Lostwithiel Area u3a
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Our groups

An index to the Groups operating within Lostwithiel u3a is included on this page.

Each Group has its own web page providing more information about that Group including contact details for the Group Leader.

Click on the appropriate link below to find information about a particular group.


Acoustic Guitar for Beginners

I have now been playing both the electric and acoustic guitar for over six years with the emphasis being on the acoustic. I am probably classed as an intermediate player. I make no claims to being better than that. I can take the group a considerable way into their guitar learning journey but then it will be up to the individual member to find their own way as they will by then have learnt enough to decide on a path that they want to follow, be it a particular genre of music; classical, jazz, folk, rock whatever and the kinds of songs  that they would like to learn within that.

 

The group is aimed at people who want to start learning to play the guitar. They will either have had one in the past, didn't get far with it and it is now gathering dust in the loft or they don't have one as yet and would like to learn. Either way the group is aimed at total beginners and not intermediate or advanced players.

We will be meeting in the Scouts Hut in Lostwithiel on the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month from 10.00am until 12.00pm.


Read more about Acoustic Guitar for Beginners


Art & Craft Experiments

600-artist-palette

The main aim of this group is to encourage creativity in any medium you want, and not to be afraid of “giving it a go”. I like to pass on the knowledge I have learnt, and as I have almost everything, it is a safe place to try before you buy!

Read more about Art & Craft Experiments


Art Appreciation

Art AppreciationWe visit exhibitions galleries, stately homes with collections, craft shows, sculpture gardens, locally and further afield. We want to interpret Art as widely as possible, and see and learn about new works as well as those we already admire and love.

Read more about Art Appreciation


Beverage ’n Banter

Teapot
"Beverage 'n Banter" will meet up on the first Monday in the months that alternate with our usual "Open Meetings"

The first is Monday 6th February 2023 (then in April/June/Aug etc).

Read more about Beverage ’n Banter


Bird Watching

A hardy group of keen amateur birdwatchers who hold regular field trips, weather permitting, to reserves and other bird-watching sites in the region.

Read more about Bird Watching


Bridge

Bridge GroupOn Wednesdays we play rubber bridge from 2.00pm until 4.30pm (bringing refreshments if required ).    We are a happy bunch and very helpful if anyone is unsure of their bidding.  

  We also have  Bridge magazines with advice and bridge quizzes. English Bridge Union books to aid learning are available.   If you have an elementary knowledge of the game or are a regular player and would like to be part of this group please get in touch, it's good to welcome new u3a members.

Read more about Bridge


Creative Writing

Creative Writing GroupThis very informal writing group meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the Royal Oak. Members write on an agreed topic and then share what they have written. Some examples of the group's work may be read on our blog by clicking on the "Short Stories" link on the left.

Unfortunately the Group has grown to a size that we cannot accept any more members at present. We will keep a waiting list, so please contact me if you are interested.

 

Read more about Creative Writing


Creative Writing 2

 

Sometimes Group members find that the date can clash with their other Group date commitments, so we agree changes at the meeting.

Please contact the Group Leader for list of dates going forward.

Read more about Creative Writing 2


Day Trippers

This new group aims to arrange day trips using only public transport. For that reason it is useful to have a Senior Rail Card and a Bus Pass.

 

We would envisage trips happening once month.

Read more about Day Trippers


Electric Bikers

All of our riders now have Electric Bikes which means that we can cycle further and don't have to bother about hills. At the moment we are trying to do a ride every week usually on Wednesday's. For further information please read the notice on our Group Home Page.

Read more about Electric Bikers


Family History

We are a friendly group who help each other with our "brick walls"; sharing information & the use of various web sites to help our research. We now meet - either physically or by Zoom - on the third Wednesday each month at 10:00. Please also see the "CORONAVIRUS" update below

If you would like to join our group do please get in touch; you are welcome whether experienced or completely new to Family History as 1:2:1 guidance can be given.

                                                  CORONAVIRUS UPDATE 

Update October 2022: As from our 19th October 2022 meeting we're moving to a mixed format of meetings - some "physical" face-to-face & others Zoom - the latter mainly when we have Speakers.  Our next Speaker meeting is 16th November 2022!                    

We're also trying out a new venue & have booked the Lerryn Memorial Hall for October as it now boasts good wi-fi connection!

The likely format will continue to be a speaker event every 2 or 3 months with an "experience-sharing session" about our various research experiences in between. We will also be looking at visiting Kresen Kernow, the Cornish archive centre for a guided tour on the 8th February (this will replace our usual Feb meeting)

Please contact David Platt for details.

Read more about Family History


French

French GroupNew members very welcome! The group is very informal and of mixed ability, but not really suitable for absolute beginners. Most of us have some school French.

We share our knowledge of the language and experience of French life and culture with each other. We look at grammar points, topics and current news - whatever anyone suggests. The aim is to have fun whilst learning and to refresh our rusty French. There is always a lot of laughter and "déviation" along the way!

We have so much fun and laughter that we considered renaming ourselves "French Farce!"  So come along and have some fun and refresh your French at the same time.

Most of our members have some school French, so it is not really suitable for absolute beginners.
 
À bientôt

 

 

Read more about French


Garden Visits

Garden Visits  GroupThere are times when you need to stop working in your own garden and get inspiration from other people’s creativity and hard work. Does this apply to you? In that case, you would fit in well in our group! We do not have a waiting list, so get in touch if you would like to join us. Our programme of visits to gardens, usually in Cornwall and Devon, starts in February to visit a snowdrop garden and ends in October to admire the autumn colours.

