Newsletter - PEN U3A

Penmaenmawr & District u3a

Newsletter No 350 June 2026

Registered Charity No: 1037437

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

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.
THURSDAY 23rd JULY 2026 2 - 4 pm.
To celebrate the summer months, we are hosting an afternoon at Pensychnant Conservation
Centre, Sychnant Pass, Conwy LL32 8BJ.
What Three Words ///speeches.cursing.arranges
Many activities are planned during the afternoon including:

a talk on the history and work of this nature reserve.
an opportunity to visit the wildlife garden and this large Victorian Arts and Crafts house
the scenic woodland walk
live music performance by a local group
stalls including cake, bottle/tombola and outdoor clothing
raffle on the day for our chosen charity Papyrus UK
selection of Victorian games on the lawn
national art exhibition
Reflexology
Of course, there will be plenty of time to meet up with friends and enjoy your tea/coffee and
cake.
We are looking for donations for the raffle and tombola and if anyone has any outdoor
clothing or equipment they don’t need anymore, they can donate it to the stall. Janet or Liz
can pick it up from people if they can’t get it to us.
All proceeds from the stalls will be going to our chosen charity Papyrus UK.
DRAMA GROUP
A very sincere thank you to those who supported our latest production - a Murder Mystery
written by Pauline Stacey. It was a successful evening all round and included raising £68.00
for our current charity. Thanks to everyone who helped in any way.
A date for diaries - the panto will be staged on the afternoon of Thursday 3rd December and
the evening of Friday 4th December - we'd love to see you there.
By the way we are always looking for new members for our friendly group, which includes
social events as well as drama productions. Contact Pat on 01492 516463 or
patty43@btinternet.com.
NEW WALKING GROUP
As from the 1st May the former “Friendly Ramblers” will be joining up with Pen u3a. We walk
every Sunday, weather permitting. The walks start at 10.30 am. We offer a variety of walks,
long and short and of different levels to try and suit everyone. Sometimes we visit a National
Trust Venue or an Open Gardens Event instead.
We never know until a few days before what walk/activity we will be doing so we keep in
contact with members via email and a WhatsApp group. Please get in touch with Eve or
Janet to join the WhatsApp group. Can everyone make sure that you are a paid member of
Pen u3a. As with all the walking groups we are always looking for new walks and for people
to offer to help lead a walk or suggest places to go each Sunday.
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.
AUGUST NEWSLETTER
The August Newsletter will be very brief so please only send information pertinent to August
by Monday 27th July 2026.
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.
GROUPS
AWAYDAYS - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463
Conwy Music Festival is running from 18th July and the following concerts are of particular
interest -
Sun 19th 7.30pm - Lisztomania featuring Ellis Thomas on piano and Denis Lavin as the
narrator
Mon 20th 7.30pm - The Festival Orchestra
Wed 22nd 7.30pm - Llyr Williams on piano
Fri 24th 3.00pm - The Festival Lecture including Harps.
I will be going to these and look forward to hearing from those who might like to join
me. More information on the festival website.
BOOK GROUP – Liz McGill 07891 497562 treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com
The Book Group will have a break over the summer. Our next meeting will be Thursday
September 10th 2pm at The Gladstone, Dwygyfylchi. At this meeting we will discuss both The
Night Circus and The Secrets of Flowers. Plenty of reading to occupy us over July and
August.
BOWLS – Denise Sambrook 01492 622289 denise.sambrook45@btinternet.com.
Bowls have a full complement of members now but if you would like your name on the
waiting list please contact Denise.
BRIDGE – Chris Bryant 07845 181060 or chris.b15@outlook.com
Meet at The Split Willow, Penmaenmawr Rd, Llanfairfechan every Wednesday 10-12 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
Currently trying to sort out difficulties with the skittles evening and getting Mike to work on the
Bangor history walking treasure hunt.
We hope to start rehearsals for the panto mid-October – yes, a script is in the process of
being written and we need everyone to take part – please.
FILM and THEATRE GROUP – Janet Dibble 07733 415830
We will keep in contact via the WhatsApp group over the summer. Anyone wanting to join our
WhatsApp group please get in touch with Janet Dibble 07733415830.
HOLIDAYS - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463
Possible walking holiday in the pipeline.
JAZZ APPRECIATION - Mike Howard 01248 208914 or 07881591415
Every Monday at the Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside 7.30pm. 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 next meeting of the Poetry Reading group will be on Monday 20th July at 10am in
Penmaenmawr Library. The theme will be The Elements: Earth, Fire, Air and Water. There
will be no meeting in August and we will resume again on Monday 21st September when the
theme will be Animals (Mammals).
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 Monday 2pm 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.
Tournament on July 17th. Then the summer break – see the September Newsletter for a
restart date.
UKELELE - Sue Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com
Wednesdays 10.15-12.00 noon fortnightly in The Split Willow Llanfairfechan.
July 1st and 15th. We shall be entertaining the residents of Llys-y-Coed at 2pm on July 22nd.
WELSH CONVERSATION - Eleri Evans 07525 652399
Group meet on Thursdays 12.15-1.15pm at The Seagrass Restaurant Llanfairfechan.
WALKING GROUPS
SHORT WALK Pat Greenhill 01492 516463.
Wednesday 8th July meet 10.30am in car parking area under the flyover at Llandudno
Junction/Conwy. Walk over to Conwy, around Marine Drive and through part of Bodlondeb
ending up at Archway F & C. Dependent upon weather, eat al fresco in the Library Gardens.

