What a long time it seems since we met for our happy, chatty Coffee Mornings, wonderful day trips, holidays and all our special interest group meetings.
I sincerely hope you are all well but if you know someone who is not, for whatever reason, please give me a call. I am sure they would be happy to receive a card on behalf of our U3A Committee and Members
With all good wishes – Lill Boyle, U3a Welfare Officer Tel.526 4303
Just before the lockdown commenced in March, three Day Trips had been booked for M
arch, April and May. Deposits, and in some cases the full amount, had been paid in. amounting to just under £3,000. As there is no sign of us being able to return anytime soon I have arranged for these amounts to be returned to you. By now you should all have received your refund but if you haven’t don’t worry it’s on its way. There were 92 cheques to be returned. This brings me to saying a very big thank you to Stuart, our Treasurer, who had the unenviable task of writing them all out..By making the refund we will have a clean slate when we return. Thank you to all who continue to show an interest in our trips and hopefully, you will continue to do so in the future. In the meantime, stay well, keep safe and let’s hope we will be back together soon. Kindest Regards Marj
The situation at the moment is still very fluid and filled with uncertainty with regard to grou
p holiday breaks. Although a lot of Hotels are now open there are restrictions in place eg. No buffet breakfasts, staggered meal times, no entertainment and safe distancing at all times. There is the added complication of coach travel which has not been resolved yet. We have had no opportunity to sell the remaining rooms because of the enforced shutdown and no sign at present of such an opportunity. Final payment date looms in September. I have been in discussion with Airedale Tours and, with the above mentioned drawbacks in mind, have regretfully come to the decision that this break will not go ahead. Your deposits are safe and have not been processed and these will be returned to you asap. This is a big disappointment as this will be the first such break we have missed in 12 years. Maybe things will be much improved in the Spring and we can look at booking an attractive break in 2021. Let’s sincerely hope so. Many thanks and sincere apologies to members who have already booked on this trip. In the meantime keep well, keep safe and enjoy the restrictions that have already been lifted. Best Wishes Marj
I have received a thoughtful text from George, our driver with Holmeswood Coaches. H
e wishes to send his regards to you all and hopes we are all keeping well during this very stressful time. He also looks forward to seeing us all again in the near future – and so say all of us!! I have replied thanking him, on all our behalf, for this kind thoughts. I hope everyone is keeping well and enjoying this lovely weather, although not that horrendous wind over the week end. Stay safe, hope we can be together again soon. Regards Marj x
Now that every house is probably spotlessly clean, cupboards sorted, windows sparkling, odd jobs done and after a spell of such beautiful weather, gardens are so well trim
med and hoed, there is not a weed that would dare to show its’ face. Maybe then it’s time to give some thought about what we want on return to our U3A. Would you like to see the Day Trip format changed and if so how? What are the places you would like to visit? What would you like to be included to do/see? Would you like more Day Trips to include a meal? Is the distance we travel a problem? Would you be interested in week end or overnight stays which would enable us to travel further and see more? What about lunch visits to Olde Worlde Pubs? If you now find yourself with some spare time then this is the ideal opportunity for us to have a rethink. Do a bit of computer research, share ideas and take a good lo
ok at what we do and how we do it. Perhaps many aspects of our lives will be changed, so do we want to change the way we organise Day Trips? I will be interested to hear your views/ideas. If you do have any then click on leave a reply below or ring me and have a chat.(526 4665) I hope you are all keeping well and safe. Take care. Regards Marj
Hi – in line with Government recommendations and our own U3A directive, coffee 
mornings and activities will cease with immediate effect. This will affect 3 planned Day Trips – Wed.25th March – Wed.8th April – Thurs.21st May. Well over £2,000 has already been paid in for these trips. However, if you are booked on please do not worry about refunds. All payments are recorded against your name and as soon as there is an opportunity you will receive a refund or you can put it towards a new trip on return. Take care, keep well, see you soon!! Regards Marj
NB Turkey n Tinsel 23.11.20 – 27.ll.20 – Because we are no longer able to sell rooms for the T n T at Coffee Morning, I have been in touch with Airedale for an extension for when the deposits have to be paid in. It will be on a flexible basis and constantly reviewed. Therefore, those who have already paid their deposit, do not expect your cheque to be drawn any time soon.
IBooking has now opened for our late break – 23.ll.20 to 27.ll.20, 5 days/4 nights D/B/B at the family owned Osborne Hotel in Ilfracombe in the lovely county of North Devon – please click on Day Trips on the right hand side of the page where you will find full details.
I have now received the menu from the Chef, at Astley Bank Hotel, so please ask for your choice of meal slip, available at our Coffee Morning table, . This is for our day trip on the 8th April 2020 to Radio Lancashire and Astley Bank. Many thanks
It’s that time of year again. Time to think about our annual late holiday which is an enjoyable welcome break just before the hurly burly of Christmas. This year group bookings have been really hard to get but we have settled to travel with Airedale, who we know and trust,travelling to Ilfracombe. This is a pretty town with a picture post card harbour, plenty of things to do and it satisfies our needs in the cafe, hotel, coffee shops area as well as lots of individual shops! Set in the lovely county of North Devon, we will be staying at the family owned, warm, comfortable Osborne Hotel which has an enviable reputation for food and is close to all amenities. All rooms have the usual facilities eg. tea/coffee making, tv., hairdryer, en suite etc. 
There is entertainment each evening and there will be 3 interesting excursions so why not join us for this short break?
When? Mon. 23.ll.20 to Fri.27.11.20 5 days/4 nights D/B/B . Price: £319pp (will be less with group discount). Deposit £75. No Sing.Supp. Free Insurance. Seats will be on sale at our table from Tue. 3rd March 2020.
We are off to Derbyshire, specifically to the pretty village of Tissington, overlooked by 
Tissington Hall. a 17thC Jacobean Mansion,which is still a private family home occupied by Sir Richard Fitzherbert and his family.. Here, the first Well Dressings of the year, and some would consider them to be the best, are on display. Well dressing is a beautiful floral art in pictures, made with flower petals, leaves, stones, twigs etc.set in wet clay and all made by the very talented local residents here. The origins have disappeared in the mists of time but are thought to be connected with the Black Plague when the Wells were dressed to protect the water. We will witness the service of the blessing of the Wells on this Ascension Day and there will be time to wander and browse in this lovely, peaceful, Derbyshire Village..There are refreshments here but if you would rather wait till we reach our next
destination Bakewell, where there is a wide choice of eating, coffee, hotels, pubs etc. places of interest – It’s the home of the famous Bakewell Tart, and is the largest town in the North Peak District, set on the River Wye and one of the prettiest. Plenty to interest us here including the Bakewell Tart Shop, lovely mellow stone buildings, quaint courtyards, good choice of shops, . It’s a must for sightseers.
When?? Thurs.2lst May 2020 Dep.8.30am Ret.6pm Price: £12. Seats will be on sale at our table on Tuesday 25th February 2020..