Penmaenmawr & District u3a
Newsletter No 341 October 2025
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
MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL TIME
Membership of Penmaenmawr & District u3a will be £10 per person for the year. If you are already a member of another u3a this will be reduced to £6 per person.
Option One (preferred please).
Pay your subscription by BACS.
Account name: Penmaenmawr & District u3a
Sort Code: 20 - 51 - 23
Account Number: 60030910
Use your FULL NAME as the reference.
Then, very importantly, email Kay McManus penu3amem@gmail.com letting her know you have paid online and notify her of any changes to your details.
Option Two
Post your cheque (payable to PENMAENMAWR & DISTRICT u3a) with your FULL NAME and ADDRESS on the back of your cheque to Kay McManus. Her address is Angorfa, Chapel Street, Penmaenmawr, LL34 6PA. Please note we are not accepting cash.
For those not on email paperwork will be posted out to you.
Brand new members can join using our membership form which is available on the website (see above). Alternatively come along to a social meeting (3rd Thursday of the month) where we can help you.
CHARITY NOMINATIONS FOR 2025 - 2026
At the AGM, in October, we will choose a charity to support next year. Have a think which charity you feel we should support.
If you have a particular charity you wish to nominate, please contact any of the committee. We ask the nominees to be available to help with raffles at u3a events.
NOTICE OF AGM
We hereby give notice of the Annual General Meeting of Penmaenmawr & District U3A to be held at 2.00 p.m. on Thursday 16th October 2025 at Penmaenmawr Community Centre.
TEA ROTA
| 15th January 2026 Film and Theatre | |
| 16th October 2025 Tai Chi Kung | 19th February 2026 Welsh Conversation |
| 20th November 2025 Table Tennis/Ukelele | 19th March 2026 Book Group |
| 18th December 2025 Committee | 16th April 2026 Committee |
OCTOBER SOCIAL MEETING
We are at Penmaenmawr Community Centre on Thursday 16th October at 2pm for the monthly social meeting. Our speaker will be Clive Morris talking about The Moon. Hope to see you then.
FOR INFORMATION - UPCOMING SPEAKERS
Mike Howard has kindly arranged the following speakers for the social meetings
Thursday 20th November "Hidden Anglesey" by Stuart Hayter
Thursday 18th December to be arranged by committee, usually Christmas party/entertainment?
Thursday 15th January 2026 "St David's Hospice" by Jo Jones-Hayes
Thursday 19th February "Slate" by Liz Healey (Exploration of historic ship wrecks around our coasts)
GROUPS NO LONGER ACTIVE - Pat Greenhill
I have decided to withdraw the following groups from the u3a and therefore their activities will no longer be listed in the newsletter; however, most of them will continue on an unofficial/casual basis and if there are any queries, I can be contacted by e mail patty43@btinternet.com.
The groups involved are Awaydays, Board Games, Canasta, National Trust, Theatre.
Please note that information about local Theatre shows will be included in the Film and Theatre Group. If you would like to join their WhatsApp group, please contact Janet Dibble 07733 415830.
DRAMA GROUP - ITS FUTURE
Despite losing the input of Nick Smith, we hope to carry on the good work with the help of a small group of members. We propose putting on a panto written by Pauline Stacey on the afternoon of Thursday 4th December (trying out a matinee performance) and the evening of Friday 5th December. Is there anyone out there who would like to get involved in some way? We would love to hear from you (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.
NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER
Please send any information for inclusion in the November newsletter to newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com by Saturday 25th October 2025.
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS
BOOK GROUP – Liz McGill 07891 497562 treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com
Next meet up will be Thursday 9th October at 2pm Coffee V in Craig Y Don. We have been reading Blacklands by Belinda Bauer. Anyone interested in joining us contact Liz who will add you to the group WhatApp.
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
Croquet is in full swing. It is a great game most people can play. We are a jolly group who play a bit of croquet and have coffee, biscuits, and chat. We play between 10am and 12noon on Tuesday mornings. Beginners are welcome. The cost is £6.00 per session green fee.
If you are interested in coming along, please contact Sarah.
DRAMA - Pat Greenhill (patty43@btinternet.com)
Despite the withdrawal by Nick, life still goes on for the Drama Group and rehearsals will start for the December panto on Tuesday 14th October at 2.30 p.m. at Pen Community Centre as usual. This first date will take the form of a read through followed by Cheese and Wine and a general chat as to how we take this group forward. Members old and new very welcome, but confirmation of your attendance would be appreciated to Pat please.
