Welcome to Ringwood U3A, which was formed in 2012. We are a friendly club with some 200 members and more than 20 interest groups. Please take a look around the site to discover what we can offer to those who are no longer in full time employment. New members are always warmly welcomed.
Monthly meetings take place on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 2-4pm at Greyfriars. Please click the 'Meetings' button for more information.
All groups are organised and led by members with most taking place in members' own homes so that they are small and friendly. Full members may join as many interest groups as they wish at no extra charge unless the group has to hire a room when there will be a small additional cost.
Please click the 'Group Info' button to see details of all groups. If you would like to know more or after joining wish to join a particular group please contact the Group Leader - contact details are on the Group Info pages.
Please contact any of the Committee Members for general information.
Latest news
Please note that whilst every effort is made to keep this page and indeed the whole of the website current there may from time to time be a delay in updating the information provided.
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL for September 2019 to August 2020. Forms are available to download from the website or can be collected at the monthly meetings. Please complete it in full (both sides) and then return it at the November Meeting when we will process them along with your payments. Postal renewals can be sent to Pete Jackson. Renewal is also possible with payment by online banking using your name as a reference, however the Treasurer must be informed and the form scanned and emailed to the Membership Secretary.
All Membership Renewals should be completed by the end of November after which non-renewers will be removed from our records and will not be able to attend group events. If you have renewed please remember to collect your new membership card from the welcome table and place it in your badge holder.
If you will not be renewing your membership the Committee would be very grateful to hear your reasons so that we can better understand how to improve the club for everyone. Please do let us know. Many thanks.
Thank you to everyone who are wearing our new MEMBERSHIP CARD BADGES to gatherings. The new badge holders have both 'clip' and 'pin' forms of attachment that our membership cards will fit into. Please place your card in the badge holder and wear it at future meetings to avoid having to write out a name badge every time - this should speed up the queue at the door. Visitors will be given a temporary badge so members will be able to identify them easily and make them feel welcome by using their name. Please note that all attendees at Monthly Meetings should still sign in at the Welcome Desk.
Please could all members make a point of introducing themselves to our VISITORS, tell them about our groups and help to make them feel welcome. If you would be prepared to volunteer to be a 'buddy' for new members please contact Pete or Hazel.
Could you recognise all your Committee Members? Why not take a look at the 'WHO'S WHO' on the website under 'Documents'.
The Club is reliant on willing VOLUNTEERS to serve not only on the Committee but also to be HOSTS of interest groups. With a group membership of over 200 leading to some existing groups being oversubscribed we are keen to encourage the formation of new groups. Being a Host does not need to be onerous, it can simply be an admin role or perhaps one of providing a room in your home as a meeting place (groups requiring to use meeting rooms should be self funding although start up costs can be met by agreement of the Committee). If you have an interest in a specific topic please contact Audrey to discuss how we can help facilitate a new group with your help. Members have indicated that they would be interested in joining Spanish, French and Theatre Groups but we need HOSTS to take these forward.
The Committee would like to thank Margaret and Maureen who have hosted the Pub Lunch group for the last 3 years - their efforts have been much appreciated by a significant number of club members however they have decided that they would now like to stand down following the November lunch so we are seeking someone or maybe another couple of friends to take on this role. Can you help? Please contact Audrey on 01425 478071 or email asramble@m4me.co.uk if you would like to find out more.
We would also like to look at the possibility of short (perhaps 4, 6, 8 or 10 weeks) courses on specific topics - perhaps you have an interest or skill in a particular topic/subject that you could pass on to other members? Please talk to Audrey on 01425 478071 or email her on asramble@m4me.co.uk
If you would like to be more involved in the club in any role either now or in the future, please do come and talk to Pete or any of the Committee.
June Edwards and Barbara Colman continue to look after the meeting REFRESHMENTS however they need the help of at least one other each time. We have a sign up sheet located on the Welcome Desk so if you are able please volunteer to assist. Thanks go to Chris Pentelow who helped at both the September and October meetings. Ros D'Albert and Joan Cary have kindly offered their help in November.
The latest, PROGRAMME LEAFLET can be found on the website (last updated 05.11.19). Printed copies will be available at monthly meetings and also from The Gateway or Greyfriars literature display although the latter may not always be the latest version. On occasion a speaker may have had to cancel and a replacement arranged, in these circumstances the information on an older programme may be out of date. If you spot anything that needs amending please let Hazel know.
