Stafford U3A
	The University of the Third Age

WHAT'S NEW AT STAFFORD U3A

	First prize was awarded to Maureen for a photo of the Keep Fit Group.
	David won second prize with an atmospheric photo of the Short Walks Group.
	Third prize went to Ron for a study in concentration at the Bridge Group.

	Stafford U3A Springtime Short Break Special In May 2011 a group of 38 Stafford members, joined by 2 from Stone U3A, made their way by coach to southwest Oxfordshire to spend four nights at the Best Western Sudbury House Hotel, Faringdon. What an enjoyable five day break it turned out to be! On the first evening we enjoyed a talk by local Councillor Alan Hickmore on Faringdon both fact and fictional before retiring ready for a full day guided tour the next day of the South Cotswolds by Anne Bartlett. She took us to Burford, Bibury, Tetbury, Stroud and Cirencester amongst other places and her commentary was excellent giving lots of information as we travelled not only on main roads but also country lanes. Our driver was brilliant, as he was all week, admitting he was a little concerned about one or two tight turns! Back at the hotel in the evening one of our U3A members gave a short talk on stones from Cannock Chase! On Wednesday the group visited Houghton Lodge in Hampshire, another full day out. Houghton has a fascinating Cottage Orne and we were shown round the Lodge by its very enthusiastic owner. Plenty of free time was allowed to inspect the garden and grounds that are alongside the River Test. In the evening members enjoyed a slide presentation by David Freeman a curator from the National Trust Buscot Park. Thursday was free time in the morning followed by an afternoon visit to Buscot Park about 15 minutes from the hotel. A beautiful day enabled everyone to enjoy not only the house but also the immaculate gardens. On Friday we departed from Sudbury House whose staff had looked after us extremely well and the chef had provided excellent meals. On the home journey we stopped at Worcester before arriving back in Stafford about 3.00. Some quotes form members 'Most enjoyable, good company';'Superb';'Very enjoyable';'What a wonderful trip';'The balance was great'.

• Films at Uttoxeter Cinebowl

  Cheadle U3A invite you to join them at Uttoxeter Cinebowl (next to Tesco) each month for a filmshow. Tickets, only £3.60 each, can be purchased immediately beforehand. Open only to U3A members so take your membership card with you.
  
  The titles of this month's films and the date on which they will be shown can be found on the Calendar on Cheadle U3A's website.
  
  

• Open Day

  In June, Stafford U3A held its first Open Day at Oddfellows Hall where the over one hundred people who visited saw displays from many of the groups, some of which are shown here. Some existing members also took the opportunity to seek further information about Stafford U3A activities. Nineteen new members enrolled straight away and applications continued to arrive for several weeks from the enquiries made

	Some of the books enjoyed by the Reading for Pleasure group		A display of work by the Art group
	A demostration from the Canasta group		Items produced in the Silk Textile Workshops

• Summertime Special

  On Friday 2nd July 2010, 99 members of Stafford U3A visited the Trentham Estate. After strolling around the Italian Gardens and Lake in beautiful sunshine and indulging in some retail therapy in the shops and garden centre, members gathered together to enjoy a cream tea in the restaurant.
  
  
  
  For our second lunchtime visit to the Terrace Restaurant in Brownhill on 14 July 2009 just over 100 members attended including 8 from Stone U3A. Once again the meal was excellent and as one member remarked 'I would go back to the Terrace again anytime.' After our three course meal we were entertained by a Duo performing with gusto numbers that everyone knew from the old music hall days. It is planned to have another visit to the Terrace sometime in the future.

Cycling

Several members of Stafford U3A joined Cheadle U3A Cycling Group when they completed a 20 mile cycle ride around the Stafford area mainly on cycle tracks and canal and river pathways.

U3A Online Courses