St Austell u3a July 2026 Newsletter
The summer has well and truly arrived and I hope that you are enjoying the sunny weather.
PPC Cards/Payment for Attending Groups at the Arts Centre
Despite PPC (Pre Payment Cards) having been in use for several years now, it would appear that some members are still unclear about how their attendance at group meetings at the Arts Centre are paid! To Clarify: ALL Group Meetings at the Arts Centre require the purchase of a PPC Card. The cost of a PPC Card is £10. These may be purchased at Coffee Mornings or some Group Leaders and Committee Members hold “stock” of cards which are available to purchase. A PPC card covers 10 individual group meetings and at each meeting a cross should be placed in a circle of the card. When the all 10 circles are crossed the card should be discarded and a new one purchased. It is the responsibility of Group Leaders to ensure that PPC cards are correctly used in their group.
Arts Centre
The new bench has now been installed between the front door and the Assembly Room window. Those members who have sat on it have said how comfortable it is!
The Gardening Group will be taking on the task of clearing the front garden area and creating a low maintenance area. Hopefully the work will start in the early autumn and we will be seeking volunteers to help once a start date has been confirmed.
Speakers
The talk on 2nd July was Penny from Hearts Together – A charity which set up a Hospital Hotel which supports patients receiving treatment at Derriford. Penny gave us a brief overview of the charity.
https://www.heartstogether.org.uk
Our Speaker on Thursday 6Th August will be a representative from Flicka Donkey Sanctuary in Falmouth. https://www.flickafoundation.org.uk/
Groups
Painting for Pleasure
Last month I included a photo and a few words about the Painting for Pleasure Group’s recent workshop with Dina modelling with her Cello. So we thought that you would like to see the results, so here are a couple of the finished paintings.
Theatre Group
On July 2nd 24 of our members of the Theatre Group went to the Bodmin and Wenford steam railway 1920’s themed murder mystery evening.
A really good evening out, and fortunately none of our members were the victim!
Book Group 2
If you’re an avid reader and are looking for your next book to read, take a look at the website. Each month Book Club 2 review the book they have read and these reviews are then published on the Website. HERE
Short Walks
The walk on 26th June was cancelled due to the forecasted high temperature and humidity.
The next u3a Short walk scheduled is to the Minions on Bodmin Moor on Friday 24th July. The walk is approx. 3 miles and we will park at the Hurlers car park which is at one end of the village closest to the Hurler stones. Parking is free.
Travellers’ Tales
The Travellers’ Tales group did something a bit different at their last meeting, on Friday 3rd July.
Wendy Bennet gave an informal talk of her many travels from living in Borneo to climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to crossing Lake Titicaca.
As there was no group meeting in January, the Travellers’ Tales group is having a meeting in August this year.
Carol Avery, who some of you may know from her excellent talks about her time in the RAF and to the Wine Appreciation group, is giving a presentation about her travels to Chile and Easter Island.
Please join us on Friday 7th August, at 2pm in the Arts Centre
For further information contact
Wine Appreciation
The Wine Appreciation summer garden was held on Sunday 28th June. Mark and Lin Stephenson had performed a miracle in getting their new build “garden” turned into a true beauty with colour everywhere, and a perfect central area in which 30 of us fitted around tables, eating drinking and chatting, watching the excellent Garker Street Band perform in the Summer House – it was just like being at our own mini festival.
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
