festival - Saturday 15th November,
1.00-4.30pm at St. Paul's Church, Chichester

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Ukrainian culture at our festival with traditional music and dance, craft and more:

1.00 -2.00 Dessert Fair & Art Exhibition
2.00-3.30 Concert (Ukranian & English music)
3.30-4.30 Craft Fair & Folk Dance Workshop

Children’s corner all afternoon

All proceeds go to Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice

Presented by: The VOYLA Art Community Group

Oxford University Society (W. Sussex) & St Anne’s Society South

present a talk by BBC TV broadcaster, author and adventurer TRISTAN GOOLEY - “THE NATURAL NAVIGATOR”

11.00am, Friday 21st November 2025
Boxgrove Village Hall, The Street, Boxgrove, Chichester, West Sussex, PO18 0EE

Tristan specialises in interpreting nature’s signs for use in our everyday lives. He has been called by BBC Radio the “Sherlock Holmes of Nature”. Tristan’s illustrated talk follows the publication of his new book and Sunday Times bestseller “The Hidden Seasons: A Calendar of Nature’s Clues and Signs”. This talk is a must for all nature lovers, walkers and cyclists.

Admission is by pre-booking and £12 per person, including refreshments, served from 10.30am. There is free parking at the hall and in the road outside. To book your places, please email Susan at ouswestsussex@gmail.com with names and numbers and she will give you bank account details for payment.

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 21 November, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

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!

BREAKOUT TABLES:

new Wittering-based u3a group
new u3a Craft Group
British History Group

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Team!

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?

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:

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Notices
Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Local and National

Notices

Chichester u3a Magazine

I am just putting together material for a bumper year-end edition of the Chichester u3a magazine, and need your articles, stories, artwork; anything you would like to share with other members.

In particular, of course, group news: a round up of this year's activity in your group, what's happening next, any major events or incidents, and pictures. Lots of those.

The groups are the bedrock of our organisation and sharing what they have done is the main purpose of the Magazine.

Just contact me HERE, and if you want help with putting something together, I'll be happy to meet up with you at the coffee mornings or individually.

Thank you,

Penny Blackmore Smith

Upcoming Events

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

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 News & Notices

British History

Would you be interested in joining a new group that explores aspects of British history? It is suggested that members would be encouraged to research topics of particular interest to them and to share and discuss with others. 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 discuss how the group could run at the next coffee morning on Tuesday 4 November. If you cannot be there, please let us know that you are interested via the Groups Team HERE.

Update on New Groups –
Android Help, Craft, and Sketchbook Art

Thank you to everyone who expressed an interest in the new groups – Android Help, Craft, and Sketchbook Art. We’ve had an excellent response to all three, and it looks very likely that each group will now go ahead.

If you've already responded, we'll be in touch soon with further details about meeting times and arrangements. If you would like to express your interest, please contact the Groups Team HERE.

New Groups in the Witterings – Your Ideas Welcome!

A member who lives in the Witterings has suggested that it would be great to have a few U3A groups based in West Wittering, offering an alternative for those living south of Chichester who would prefer not to travel into the city for everything.

Ideas so far include something light and sociable – perhaps a short local stroll followed by coffee and chat, or even a book group meeting locally.

If this sounds appealing, or if you have other suggestions for groups or activities in the Witterings area, the Groups Team would love to hear from you. We’re happy to explore all ideas and see what could be set up.

Please get in touch with us via the website HERE.

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 24 October, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

Reminder

Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street - Thursday 17th July at 2pm

“What makes people believe things that aren’t true? The (surprising) psychology of misinformation”
a talk by Dr Simon Clark

Simon will give us a fun and informative talk which explores how and why people are misled by misinformation, including some fascinating psychological studies old and new. Simon Clark is a cognitive psychologist who researches how people respond to misinformation. He is part of the internationally renowned ‘Technology & Democracy’ research lab at the University of Bristol, specialising in misinformation created using artificial intelligence.

Tea and coffee will be served after the talk.

You are receiving this email because you are a member of Chichester u3a. If you wish to unsubscribe from all u3a emails, please contact the membership secretary. Please do NOT put these emails into spam!

Welcome to the site where you can view the documents relating to our 2025 AGM to be held at the Assembly Rooms on May 15 starting at 2 pm. Click on the links below to see the relevant documents:

Notice of meeting

Agenda for the meeting

Minutes of the 2024 AGM.

Chair's report

Annual accounts and Treasurer's report (updated 24/04)

Nomination form, to be used for nomination to the committee.

Proxy vote form - available 2nd May 2025. To be used to assign a proxy to vote on your behalf if you are unable to come to the meeting.

Dear #FAM,

Your membership number is #MEMNO.

In this edition:

Upcoming Events
Groups Notices
Other Events

Upcoming Events

March Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 4th March, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

Our March Coffee Morning will be held in the Brasserie, downstairs at the MINERVA THEATRE (rather than upstairs.) The Minerva is the building across from the Chichester Festival Theatre.
It's a great opportunity to chat with our groups team and learn about current and new offerings, meet old friends and make new ones!

GROUP LEADERS: If you would like to promote your group at a coffee morning, please contact the Groups Coordinator!

Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street - 20th March at 2pm

Life is a Lottery - Story of Mary Russell Mitford

This is the story of Mary Russell Mitford (1787 – 1855) who became a successful author, dramatist, poet and renowned prolific letter writer. She is best remembered today for ‘Our Village’, a series of essays describing village life, written from her tiny workers cottage where Mary lived with her mother and father after he had recklessly gambled and spent his way through two large fortunes, and despite constant family struggles to deal her father's wayward behaviour, she still managed to achieve literary success and popularity.

Our speaker, Nigel Gossop, has been a book collector, researcher and keen writer for more than forty years. During his time working as a local authority arts-officer he organised several literature festivals that developed his interest in literature and fired an enthusiasm for learning about the lives and works of ‘forgotten’ and lesser-known authors.

