St Austell u3a April 2026 Newsletter
On behalf of your Committee, I would like to wish all members a very Happy Easter.
If you should over indulge in too much chocolate, I hope that you have some Gaviscon to hand!
The Spring edition of the TAM magazine has been published and a reminder for members, the online version is available HERE.
U3a Friends
u3a Friends is an exciting new initiative to bring together stories and interests from across the u3a movement; to use our collective voice to change lives and to share exclusive member offers with our exclusive Friends Extra benefits programme. All of these come together under the banner of u3a Friends. Signing up to the newsletter means you are up to date and in touch with all that’s happening across the movement as it happens. If you would like more details or would like to sign up you can do so HERE.
Arts Centre
We have purchased a new 3 seater bench which, when received will be installed for members to use whilst waiting for taxi’s or transport outside the Assembly Room.
A number of members have raised the issues of the large potholes. I have been assured that these will be addressed shortly.
The “garden” area in front of the Assembly Room has become overgrown and very untidy. The Gardening Group has submitted plans and costings to the Arts Centre Trustees to undertake the clearing and replanting of this area. If approved we will be seeking volunteers to help Peter Pateman and the Group with this task and may also look to members who may have any appropriate plants that could be donated.
Speakers
I am pleased to advise that members donated £63.27 to Penhaligon’s Friends following the talk in February and £131.65 to the RNLI after the talk in March. Thank you to all those who donated.
Our Speaker on 2nd April was member Ian Mitchell whose talk “Are the brains of men and women really that different?” gave us a fascinating insight into the differences of the male and female brains and prompted some lively discussion and questions from the audience!
Our next talk will be Thursday 7th May when our speaker is Jeremy Roberts Chair of The Three Bays Wildlife Group.
A community led Wildlife group covering St Austell, Mevagissey and Veryan Bays . The Three Bays Wildlife Group (3BW) works to further discover and enhance the special natural environment of the Three Bays Wildlife area (defined as Spit Beach to West Portholland, its adjacent coastal waters and river catchment areas in-between). The work of 3BW includes actively protecting and enhancing local wildlife through a variety of citizen science projects, awareness raising events, campaigning, fundraising and networking. Examples include butterfly monitoring, dolphin and seal studies, wildlife talks and events, snorkelling surveys, Fungi hunts, beach cleans and more. https://www.threebayswildlife.co.uk/
Social Group
On 13th March there was a trip to the National Trust, Cotehele to see the beautiful spring flowers and trees including a daffodil display in the archway.
The April event, is on 10th April to The Box in Plymouth to see the Beryl Cook exhibition. The May event is on 8th and is a visit to Newquay Zoo.
Groups
Short Walks
Unfortunately, the March 27th walk at Porthscatho was cancelled due to the forecasted bad weather conditions.
The next walk is on 24th April will be at Lanhydrock.
Travellers’ Tales
Please join us on Friday 1st May, at 2pm in the Arts Centre Assembly Rooms. Julie Ng, who gave us an excellent talk on Tibet and Everest Base Camp last year, will be giving us “Glimpses of China” from her time working there. Please remember to bring your payment card.
For further information contact
Wine Appreciation
The March meeting was held at the Arts Centre. Sebastien from Wadebridge Wines presented six wines from South Africa accompanied by bread, cheese and nibbles provided by the group.
If you have any ideas for new groups, please don’t hesitate to discuss with Ellie Evans our Groups Co-Ordinator. CONTACT:
Don’t forget to tell me of any interesting events your Group may have participated in and include photos whenever possible. I am sure all members would enjoy hearing about them in this newsletter.
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Chris Crane
