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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The French Speakers Group
Contact: Ann Hadley french@grantownu3a.org 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; aspirations for the coming summer - Past; Present; and Future. Meets every fortnight 2pm at Wheatley Hall. |
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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. Programme for 2023 January – field Trip to the Moray Coast. February – no meeting. March - a local walk hoping for signs of the end of winter! April - early morning walk to a grouse lek. May – Loch an Eilein walk. June - Two short flower walks: dates to be advised. July – Dragons and Damsels. August – Woodland Fungi. September – Strathdearn field trip. |
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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; Irish poems and funny verse - but the possibilities are endless! Meets 10.30pm in the Wheatley Hall on the third Thursday of each month. |
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Book Group
Contact: Mary-Ann Connolly books@grantownu3a.org Readers in the group meet on the first Thursday of each month at 2pm 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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The German Speakers Group
Contact: Jackie Wilson german@grantownu3a.org The first meeting of the autumn season is on Monday 10th October. We then meet in the Boat of Garten Community Hall 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. |
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Dance
Contact: Mary-Ann Connolly dance@grantownu3a.org Once the better weather arrives the new Dance Group will begin. It will meet mid-morning in the Inverallan Hall, Grantown on the 2nd Monday each month. This will be an hour long class for everyone – no matter what their age. Gentle exercise to music based on dance techniques. Suitable for ladies and gents. You will do a warmup using a chair, centre work, sometimes in pairs and learn a simple combination. No jetes, pirouettes, Argentine tango, or hip hop! Just pleasant fun.” |
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Guitar
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Gardeners
We hope to start an interest group for gardeners. Please contact chair@grantownu3a.org to express an interest in this activity. |
Film – 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.