Tea and coffee will be served from 1.15 pm until 1.45 pm and the talk will start at 2pm.

Groups Notices

"The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled." – Plutarch

Interested in Impressionism?

We are thinking of starting a new group looking at the lives and art of the Impressionists. This is likely to be held at a central Chichester location in the afternoon on the first Tuesday or Wednesday of the month.

If you would be interested in joining the group, please let us know via the Groups message link HERE.

National & Regional

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-february-2025-screenreader-edition

Chichester u3a Magazine

Our local u3a winter magazine is well worth a read, click HERE if you haven't yet read it, and start thinking about your contributions for the spring edition!

<code>Magazine December 2024</code> Chichester u3a Magazine December 2024

The next bulletin is due out on 14th March, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.

Links to our Website

Follow these links to see:

Please send a message via the usual channels if you wish to have some item of u3a news put in the Bulletin. Likewise, please get in touch if you have ideas on to how to improve the Bulletin, and especially if you 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. You can reach the Membership Secretary either via this link (membership secretary) or by calling 07490 654524.

Generally, people don’t realise that recorder playing is alive and kicking all over the UK, not just in amateur groups but professionally. The Chichester u3a Recorder Group is for players who have played in the past and want to take it up again. If you only play one instrument but are ready and willing to take on a second, then you’re also welcome. But only playing one instrument restricts playing opportunities for everyone else.

We meet weekly and all the music is provided. Like all instruments, you need to spend time working to play well, but it’s a wind instrument that doesn’t require an embouchure and, if you develop problems with fingers, there are specialists who can add keys to your recorder to fit your situation.

The range of music available to play is boundless! In Tuesday Recorders we don’t sit around playing Greensleeves: we play everything from the C15th through to the Wallace & Gromit theme tune. There are many living composers and arrangers who produce wonderful music for us to play and enjoy. We’ve even had a little suite of music written specially for us: The Chichester Miniatures.

Sometimes we’ve performed at u3a coffee mornings and even once up at the Festival Theatre at a morning for Under-Fives. We’ve taken part three times in the Chichester Festival of Dance, Music and Speech and been awarded 90% or more by the adjudicator. So this is the kind of group you would join: keen players, ambitious, focussed on achievement. And if you want to spread your recorder wings wider, We can help you do that.

If you think it’s a group for you, you can come as a visitor for a session to see how you get on. It’s a friendly supportive group and we will make you feel at home.

Just over a year ago I had an idea for a group but the logistics of starting up a group, especially one that would need space, and necessitate the hiring of a hall, was a little daunting at first. But I needn’t have worried because we are blessed with an excellent Groups’ Team and the Facilitator allocated to me, couldn’t have been more helpful. Armed with the easy-to-read guidelines and the supported with a Break-out Table at a monthly Coffee Morning made starting the group very straightforward.

And so, the Flower Arranging Group started up in February of last year, and we now have a strong core of keen members. We vary our sessions so that we are able to express our own creativity and artistry, but we also spend some time looking at traditional shapes. There is a wealth of excellent tutorials on the internet and we usually start by using one as a focus, and then enjoy constructing our own displays using the blooms/greenery we have collected ready for the session, as well as sourcing interesting and unusual containers. We have found that it is amazing just how much material we can forage from gardens and hedgerows. We are always surprised that our arrangements look so different at the end of a session although we have shared the same focus. How wonderful to find a medium that allows each of us to express our own individuality while producing something that will give pleasure to other folk.

To date we have produced: Easter baskets, asymmetrical and symmetrical triangular displays, horizontal table decorations, loose displays of garden produce, themed creations related to the ‘Olympics’, Valentine’s Day and to ‘Sunshine and Holidays’, and are looking ahead to creating Autumn wreaths and Christmas table centres. We are also planning a charity session when we hope to share some of our work with the local hospice.

This U3A bridge group is one of the oldest bridge groups in Chichester and after many years is still continuing to thrive. One reason is that it has a very friendly atmosphere. Another is its location with easy free parking and a light, warm but airy room with good facilities. It also operates 51 weeks of the year, meeting up every Wednesday afternoon. One of our players recently said:

“Our Bridge sessions give me mental exercise but also the opportunity to meet socially with others and enjoy conversation and laughter! All very important to our mental health in the Third Age group!”

We favour a friendly atmosphere to the more formal and competitive approach of some other clubs. We play standard card English Acol, Chicago style so everyone who turns up gets to play.

On-Line Bridge is also available to those members unable to attend the village hall. If you are a U3A member and would like to take up this opportunity, please do get in touch.

Using Bridge Base Online (BBO), John Harris organises the weekly games on Wednesday and extra games on other days by email. Once you have an account for this program it is easy to use as all you do is click on the link you are sent. It has the advantage of built-in audio and visual links so you can virtually play as normal.

Vacancies: We currently have vacancies for table play at the hall. Anyone who is past the beginner stage is welcome to just turn up for a trial session. All you need is a current U3A membership and the ability to play without basic instruction.

Have you taken some bridge classes but don’t feel confident enough to join an established bridge club?
Our relatively new group aims to be very sociable and welcoming, helping everyone to find their bridge “legs” and enjoy the game. You don’t need a partner.

This group is for anyone who enjoys word games over a coffee and chat, with players ranging from well experienced to fairly new beginners.
We look to assist everyone to improve their Scrabble skills, and learn all the strange but legitimate words that appear only ever in a game of Scrabble.
It’s fun for all who take part and so if it sounds like your idea of a good afternoon, then come join us.

The History Magpies group was formed in 2023, on the basis that the past is full of all sorts of different stories of interest to all sorts of people. After some experimentation, we have arrived at a plan for each meeting where two people each give a short presentation on an historical topic of their own choice.