CONTACT DETAILS for Group Hosts and Committee Members can be found on the Current Leaflet which can be viewed or downloaded from this website. You can also email Group Hosts via the Groups button.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (ICE) CARDS. The U3A have produced small 'credit card size' cards which fit easily into a purse or wallet to provide essential details in case members are taken ill at an event, particularly if on a walk or on a trip away from Ringwood. The idea is that you write your name, who to contact with a phone number and any medications, conditions or allergies on the card and KEEP IT WITH YOU. Then, if needs be, someone can find the card and have the appropriate information. Please pick up a card and fill it in then pop it in your purse/wallet - that way someone will be able to help you if necessary. Cards will be available from the Welcome Desk at monthly meetings or from Group Hosts.
The 'SINGING FOR FUN' group are trialling an additional session from 10.15-12 on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at The St. Ives Country House Care Home (Horton Road, off the Ashley Heath roundabout - park in the Visitors car park to the left of the entrance, if full there is an overflow down the turning on the right. The home are offering us free use of their lovely facilities with refreshments in exchange for their residents being able to attend. The first of these sessions was a great success with 12 members together with Peter who did a great job on the keyboards and was attended by around 14 residents and a few staff who joined in with some of the well known songs. Why not come along on 13th Nov. Please contact June on 01425 472769.
WHIST - This new group is doing really well with 8 members attending the last session along with 6 from St Ives. We have more planned for 2pm on Wednesdays 13th and 27th November. The group may take a December break - check here for further information. Whist is a very social card game and The St Ives Country House Care Home, Horton Road, Ashley Heath has kindly offered us the use of their very comfortable (and underused) ground floor lounge with a dozen 4 chair tables, complimentary tea-coffee and free parking (use the Visitors Car Park please - on the left as you drive in the gates but if full go to the overflow which is down the turning on the right). Initial help, written instruction sheets and all necessary cards and score sheets will be provided. If interested in attending please contact Terry Smith on 01425 471880.
The next SKITTLES evenings will be on Tuesday 19th and Friday 22nd November at 7.30pm at The Three Legged Cross Pub in Ringwood Road, Three Legged Cross BH21 6RE. If there are insufficient responses, one of the evenings will be cancelled, so if people are interested in coming they will need to say whether they can make both or just one of the dates. The choice of prices is £8.50 with a basket meal (chicken, cod, sausages, fishcake or mushrooms served with chips or salad) or £5.50 without. Please contact Peter Knight. These evenings are open to members and non members, but places must be booked in advance. Please let Peter Knight know what date or dates you can make and your meal choice on knight@lapalmera.co.uk.
The SPEAKER at our 21st November meeting will be Prof. Anne Anderson who will talk on Rene Lalique: Master of Art Nouveau Jewellery and Art Deco Glass. Come early to get a seat as this is bound to be popular.
Theatre Lovers - A U3A Q&A Event is taking place at 2.30pm on Thursday 21st November at the Trafalgar Studio 1, Whitehall, London SW1A 2DY following a performance of "A Day in the Death of Joe Egg". If you would like more information please contact Hazel.
The WALK on Friday 22nd November will be 3.8 miles led by Ros. Meet at Wilverley Plain car park (Map OL22 ref 254010) for a walk around the moor or through the enclosure, depending on weather.
The MEN'S INTEREST GROUP event on 22nd November will be a visit to the Bovington Tank Museum. Entrance £9.10 for a group of 10 or more. Leaving Rwd at 10.15, lunch in the museum at 1pm, departing at 4pm. Please contact Roger if interested.
Verwood U3A Travel Group have asked if any of our members would like to go on trips where they still have some places available:- 23rd November - Bristol Christmas Market £22. Fuller details can be found on the Travel Section of their website w w w verwoodu3a.org.uk/travel.html
Our next PUB LUNCH will be on Friday 29th November at 12.30 pm. This will be held at The Fish, The Bridges, West St, Ringwood BH24 2AA. Remember this is open to members and non members, so if you are thinking of joining Ringwood U3A why not come along and give it a try, but PLEASE contact Margaret and Maureen beforehand (by Wednesday 27th at the latest) as they must know numbers in advance to ensure there is sufficient allocated seating. Lunchers who attend without booking in may have to sit elsewhere. Please order and pay for your own food and drink at the bar. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO PUB LUNCH IN DECEMBER. This will be Margaret and Maureen's final lunch so if you would like this group to continue we urgently need new Hosts please.
WALK Tuesday 3rd December Please note date and location change from original website listing. Led by Christine. Meet at Linford Bottom car park (MapOL22 ref 181072 ) for a stroll to High Corner Inn and back. Coffee will be involved.
