SPRING LUNCH - Thursday April 16th 2026 12.30pm

This year's u3a Spring Lunch will be held at Noddfa Retreat Centre Penmaenmawr. Buffet, entertainment, and a chance to catch up with friends. The cost this year is £15. Tickets available at the Social Meeting from Liz McGill (07891 497562) and Janet Dibble (07733 415830) or in your group. You are welcome to bring a friend along. Numbers are limited so don't miss out!

MESSAGE FROM JANET DIBBLE

The nominated Charity for 2025/2026 is PAPYRUS UK. This Charity helps with the prevention of young suicide. They have an ongoing emergency appeal to help keep their life saving helpline open throughout the night. I am hoping to raise money to help keep open HOPELINE247 for young people who are in crisis during the darkest hours.

If anyone has any unwanted gifts or items that can be used for raffle prizes they will always be gladly accepted.

DRAMA GROUP RECRUITMENT DRIVE

As with the u3a in general, the Drama Group has seen a drop in numbers and we would love to welcome more members, not only for 'treading the boards' (in parts small or large) but also for back stage jobs. It cannot be emphasised enough that the latter are just as important and equally appreciated roles in the group.

To this end we are inviting current/past members of the group and ANYONE who would just like to see 'what we get up to’ to come along to a FREE session at 2.00 p.m. on TUESDAY 24th MARCH in Penmaenmawr Community Centre.

We will be showing pictures and videos of past productions, we will have a laugh with a game of Beetle and, as an incentive, there will be tea/coffee and cake (may even be meringues). We would love you to come along and if you can let Pat know about your attendance then even better. Look forward to seeing YOU. (patty43@btinternet.com or 01492 516463).

Do you have any photos of our u3a events?

If you have a photograph of members enjoying an event or activity organised by our u3a please email them to penweb33@gmail.com to be used on our website.

These files are often too large to appear in the newsletter but the website gives us more flexibility.

Thank you, Alan, and Liz McGill

MARCH SOCIAL MEETING

We are at Penmaenmawr Community Centre on Thursday 19th March 2026 at 2pm when our speaker will be Rory Trappe Photographer. He will be showing Snowdonia landscapes and action shots of aircraft flying from Valley. This should be an interesting talk and we look forward to welcoming everyone.

TEA ROTA

19^th March 2026 Book Group

16^th April 2026 Committee

DuringJanuarythe Recorder group said ‘Goodbye’ to Alan, our leader of 16 years and to Phyllis, one of the long-standing members. We celebrated the occasion with presentations, followed by tea and cakes at Noddfa Retreat Centre. During the afternoon we were able to share lots of happy memories of the group, including some performances at interesting venues that we had forgotten!

Both players will be truly missed, along with their valuable musical expertise and organisational skills. The group will continue, and ‘Yes’ we will be performing around the area once again this year – probably at some more interesting venues – watch this space!!

ST DAVID’S HOSPICE

In January, Jo Jones-Hughes spoke to the Social Meeting about their work in the North Wales area. We have received a letter of thanks from the Head of Fundraising thanking us for collecting £88.20 at the meeting. This will contribute to the ongoing work in local centres.

A ‘THINKING OF YOU’ CARD

If you know of anyone who is ill, in hospital, bereaved, or celebrating a special anniversary please contact Chris Bryant on 01492 592335 or 07845 181060. She will send them a card on behalf of the u3a.

APRIL NEWSLETTER

Please send any information for inclusion in the April 2026 newsletter to newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com by Wednesday 25th March 2026.

GROUPS

AWAYDAYS - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463

BOOK GROUP – Liz McGill 07891 497562 treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com Meeting on Thursday 26th March 2 - 3 pm at The Gladstone, Ysguborwen Road, Dwygyfylchi.

We are currently reading "The Sealwoman's Gift" by Sally Magnusson. Anyone interested in joining the group please contact Liz

BOWLS – Denise Sambrook 01492 622289 denise.sambrook45@btinternet.com. Bowling finished at the end of September and will resume in Spring 2026.

BRIDGE – Chris Bryant 07845 181060 or chris.b15@outlook.com

Meet at The Split Willow, Penmaenmawr Rd, Llanfairfechan every Wednesday10-12 noon. If you wish to join us, please get in touch with Chris.

CROQUET – Sarah Andrew 07962 234857 sarahm.andrew.sa@gmail.com

The group will start up again on Tuesday 17th March. We meet at Llanfairfechan Croquet Club, West Shore, LL33 0BP at 10am every Tuesday. We are a friendly, fun group and absolute beginners are most welcome. We play some easy croquet and have tea/coffee and biscuits. The cost is £6 per person green fee. Contact Sarah on 07962234857 or sarahm.andrew.sa@gmail.com or just turn up.

