There are a number of new Groups, and other new activities either just launched or in prospect, at Shepway and District u3a.
Following the success of the three First Aid workshops organised by our Membership Secretary Sue Dickie, in collaboration with the Red Cross, Sue submitted an article to the Third Age Trust Magazine (TAM). This has now been published in the Autumn 2026 edition of the magazine.
September saw the launch of another history course to be run by Chris Bray - entitled "Geoffrey Chaucer: his Life and Times". This follows on from his earlier course "England under Norman and Angevin Kings" that stopped at the end of 2025. This new Group is already proving very popular with members following the announcement in the September Newsletter, so get your application in quick via any of the usual routes if you would like to join in with this new exploration of England's past.
In October, Shirley Hughes launches a second Pilates Group at St Andrew’s Methodist Church in Cheriton to run on Wednesday afternoons at 14.30. Some members who were on the waiting list for the first Group have been moved to this new Group and places are filling up fast from new applicants, so if you are interested apply quickly in the usual way (see foot of page).
Sue Dickie asks do You Speak German? If so, would you be interested in a social group for German conversation? Perhaps you know somebody, if not yourself, who would consider running this. Sue herself is not a German speaker, and, currently does not have the time to offer her services as Group Leader,. But Sue is happy to create a list of those interested, then set up a meeting to discuss whether it is possible to proceed. Being a Group Leader for a social Group is not difficult, and Sue would be happy to do whatever she can to help get a Group up and running. If this does interest you, please let Sue know via the Contact page, take the link for Membership & General Enquiries.
Meanwhile, Sally Starbuck has an idea for a group playing cards or board games - more a social group than over competitive. Sally suggests meeting on maybe a Wednesday or Thursday evening at 6.30pm from October in Hythe. If you are interested then let Sally know via the Groups Registrar know, as shown below.
Katherine Robinson is proposing a re-run of the popular DVD Lecture series entitled "Understanding Greek and Roman Technology – From Catapult to the Pantheon". In twenty-four, thirty-minute DVD lectures, Professor Stephen Ressler, of the US Military Academy at West Point, presents his subject matter with infectious enthusiasm and admiration. The timing and venue will be decided depending upon the level of interest. If this appeals to you then please get in touch with Katherine Robinson via the Contact page, take the link for "Joining Groups & Enquiries".
Anyone who would like to help Katherine run this series, please get in touch via the same route.
Sue Dickie is having another try at stimulating interest in a new Poetry Writing Group:
"Perhaps you were interested, but life got in the way of you sending me your note of interest. Perhaps you have a mental block about writing poetry, and think it is not something that you could do. You don't need to aspire to Benjamin, Tennyson, or even Ayres (Pam), so have another think this small, friendly group will be very informal, and be as much about getting together for a relaxing natter that might raise your creative inspiration. There will not be a formal structure of what, or how you should write, other than it having a poetic rhythm - e.g. writing down your thoughts (light or dark) using a poetic lilt to the words - this can prove to be very cathartic, and you can choose whether or not you wish to share your work with the group - no pressure to do so. I do hope this will encourage you to join in to follow a dormant ambition, or try something new."
If you are interested, let Sue know via the Membership Secretary link on the Contact page.
To apply to join any of these Groups (where there is space) contact the Groups' Registrar in the usual way as shown on the main Groups page.