Here is our latest Bulletin. This is emailed to our current members who have requested to receive it. To see previous Bulletins Click Here.
To see our Chichester u3a Magazine click here
Bulletin 030726
In this edition:
How about becoming a Group Leader?
Chichester u3a continues to grow, and it's wonderful to see so many members enjoying the wide variety of groups and activities on offer, writes Jacky Easton, Chair & Groups Team Coordinator.
The downside of this success is that a lot of groups are now full, and we know this can be disappointing, particularly for newer members who are keen to get involved.
The good news is that the answer is simple – more members sharing their interests by becoming Group Leaders.
Please don't be put off by the title. You don't need to be an expert to lead a u3a group – you simply need to be willing to bring together people who share an interest. Many groups are led by two or more members, sharing the role, and some groups meet just once a month or for a short trial period. It really can be as straightforward and enjoyable as you would like it to be.
The Groups Team is here to help every step of the way. From your first idea through to setting up the group and getting your first members together, we'll support you throughout. We want leading a group to be a rewarding experience, not a daunting one.
If you're a newer member and are finding it difficult to join groups, or if you've had any problems contacting Group Leaders, please do get in touch with the Groups Team. We genuinely want to help and will always do our best to find a solution or suggest alternatives.
If you're wondering whether your idea would make a good group, the answer is almost certainly yes! Please get in touch for an informal chat—we'd love to hear from you.
Notices/Upcoming Events
News from the Speakers' Team
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!
Our next monthly meeting is to be held on Thursday, 16th July, at 2.00 p.m., as usual, at the Assembly Room, The Council House, North Street, Chichester, and we are pleased to say that our speaker this time is Ian Everest, whose talk is entitled: Stories from the Sussex Downs.
Ian will give a fully illustrated talk about some of the less well-known aspects of the Downs. Ian spent his childhood on a Downland farm and has some fascinating stories to share. Expect to find out about the Home Guard Cavalry, a College for Lady Gardeners, a Grand National Winner, Poverty Bottom - and much more! His first occupation was in the agricultural sector but in 1987 he was appointed manager of Newhaven Fort in Sussex which he prepared for public opening the following year.
Doors open at 1.15 p.m. and you are welcome to take refreshments in the Crush Bar after the talk. Our talks are open to all members of Chichester u3a and are free of charge.
We do hope to see you there!
Tea/Coffee Morning Tuesday, July 7th, 10-12
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!
Our Tea/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!
There will be a breakout table for the Climate Change Group at this coffee morning.
Please note that the Members Monthly Meeting due to take place on Thursday, 10th December will start at 3.00 p.m. instead of 2.00 p.m., in order to give members the opportunity to enjoy a Christmas Lunch at Chichester College before they come along for the talk. Details of Christmas Lunches will come out later in the summer.
Groups Notices & Events
Strength & Conditioning at Westgate Leisure Centre
There are vacancies for this class, which is held weekly (Wednesday 1.55-2.40) at the Westgate Leisure Centre.
The class is designed for our age a group, and is led by Melissa, a skilled trainer, and is held in an air conditioned studio!
Melissa demonstrates a variety of exercises, mainly using hand held dumbbells. All equipment is provided. She is particularly skilled at adapting exercises for any of us that have problem areas of the body. Strength & Conditioning exercise has been shown to improve core strength and balance. There is no need to commit to every week but regular attendance is of course best.
Contact the group leader for more information.
A Social Time on the Algarve
Members of Social Teams 1 and 2 enjoyed a wonderful activity week in May at Aqua Ventura Pedralva, in Portugal’s beautiful Algarve region.
Blessed with excellent weather and stunning surroundings, the group made the most of a varied programme of activities, combining relaxation, exercise and good company.
Under the attentive care of our hosts, Jonathan and Violeta, members went on scenic walks through the local countryside, body surfed on the Atlantic beaches, and spent a memorable day exploring the historic coastal town of Lagos - a highlight of the social calendar.
A great feature was the excellent cuisine prepared by Violeta, whose delicious meals were greatly appreciated by all. Such was the success of the trip that we have already booked to return in May 2027. If you would like to know more about this enjoyable activity week, please contact Christian through the usual U3A channels.
Pissaro Film
The Impressionist Art Group are showing the film Pissaro; Father of Impressionism on Tuesday 7th July from 2 o'clock at the Friends Meeting Hall, Priory Road, Chichester.
