Group News

Latest Group News

Information received from groups will be listed here, most recent information first.

Hello from Johanna.

EXCITING NEW IDEAS

Diane Gittings, a performing arts lecturer, has made the following offer:

CALLING ALL FREDs and GINGERSs to a Gentle Tap Dance Class!

I love the joy of tapping out rhythms to great music. I love the sound, the laughter and the triumph of tapping my feet in synch in a team. When I couldn’t keep up with the youngsters in my class I was looking for an alternative. I still wanted to tap but simply couldn't find a class that was a bit less strenuous but equally challenging and FUN. Then I saw that u3a are looking for someone to lead a tap class! We would need a hall and have enough members to cover the cost of hire. So here is a plea for members to express interest to see if we can make it viable. Here is my proposal for us all to have fun together and retain our fitness along the way: I will cover the basics for those who have never tapped before, learning steps that keep ”one foot on the ground”. Maybe fitter, more experienced members could add hops, doubles and triples to the same rhythms so we can stay in time and dance together. Tap at any level involves low level impact on knees, hips and ankles. You may get out of breath but everyone can go at a pace to suit themselves. On the positive side, tap is excellent cardio, combats osteoporosis and created a feeling of well being just moving to music in a relaxed group. That has got to be worth giving it a go!. So brush up your Maxi Fords and Suzi Qs!! Tap shoes are not required for taster sessions but essential if you want to continue. Prices start from about £20. Hope to see you soon. Look out for more information in January and February as this may take a little bit of organising. Proposed starting date - subject to finding suitable accommodation - would be early 2025. If tap Dancing appeals to you, please e-mail groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk and please put TAP DANCING in the subject box. Thank you, Diane.

Film Society

I have also had a request to see if there is interest in setting up a film society. A member is keen to be involved but does not want overall responsibility. If you are interested or feel able to lead please reply to groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk. Please put FILM SOCIETY in the subject box.

Group Leadership

To lead a group one does not need to be an expert in any subject, just have an interest and be open to meeting like minded people with the object of learning to together and having fun. Group News Johanna Kiernan  groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk. I will do my best to help knowing that I can call on many Group Leaders and members for support and advice. Groups do not have to be large.

Suggestions include: AFRICAN CULTURE, BIRD WATCHING, DEBATING SOCIETY, FILM NIGHTS, FOLK APPRECIATION, GEOLOGY ROCKS, GEOGRAPHY, JEWELLERY MAKING, JAZZ APPRECIATION, LINE DANCING, ORIENTEERING, PUPPETRY, TECHNICAL DRAWING. We are fortunate to already have a wide range of subjects covered but there is always room for others. If you want more information on starting any group please contact me.

I am grateful to all the Leaders who run groups enabling us to form supportive friendships and to Live, Learn and Laugh together.

I am sure you are all beginning to get ready for Christmas and I hope to see many of you at the Angel Centre to listen and sing on Wednesday 4 December. I believe we are also going to get some Mince pies! Yum!

Merry Christmas everyone.

Johanna

Groups in need of a Leader

Interest was expressed in Circle Dancing and in Tap Dancing. There was also much interest in re-establishing some of the groups that used to meet previously, particularly, Family History.

If you are interested in any of these topics or feel able to investigate the possibility of setting up one of these groups I would be glad to hear from you.

German Conversation 2

Contact Michael Satchwell

Other new groups are also being formed. Please contact me so I can put you in touch with like minded people. groups@tonbridgeu3a.uk

Industrial and Engineering History Group

Change of venue and meeting time - 4th Monday of the month at 2.00pm

Now meeting in a location in Tonbridge High Street.

Creative Writing

The group has spaces available for members who feel inspired to write. Contact Lois Mitchell

Play Reading 

Second Thursday of each month at 10.00am.

12 December; 9 January; 13 February; 13 March; 10 April; 8 May; 12 June.

Joyce Graf 

Poetry for Pleasure 

The purpose of this group is to read poetry which they enjoy on a theme chosen in advance of the monthly meeting. The theme for November is Ice, Sleet and Snow! The fourth Wednesday of the month at 10.30 am.

December - Christmas; January - Lighthouses; February - Time; March - Cats; April - Rivers.

Jenifer Hughes

MOTO TWO

From August the main meetings of MOTO TWO will be held in venues in Central Tonbridge, see their web page for more details here.

Any Member On Their Own wanting new friends: Please email admin@mototwo.club to let us know you’re coming, so we can welcome you!