Thursday 5th December trip to Stourhead Winter Illuminations. A mini Coach will depart Ringwood at 3.30pm arriving approx 4.45pm. Return departure at 7pm. Optional meal in Ringwood at approx 8.15pm. Cost £16.20 for group entrance (NT members also) and £15 for coach. There is just one space left so if you wish to go please contact Jo on josephinebarratt@hotmail.com asap.
We have a new group 'HEALTHY LIVING' which will be hosted by Christine Rutherford in her home from 2-4pm on the 1st Thursday of the month (5/12). This will be a very informal gathering to explore and discuss ways of improving our lifestyle choices with hopefully some input and participation from all attending. Please contact Christine if interested in taking part.
Verwood U3A Travel Group have asked if any of our members would like to go on trips where they still have some places available:- 9th to 11th December - Thursford Christmas Spectacular £250. Fuller details can be found on the Travel Section of their website w w w verwoodu3a.org.uk/travel.html
On 12th December the MENS GROUP will be having a Bumper pre Christmas Lunch at The Inn on the Furlong. Mains at £17.95 2 Courses £22.50 3 Courses £27.00 smaller courses are available. £5 deposit required. Around 13 attending. Please contact Roger if interested.
The 19th December 'Members' Festive Meeting will include entertainment by 'Chapter and Verse' performing 'Christmas Crackers', refreshments with Christmas Cake baked by Christine Rutherford along with Mince Pies, a festive quiz, a raffle in aid of local charity 'The Stable Family Home Trust' and a Christmas themed singalong.
The MEN'S INTEREST GROUP outing in January (exact date tba) will be to the Solent Sky Museum. Contact Roger if interested.
3rd June - U3A Movement 40th Anniversary
Verwood U3A Travel Group have asked if any of our members would like to go on trips where they still have some places available:- 3rd to 6th September 2020 - Kynren 2,000 years of Myth and Legend £339. Fuller details can be found on the Travel Section of their website w w w verwoodu3a.org.uk/travel.html
PETANQUE otherwise known as Boule - Is taking a break in December but will resume in January on Monday morning at 10.30am at Avon Heath Country Park (the only cost being parking which is £1.50 per hour so car sharing would be a good idea, although an annual parking permit can be purchased for £30 which is an option). Chris Chubb (chris@chubbfamily.net) 01202 425063 will provide equipment and instruction on how to play.
Book Group 4 which takes place on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 2pm has space for a few more to attend. Please ring Mary Brindley on 01425 489710 if you would like to join.
We really could do with a few more members to come along to our 'SINGING FOR FUN' group which is held in Greyfriars from 1pm on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays. All members are welcome to join - no audition required! Men would be particularly welcome to bolster up the deeper tones! Feel free to just turn up on the day for a 'taster' session. A small charge per 'term' is made to cover room hire and refreshment costs. If interested please contact June.
Please remember that we have a RED SUGGESTION BOX at our Monthly Meetings. We would love to hear any of your ideas. We'd love to hear from you either by a note left in the box or of course direct to a Committee Member by email.
You may have noticed that we have a new 'button' on our website for 'WEB LINKS' - if you click on this you will find links to Greyfriars Community Centre, the National U3A and also to the new Ringwood Community Network which we have joined as an Associate Member. The purpose of this network, set up by Ringwood Rotary, is to establish better communication between the various local organisations and charities in order to improve the quality of life of the citizens of Ringwood so please check it out to find a diary of events to attend and organisation who are looking for volunteers.
New PHOTOS of group activities are always welcome for the website so if you can take a nice picture when you are part of a group or event please do (having first established that everyone is happy to have their picture published) and email them to Hazel.
U3A 2020 DIARIES are now available to order from the U3A National Office website h t t p s / w w w.u3a.org.uk/resources/shop/merchandise/at £3.25 each.
Don't forget to look at the MEMBERS' ONLY PAGE (Noticeboard) on our website which gives members the opportunity to publicise non-U3A events that they have a keen interest in or to invite others to join them for something particular like a cinema trip or garden visit etc. It will not be used for 'selling' items. If you would like something posted to the Noticeboard please email full details to Hazel via the contacts page. Inclusion will be at the discretion of the Committee.
If you have a MOBILITY issue, either short or long term, that is preventing you from coming to the monthly meetings or attending a group please contact a member of the Committee to see if we can find a local member who could provide a lift.
How to join
If you are no longer in, or looking for full time employment you may join Ringwood U3A by downloading a membership form using this link or by emailing our Chairman, Pete Jackson.
When you have completed the form you may take it, and your £24 membership fee, to the Thursday monthly meeting.
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