The styles of presentation vary from a very short introduction of a topic, of perhaps 15 minutes, to more detailed talks of up to 45 minutes. In all cases, the style is very informal and interactive, leading to wider discussions in the group. It is not surprising that an awareness of historical events often reflects into a discussion of the world around us today and its multitude of problems.

The tea/coffee break also provides an interlude for further exchange!

Our topics have often focussed on the lives of individuals e.g. Thomas Cromwell, Karl Marx, Otto von Bismarck, Peter the Great, Hernan Cortez. We also heard about the strong female Egyptian pharaoh, Queen Hatshepsut, and the queen of Castile, Joanna the Mad, who may not have been as mad as was claimed by her son, Charles I, who dispatched her to a secure convent. In more recent history we reflected on the unfortunate family of Tsar Nicholas II, and also looked at the impact made by Clement Attlee both during World War II and the subsequent development of education, the welfare state, and the birth of the NHS.

Considering other peoples and events from across the globe, we have been introduced to the Aboriginal people of Australia, the Witches of Salem, the Indian mutiny, the rise of Islam, the English Civil War, and the little-known role that Heligoland played in recent conflicts in the North Sea. Our members have collected information from many different sources – personal history and interests, books and magazines, TV and radio podcasts and documentaries, and, of course, the internet!

We feel that ‘History Magpies’ is an appropriate description of our group aiming to collect little gems of interest from wherever they may be hidden.

The dog walking group meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month.

Over the last year we’ve been out and about to places such as Dell Quay, Kingley Vale, Halnaker, Petworth, Binderton and Itchenor to name just a few of our walks.

The walks are a great way for people and dogs to socialise and get a bit of exercise and fresh air too!

We cycle for pleasure, not endurance, though of course, we do get the benefit of a gentle workout. We like interesting scenery, avoiding busy roads as much as possible. We also consider socialising and companionship as important as the exercise, normally making at least one refreshment stop en-route and finishing at a lunch venue. The conversations are always stimulating.

A rising trend in recent years is for electric bikes, and we now have more riders on electric bikes than traditional ones. A medium pace is chosen to keep the group together (and comfortable).

We have 2 rides each month, though recently we seem to have been plagued by rain predicted on our chosen days, which has forced a cancelation… (though we still try to meet up for a rendezvous at the lunch venue anyway!)

We try to make our rides as varied as possible, and as well as our stock of local rides we sometimes use the train or cars to access more distant locations, giving us a range from Bournemouth and the New Forest to Brighton, or inland to Petersfield or Horsham.

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.
Walks take place on the third Wednesday of each month.

N.B. This group walks at a faster pace that the other Bus Walk Group.

We try and alternate between coastal and inland routes. Walks are approximately 5 miles and finish with a lunch stop for those who want it. We try to walk where we can see native flora: wild daffodils, bluebells and orchids to add to enjoyment. We ask new members if there are places they would like to walk. In the last 6 months we have walked a circular route from Cocking via Heyshott, Chidham Circular, Pagham Harbour, from Singleton via the Trundle to West Dean and Pagham RSPB to Selsey.

Some of Our Favourites

The Poetry and Prose for Pleasure Group has been meeting for eleven years and we have a different subject for each meeting, however we always have the same subject for the final meeting of our U3A year. That subject is ‘Our Favourites’, and here are some of our favourites for you to look up.

A Windy Day by Anne Bronte.
I love this poem, the picture it gives and the feeling it evokes in me.

Bright Star by John Keats ... because this sonnet is a beautiful, romantic homage to his close friend Fanny Brawne, (as portrayed in the 2009 film 'Bright Star') and because he is forever part of Chichester sitting quietly on the bench at the end of East Street!

maggie and milly and molly and may by e.e. cummings - this poem has been a favourite for many years. Although simple it explores happiness, comfort, friendship, fear, and reflection

My summer’s wish - Meryl Tookaram – because it expresses the longing we all have for our loved ones.

Refugees by Brian Bilston – a challenging poem because it describes the state of our society more than somewhat.

The Road Not Taken by Robert Frost - this poem tackles the eternal question of the choices we make in life.

Our winter magazine is well worth a read, click on the image to read it!

Magazine December 2024

or download the pdf file.

If the links in the Magazine don't work for you please use the following instead:

To contact the Editor Click Here
To contact the Bridge for Fun Group Click Here

From time to time we also publicise events that we think are of general interest to Chichester u3a members.

Do check our fortnightly bulletin for up to date information

we always need new volunteers either to extend our activities or to replace people who have stood down. Please check the Volunteers Page to see if you are able to help.

Reports of meetings

meeting at Chichester College October 2023

regular meeting October 2023

u3a article and video about Practical Science group meeting at Chichester College

To look at the reviews we have created for some of the books we have discussed please click on a book title

The Final Invention

Travels with Epicurus

Who are we now

The order of time

Elizabethans

to look at the list of books we have read please click here

report of SDG meeting on Monday 27 February 2023

“Viewpoint” - Owen Rackham, Assistant Professor, Duke-NUS, Medical School

How fortunate we are in this group. We hear from a wide-ranging field of excellent speakers and the presentation from Owen Rackham on smORFs was no exception. Owen explained that his interest in discovering more about the natural workings of cells began when he worked locally for Langmeads, farmers who also grow and market lettuces. From this beginning, his study and research has led to his current affiliation with Southampton University and with The Alan Turing Institute.

Progress in computer science, has enabled research into the workings of our body cells, into our DNA, and into the workings of our genome. Owen’s consideration of the possible knowledge or lack of knowledge of his audience was clear, and through simplification and repetition of key points, I think that I now have a little understanding of smORFS. Genomes are hereditary; we all have the same set of genes but sequences might vary. Genomes give instructions; genes instruct on how to make proteins and proteins act within their environment as needed.

