In my Welsh group I meet lovely people from all over England and Wales. I find them all interesting and am impressed at their eagerness to learn. There are many resources online which they also use and Dysgu Cymraeg. Cymru is my recently discovered one.
I struggle a bit with Technology but receive help from Catherine and the team. Also, other members help me!
I personally benefit because I am using the language of my country which is very important to me. Any opportunity suits me. I’m keeping my brain active (I think!) and hopefully the others are too. I am trying to keep things lighthearted because intensity makes people nervous, and nervousness stops people talking.
So far so good! Please join us. 
Pob Hwyl.

Ann Fisher, group leader

Being a relative newcomer to u3a and an even newer comer to the role of group leader, I found my main challenge from the start to be finding my way around Beacon and the various administrative bits and pieces to manage.

Once past this initial stage I have found my main challenge has been to encourage a sense of identity within my group and to help all get to know each other. At our first meeting we did the usual brief verbal introductions but then I suggested that we each write a paragraph about our experience and interests and send it to me. I would then compile them into one document and circulate it to all. Everyone seemed to find this a good idea and readily agreed to do it. 

Also, with a one-hour meeting only once a month, I feel a need to maintain some momentum in the weeks in between. I am trying to foster the Padlet Habit and to make it a place for dialogue as well as posting work.

Roger Pugh, group leader

As convenor of the Canva Graphic Design Group, I find it fun and stimulating to join with others who are equally fascinated by the remarkable capabilities of the Canva computer program. I've never had much success with the visual arts, but Canva makes it really easy to produce some amazing designs. And members of the group find what we explore together to have all manner of uses. For some it enables them to create personal greetings cards. Others find it a boon for practical applications such as posters and newsletters. We're on a journey of exploration together!

Roger Carter, Group leader of the two Canva Graphic Design groups

The Cinema! group running on the first Friday of the month 14.00-15.45 has now been active for just over eight months. During this time, it has built up a loyal, enthusiastic membership ready to discuss all manner of cinema-related topics. There is a range of movie interests and levels of expertise amongst the members, everyone being encouraged to contribute to the lively discussions as, how and when they wish. 

Personally, I get a lot out of my involvement in the Cinema! group:  the attendance and engagement of the members are very gratifying; the advantage of IGO is that we watch films and do some reading beforehand such that there is a splendid amount of time for exchanging views, an activity to which I attach a lot of importance; finally, I’ve been an avid cinema-goer for nearly 70 years, but still learn a great deal through preparing to facilitate the sessions.

The Friday afternoon Cinema! group is full.  However, there are plans to run a parallel morning group, staring June 7th.  Any interested IGO member is invited to enrol on Cinema 2 in Beacon, and I’ll be in touch. 

Rob Townsend, Group Leader

Be Nice to Nettles Week

This is observed each year from May 14 to 25 in the United Kingdom. This week recognises the humble weed’s critical role in preserving wildlife. Not only the wildlife, but they are also beneficial to humans. The nettle has been used as food for many centuries and was relished as a springtime treat and is also added to porridge. Nettles are often substituted for spinach and can ‌be used to make pesto, soups, stews, tea, and even beer! A dairy company has even come up with nettle cheese. Nettle contains high levels of calcium, magnesium, iron, and vitamins. Nettle is truly a superfood!

Stinging nettles image from Pexels

The IGO Fashion group recently had a Zoom talk from Dr Karen Watts, who was the curator of an exhibition called ‘Treasures of Gold and Silver wire’.

The exhibition showcased a wide range of royal regalia, theatrical costumes, military attire, ecclesiastical artefacts, beautiful modern jewellery silversmithing and embroidery, forming the finest collection of gold and silver wire objects to be brought together in an exhibition.

Following her visit, Karen said "

Thank you for your kind words, but I have to say that, if the lecture was a success, it was entirely due to the brilliant audience. I have rarely encountered such engagement and I was thoroughly impressed by the searching questions!  You all raised wonderful issues for discussion. I also appreciated seeing the photograph of the uniform.  

Thank you so much-I had a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon! Thank you so much for inviting me to speak.. "

What feedback!

A dress made for Darcey Bussell with gold and silver embroidery.

Last year, the ‘Climate Matters’ Interest Group Online group ran a residential summer school which was so successful they are now planning the next summer school. It will be held 9-12 May 2025 in Warwick University. Attendance is open to all u3a members with an interest in the climate emergency.

If you would like details, please contact the group’s co-leader, Eleanor Brooks via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

1a) Anne Boleyn

1b) Jane Seymour

2) The restoration of the Stuart monarchy in May 1660