Latest Notices
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AUTUMN SOCIAL PLANNED FOR 14TH OCTOBER
Don’t miss Washington Village u3a’s Autumn themed afternoon at The Stella on Wednesday October 14th (2-5pm).
We will have a variety of entertainment throughout the afternoon, including some of our group members who have volunteered to perform. Plus additional activities to make this a fun event for all.
The Stella will have the bar open for us and we will provide a mid-afternoon snack. This will be a ticketed event.
The committee's events team is currently planning the detail. Further information will follow.
GROUP UPDATES: HARMONICA BEGINNERS
From June 2026 there is a change to the way this group is operating.
During the month tuition and practice videos are distributed via WhatsApp. The group then meets in person on the 3rd Wednesday of the month to play together and refine what's been learnt.
N.B. It is necessary to have access to WhatsApp.
If you are interested in joining the group please check out the group page.
NEW GROUP: DARTS
This new group started on 22nd May 2026. Anyone who would like to try their hand at Darts, from beginner onwards is encouraged to join. You will find us twice a month on a Friday afternoon from 2-4pm at the Black Bush, on Village Lane. The next session will be on Friday 1st June.
NATIONAL u3a FESTIVAL AT YORK UNIVERSITY 1-3 JULY 2026
Tickets are now on sale for the u3a Festival 26. Further information including how to book tickets is available from this link
NEW INTEREST GROUPS FOR A NEW YEAR
We have a new Tai Chi Group - Tai Chi (beginners) now running on a Wednesday morning. This is the third Tai Chi class following on from our Tai Chi (intermediate) and Tai Chi (advanced) both running on a Monday morning. The beginners and intermediate groups are full and the next intake is expected to be in early April.
Our new music group, Shanty Singers is starting on 19th January: there are still a few spaces available.
OUR WVu3a PODCAST: PODBITES
We now have eight episodes in our Podcast series (think of them as mini radio programmes). They can be listened to from our PODBITES page. So far they cover the Creative Writing and Bridge groups and Northumbria Region u3a's short story winner (Brian) reading his piece and explaining the fascinating background to it.
OUR WVu3a PODCAST: PODBITES
The first episodes in this new venture can be found on our PODBITES page. They give listeners a chance to hear informally what's going on in different group and with different members of our u3a.
GROUP LEADERS' TRAINING
On 20th November we had a session at 1st Washington Scout HQ with our marvelous Group Leaders. This covered aspects of their role, how to use Beacon (our membership management and email system), how our website (this one!) is set up, and how they can keep their group pages up to date and vibrant. There was also time for socialising during the buffet lunch.
REMEMBRANCE DAY 2025: WVu3a WREATH
John, as our Chair, laid a wreath on our behalf at the Remembrance Day ceremony in Washington Village.
CHANGE TO BANKING ARRANGEMENTS
From 13 November 2025 WVu3a will be charged for individual banking transactions. Previously we had free banking. We will be charged for: Using a Lloyds branch counter; Paying in any cash to a branch; Paying cheques in or out.
Therefore any payments to WVu3a must now be by electronic bank transfer or cash only. Electronic bank transfer is preferred. Cheques will not be accepted. Payment from our bank account will be by electronic bank transfer (preferred) or cash.
SOME OF OUR UKES GROUP PERFORMING AT LOW FELL UKES DAY (SATURDAY 12TH JULY)
SLIDESHOW OF ARTISTS' WORK FROM THE PAINTING AND DRAWING GROUP
If you couldn't get to our July monthly meeting you can watch the slideshow of nearly 100 piece of work by our group members below.
THE FIRST u3a FESTIVAL
The following video showcases the recent National u3a Festival at York University. Our Pickleball team were involved in this: you can catch a glimpse of them on the video around 3 minutes 33s.
6TH SEPTEMBER: RESULTS OF THE MEMBERS' SURVEY
79 respondents (31.5% of membership: anything above 30% for a survey of this kind is considered excellent).
Key Results:
• 97.5% think WVu3a is a friendly and welcoming organisation
• 96.2% are very happy or happy with the range of activities on offer
• 89.4% are very happy or happy with the range of speakers
• 98.8% are very happy or happy with the work of the Committee
• 88.3% are very happy or happy with the venue at The Stella
• 97.7% are very happy or happy with WVu3a overall
There are many suggestions for new activities/groups, ways in which we can further promote WVu3a and new things we can introduce
There are 3 suggestions on things we can do less of
The top things people enjoy from being a member of WVu3a are making new friends, enjoying being part of a friendly organisation, socialising, the range of activities and having lots of choice of things to do
Four people put their names forward as volunteers to help so we will need to follow up on this.
The full results are available in this pdf document.
Current membership total: 318. Current number of active groups: 38.