Penmaenmawr & District u3a
Newsletter No 336 May 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
May Social Meeting Thursday 15th May at 2 p.m., Penmaenmawr Community Centre.
The speaker is Paul O’Keefe with one of his most popular talks “Liverpool lost, Liverpool
Refound”. It will open up aspects of Liverpool - it's hidden places and history - that would
normally be closed to us and explore how they have evolved into the Liverpool we know today.
Summer Ffair Hâf Thursday 17th July 2025 at Split Willow Llanfairfechan
We are now getting ready for this year’s Summer Ffair Hâf. To make it an enjoyable and successful event we need your help please
- Save the date in your diary. You can pay on the door but tickets will be available at the next two Social Meetings, in groups and from Committee Members
- We need someone to run the Plant Stall. HELP!
- Donate Shortbread Biscuits
- Donate a Bottle for the Bottle Stall
- Donate an item as a raffle prize
- Donate Walking/Outdoor clothing or equipment (contact Janet Dibble)
- Donate plants for the Plant Stall
- Donate something for the cake stall. Always nice to have a variety of goods to sell.
If you can help with any of these items please contact one of these committee members or speak to us at the Social Meeting on May 15th.
Brian Bollington brianbollington@gmail.com
Eleanor Lancaster elen.lanc@gmail.com
Liz McGill treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com
Kay McManus penu3amem@gmail.com
Janet Dibble jmdibble@gmail.com
have b
TEA ROTA
| 15th May 2025 Jazz Appreciation | 19th December Committee |
| 19th June 2025 Poetry | 15th January 2026 Table Tennis / Ukelele |
| 17th July Summer Ffair Hâf | 19th February 2026 Theatre Visits |
| 15th August 2025 No meeting | 19th March 2026 Welsh Conversation |
| 19th September 2025 Recorders | 16th April 2026 Committee |
| 17th October 2025 Sunday Lunches | |
| 21st November 2025 Tai Chi KUng |
DRAMA GROUP
The Drama group is performing the play 'The Beach Army' for Bangor u3a on Thursday 8th May at 10.30 a.m. in Capel Berea, Bangor. The date is intended to commemorate the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Any Pen u3a members will, we are sure, be made welcome. If you feel able to support the group in its singing (audience joining in) of WW1 songs you will be welcomed with open arms. Please see under 'Drama Group' for times of rehearsals or contact Pat for more information.
TONY BLADON
It is with sadness we report the passing of Tony Bladon. Although his main home was in Derby, he and his wife Marion occupied their chalet in the Conwy Valley for a large number of the warmer months of the year and they were great supporters of Pen u3a. The Walking group in particular benefited from Tony's skillful leading of many walks, he was also involved with the Bowls group and sometimes could be persuaded to take on small parts in drama productions. Our sympathy and thoughts are with Marion his widow.
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.
DEADLINE FOR JUNE 2025 NEWSLETTER
Please send any information for inclusion in the June Newsletter to newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com by Monday 26th May 2025
NB - THE NEWSLETTER EDITOR WILL BE AWAY APRIL/MAY AND CAN ONLY BE CONTACTED ON THE EMAIL ADDRESS PROVIDED ABOVE.
ITEMS FOR SALEQualcast electric lawn mower
Qualcast electric strimmer
Burgess BK3 Band Saw
Numerous small tools
For more information please contact Pat Geenhill on 01492 516463 or e mail patty43@btinternet.com
NEWS FROM THE GROUPS
AWAYDAYS – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com
Tuesday 20th May let's visit Cai Dai, the 60's museum in Denbigh again. Meet at 10.30 a.m. in the car park opposite The Plough PH in Old Colwyn for car sharing. Entry costs £7.50 - good idea to bring a picnic for consumption in the grounds. A general look round the town of Denbigh will be included. Please contact Pat 01492 516463 patty43@btinternet.com to confirm your attendance and for organising the car sharing.
BOARD GAMES – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com
Monday 12th May (please note later date) 7.00 p.m. at the home of Judy Hughes 5 Fairfield Close Penrhyn Bay (01492 549861)
Please let the host/ess know if you are attending.
BOOK GROUP – Liz McGill 07891 497562 newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com
The book group will meet at 2pm on Thursday 1st May 2025 at Coffee V in Craig Y Don. We will be discussing what we thought of “A Thousand Splendid Suns” by Afghan-American author Khaled Hosseini. Next meeting 12th June, same place and time.
BOWLS – Denise Sambrook 01492 622289 denise.sambrook45@btinternet.com.
Bowling meets each Friday 10-12noon at Dwygyfylchi Bowling Club.
Come and join in the fun! Bowls provided.
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.
CANASTA – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 patty43@btinternet.com
Saturday 10th May (please note later date) 2.00 p.m. at the home of Judy Hughes 5 Fairfield Close Penrhyn Bay (01492 549861)
Please let the hostess know if you are attending.
