January through November we have a Monthly Meeting with a guest speaker but in December we are usually entertained with our very own u3a String Band. Our AGM is held at the start of the October meeting followed by a speaker. The Events page gives you a list of our speakers for the year and the subject they will be covering. Talks are very wide-ranging and vary from Walking Hadrian’s Wall, through focus on a local historical figure, to the Northeast Air Ambulance. They are usually informative and often amusing. Who knew, for instance, that we had a northeast double agent in WWII or that Josephine Bowes was an actress in Paris before marrying into the Bowes family? After thanking the speaker the meeting breaks up and is usually over by around 11.45.

Doors open at 10 am for a 10.30 start. Most of our groups have tables in the entry room and this is a good opportunity to go and see what events are planned or are being considered. You can also put your name down to be included in a future event or to make or pay for a booking. In the main Hall there is a rolling slide presentation with input from all relevant groups and this also informs you about future events and perhaps prompts you to go and talk to one or more of the group leaders. A copy of the meeting slides is sent to all members who have an email address on file. Attendees are encouraged to take their seats by 10.30 when the Chair will take the floor. Your attention is drawn to health & safety and any notices are read before the Chair introduces the speaker of the day.

If members have visitors staying with them (or staying in the area) they may bring the visitors to the Monthly Meeting. Please note that children under the age of 18 are not allowed to attend Monthly Meetings as they are not covered by our insurance.

There is ample parking a few hundred yards away in North Bondgate and some blue badge parking bays are available there and in the Market Square opposite the Town Hall. The Town Hall is very accessible for people of all abilities.

This Monthly Meeting is a chance for all of our members to come together and enjoy the talk as well as catching up with friends old and new There is a café on the ground floor and several cafés in the Market Place and nearby streets for refreshments after the meeting if members feel so inclined.

Prospective Members

Are you retired or close to retirement but want to keep body and mind active? Have you got interests you want to share with like-minded people and/or are you interested in in looking at new activities now that you have more time to do it? Do you want to meet people who share your interests and to make new friends? The u3a ethos is learn, laugh, live and a u3a group could be just the thing that you are looking for. There is a lot of information on this website but come along to a meeting and talk to a few people and see how you feel.

You are more than welcome to attend two of our monthly meetings as a visitor and enjoy the talk of the day but we hope that you will like what you see and join us. Please see the Join Us page for fees and what is included in your membership.

Do you plan on coming along to one of our meetings by yourself? Are you nervous? Please don’t be. When you arrive at the reception desk and say that you are a visitor and thinking of joining you will be directed to a nearby table where one or more friendly members of our group will be waiting to welcome you, show you round, and answer any questions that you might have.

Please do come to the meeting as early as you can after 10 am so that you have time to look at group events on offer before the meeting officially begins so that you do not feel hurried.