Read more about Garden Visits


Lunch Group

We are a friendly group of singles and couples who meet for lunch on the 4th Wednesday of each month at as many different locations as we can find within 30-40 mins of Lostwithiel!

Between us we have discovered some really good places to eat. The lunches usually start at 12.30 for 1pm.

Members take it in turns to organise and host the lunches, so if no one volunteers there’s no lunch!!

Since our recent open day we have welcomed new members to join this friendly group. If you are interested in joining please contact us to have your name put on the waiting list.

Read more about Lunch Group


Photography

Photography GroupWe are a friendly photography group with a wide variety of skill levels and interests. The group meets three times each month. One of our meetings sees us out around the county and sometimes further afield, taking pictures and helping each other to try new photographic techniques and challenges. There are also two meetings held online  - in one we share and discuss images based on a monthly theme, whilst in the second we explore a variety of topics related to processing images in more depth. We also arrange workshops for the group with renowned professional photographers. These give us the chance to improve and grow within our own particular area of interest. Over the last ten years we have also held four successful exhibitions . We welcome members with all ranges of ability and equipment - most of us started using our phone as a camera!

To see many wonderful images from our members please CLICK HERE to see our Flickr page

 

 

Read more about Photography


Poetry

Poetry GroupCurrently, our meetings are held monthly every 1st Friday of each month at 10.30am in the Reading Room at the Lostwithiel Community Centre.  

Read more about Poetry


Pop and Rock Music Appreciation

Group discussing Pop and Rock music from the last sixty years

Read more about Pop and Rock Music Appreciation


Scrabble

We would be delighted to hear from any new members. We are a friendly little group and not over serious. We play for enjoyment and to keep our brains alive (just).

Read more about Scrabble


Strollers

Strollers Group2"strolls" per month taking place on Monday mornings. These walks will be of about one hour in duration along  gentle terrain (i.e. no hills).

Where possible a refreshment stop will be included.

Usually we will meet at Lostwithiel Community Centre car park to carshare.

Read more about Strollers


Strummers Ukulele Sing Along Group

StrummersLearn a few easy chords and sing some songs it's great fun! Meeting starts at 2pm every Monday in Lanhydrock Memorial Hall  Absolute beginners are given basic instruction from our Start Up Book. We have a spare Ukuleles Why not give it a try!

Read more about Strummers Ukulele Sing Along Group


Theatre

Theatre GroupWe are a very lively, active and friendly Group meeting every 3rd Thursday morning of the month when members choose and help organize trips.   We go to live and live-streamed theatre, music and dance in and around Cornwall and beyond.

We use public transport where possible.   When cars are required transport depends on availability of drivers.

 

Read more about Theatre


u3Art

Art Easel
The art group formerly known as Art2Start has a new identity and a new leader. 

Member Trish Penrose has taken over from Jacquie Hannan, who is moving away from the area.   We extend our best wishes to Jacquie and thank her for leading  a friendly and successful group for several years.
 
 The group is now named u3Art, and Trish will be assisted in the running of the group by several other members who have shared out the various tasks between  them to ensure the smooth and continued success of the group.

  
 Members use a variety of drawing and painting media and would welcome new members of all abilities.
 
We now meet at Lostwithiel Community Centre Oasis Room  on the 1st and 3rd  Wednesdays of every month, from 2pm to 4pm (although this can be subject to change at times to accommodate other groups)

Read more about u3Art


Ukulele Workshop

Ukulele WorkshopInitially set up by the Strummers Ukulele Fun and Sing Along Group we are a small group of enthusiastic, like-minded ukulele players who enjoy music and who are keen to develop and progress our musical ability. The emphasis is on playing the ukulele and singing with the occasional inclusion of other instruments to enhance particular songs.

We see ourselves as a group which is complementary to the Strummers Ukulele Fun and Sing Along Group which meets each Monday. Sessions are conducted in a helpful and supportive way. Meetings are held every Friday at the 1st Lostwithiel Scout Hut, Pleyber Christ Way, Lostwithiel PL22 )HA from 2.00 to 4.00 pm. We perform as Lost Chords. 

 

Read more about Ukulele Workshop


Walking

Walking GroupThere are two walks scheduled each month: Locally based walks are on the second Tuesday of every month with Carol and Sue or Dave and Chris leading the walks. Walks starting at places some distance from Lostwithiel lead by Chris and Janet or Annie are on the last Tuesday of every month. Members are contacted by e-mail, normally 7-10 days prior to the planned walk, giving details of the walk, meeting times, difficulty of walk, whether picnic is required, possibility of tea and cake stop etc. We sometimes meet at the Community Centre but individuals can travel independently if desired to the pre-arranged starting point. This information is also updated onto the walking group page of the website.

There is currently a waiting list to join this group as the numbers have now exceeded manageable levels for many of the walks.

Read more about Walking


Wine Appreciation

Wine AppreciationIn the past few years we have tasted wine from all over the world as each month a different member hosts the group and chooses which wines we should taste - sometimes by country or region, and sometimes by grape variety. We have all enjoyed trying wines which we would not normally have chosen so we like to feel our tastes have widened through belonging to this Interest Group. Whenever we can find a teetotal driver we love to take the Lerryn Minibus out for a spin to a local vineyard or wine merchant.

Contact Michael Furminger for more details.

Read more about Wine Appreciation