Computers have opened up a view of our genomes and the coding of DNA can be seen. Small ribosomes travel along genes, searching for start and stop codes. Large ribosomes connect when a start code is reached, and begin to combine amino acids to make a protein, stopping when a stop code is reached. These sections are called, “Open reading frames.” Previously, only “Large open reading frames,” have been studied, but new inroads into AI have created, “Ribosome profiling.” Now, all ribosome activity can be viewed and “Small open reading frames,” previously ignored, can be studied. Through this research, more proteins have been discovered. Tissue samples from different organs in the body have been explored, and so, proteins found in different locations can be identified.

It is hoped that this research will open avenues leading to new treatments for illness and disease.
This was an informative and fascinating presentation.

Photos and records from previous trips

At Prinsted in October we saw: cormorant, kestrel, moorhen, sparrows, blackbirds, magpies, crows, eagles, godwit, curlew, yellowhammer, oystercatcher and possibly a wigeon or two.

At Bosham in September we saw: Egret, Oystercatcher, Curlew, black tailed Godwit, Turnstone, Redshank, Swans and lots of gulls. The Turnstones in particular were a treat at the pier.

At Knepp in June, we saw the storks:

seen at Farlington marshes

Interesting features

an article about kingfishers

This section is for members of the Chichester u3a Apple Group.

Forthcoming Events

No Events

Advice and Hints

to see the the first set of hints, click here

to see the the second set of hints, click here

We are delighted to be able to confirm that our future Monthly Meetings will be in person at The Assembly Rooms. We have had more than a year of Zoom meetings and some interesting and entertaining speakers, but now is the right time to venture out and meet face to face. There will be excellent measures to ensure the continuing safety of our members and we do hope many of you will feel able to join us once more. Details of requirements will accompany the bulletin notice prior to each meeting, in order to track any changes we may need to put in place.

We have a new Speakers Team who are putting together a programme of varied topics and these will be available on the website on the Monthly Meeting page. and in the bulletins, in order for you to be able to plan ahead.

If you think you can offer help in any of these areas connected with our Monthly Meetings please contact me here and we’ll get back to you. You may be able to help occasionally at a meeting, even once a year would be more than acceptable and you would be very welcome.

Maureen Doyle

This week’s walk is one that is designed to be a longer term project and enables you to explore some of our lovely countryside a little further away from home. The New Lipchis Way is a long distance footpath of 39 miles which runs from Liphook to East Head in Chichester Harbour. Going broadly north to south it offers a wonderful variety with sand heathland, chalk downland, old railway track, canal basin and harbourside environments in succession.

It can be completed as follows in 6 sections as shown but you can of course split it down further for a more leisurely approach (or combine sections if super fit!).

Liphook to Woolbeding Common (5 miles)
Woolbeding Common to Midhurst (8 miles)
Midhurst to Singleton (8 miles)
Singleton to Chichester (8 miles)
Chichester to West Itchenor (6 miles)
West Itchenor to East Head (4 miles)

The easiest transport option is to use two cars and share lifts between start and finish of each leg. It is also possible to use public transport from Midhurst onwards.

The route is clearly marked as a ‘recreational path’ on Ordnance Survey Explorer Maps OL33 and OL8. It is also pretty well waymarked with its own logo, and detailed written instructions are available at New-Lipchis-Way-Route-Guide.pdf

A couple of other shortish trails that pass through or close to Chichester are:

The Solent Way – 60 miles – runs from Emsworth to Milford-on-Sea, mostly following the Hampshire coastline and passing through the New Forest.
The West Sussex Literary Trail – 54 miles – from Horsham to Chichester along a route rich in literary associations

Starting from Walderton, (about 7 miles north of Chichester, via Funtington). The longer walk is about 3 ½ miles in length, the second takes a shortcut and is less than 2 miles long. Both have an uphill stretch (on tarmac) at the start, the longer walk has another gentle uphill section.

Both walks begin at the grassy space, where you can park, at the junction of the B2146 and the road leading to Stoughton. Grid ref SU787104 . If there is no space here, continue along the road towards Stoughton and you will find available space on the verge beside the road.

Leaving the car park, walk back to the main road and turn right, then cross the road to stay on the pavement. After 200 yards or so your route follows a lane heading left off the main road, between cottages. Follow this lane uphill, ignoring the footpath sign on your left leading across a field. Continue up the tarmac road for about 10 minutes and as the road bends sharp left you will see an obvious path leaving the road and continuing straight ahead. Take this path, which is not signposted, and after 50 yards you will reach a 3-way bridlepath sign (blue) on your right. Take the right hand path which leads you along the edge of woods with a drop on your right down to the valley. You will be able to glimpse Watergate House across the field. After another 10 minutes or so you will come to a very clear footpath sign at a modern wooden gate, heading 90 degrees downhill. This is the continuation of the shorter route* and if you’re following the longer route carry straight on.

Continue for another 5 minutes past a garden on your right, leading to a T junction of the bridleway. Turn right at this junction past the garden (with an unused yacht!) down to the main road. Cross the road into Locksash Lane, continuing past Watergate House on your right. Where the road bends left there is a gravel path straight ahead: this is your route.

Continue along the gravel path, passing Watergate House and barns on your right, and through a metal 5-bar gate onto a pathway. Following this pathway gives you wonderful views to the right, across Chichester Harbour and out to sea. There is a little rustic picnic table with seats on the left. Continue along the footpath, eventually leading along the top of a field with woods on your left, and into the woods. The path is quite clearly marked and it eventually takes you down a sharp right turn through a very narrow path in the woods to a small road; you will see a farm with modern barns on your left.

Cross the road and follow the bridlepath up the hill and into the woods. This bridlepath goes uphill and almost at the top you will see a well-marked footpath sign pointing right into a field. There is a bench just at the entrance to the field, worth a short stop to enjoy the view.

