Penmaenmawr & District u3a
Newsletter No 347 April 2026
Registered Charity No: 1037437
Website: www.penmaenmawru3a.org.uk
Chair: Brian Bollington penu3a@gmail.com
Secretary: Eleanor Lancaster penu3a@gmail.com
Treasurer: Liz McGill treasurerpenu3a.@gmail.com
Membership Secretary: Kay McManus penu3amem@gmail.com
Newsletter: Ruth Connolly Newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com
THE SPRING LUNCH IS OUR APRIL SOCIAL.
Thursday April 16th 2026 at 12.30pm at Noddfa Retreat Centre, Penmaenmawr. Buffet, entertainment, and a chance to meet one another. The cost is £15. Tickets available from Liz McGill (07891 497562) and Janet Dibble (07733 415830) or in your group. You are welcome to bring a friend along. This promises to be a very enjoyable occasion; there are still a few places available so please contact Liz or Janet for a ticket.
THE LATE DAVE FAULKNER
It is with great sadness we must report the passing of Dave Faulkner, who had been unwell for some time. He had been a member of the Drama Group for a few years and excelled himself as an 'Ugly Sister' in our panto productions - he will of course be missed generally, but particularly in that role. Our thoughts are with his family at this time. The funeral will take place in Pentir Church, details of date and time awaited.
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.
WEBSITE
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
DRAMA
Another production for your entertainment. On Friday 12th June at 7.30pm we will be putting on a Murder Mystery at Penmaenmawr Community Centre. Come along for a bit of fun and brain teasing - usual glass of wine included in the reasonably priced ticket at £6.50. Tickets can be obtained from drama group members or Pat on 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com
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.
MAY NEWSLETTER
Please send any information for inclusion in the May 2026 newsletter to newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com by Monday 27th April 2026
FOR SALE
NEW Russell Hobbs sandwich maker. Black and silver. Never out of packaging. Cost £40 sell for £20.
NEW SLUMBERLAND Double Duvet 13.5 tog. £6 Phone Anthea on 01492 544683 if interested.
MESSAGE FROM PAULINE STACEY
Dr Mark Williams DBA PLY OBE, will be speaking at the meeting of Dwygyfylchi WI on Wednesday 1st April at Penmaenmawr Community Centre at 7pm.
After losing his leg in a childhood accident Mark went on to become a Paralympic medalwinning swimmer. In 2018, he founded LIMB-art, a North Wales based company dedicated to creating stylish prosthetic leg covers, which are now exported across the world. He has received many awards, including an OBE for services to prosthetics. This promises to be an interesting, uplifting, and thought-provoking evening. Visitors are welcome, £4 which will include refreshments.
TABLE TENNIS
Congratulations to Irene Palmer and Steve Albinson who won the end-of term tournament on 27th March.
The photograph shows the play-off for second place, won by Eleri Evans and Steve Parrish.
GROUPS
AWAYDAYS - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463
Any suggestions? Any interest in a trip to London?
BOOK GROUP – Liz McGill 07891 497562 treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com
Meeting on Thursday 7th May 2 - 3 pm at The Gladstone, Ysguborwen Road, Dwygyfylchi. Anyone interested in joining the group please contact Liz.
BOWLS – Denise Sambrook 01492 622289 denise.sambrook45@btinternet.com.
Bowling will recommence at Dwygyfylchi Bowling Club on Friday 3rd April, 10am start (weather permitting). Please inform Denise if you are NOT planning on bowling this year.
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
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
Many thanks to those who came along on Tuesday 24th March and for your enthusiasm.
The following is a list of the proposed events to help this group become more sociable: - Tuesday May 5th - a day boat from Trevor to Chirk (taking in two aqueducts) £16.00 each and a contribution towards a communal picnic. Currently full but running a waiting list.
Friday June 12th Murder Mystery play in Pen C C - rehearsals starting on Tuesday 19th May - read through date to be confirmed but possibly Friday 8th May.
Friday July 10th Skittles and bar meal at Penrhyn Old Hall - celebrating ten years of the group, so free for group members (i.e. those who have been paying rehearsal subs).
