New Group - Fun Fusion fitness for everyone

Following the Nia Technique, we combine dance, martial arts and mindful movement into an inspiring workout that anyone can participate in. It is highly adaptable to individual physical circumstances, and the emphasis is on moving in ways that feel good.

Please wear loose/stretchy clothing, be barefoot if possible, and have plenty of space to move in.  You can participate seated or standing.  We normally move down to the floor for the final "floorplay" section of each session, protecting our bones with a yoga mat, rug, carpet, or kneepads.

Participants are responsible for managing their own range and intensity of movement.  Please take advice from a healthcare professional if you have a medical condition that might need particular care when doing physical activity.

The guided movement session is typically 50–55 minutes.  The Zoom will remain open for chatting and sharing experience afterwards.

Music + Movement = Magic!

Thursdays from 9.30 to 10:45 am.

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The aim of this group is to get together people who want to write their life story.

There are many reasons for writing a life story:

• You may want to put it down on paper for other members of your family.
• Perhaps you want to look back on what has happened to you and make some sense of it.
• Maybe you have a story of overcoming a significant challenge in your life.
• It could be re-discovering parts of your life which you haven't thought about for a long time.

It is intended to be a forum for discussion, so we will decide between us how the group will work and how it will be run. One thing which is certain is that, at the meetings, we’ll share helpful comments. To contribute to the sessions, members might bring a piece of writing, pose questions, or just listen and take part in the discussions.
If you want to have a go, why don’t you join us on Zoom?

When Will the Group Meet? 1st Thursday of the month 10:00 – 11:30 am

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This group is open to any u3a member who wants to help increase awareness and understanding of Artificial Intelligence across the u3a network. Whether you’re just beginning to explore AI or already experimenting with the tools, this is a space to share ideas, resources, and practical ways to bring AI into your local u3a.

You might want to help other groups use AI to support their activities, organise introductory sessions or hands-on classes, start a friendly discussion group, or even set up a dedicated AI interest group in your area. By working together, we can build confidence, encourage curiosity, and make AI an accessible and useful topic for everyone in u3a — showing that learning about new technologies can be both enjoyable and empowering at any age.

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Potential Groups Round-up

We have lots of potential groups open which are almost in the position of being able to start:

• Whisky - 5 members
• Egyptology: 6 members
• Black history: 8 members
• Nevil Shute Novels: 8 members
• Presentation Skills: 9 Members
• Tennis: 9 members

In addition, our three new potential groups this month are:

• Food and Drink - cookery tips, recipes, pairing ideas, the best of the YouTube / online videos, famous chefs and restaurants, food and drink from around the world.

• What to Watch and Listen to - a discussion of popular films and series on television and available streaming services like Netflix - plus a monthly review of available podcasts, radio shows and audiobooks

• Fashion and Beauty – a discussion around available and affordable fashion items, including fabrics, make-up, hair products – plus a monthly special sewing bee including recycling clothes, outfits for children, evening outfits and casual wear.

All the potential groups are listed on the group list which you can access via the Beacon Members Portal.

Why not volunteer to become a Group leader for one of the above groups? The team will be able to give you help and guidance. Get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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Wikipedia IGO Group

From publishing falsehoods to pushing far-right ideology, Grokipedia gives chatroom comments equal status to research. Elon Musk and his supporters are attempting to dislodge the main internet factfinder we all use at some point, Wikipedia, by this crazy AI generated machine Encyclopedia Grokipedia.

If you are interested in being part of the tried and tested Wikipedia community, why not begin by joining our IGO group Editing Wikipedia – join via the Beacon Members Portal.

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Časopis Respekt, Pavel Reisenauer, CC BY-SA 4.0 <, via Wikimedia Commons

I would like to commend Phil, who runs the quiz on a Monday night.  Again, he is always cheerful and manages to succeed in keeping order in a somewhat rumbustious group!  Somehow, he finds a good mix of questions for two teams every week, and we all benefit from expanding our knowledge.  As Hercule Poirot would say, it is good to keep the little grey cells working! From Jacqui of the Quiz Zoomers group.

I would like to mention Steve, who runs the bridge group. It appears that he works at least 24 hours each day, and his patience just blows me away. During our sessions, he patiently and calmly responds to the dumbest of questions in the nicest laid-back manner as if that is the first time the question has ever been asked. He explains so carefully and meticulously that even a numpty like me actually almost understands! He leads the group so professionally that we wonder if he has time for the rest of his life. Nothing seems to be too much trouble for Steve.

He is clearly exceptional as well as so friendly. 

1. On what road in the City of Westminster are remembrance day events held?
2. In what city in America was JFK assassinated in November 1963?
3. The Maastricht Treaty of November 1993 saw the establishment of what?
4. The tomb of which pharoah was discovered in November 1922
5. The 17 and 18 of November this year is the peak time to see an asteroid shower in the night sky creating lots of shooting stars - asteroid showers have names do you know the name of this one?

Ida Jolly Crawley, 1928,

Answers at the end

Quiz Answers

• Whitehall

• Dallas

• The EU

• Tutankhamen

• Leonids