Interest Groups
Grantown on Spey u3a currently has 9 interest groups. If you would like to join any of these groups, please email the group leader who can give you more information on when and where the next meeting is for their group.
We always welcome new ideas - if you would like to set up a group of your own, or if you have an unfulfilled longing for more information on a topic not currently covered, please email Sue - chair@grantownu3a.org
Please note that some interest groups do not meet during the summer months but will be starting up again in September. Just contact the Group Leader or the Co-ordinator (chair@grantownu3a.org) to find out when this will be.
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Art Club
Contact: Suzi Wilson suzi@grantownu3a.org We are happy to welcome people who are complete beginners or experienced artists. We have members interested in botanical drawing, still life, landscape, graphic design, Celtic art.....If you want a new challenge and have paints standing idle, dust them off and join us. We are non-judgemental and very supportive of each others efforts. During the summer we meet outdoors and in autumn & winter indoors at the Grant Arms (10am - lunchtime, with a break for tea & coffee) Dates for 2022-23 Summer sessions (outdoors) : 16 May, 13 June, 11 July, 8 August, 5 September First Session (2022) : 3 October, 17 October, 31 October, 14 November, 28 November, 12 December Second Session (2023) : 9 January, 23 January, 6 February, 20 February, 6 March, 20 March, 3 April, 17 April |
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Cinema & Theatre
Contact: Janet Gould cinema@grantownu3a.org This an informal group who get together for visits to a wide range of events, mainly at Eden Court. We aim as far as possible to attend daytime events travelling by bus (using our Saltire cards), but sometimes will share cars. If you see something you would like to attend, contact Janet using the email link above, who will circulate details. This group does not depend on numbers: if two people have company for an event, that's a success. Contact: Janet Gould 01479 258205 cinema@grantownu3a.org |
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Film Club
Contact: Elspeth Sage film@grantownu3a.org Pre-Covid, meetings were held on Wednesdays at 2.00pm and it is intended to recommence this popular activity in the autumn. Films were chosen by the membership and included some very popular and often thought provoking choices. Any member of Grantown u3a is most welcome to come along for all or just one or two of the films. There is a small charge to cover the cost of room hire. |
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The French Speakers Group
Contact: Ann Hadley french@grantownu3a.org This group is currently taking its’ summer break and will resume meeting again in the autumn on alternate Mondays at 2.00 pm - primarily for conversation on a theme. Recent topics of interest have been COP 26 issues; thoughts on Spring; and Memories of TV and radio programmes from our childhood. The group meets in members’ homes or at the YM in Grantown as numbers and circumstances dictate. |
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Natural History
Contact: Sue Sykes nathistory@grantownu3a.org A friendly group of like-minded enthusiasts and beginners, who may have some particular interest or simply want to know more about the natural history of the area, and enjoy our stunning scenery. Usually we meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month and where one of the group is knowledgeable, they will take the lead - where we all feel the need to know more, an expert is found. We always welcome newcomers. In the worst of the weather meetings may be in members’ homes or held on Zoom. During the pandemic there were regular members’ newsletters. Trips this year have been to Findhorn and Burghead and along the River Spey at Grantown. There are also occasional “special species” outings which have included one to a black grouse lek and could encompass bats, badgers or woodcock. May – a primarily bird walk in woods behind Aviemore for signs of the season June – a walk for flowers and butterflies July – dragonflies August – berries and fungi in the woods in late summer September – a field trip to look for rutting red deer October – fishing osprey and other birds in autumn on the coast November – to be decided December – a local walk and café lunch |
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Poetry Reading
Contact: Elspeth Sage poetry@grantownu3a.org Meetings are usually held on the third Thursday of the month in members’ homes or in the Wheatley Hall (at St Columba’s Church) Grantown as circumstances dictate. Members select poems to read aloud to the group and there is always tea or coffee, cake and chat. Some recent subjects have been: poems by national poets; memories; and Irish poems - but the possibilities are endless! Next meeting is on Thursday 26th May at 2.30pm in the Wheatley Hall when the topic is “Love poems”. This is the last meeting until the autumn |
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Singing for Fun
Contact: Jill Teear singing@grantownu3a.org The Group used to meet fortnightly in the Wheatly Hall (St Columba's Church) Grantown-on-Spey at 2.30pm on Friday afternoons and hopes to be able to do so again in the autumn. There is a small charge per session which includes tea/coffee. New members are very welcome, whether as regular or occasional attendees. No previous singing experience is required. - the aim is solely to enjoy ourselves with a wide variety of enjoyably singable tunes, in relaxed company. |
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Gardens
Contact: Sue Sykes gardens@grantownu3a.org This is currently an Interest without an organiser! It just needs a volunteer to choose the gardens and book the dates! Contact the Groups Co-ordinator: chair@grantownu3a.org |
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Book Group
Contact: Mary-Ann Connolly books@grantownu3a.org Readers in the group usually meet on the fourth Thursday of each month at 2.30pm in members’ homes and follow the discussion with tea, cakes and chat. Should the need arise meetings could go back to Zoom. Previous choices have been: The fascinating glimpse into life in China: “Mao’s Last Dancer” by Lee Cunxin; “Selective Memory” by Katherine Whitehorn; Michelle Obama’s inspiring autobiography “Becoming;” Sue Gee’s encounters with twelve writers entitled “Just You and the Page”. We are currently reading “Our Wild Farming Life,” Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer’s very readable account of their “Adventures on a Scottish Highland Croft”. |
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The German Speakers Group
Contact: Jackie Wilson german@grantownu3a.org Is currently taking its’ summer break and will start up again in the autumn in members’ homes on alternate Monday afternoons at 2.00pm. This is a mixed ability group focused on promoting conversational skills. In support of this, a piece of German text is normally issued prior to the meeting in order to provide a topic for discussion. This allows members to make as much or as little preparation as they wish depending upon their individual levels of confidence. Topics have included: family roots; roads recently travelled; family artefacts; aspirations for the coming summer - Past; Present; and Future. |
