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 other's efforts. Please don't be put off coming because you feel you are not talented - this group is for everyone. If you've never picked up a pencil to draw before, but want to try, we are here to help and support you. 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 2026 Indoors: 5 January, 19 January, 2 February, 16 February, 2 March, 16 March, 30 March, 13 April Summer Dates Outdoors: 11 May, 8 June, 6 July, 10 August, 7 September Indoors: 5 October, 19 October, 2 November, 16 November, 30 November, 14 December Dates for 2027 Indoors: 4 January, 18 January, 1 February, 15 February, 1 March, 15 March, 29 March, 12 April |
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Book Group
Contact: Jacky Pratt [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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French Speakers
Contact: Ann Hadley [email protected] The group is a conversation group. A topic is chosen in advance, usually by the host, so members can look up the necessary vocabulary in advance if they wish. As the group now has 18 members, the group splits into two for the conversation, coming together for refreshments after about an hour. We meet in members' homes at 2pm on alternate Mondays (on the day preceding the speaker meeting) from October through to April. The next meeting will be on 6th October. |
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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. In fact, any NON-gardener is also welcome - you don't need your own garden to join the group! |
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German Speakers
Contact: Stan Grant [email protected] 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. The next meting is 14 October at 2pm. |
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Italian Speakers
Contact: needs a new coordinator Please let us know if you are interested in running this group - [email protected] |
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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 2025-26 December (date TBA) – Nethybridge or Boat of Garten walk Wednesday 7th January – a local Winter Walk (morning) Wednesday 28th January - Indoors |
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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! Poetry starts agin on Sept. 18th. |
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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 Autumn 2025 - Sept 26th Oct 10th Oct 24th Nov 7th Nov 21st Dec 5th Dec 19th |
Local Cinema - you can look out for 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/)