FILM and THEATRE GROUP – Janet Dibble 07733 415830
The next meeting of the film and theatre group will be on Thursday May 7th at 1pm. It will be held at the Gladstone. We will be discussing where we want to have future meetings and 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 07881591415
Every 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. Pickleball is a very popular, energetic, and fun sport, consequently we are now up to capacity. There is a waiting list and if anyone should leave then Eleri will be in touch. However, if anyone wanted to start another group, they would be very welcome and Eleri would be happy to speak to them about this.
POETRY READING – Pauline Stacey 01492 621243
The Poetry Reading Group will meet on Monday April 20th at 10am until noon in
Penmaenmawr Library. The theme this month will be "Spring Fever". If you think you would like to join the group, please phone Pauline for more details.
RECORDERS – enquiries Penrecorders@hotmail.com
Meet 2nd and 4th 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.
NB no meeting on 3rd April. Fridays 10-12noon in the Community Centre, Penmaenmawr.
UKELELE - Sue Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com Meeting in April on the 15th and 29th.
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 8th April.
Meet 10.30 a.m. at Mulberry PH car park on the Marina, Conwy for walk of around 2 miles including the marina and sand dunes, with good views - may be warm enough for a paddle! Lunch at Mulberry PH.
PUB GRUB WALKS Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558 Wednesday 1st April.
Meet at 9.50 a.m. at the small car park in The Glan Conwy Business Park - Sat Nav: LL28 5SP, where we will start our walk. (Down the next road from Snowdonia Nurseries). This will be a 4.5-mile circular walk, crossing fields, footpaths & some road walking. 3 ladder stiles plus one that is quite rickety. Muddy fields! Lovely views towards Conwy Castle. Steep descents & then on to lanes, back to the cars. After the walk, we will drive & park in the Tal Goed Nurseries car park, Glan Conwy - Sat Nav: LL28 5TH & have lunch in The Lavender Tea room. This walking group booking is restricted to 20 (if anyone would like to join us after the walk, they may need to book an extra table to join us in the cafe).
Leaders: Janet Dibble - 07733415830 & Eve Webster - 07751499817
Wednesday 6th May
Meet at 9.00 a.m. under the Flyover if car-sharing, then drive to Bodfari, near Denbigh & park in The Dinorben Arms car park - Sat Nav: LL16 4DA, for a 3/4-mile circular rural walk. Spectacular panoramic views. Walking over woodland paths & fields. Some lane walking. There are a couple of steep & awkward stretches in woodland, that will not be suitable for some walkers - however we would be pleased if they could join us for lunch. If in doubt, please contact one of the leaders. There are 10 stiles which are in good condition. May be MUD! Lunch at the Dinorben Arms at 1.30 p.m. Numbers are needed, could you please contact the Leader/s in advance.
Leaders - Kay Preston - 01492 544558 & Jean Dorsett - 07984610959
BUS/TRAIN WALKS Maria Duda Tel: (01492) 879074
Wednesday, 22nd April
Catch the 10.25 train from Llandudno Junction to Dolwyddelan. The walk takes you up through the forest on paths then down to the river and back along the river on paths and lanes to Dolwyddelan to catch the 14.54 train back to Llandudno Junction. It is about 5 miles and there will probably be mud. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Bring snacks and drinks and a picnic lunch.
Leaders: Janet Dibble 07733415830 and Eve Webster 07751499817.
MEDIUM WALKS Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830
A 7.5-mile circular walk on Anglesey taking in fields, forest, beach, and sand dunes. Park on the small car park on the right-hand side of Church Street, Newborough to start the walk at 10 am. We will walk up the road, round by the Church through the fields and forest and down to the beach. We then walk along the beach and through the sand dunes to the main car park and toilets. We will then make our way back on Forest trails and paths to the cars.
Please bring snacks, lunch and drinks and please wear suitable clothing and footwear. There are no steep hills to climb, and no stiles.
Walk leaders Janet Dibble 07733415830
Eve Webster 07751499817
If anyone can lead a walk please get in touch with the walk leaders. You do not 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 cannot 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.