SIDMOUTH: Regency Capital of the Jurassic Coast

2024 is an exciting year for us as we celebrate our 30th anniversary. It is now 30 years since a few forward thinking and determined people sat round a table and planned the beginnings of what has become a very successful organisation.

Starting with just a few members and fewer than six groups, thanks to their work we now have over 600 members and more than 60 interest groups, and all based on their initial input.

On Thursday 17th October we had our big celebration event at The Manor Pavilion Theatre & Arts Centre in Sidmouth. 

Sidmouth u3a members together with members of the public were invited to a variety of very interesting talks in the Theatre and practical sessions in the Arts Centre, where everyone had the opportunity to give a some of our interest groups a try.

If you have any comments about the day or any of the activities, you are welcome to contact the chairman at chairman@sidmouthu3a.org

I hope you were able to come along and enjoy the day with us.

Janet Bailey
Chairman

Who We Are & What We Do

Sidmouth u3a is one of more than 1,000 u3a's across the UK, whose motto is 'learn, laugh, live'.

u3a is an international movement of locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of opportunities to come together to learn for fun. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together. Membership is open to anyone not in full time employment.

Sidmouth u3a has over 60 interest groups, from Amblers to Yoga, We also have regular social events from shopping trips to skittles, from garden visits to quad biking. You do need to be a member of Sidmouth u3a to join groups or participate in events.

Isle of Wight

FORTHCOMING OPEN MEETINGS

  • 10 December: Christmas Open Meeting

    The Meeting will be held at Stowford Community Centre. No speaker this month, it is the Christmas Party. As well as the usual tea & biscuits, there will be nibbles which will be available from…

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  • 14 January 2025: Open Meeting

    The Meeting will be held at Stowford Community Centre. Refreshments are served from 1.30 until 2pm. This will be followed by this month's talk by Mike Rendell: "Everyday Life in Georgian England". The approximate finishing…

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  • 11 February: Open Meeting

    The Meeting will be held at Stowford Community Centre. Refreshments are served from 1.30 until 2pm. This will be followed by this month's talk by Neil Morley: "An Armchair London Walk". The approximate finishing time…

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UPCOMING SOCIAL EVENTS


The Cloisters at Forde Abbey

LATEST NOTICES & NEWS

New Group: Ukele

Never played the ukulele? That's OK because we can accommodate beginners. The ukulele is a great instrument to play, even if you have no musical background - you don't need to be able to read music as long as you can count…! Ukuleles are cheap to buy and very portable and lots of fun. For more information contact Elizabeth Robertson

New Group: Short Tennis

The group is starting on 10 January 2025 and meets every Friday. Short tennis is a specially adapted version of tennis. The court is shorter, the net and rackets smaller and the ball softer. The group will be playing indoors at Sidmouth Social Hall on a Badminton Court. For more information: Contact Sharon

Vice Chair

We urgently require a Vice Chair to take over from the current Chair at the AGM on 11 March 2025. The Vice Chair should ideally be in place as soon as possible in order to be prepared for the handover at the AGM. Experience is not essential and support will continue to be given for as long as required after the handover. It is a simple fact that without a new Chair in place for the AGM, Sidmouth u3a will not be able to continue. Contact the Chairman for more information: chairman@sidmouthu3a.org

30th Anniversary Tea Towel

The celebration tea towel is now available, featuring an edited version of ‘Our Town’ which was displayed on the Sidmouth Billboard last year.  They are a linen mix and are available for £6 each or £8.50 including post & packing.  Payment can be made by cash, cheque, BACS, credit/debit card or PayPal. For more information: Contact the Chairman

THE BLOG SPOT

  • 20 March: Helicopter Museum visit

    Aviation Group trip to the Helicopter Museum, Weston-Super-Mare. A small party of aviation enthusiasts set out to visit the award-winning Helicopter Museum at Weston-Super-Mare. Graciously the traffic Gods were in…

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  • April: The Isle of Wight

    The Geology group visits the Isle of Wight. In mid-April, many of the members of the Geology group took themselves to the Isle of Wight for a field trip. The…

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  • 23 May: Somerset Levels

    Birdwatching Group at RSPB Greylake, RSPB Hamwall & Natural England's Shapwick Heath. Eight of us went a little further than usual to three sites in the Somerset Levels: RSPB Greylake,…

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