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.
Art & Craft Experiments
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”.
Read more about Art & Craft Experiments
Art Appreciation
We 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
Art2Start
We meet every 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month (holidays permitting) at 2-4pm at the Church rooms, Lostwithiel. Drawing is the main focus of the session with the aim of individual development of work later. We are now continuing with projects using a variety of pencil crayons and experimenting with all aspects of colour.
2021 saw a continuation of the drawing group and a view to continue the theme of colour work and experimentation into the new year 2022
New members are welcome, but may have to be added to a short list
All abilities welcome and lots of experimentation will take place.
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.
Bridge
On Wednesdays we play rubber bridge from 2.00pm until 5.00pm,with a refreshment break half way, for a chat. We are a happy bunch and very helpful if anyone is unsure of their bidding. We also have regular Bridge magazines and advice on teaching programmes available. If you think you may like to be part of this group please get in touch, it's good to welcome new U3A members.
Chess
THIS GROUP HAS NOW CLOSED
Computing
UPDATE 1OTH NOVEMBER 2021 - The Computer Group has now closed. Some of the reports from previous meetings have been retained for reference purposes.
Creative Writing
This very informal writing group meets on the second Tuesday of each month in the Church Rooms. 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
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.
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 by Zoom on the third Wednesday each month at 11:00 until we can resume our usual face-to-face meetings , . 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 Feb 22: For the time being, we intend to continue on Zoom which, despite certain limitations, we have got pretty used to! An internal programme of topical content is in place which will take us up to early summer when, hopefully we can have another "social event' (warning: this may involve eating/drinking!)
We remain keen to resume physical meetings - but this may now be after our brief summer recess - & continue to research possible future venues to cater for our increased numbers.
The likely format will continue to be a bi-monthly speaker event alternated with a "sharing session" about our various research experiences on intervening months.
Please contact David Platt for details.
Read more about Family History
French
New 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!
Garden Visits
There 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.
iPadders
We are a small group of iPad owners who meet once a month from 10.30 am until 12.30 pm on the last Tuesday. We meet to exchange information and share our knowledge of iPads. We also enjoy a cuppa and a biscuit or two.
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!!
The group has, at present 32 members, so we are unable to welcome any more at the moment, but if you are interested in joining please let me know and I can add you to a waiting list.
Photography
We 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!
Poetry
Our meetings are held monthly every 2nd Friday of each month at 10.30am in the Long Room at the Lostwithiel Community Centre.
Science
The science group has been dormant since the first lockdown and we would now like to revive it in this exciting time for all branches of science;
The new James Webb telescope is about to be commissioned and give us a view firther back in time and almost certainly great images, even better than Hubble
The JET (Joint European Torus) has in the last week set a record for the biggest nett energy output in history
An Anerican patient has recently been given a pig heart, following development of GM techniques to prevent rejection.
There have been few times in history with so much of interest going on.
We have booked the Royal Oak for a meeting at 14.00 on February 23rd, and would like all returning and potential members to come and contribute to the new-look Science Group.
What do you want from the Group?
Should we have individuals keeping watch on selected matters - like the James Webb Telescope?
Should we arrange for guest speakers, and on what topics?
Should we have site visits to places of scientific interest?
Please come along if you are interested; If you are coming, or if you would like to contribute, but can't make this date, please contact me at your earliest convenience.
Boldly go where you maybe hadn't thought of going!
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).
Strollers
2"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.
Strummers Ukulele Group
Learn a few easy chords and sing some songs it's great fun! Meeting starts at 2pm every Monday in Scout Hut. 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 Group
Theatre
We 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.
Ukulele Workshop
Initially 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
There 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. During the pandemic we have not been organising lifts although individuals can arrange lifts with those who they know or are within their bubble.. We normally 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.
Wine Appreciation
In 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.
Sorry this group is full. But please contact me if you would like to be included in a second group. Contact Michael Furminger for more details.
Read more about Wine Appreciation