This footpath heads straight across three fields and is very clearly marked. The junction between the first two fields is marked by a little hedge which you follow the path through; the second junction involves crossing a lane. Halfway along the third field the path goes through the hedge which you have been following on your right and leads you along another hedge and to a junction where another footpath joins from the right. This is the end of the shorter route mentioned above.**

Shortly after this junction the footpath turns sharp left and becomes very narrow, leading down to a little road with houses, in Walderton. Turn right for 200 yards, with houses on both sides, until the road bears right and you will see a very narrow footpath heading down through the trees. Follow this past fences on your left and across a little bridge to some open grass. The road ahead of you leads left to The Barley Mow pub in Walderton and on to Stoughton (The Hare and Hounds) but you should turn right and walk along the road for a few minutes to reach the carpark.

Shorter walk

Follow the longer walk as far as *, which is the gate on your right. Pass through the gate and down the hill. Cross the road and straight through to the field. You will see a footpath leading across the field at 45 degrees, slightly uphill. If you look to your left you will have a wonderful view of Watergate House which, thirty years ago, was very dilapidated and in ruins; fortunately someone has restored it to its former glory! And what a view it must have from its windows!

At the end of the path you go through a little copse and out into another field. Looking ahead you will see a clear footpath through the field which follows a line of telegraph poles. Follow this path, crossing the little road and continuing straight on until you reach a T junction at a hedge. Turn right, and you are now rejoining the longer walk at ** above.

A 3½ mile walk that includes shoreline, fields and paths, and a few stiles. The directions are quite complex, a good map is required!

Start: at the shoreline by the Harbour Office (there is a carpark up the road near the Ship Inn).

The Walk: Turn right along the path eventually turning inland between a wall and a hedge to join Spinney Lane. Turn left, go to the end of the road, then take a footpath to your right through a gate.

Walk to the field edge then turn right, almost back on yourself, along the field boundary. Keep following the path between two fields and then pass between farm buildings. Go straight ahead then over a plank bridge to the road, turn right passing the village pond on your left and a church on your right.

Shortly after the church take the road on your left signposted to Itchenor Park House and Farm, then turn right following the sign ‘All Farm Traffic’. Continue along the path, over the stile and then turn left. Keep straight on along the concrete road/mud track passing a cricket field on your left to a stile on your right.

Go over the stile and continue to the shoreline where you turn right back to Itchenor. You will come to a section of metalled path which has been laid for wheelchair users to have access to a harbour viewpoint. There is a boatyard café just before the end.

Items of Interest en route:

Little Egrets – Often seen on the marshy area at the end of the walk. These bright white birds look like small herons. They only started coming here in the 1990s, previously they spent most of their time further south in Mediterranean countries. Chichester Harbour now has one of the largest colonies of Little Egrets in the UK.

Itchenor Park Farm - Look out for the red brick farm building. This was originally the carriage house to the country house called Itchenor Park. One of Charles II’s descendants, Charles Lennox, Duke of Richmond, bought Itchenor Park and established a farm here. Evidence of this can be seen by the royal coat of arms on two of the farm buildings.

A linear walk combined with public transport somehow seems more of an adventure than the usual circular, but does require a bit of planning with your timetable apps. This is a 5½ mile easy walk generally following the course of the River Arun but with woodland, villages and meadows taking you away from the riverbank at times. You will get the classic views of Arundel for the first part and later the South Downs ahead of you. Trains back from Amberley run approx. hourly, and there is a riverside café and a pub near the station to help fill in any waiting time.

The walking correspondent of the Times put this at No.1 in his feature article of top 20 most uplifting winter routes in the UK (26 December 2020). I am sure it is just as good in other seasons!

Start at Arundel Station (BN18 9PH, OS ref TQ024064).

The Walk. Go left to A27 roundabout, right to riverbank, right onto Monarch’s Way. In ½ mile turn right to cross railway, immediately left along path beside railway for ½ mile, then right to road. Dog leg right/left into woods and after another ½ mile cross road and follow path to Burpham. Beyond the George Inn take the riverside path north. In 1½ miles, opposite South Stoke church, go right via North Stoke to riverbank opposite Houghton and then right to the station.

The trail guides you past 30 spectacular trees all lying within or just outside the City Walls. Each one is identified by a number plaque, and a leaflet gives brief information about its age, country of origin and botanical features.

It is a short and easy distance of one and a half miles suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs (but no dogs allowed in parts) with plenty of options for refreshments en route.

The walk starts at the Market Cross.

The leaflet includes a map and notes on each of the trees. It can be picked up at Tourist Information or downloaded from here

This is a 7 mile circular walk on which you will come across magnificent views and 3 ancient churches in idyllic rural settings - Up Marden, North Marden and East Marden.

'Marden' or 'Maere-Dun' is Old English for boundary down. There were boundaries between the kingdoms of South and West Saxons. We cross these boundaries to find magnificent views and ancient churches.

The terrain is hilly with a variety of fields, woodland, open downland and quiet lanes.

Start: Stoughton Down Car Park, east of Stoughton. GA 814126 OS Explorer 120.
Nearest postcode is PO18 9JG, but this is a rural area so may not pinpoint the start with much precision.

The Walk

From Stoughton Down car park, turn right and walk along the road to ward East Marden. After about 200 metres, take the second footpath left on to a track to Wildham Barn Cottage. Keep this on your left as you go into Inholmes Wood. Stay on this footpath for about 1 mile. Ignore all cross-paths, keeping to the left of the copse as you emerge from the woods, and proceeding to a pretty, flint cottage on your left.

Here you turn right and cross a field to and through Blinkard Copse. You come out on the north corner of the copse and continue over a small field, through stables and to the road at Up Marden. Turn right and walk up the road to a track and footpath on your left to the church.