Tea and coffee are provided free but we ask for a £3 contribution to the hire of the hall.
Vacancies in the Recorder Group
The Recorder Group has vacancies at the moment and July or August might be a good time for a taster session if you once played and have been thinking of re-starting.
You will need: a music stand and preferably two recorders, and if you can read music, understand straightforward rhythms, know the recorder fingerings and how to play basic scales and arpeggios, this could be the group for you. But please note, this isn’t a group for beginners and isn’t suitable for anyone without the basic skills outlined (a recorder teacher can be recommended if you want to learn from scratch).
If you’re interested, contact me the group leader with some details and then we can have a chat on the phone to arrange a taster session when I’ll programme the music to reflect the level you think you’re at.
We meet every Tuesday afternoon from 2pm-4pm on The Hornet and play in a large, comfortable lounge on the ground floor - no problems of access. The 51 and 700 buses stop outside and there are two car parks a few minutes walk away (one free for 3 hours!).
Artist helps Beginners build Confidence at New Park
Artist and educator Linda Hardwick is bringing her popular Art Confidence workshop to New Park Community Centre this summer, offering complete beginners the chance to discover the joy of oil painting in a relaxed and supportive environment.
The one-day workshop on Saturday 18 July, will guide participants step-by-step from a blank canvas to a finished painting they can proudly take home at the end of the day.
Linda studied Fine Art before teaching art in secondary schools and sixth forms for 13 years. Since leaving education in 2020, she has built a successful career as a freelance artist educator, teaching students from around the world both online and in person, as well as delivering workshops for businesses and organisations.
Allison McDonald-Hughes, Centre Manager at New Park Community Centre, said, “We are delighted to welcome Linda and to provide an affordable and accessible space where people can learn new skills, connect with others and enjoy the benefits of supporting confidence, community connection and wellbeing, that creative activities can bring.”
The workshop runs from 12pm to 5.30pm and includes all materials, refreshments and individual guidance within a small-group setting.
Places are limited and early booking is recommended. For more information or to book a place, visit lindahardwick.co.uk/oil-painting-day-workshop.
U3A Quiz - date for your diaries
The next Chichester u3a Quiz will be on Thursday 24 September at the Jubilee Room, New Park Centre. Expect a lively and engaging quiz with a varied range of questions designed to test your general knowledge. As always, the emphasis is on friendly competition, good company, and plenty of enjoyment. Check in is from 18.30 and the quiz will begin at 1900, ending around 2130. Please send your name and/or team details together with any food orders to this link .
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 (don’t forget a glass!) the NP bar may also be open to purchase a glass of wine or a can of beer.
Booking is via the form HERE on our website.
Membership Subscription Renewals
We will shortly send out reminders for the upcoming year's subscription renewals, our fees are once again frozen at £18 for an individual and £14 if you are a full member of another u3a.
As our community grows (we now have over 1,200 members!), our administrative workload increases. You can help us process renewals quickly and accurately by reviewing the guidelines below.
Please Do Not Pay Yet
Please wait for your official reminder email to arrive in August before making any payments.
Our Preferred Method: The Web Portal
Please use the payment portal on our website if possible. This is the most efficient method because:
- Payments automatically go to the correct account.
- Your membership status updates instantly.
- Suggestion: Please log in to the portal this week to ensure that you can remember your password.
Alternative: Internet Banking & Bank Transfers
If you cannot use the portal and must pay via bank transfer, please follow the specific instructions in your upcoming August email. Please look out for two common errors:
- Incorrect Amounts: Ensure your payment is for the correct amount (see above).
- Incorrect Accounts: Chichester u3a runs four separate bank accounts. Group activity fees use a different account than annual membership subscriptions.
We Are Here to Help
If you cannot use these digital payment methods, please do not worry. Contact the Membership Team directly, and we will happily assist you.
Thank you for your continued support!
Pete & Jeanne
Your Membership Team
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 this version is: https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/u3a-matters
The next bulletin is due out on August 28, so if you have an item to submit, you may use this link.
Links to our Website
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(btw the dating convention at the top of these Bulletins has now changed to the conventional British, so today's publication date is 03.07.26.)
Best wishes,
Steve Painter
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.
For more information about the Bulletin and to submit something for the next Edition, click here.
To find out about the National u3a activities click here to see the u3a Matters Magazine