DRAMA - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 patty43@btinternet.com

Please can as many members as possible come along to the FREE session at 2.00pm on TUESDAY 24th MARCH in Pen Community Centre. Pictures and videos of past productions, a game of Beetle and tea/coffee and cake (possibly even meringues).

FILM and THEATRE GROUP – Janet Dibble 07733 415830

The next meeting of the film and theatre group will be on Thursday March 26th at 1pm. It will be held at the Gladstone. We will be discussing where we want to have future meetings, what is on at the Theatre and Cinema and what is on TV that’s worth watching. Please get in touch with me Janet Dibble on 07733415830 to join our WhatsApp group.

HOLIDAYS

Nothing in the pipeline unless anyone fancies a break in London.

JAZZ APPRECIATION - Mike Howard 01248 208914 or 07881591415Every Monday at the Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside 7.30.p.m. Traditional Jazz one week and Modern Jazz the next. A contribution is expected. Great atmosphere and wood-fired pizzas available.

Also- the first Tuesday in the month- Modern and Mainstream Jazz at The Gladstone pub Dwygyfylchi. Free admission. For more details contact Mike

PICKLE BALL– Eleri Evans 01248 680408 or 07525 652399 eleri.evans@btinternet.com We meet once a week - every Thursday 10-12noon in the Town Hall Llanfairfechan.

POETRY READING – Pauline Stacey 01492 621243The next meeting will be on Monday 16^th March at 10 am until noon in Penmaenmawr Library. The theme will be "Loss", which could be interpreted in a variety of different ways.

For more information phone Pauline: 01492 621243.

RECORDERS – enquiries Penrecorders@hotmail.com

Meet 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of the month from 2-4pm at Noddfa Retreat Centre.

SNOOKER – Mike Round 01492 244103 Meeting every Monday2 p.m. in the Penmaenmawr Community Centre Snooker room. Anyone interested please ring Mike.

TAI CHI KUNG – Yvonne Ede 07897 659830 Tuesdays 10.45-11.45am at the Community Centre in Penmaenmawr.

TABLE TENNIS- Chris Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com. Fridays 10-12noon in the Community Centre, Penmaenmawr.

UKELELE - Sue Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com

Wednesdays 10.15-12.00 noon fortnightly in The Split Willow Llanfairfechan.

WELSH CONVERSATION - Eleri Evans 07525 652399 Group meet on Thursdays12.15-1.15pm at The Seagrass Restaurant Llanfairfechan.

WALKING GROUPS

SHORT WALK Pat Greenhill 01492 516463.

Wednesday 11th March. Catch the 10.25 train from Llandudno Junction to Betws y Coed for

a walk of approx. two miles to see if there are any signs of Spring down in the valley. Suggest a drink for an appropriate stop and we will lunch at local cafe.

PUB GRUB WALKS Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558

Wednesday 4^th March. Meet under the Flyover in Llandudno Junction, if car sharing, at

9.00 a.m. Drive to Talacre, Flintshire Sat Nav: CH8 9RD - near the end of Station Road. We will be walking 3.5-mile circular on coastal paths, beach & dunes. We will be eating at The Point Bar & Restaurant. Numbers are needed please beforehand.

BUS/TRAIN WALKS Maria Duda Tel: (01492) 879074

Wednesday, 25th March,

Catch the 10.20am No 13 bus outside the Old Station Hotel at Llandudno Junction. We will get off at Llanddulas for a flat walk of about 4 miles along the coast path to Pensarn. Picnic lunch. Leader: Maria Duda Tel: (01492) 879074.

MEDIUM WALKS Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830

Meet at Bryn Euryn Nursery and Cafe on Dinerth Road LL284YN. We will be walking to Bryn Pydew through fields and woods and lanes. There are 3 stiles, one is a bit awkward. There will no doubt be mud so boots and poles if used, are recommended.

Please bring drinks and snacks and a picnic lunch.

Walk leader is Ann Fenton 07773507513.

If anyone is able to lead a walk please get in touch with the walk leaders. You don’t have to do it on your own, we can help you recce it and help on the day. It would be nice if we could have different people helping, instead of the same few all the time. Even if you feel you can’t lead a walk on your own but have a walk in mind, please get in touch with the walk leaders and we can discuss options.

It is a condition of our insurance that all participants of walks are equipped with walking boots or shoes together with adequate clothing. Please also carry “in case of emergency” contact details.

Penmaenmawr and District u3a

Newsletter