Return to the road, turn left and, after about 200 metres, take a foot path on the left which zigzags then heads north by Apple Down. There are views ahead: right to North Marden and left to the recently restored

National Trust house, Uppark. After half a mile you reach Long Lane, a tarmac road. Turn right along the road for a few metres then go left up a path at the edge of a field, with trees on your right. At a corner junction of paths, cross the stile and follow the path north-east, down through a strip of copse. Soon North Marden can be seen ahead to the left. First you have to descend to a valley, where you turn left. Follow the pre scribed path at the edge of the field then go over a stile and up to the church.

From North Marden Church, continue on the footpath towards the main road (B2141) but do not venture onto it. Follow the lane round to the right past renovated barns and a Georgian house. The lane then curves down between hedgerows for about 1 mile to East Marden. Here the church is above a grassy bank on your left.

When you leave East Marden Church, turn left on to the road and fol low it through the village. Turn right opposite a postbox and pass Post man's Cottage, following a road which becomes a farm track. Keep south-east, passing the farm on your right. Ignore paths to right and left until you sink into Whitelands Copse. Cross the stile on the left and climb steep, open downland, heading east towards and past a small copse. Do not forget to turn for the view behind. A narrow path leads you to the track to Hillbarn. At this T-junction turn right and follow the track down through Wildham Wood. Look out for and turn right on a footpath away from the track. After a mile you reach the Stoughton road. Turn left here and Stoughton Down car park is on your left.

Shorter alternatives: There is a footpath that cuts across from Up Marden to East Marden. This means you could split the walk into two shorter circular ones of about 4 miles each. For the northern one there is space for parking by North Marden church.

The Churches

Up Marden, St Michael: Closer to downland than to the village, elevated yet concealed, this church suggests secrets buried long in the past and undisturbed. In fact, one or two have been discovered: there are two chancel arches, for example, one supporting the other. The straight-lined Saxon arch may have been taken from the site of West Marden Chapel (demolished). Otherwise this is a Norman church with 13th-century lancet windows, all intact and all with clear glass. There are rumours of bygone villagers running riot in the churchyard. Let us hope that they welcomed pilgrims walking from Winchester to Chichester. Their crosses are on the lintels of the south doorway. All is peaceful now; the church and the English countryside forming an idyllic scene.

North Marden, St Mary: The church stands modestly alone between farmyard and fields. It is a tiny, perfect piece of early Norman work. It is a single-cell church with no chancel arch but with a rare beauty: an apsidal or curved chancel. Miniature windows in the chancel emphasise its shape. The doorway is of Caen stone with fine moulding and topped by a stone cross. Stone must have been brought by packhorse from Chichester Harbour.

East Marden, St Peter: Surveying its village from a grassy mound, St Peter's is at the centre of village life here. Crossroads below bring farm traffic, cyclists and ramblers. There is a covered, thatched well, a magnet for occasional visitors who chat or picnic here. The few flint cottages seem as venerable as the church but the oldest is probably 400 years old. St Peter's has a Norman nave and Early English chancel. It is at least 900 years old.

This week’s walk is a slightly longer and more challenging one - a 7 mile circular, with some steepish slopes. It takes in Levin Down, Goodwood racecourse, the Trundle and the delightful villages of Singleton and Charlton. On a clear day you will be rewarded with spectacular views across Chichester Harbour to the Isle of Wight.

Start: Charlton, Fox Goes Free Inn PO18 0HU, OS Ref SU 889130

The Walk: Head north up North Lane keeping left on a track where a footpath forks right after ¾ of a mile. At the top turn left over the grass mound of Levin Down, to the far corner of Lady Wood on the right. Then take a broadly southerly direction eventually going downhill, mostly over downland, to Singleton. Behind the church, go through the farmyard and climb up towards the Trundle, the path eventually merging with the lane. From the Trundle go east along Monarch’s Way and beside road past the racecourse along grass verge/woodland edge. About 100 yards beyond end of the racecourse, turn sharp left along a track named Chalk Road back to Charlton.

Alternatives: This could be split into two shorter circular walks taking the path between Singleton and Charlton that runs south of the road. You could also start at the Trundle carpark.

About 1.5 miles return. This is a very easy, straightforward walk, very suitable for small children!

There are two stiles with no way around them. Can be slightly muddy.
Halnaker is about 4 miles east of Chichester on the A285 going towards Petworth. There is very limited parking at the left hand side of the road in the layby at Warehead Farm. Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to ensure a parking place!

The Walk

The first part of the walk follows an old Roman Road (Stane Street) between high banks, covered with snowdrops, primroses and cowslips in springtime. You can almost hear the tramp of the soldiers’ boots as you walk up the stony lane!

The second half of the walk goes slightly uphill over open fields, where you may see deer but where you invariably hear (or even see) skylarks. The windmill has recently been restored and the views to the south over the sea and southwest over Chichester towards the Solent and the Isle of Wight are spectacular.

An alternative is to park at Boxgrove Village carpark (near village shop and café for refreshments) and extend it into a 5 mile circular walk around Boxgrove Common.

This is a mostly coastal walk, offering great views across Chichester Harbour. Parts can be muddy after wet weather, and the shore section is rocky and uneven in places.

The walk. Start at Cobnor Farm Amenity Car Park (PO18 8TD). Walk due east beside a field to the shoreline, then turn to the south and follow the shoreline for about 3 miles around Cobnor Point and up the west side of the peninsula on a combination of beach and embankment paths. Take the waymarked footpath to the right until you reach the lane. Turn right and wind your way along the lanes back to the carpark, passing ‘the Old House at Home’ – one happy day this will be open again for refreshments.

A shorter, more accessible version, available to blue badge holders only, is to park at the Sailing Club (PO18 8TE) and walk to Cobnor Point from there. The path is wide and flat, and just over a mile there and back.