CROQUET – Sarah Andrew 07962 234857 sarahm.andrew.sa@gmail.com
The Croquet Lawns are resting for the winter so the group is suspended for a short time. Croquet 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 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 - Nick Smith nicholasRNsmith@aol.com
Reminder of rehearsals for 'The Beach Army' 2.30 p.m. Friday 2nd May at Capel Berea (cast only), Tuesday 6th May 2.30 p.m. at Pen C C first hour for everyone and second hour for cast only.
FILM GROUP – Janet Dibble 07733 415830
The next meeting of the film club will be Thursday 1st May at 1pm at Coffee V in Craig y Don. The following meeting will be Thursday 12th June 1pm also at Coffee V.
Email Janet Dibble jmdibble@gmail.com Mobile 07733415830
Or message me to join our WhatsApp group.
HOLIDAYS – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com.
Nothing in the pipeline.
JAZZ APPRECIATION - Mike Howard 01248 208914
Every Monday at the Penrhyn Arms, Penrhynside 7.30pm. Traditional Jazz one week and Modern Jazz the next. For more details contact Mike.
NATIONAL TRUST VISITS – Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com
Thursday 22nd May meet in car park of Plas Newydd, Ynys Mon at 11.00 a.m. (for car sharing please contact Pat). Apart from the glories of the house, there are the extensive gardens (with possibility of seeing red squirrels) including the rhododendron walk. Bring a picnic for consumption in the gardens.
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 – Linda Rylance 01492 640386
Poetry group will meet on 19th. May. The subject will be Humorous poems.
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.
SUNDAY LUNCHES – Linda Jackson 01492 548920
Sunday 11th May at The Conwy Golf Club. MEAL TIME 1pm. 1 course £15.25, 2 courses £19.25, and 3 courses £24.95. Main course small portions available. Please contact Linda Jackson on 01492 548920.
TAI CHI KUNG – Yvonne Ede 07897 659830
Tuesdays 11-12noon 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. Restarting 2nd May.
THEATRE VISITS - Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com
Friday 9th May 7.00 p.m. at Theatr Colwyn Six the Musical Live from London's Vaudeville Theatre. Tickets maximum of £15.50 - deadline for those Wednesday 7th May please.
Thursday 5th June 7.00 p.m. at Theatr Colwyn NT Live Tennessee Williams' Street Car Named Desire. Tickets cost maximum of £15.50 - deadline for those will be Tuesday 3rd June please.
UKELELE - Sue Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com
Wednesdays 10.15-12noonfortnightly in the Split Willow Llanfairfechan.
WELSH CONVERSATION - Eleri Evans 07525 652399
This group meet on Thursdays12.15 to 1.15pm at The Seagrass Restaurant Llanfairfechan.
WALKING GROUPS
SHORT WALK Pat Greenhill (01492 516463)
Wednesday 14th May 10.30 a.m. meet at junction of Pwllychroachan Avenue with The Old Highway Colwyn Bay (tree in middle of road - plenty of parking) for a walk of approximately 2 miles in the Pwllychrochan Woods, where Spring should be bursting out. Lunch/snack at Sheldons Cafe in Colwyn Bay.
PUB GRUB WALKS Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558
Wednesday 7th May
Meet under the Flyover in Llandudno Junction, for car sharing, at 9.10 a.m. then drive to The Black Lion pub car park, Llanfair TH, Abergele (Sat Nav: LL22 8RY). A circular walk of 4/5 miles. Beautiful countryside with fantastic mountain views. Undulating. Several stiles. May be mud. The Menu is available to pre-order (a deposit is needed). Please contact the leader if you intend to join us as soon as possible.
Leader: Sue Lavery - 01492 701637/07519 423 510
BUS/TRAIN WALKS
Wednesday 28 May
Catch No 5 bus to Caernarfon at 8.45am at Llandudno Junction flyover, and onward to Llanaelhaearn for 4 mile walk along very quiet hillside back road, down to coast and along cliffs to Trefor. Rich in wildflowers, birds and views. Picnic lunch.
Leader: Maria Duda Tel: 01492 879074.
MEDIUM WALKS Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830
Wednesday 21st May
Meet under the Flyover, Llandudno Junction at 9.10 a.m. for car sharing, then drive to Llangefni, Anglesey, & park in the Oriel Mon Cafe & Gallery car park - Sat Nav: LL77 7TQ (off the B5111 road). We will walk through The Dingle (hopefully, along boardwalks), through the nature reserve (we may see the red squirrels!), then up & around the Cefni Reservoir, along tracks & through the forest, returning along the disused railway track. 5/6 miles. May be mud. No stiles. Mostly flat with a small hill to climb at the end of the walk.
Leaders: Kay Preston - 01492 544558 & Jean Dorsett - 07984610959