Rehearsals will continue at 2.30 p.m. every Tuesday and Friday until the production, with an extra rehearsal (Dress) on Sunday 30th November.
FILM and THEATRE GROUP – Janet Dibble 07733 415830
We will be meeting on Thursday 9th October at 1pm in Café V, Craig y Don. Everyone welcome.
Please message me if you want to join our WhatsApp group.
HOLIDAYS – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com.
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.
POETRY READING – Pauline Stacey 01492 621243
Next meeting is at 10am on Monday 20th October in Penmaenmawr Library on the poems of Carol Ann Duffy and Simon Armitage. Please note that the group leader is now Pauline Stacey. New members are welcome.
RECORDERS - Alan Collins 01492 660511
Recorder Group meet at Noddfa Retreat Centre the 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month. They welcome new players.
SNOOKER – Mike Round 01492 660658
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 10.15-1200 noon fortnightly in The Split Willow Llanfairfechan.
WELSH CONVERSATION - Eleri Evans 07525 652399
Group meet on Thursdays12.15 to 1.15pm at The Seagrass Restaurant Llanfairfechan.
WALKING GROUPS
SHORT WALK Pat Greenhill 01492 516463.
No short walk in October.
PUB GRUB WALKS Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558
Wednesday 1st October Meet at 9.10 a.m. if car sharing, under the Flyover in the Junction, then drive to Denbigh & park in the Pay & Display car park - LL16 3TS. The walk will be approx. 5.5 miles walking on lanes, paths & through fields. A couple of stiles (one a little awkward but manageable) & kissing gates. A section of steep uphill. Hopefully no mud! We will be having lunch at Tweedmill, just before St Asaph - LL17 0UY at about 1.30/2.00 p.m. Please wear suitable clothes & footwear. Also bring a drink & snack. Leaders: Janet Dibble - 07733415830 & Eve Webster - 07751499817
Wednesday 5th November Meet under the Flyover at 9.10 a.m. if car sharing, then drive to Rhewl, Nr. Ruthin (Sat Nav: LL15 1UL). Park near The Drovers Arms on the road. We will be walking a 5-mile circular route around Lady Baggot's Drive. An undulating walk on tracks, through fields & woodland paths - some uneven ground. A couple of stiles. Afterwards, driving to 'The Lodge', Llanrhaedr for lunch (Sat Nav: LL16 4NL). Their car park is at the back of the building. The Menu is attached, & we would like your choice by 22nd October please, so that we can send the information to the cafe. Please wear suitable clothes & footwear. Also bring a drink & snack. Leaders: Kay Preston - 01492 544558 & Jean Dorset - 07984610959
Christmas Lunch for all Walkers Wednesday, 3rd December We will be having our Christmas Lunch at the Llandudno Golf Club West Shore. A 2 course Festive meal will be at a cost of £23. The menu will be sent to you as soon as it becomes available. Details of the walk will be sent in the next Newsletter. Leaders: Kay Preston - 01492 544558 & Jean Dorsett
BUS/TRAIN WALKS
Wednesday 22nd October
Catch No 13 bus to Prestatyn at 9.00am (Llandudno Palladium), 9.20am (outside Station Hotel, Llandudno Junction Station) or 9.40 (Colwyn Bay Central) for 4/5 mile walk in Prestatyn/Dyserth area including old railway line path. Picnic lunch.
Leader: Maria Duda Tel:(01492) 879074.
MEDIUM WALKS Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830
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.
Wednesday 15th October
The walk will start at 10.00am from the car park at the Tal y Cafn pub on the A470 Llanrwst Road Conwy. We will walk past the railway station onto the Bridge where there are lovely views of the river. We will then walk through the woods and fields alongside the river to Caerhun medieval Church. The Church is on the site of a Roman Fort. After that there will be a short section on the road before joining a path along the banks of the Avon Roe and along country lanes back to the Tal Y Cafn. The walk is about 4 and half miles, there is some up and down and some stiles and no doubt there will be mud too.
Please wear appropriate footwear and bring snacks and drinks and a picnic lunch.
Walk leader is Sean Gavin 07834456057
Email seangavin1@hotmail.com.