Where to park: Bosham Lane pay and display car park (with public conveniences).
Sat nav PO18 8HT. Map: OS Explorer 120 SU805039

Length: approx. 4 miles round trip, but with shorter options by parking in parking bays along Shore Road.

Accessibility: apart from the beach, all tarmac paths and roads. The beach section should be fairly dry underfoot and easy walking, but will be cut off at very high tides. Although there is a good stretch of road walking it is not at all busy, in fact pedestrians seem to take priority over any traffic!

Local Information: Refreshments available at the excellent Shoreside Café, which has stayed open for takeaways during lockdowns.

The Route:

Exit carpark, turn left at the road to go towards the shore and then left through a gap in a flint wall opposite Shoreside café. Walk along this footpath keeping next to the water’s edge. You can stay on the upper path, or walk along the road at low tides. The path/road bends round to the right, and then turn right again along Shore Road to walk westward along the south side of the harbour with views across to Bosham village. There are obvious places where you can diverge from the road along the way. Note that at very low tides you can take a short cut by going across the causeway between the village and Shore Road.

When you reach the information board and the ‘end of speed limit’ road sign, keep going along the road for just over half a mile until the road bends sharp left into Smugglers Lane. Keep straight ahead along a footpath until you reach the beach with views across to Itchenor. (This is where you can catch the ferry to Itchenor during summer months.) Here turn right along a waymarked footpath along a really attractive stretch of beach with lovely views across to Chidham peninsula, until you eventually come back to the road. Retrace your route back to the car.

Distance: 7 miles to Sidlesham and Pagham
Starting point: Visitor Centre to Pagham Harbour off the B2145 between Sidlesham and Selsey. GR 856964. Map: OS Explorer 120.
Terrain: Flat, harbour walks.

Local Information: The Visitor Centre, just south of Sidlesham, has a car park and provides information on the history and wildlife of Pagham Harbour.
The Crab and Lobster, Sidlesham Quay: 01243 641233
Pagham Harbour Nature Reserve: 01243 641508

The Walk:

From the visitor centre go behind it to head north-east along the smooth track. After a gate turn left to Sidlesham Quay. Turn right and walk past the pub through the village and follow the road as it turns sharp left. After Rookery Farm turn right on a path towards a barn and over fields to a farm track. Turn left onto the track and Sidlesham Church is ahead on the right.

From the church return East along the farm track, passing the path which brought you here, now on your right. At the end of the farm track continue east over fields and streams. the spire of Pagham church is ahead. In over half a mile you reach Honer Farm. At cross paths here, turn right and south down to the nearby Pagham Harbour.

At the harbour, turn left on to the bank and walk towards Pagham. The church is at the end of Church Lane. After your visit, to return to the Visitor Centre, retrace your steps back along the harbour wall. Instead of turning up to Honer Farm, keep straight on and follow the harbour path as it curves west-south-west to Sidlesham Quay and the original track. At high tide you have to turn right to Halsey’s Farm. An information panel is at this turning. From the Quay retrace your steps to the Visitor Centre. Do not forget to turn right at the gate!

Note: Attached map also shows a short additional walk to Church Norton and back

(approx. 4 miles, with a bus return journey)

The Chichester Ship Canal runs from the Basin, just South of Chichester Station, right out to Chichester Marina, about 4 miles. If you feel it’s too far to walk all the way back as well, there is a bus stop at the end of the road to the Marina to take you back into Chichester (Route 52/53, approx. every 30 minutes) .

In addition to the tranquil scenery, the bird life on the canal is abundant with coots, moorhens, ducks, swans and even a possible fleeting flash of a Kingfisher. There are a few seats on which to rest and admire the views. The Marina is interesting, with static boats moored as homes, and is bustling with sailing activities, not to mention the mesmerising lock gates, which always seem to be busy with yachts coming in and out of the marina.

There are several opportunities for refreshments. There is a pub (the Richmond) and the excellent Canal Cafe at the Basin with plenty of outdoor seating. In Hunston, if you walk off the canal bank and into the village (2-3 hundred yards) there is The Spotted Cow, a lovely country pub. At the end at the Marina is the Boat House Café.

A quite gentle walk on flat ground that takes about an hour return.

This walk lies northwest of Chichester, just north of the B2178.
There is a National Trust car park (GR SU824088) but it fills up quickly. The path goes from the carpark towards the hills of the South Downs, through open fields to the entrance to Kingley Vale. The easiest path leads straight ahead through the yew forest to a clearing where you can gaze up the steep slope to the top of Kingley Vale.
If you’re feeling VERY fit you can walk straight up the slope to access wonderful views over Chichester, the coastline between Bognor and Portsmouth, as well as the Isle of Wight. But for those who don’t fancy themselves as Sir Edmund Hillary, the top of Kingley Vale hill is accessible by passing through the gate into Kingley Vale and immediately taking the path on the left. This leads gently uphill and eventually to the Devil’s Jumps at the top – with the aforesaid views.
In the spring the woods on both sides of the road from the B2178 to West Stoke car park are FULL of bluebells. Definitely worth the detour (as M. Michelin would say!).

Painting for Pleasure Gallery

Here is a selection of paintings created by members of the Painting for Pleasure group.

Pictures by Irene Copeland.

Here is a gallery of paintings by Henry Marshall.

Halnaker Mill with the sweeps by Henry Marshall

Bringing in the fishing by Henry Marshall

Another view of Bosham by Henry Marshall

A view from Priory Park by Henry Marshall

Some paintings by Dee Platt

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice by Dee Platt

Paintings by Lynda Marsh

Paintings by Ann Story

Programme for Autumn 2019

The Mah Jongg sessions will restart on Thursday 17th October 2019.

