Interest Groups
Grantown on Spey u3a currently has 10 interest groups.
If you would like to join any of these groups, please email the contact for the group who can give you more information on when and where the next meeting is taking place. Visitors are always welcome.
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 - [email protected]
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Art & Crafts
Contact: Suzi Wilson [email protected] We are happy to welcome people who are complete beginners or experienced artists. We have members interested in botanical drawing, still life, landscape, illustration, crafting, sewing and embroidery.....If you want a new challenge, why not 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 2025-26 2025 Indoors at the Grant Arms: 6 January, 20 January, 3 February, 17 February, 3 March, 17 March, 31 March, 14 April. Summer Sessions outdoors at members homes: 12 May, 9 June, 7 July, 4 August, 8 September Indoors at the Grant Arms: 6 October, 24 October (this is a Friday: Mon-Thurs this week is not available), 3 November, 17 November, 1 December, 15 December 2026 5 January, 19 January, 2 February, 16 February, 2 March, 16 March, 30 March, 13 April |
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Book Group
Contact: Sheena Robb [email protected] Readers in the group meet on the last Thursday of each month (except August) at 2.30pm in members’ homes and follow the discussion with tea, cakes and chat, however dates vary to suit the diaries of the members of the group. Some of our 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” and “Our Wild Farming Life,” Lynn Cassells and Sandra Baer’s very readable account of their Adventures on a Scottish Highland Croft. But we range widely and enjoy ourselves hugely! |
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Cinema & Theatre
Contact: Sally Gingell [email protected] This an informal group who get together for visits to a wide range of shows; cinema, theatre, music and ballet either live, filmed or streamed events, mainly at Eden Court. We aim as far as possible to attend daytime events travelling by bus or sharing cars. Members of the Group share email contact address amongst themselves so that when one person is keen to go to a show they can pass this information around the group with a view to sharing transport or meeting at the theatre. The group does not depend on numbers: if two people have company for an event, that's a success. |
Local Cinema - in addition to the Cinema and Theatre Group, you can also look out for more local opportunities to see a film at the Grantown Community Cinema. We hope that u3a members will support the YM where the Community Cinema is showing some really good films each month. Details of these are in our members’ monthly Newsletters or can be obtained from the YM in Grantown (https://grantowncinema.co.uk/)
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French Speakers
Contact: Ann Hadley [email protected] This is a mixed ability group focused on promoting conversational skills. In support of this, a piece of French 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. We meet in members’ homes on alternate Mondays at 2.00pm, from September through to the end of April each year. Dates 2025- 6th & 20th January 3rd & 17th February 3rd, 17th & 31st March 14th & 28th April |
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Gardeners
Contact: Jacky Pratt [email protected] The Group meets in members’ homes and gardens at 2.30pm on the second Tuesday during May – September for tea and Gardening Chat; to share ideas and experiences and perhaps plants, cuttings and seeds. From time to time a member may suggest and arrange a topic for discussion, a speaker, or a visit to a garden and this will be shared by email with other members of the Group. The group particularly encourages ANY gardener, whether experienced or a complete beginner, to come along and see if they would like to join in and ideas for the winter months are welcome. |
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German Speakers
A keen group of German speakers in search of a leader. 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. Meets in members’ homes each month on alternate Monday mornings at 10.30am, from the end of September through to the end of April each year. |
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Italian Speakers
Contact: Ken Walker [email protected] A group which is both for those who want to learn a few words and phrases for a holiday in Italy and for Italian speakers who need to brush up on their linguistic skills. The Group meets fortnightly on Wednesday afternoons from April through to October at 2.30pm in members’ homes when the emphasis is on learning together. Dates for 2025- Jan 15th and 29th Feb 12th and 26th Mar 12th and 26th April 9th and 23rd |
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Natural History
Contact: Sue Sykes [email protected] 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 1st 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. Trips last year included locally along the River Spey at Grantown and to Dell Woods at Nethybridge as well as further afield to Burghead and Findhorn. There are also occasional “special species” outings which could encompass bats, badgers or woodcock. Dates for 2025 February 5th – indoor meeting at the Grant Arms - Postponed March 5th April 2nd May 14th |
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Poetry Reading
Contact: Elspeth Sage [email protected] Meetings are held on the third Thursday of the month in members’ homes, 10.30-12.30. Members select poems to read aloud to the group. There is always tea or coffee, cake and chat. Some recent subjects have been: Dark Days; Sins; Delights; Verse for or about children; Islands; - but the possibilities are endless! Dates for 2025 - Jan 16th and thereafter normally on the third Thursday each month until the summer break. Feb 20th March 20th April 17th |
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Singing for FunGroup Leader: Annie Mitchell
Contact: Elspeth Sage [email protected] The emphasis is on singing for the sheer pleasure of singing and for the good of our own well-being. All those wanting to sing are welcome – whether complete novices, or experienced and talented; or quite simply just wanting to join in and possibly remember choirs in your past. The singers will meet fortnightly at 2.30pm on Friday afternoons from the end of September through to the end of April each year in the Wheatley Hall, Grantown. Dates for 2025- Jan 10th - Cancelled due to the weather Jan 17th, 31st Feb 7th, 21st Mar 7th, 21st Apr 11th, 25th |