PUB GRUB WALKS Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558
Wednesday, 5th August
Meet under the Flyover at 9.15 a.m., if car-sharing, then drive towards Denbigh, & a mile
from Denbigh roundabout - out towards Ruthin, park in The Brookhouse Mill pub car park -
on the left - Sat Nav: LL16 4RD. The walk is a flat undulating walk of about 5 miles, over
meadows & tracks. 5/6 stiles. Nice countryside views. May be cattle/sheep. May be
MUD. The number of walkers/diners is restricted to 20 - so please book your place as soon
as possible. We are able to choose our meal on the day. We will have a private room
upstairs in the pub.
Leaders: Kay Preston 01492 544558 & Jean Dorsett - 07984610959

Wednesday, 2nd September - WALKER'S ANNUAL MEETING
If car sharing - meet at 9.20 a.m. under the Flyover. Then drive to the White Lion Pub,
Llanelian, Old Colwyn - Sat Nav: LL29 8YA, for a 5 mile walk on paths & tracks. Undulating
with stiles. There will be a meeting after lunch to discuss future walks in 2027. If you are
joining us for the walk &/or the meeting, could you please let one of the leaders know so we
know numbers before 28th August. Further details to follow.
Leaders: Jean Dorsett - 07984610959 & Kay Preston - 01492 544558

BUS/TRAIN WALKS Maria Duda Tel: (01492) 879074
Wednesday 22nd July.
Meet at Llandudno Junction train station at 10.15am to catch the 10.24am train to Betws y
Coed. We will then catch the Sherpa bus(S1) from just outside the station at 11.03am to
Capel Curig for a 5/6-mile walk. We will walk up and over the hills and woods to Crafnant
(elevation about 320m) on footpaths and tracks (there is a quite steep rocky section down
towards Crafnant). We walk round Crafnant on the left-hand side then on the road initially
and over paths and meadows to Trefriw where we will catch the No 19 bus back to the
Junction at either 14.50pm or 15.35pm. One ladder stile. May be mud. Wonderful views!
Please remember your bus passes and a picnic lunch.
Leaders: Kay Preston 01492 544558 and Jean Dorsett 07984 610959.

MEDIUM WALKS Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830
Wednesday 15th July
6/7-mile circular walk around Penmon on Anglesey. Lovely views, seascapes and a historic
Priory.
There are 2 high ladder stiles. Fields, paths and lanes. Please bring a picnic lunch, snacks
and plenty of drink if the weather is warm.
Car share from under the flyover at 9. 00am.The walk will start at 10am.Park in the carpark
on the right at the end of the village in Llangoed.
Leader Sue Lavery 07519423510 or 01492209240.