Programme 2023 Disclaimer Contact Group Leader We meet at 10am on the 3rd Monday of each month - programme below If you wish to walk please ring walk leader on the day, between 8.30-9.00 am. This is essential in case of any last minute changes. Please arrange car sharing as far as possible as parking is often limited. Please bring a picnic lunch with you. back to top

Programme to be announced

To be announced

Please read this disclaimer:

Disclaimer

Please note that neither Chichester U3A, nor the Walk Leader/Organiser of the walk(s) has control of the environment of the walks, the weather, any animals or indeed of any of the walkers themselves, and whilst taking normal precautions, providing reasonable help and assistance as necessary, they cannot accept responsibility for any circumstances affecting the Health or Safety of the Walkers in the party. Walks organised by U3A Groups automatically receive Public Liability insurance cover, provided the leaders are U3A members, through the Third Age Trust. This is designed to protect leaders against claims for damage to property and for injury or death which might have been occasioned on the walk. This is NOT a personal accident insurance and accordingly participants on walks are responsible for their own Health and Safety and the safe keeping of their equipment, clothing and belongings. Participants on walks should follow the advice/instructions of the Walk Leader in order to minimize any risk to themselves and should also ensure that they do not endanger any others in the party. back to top To contact the Rambling Group Leader use this form.

Cycling Routes

If you can't make one of our official rides, here are some links to a few local routes for you to follow on your own or in family groups. They all start in or around Chichester, and there are some alternative route for a bit of variety.

* The Bosham-Itchenor ferry runs weekdays from May to September (check web-site)

Bowling is at Tenpin Chichester, Chichester Gate Leisure Park, Terminus Road, Chichester, PO19 8EB, normally on the 1st and 3rd Friday of the month from 10am, except when the Friday occurs during school holiday periods (we don’t bowl during school holidays as there is no concessionary rate available to the group.)

Please note we meet outside the main entrance by 9.55am each person should bring the correct money or pay by card.

Current concessionary price is £6 for two games.

More about this group …

Notices

New Bulletin Editor Needed

Dear u3a friends,

Upcoming Events

February Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 3rd February, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

PLEASE NOTE: The February coffee morning will take place as usual, however please be aware that a careers event for students will be happening at the same time in the theatre, so expect more people on site and a busier car park.BREAKOUT TABLES:Lawn BowlsDiscussion Groups 1 and 2

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 19th February at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Andrew Negus "Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade"

Groups News & Notices

Lawn Bowls at Fishbourne

Proposed: Green Cleaning Group

New U3A Cycling Group 2

Local and National

Local Events

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd Februaryand invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

Links to our Website

Upcoming Events

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre

Quiz Evenings – on the last Thursday of the month. Booking in from 18.30 and the quiz will begin at ~19.00 to 22.00

Remember the Booking Instructions!! Bookings open at midday on the first of the month and close on the Thursday before the event.

February Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 3rd February, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES: Discussion Groups 1 and 2

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 19th February 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Andrew Negus "Southampton Water, Slaughter and Trade"

Groups News & Notices

New U3A Cycling Group 2

Proposed: Green Cleaning Group

New Craft Group – Important Notice

Lawn Bowls at Fishbourne

Pilates Group Vacancy

Local and National

Local Events

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd Februaryand invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

Links to our Website

Notices

Members' Corner:

Upcoming Events

January Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 6th January, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES:Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 15th January 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Ian Worley "Racing around the world on Great Britain II"

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre

Quiz Evenings – on the last Thursday of the month. Booking in from 18.30 and the quiz will begin at ~19.00 to 22.00

Remember the Booking Instructions!! Bookings open at midday on the first of the month and close on the Thursday before the event.

Groups News & Notices

Ten Pin Bowling Group

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

Links to our Website

Notices

A Christmas Message from the Chair

A New Year's Message from the Editor :

Upcoming Events

January Coffee Morning - Tuesday, 6th January, 10am-12noon

Always on the First Tuesday of each month, so please mark your calendars!

BREAKOUT TABLES:Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

Members' Monthly Meeting at the Assembly Rooms on North Street, Chichester, Thursday, 15th January 2026 at 2 p.m.

Speaker: Ian Worley "Racing around the world on Great Britain II"

The next Quiz Night will be held on Thursday 29 January, at the Jubilee Hall, New Park Centre, from 18.45 to 22.00

More details will be forthcoming in the next Bulletin, but if you're really keen you can reserve your spaces on the U3A website HERE

Groups News & Notices

Proposal for Lawn bowls at Fishbourne

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-winter-2025-screenreader-edition

Links to our Website

Notices

PLEASE NOTE: The February coffee morning will take place as usual, however please be aware that a careers event for students will be happening at the same time in the theatre, so expect more people on site and a busier car park.

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Lawn Bowls
Discussion Groups 1 and 2

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd February
and invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Discussion Groups 1 and 2

The Impressionist Art Group are showing the documentary film " Mary Cassatt; Painting a Modern Woman" at the Friends Meeting Hall from 2 oclock on Tuesday 3rd February
and invite anyone interested to come along for the small fee of £3, payable on the day.

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

BREAKOUT TABLES:
Chess, Scrabble, Impressionism, Crime Fiction, Lawn Bowls

> Eat better
> Exercise more
> Volunteer for U3A
> Learn, laugh, live!

Speaker: Neil Sadler
(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

Speaker: Neil Sadler
(Almost) Death in Paradise: pirates and rum.

Speaker: Mr. Malcolm Nelson
Forty Years of Catching Smugglers - Why do I always feel so guilty?

The Spirit of Ukraine: Ukranian Cultural Festival - Saturday 15th November,
1.00-4.30pm at St. Paul's Church, Chichester

Speaker: Mr. Malcolm Nelson
Forty Years of Catching Smugglers - Why do I always feel so guilty?