Ferndown U3A is ‘Serving Wessex’!

Ferndown u3a has rolled out a packed programme for the Autumn Term.  Alongside talks and visits, it is promoting a Sponsored Walk along the entire length of the Castleman Trail on Saturday October 21^st.

Chairman Bob Reeve said:  ‘This year we’re supporting the charity SERV Wessex  –  also known as ‘The Blood Runners’.  Its volunteers deliver blood and other emergency medical supplies to hospitals across our region. 

When we last tackled the Castleman Trail, 17 of our members walked its entire length  – so if you see walkers striding out in their Hi-Viz jackets on Saturday 21^st, you’ll know who they are!’

There are a lot of very talented members within the ranks of Fu3a, and they are busy making items for our Craft Fair, also in aid of SERV Wessex, to be held in the Barrington Theatre, Ferndown on Friday November 10^th from 10:00’.

It’s not too late to join Ferndown u3a this year.  You can find details of all its Groups on its website www.ferndownu3a.co.uk, or by contacting its membership secretary at <Fu3amemsec@gmail.com>.  

Picture shows Robert Smith (Chairman of SERV Wessex) thanking Fu3a Chairman Bob Reeve for the sum of £1385 raised so far.

The Gardening group, led by Kevin Steel raised a wonderful £660 with their sale at the Coronation Fete.     The Cheque was presented to Robert Smith at our welcome back coffee morning. Robert explain about his role and the work of SERV Wessex. 

Vivian Dedman writes: Photo of our first 5 mile walk of the year in Ringwood Forest in the sunshine!

Super movers is run by the energetic Jo Brearley. Classes run on Both Monday and Wednesdays lasting for 45 minutes. You are encouraged to dance along to the music incorporating exercise moves if you wish. You work at you own pace and enjoy a fun workout.

What a fantastic few days! The sun shone, the organisation was superb and the company wonderful. 

We visited the Cutty Sark, the Greenwich Market, The Maritime Museum, Greenwich Meridian line and so much more. 

A huge thank you to Richard for arranging a great few days. 

“On Saturday 20th May, 17 members of the FU3A J1 Discovering Wessex group went on the last visit of this academic year to Tyneham. The weather was brilliant with clear blue skies giving wonderful views over the surrounding countryside and down to the sea, from the viewpoint above the village.  Kaye Weeks and Pam Strong were our topic leaders for the day, following their really interesting presentation the previous week. This lost village and the surrounding areas were commandeered by the army back in 1943 to be used as a military firing rang. The residents were given very short notice to leave before the area was taken over and have never been allowed back.  So it has remained as a time capsule with visitors able to explore, at certain times, the ruined buildings, school and church, reading all about it from the mass of information boards all around the village. Our members enjoyed learning about life there in pre-WW2 days – a time very different from the faster pace of life today. After the visit most members dispersed to take lunch at some nearby hostelries.