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.
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO HAS ADOPTED OUR NEW MEMBERSHIP CARD BADGES, IF YOU HAVE NOT DONE SO ALREADY PLEASE BRING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CARD TO THE NEXT MEETING. This initiative has been introduced in response to a members' suggestion left in our Suggestion Box. The new badge holders have both 'clip' and 'pin' forms of attachment that our membership cards will fit into. Please bring your card to the meeting and you will be given a badge holder which you can wear at subsequent meetings to avoid having to write out a name badge every time and thus 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.
We are delighted to welcome Nigel Bonynge onto the Committee. Nigel has been Co-opted as our new Speaker Secretary, taking over from Hazel Taylor.
Could you recognise all our 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.
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
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. Rose Lavender and Pat Baldwin will be helping in August.
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.
The latest, programme leaflet can be found on the website (last updated 18.07.19). 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.
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.
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.
IN CASE OF EMERGENCY 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 Summer Outing on Thursday 18th July was a great success being enjoyed by some 50 members. Our Coach Driver come Tour Guide, Alan, provided a most interesting talk as we travelled through the New Forest, along the coast and into Bournemouth with tales of local legends including Witches and Dragon Slaying plus information on the wildlife as well as many famous former residents. On arrival at the Laguna Hotel we were provided with ample quantities of tea, a variety of sandwiches, delicious scones with jam and cream and two types of cake. A really special afternoon. Take a look at the Photo Gallery.
The next event on the Mens Group Programme is a visit to Sammy Millers Motorcycle Museum at New Milton on the 25th July. Sammy is an 11 times British Champion and has won over 1400 events so it should be a great visit - still time to book in so please let Roger know if you would like to go along. PLEASE NOTE THAT THERE WILL BE NO EVENT IN AUGUST. A trip to Salisbury Races will be arranged for September.
The next Skittles evenings will be on Friday 26th and Tuesday 30th July 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 you are interested in coming please 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.
Our next pub lunch will be on Friday 26th July at 12.30 pm. This will be held at The Carpenters Arms, Bransgore BH23 8BA. Remember this is open to members and non members, so if you are thinking of joining Ringwood U3A why not give it a try, but PLEASE contact Margaret and Maureen beforehand (by Wednesday 24th 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 AUGUST.
The Walk on Monday 12th August will be Godshill Valleys and Views 3.5 miles, Led by Ros. Meet at The Fighting Cocks, Godshill, Fordingbridge SP16 2LL (Map OL22 ref 177150). Some steep climbs both up and down but a nice pub to revive us at the end. PLEASE NOTE that the full Summer/Autumn Walks Programme is now listed on the website under Groups.
Our Speakers on 15th August will be Dr Ken Collins and Jenny Mallinson on "The Mary Rose, 500 years under the sea to her new museum". Ken and Jenny are University of Southampton scientists based at the National Oceanography Centre of Southampton University. They were involved with the excavation of the Mary Rose for the 3 years prior to its raising in 1982 and have dived the site subsequently and maintain regular contact with the archaeological team. They will review the Mary Rose story; bring it up to date with recent discoveries and give a guide to the new museum.
Briefly prior to our talk on 15th August there will be an SGM in order to slightly amend the wording in our Constitution, regarding the 'Charitable Purpose', so that we fall into line with the requirements of the U3A Trust.
PETANQUE - we have the potential for a new group provided there is sufficient interest (4 so far but we will need more). Games would be played at Avon Heath Country Park with the only cost being parking which is £1.50 per hour (so car sharing would be a good idea). Arrangements have been put in place for a couple of 'taster sessions' with the Park Rangers on Thursdays 15th and 22nd August at 11am - just show up and have a go. Chris Chubb (chris@chubbfamily.net) will provide equipment and instruction on how to play. If there are enough people who want to continue the plan would be to play on Monday mornings at 10.30am and we have provisional bookings for the 9th, 16th and 30th September.
We are delighted that Jo is recovering well - she would be happy to hear any ideas for future outings for the New Forest and Beyond Group.
Good news if you would like to take part in a Book Group but thought they were all full - thanks to Mary Brindley we now have a 4th group who will meet on the 1st Wednesday of the month at 2pm. If interested please contact Mary on 01425 489710 or marybrindley1126@gmail.com
'Singing for Fun' group continues at 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.
Unfortunately our Bridge Group is unable to continue at present however anyone who still wishes to play Bridge within a Ringwood U3A Group is asked to please register their interest by contacting Audrey Salter along with any thoughts, ideas or suggestions they may have for continuing the group, particularly if you would be willing to Lead or simply provide a venue for the group.
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.
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.
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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