Penmaenmawr & District u3a
Newsletter No 353 September 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
NOTICE OF AGM
The AGM for Penmaenmawr & District u3a will be held on Thursday 15th October 2026 at 2pm in Penmaenmawr Community Centre. All welcome.
Any member can propose a registered charity for us to support throughout the year. This would involve an expectation to organise raffles and other fundraising events during the year. The committee should be contacted via penu3a@gmail.com before October 8th 2026, with details of your proposed charity.
OUR SUMMER EVENT
Sometimes everything falls into place; sometimes there are problems at every turn. The Afternoon at Pensychnant was a dream. Fantastic weather, no wildfires, great music, naughty cakes and a great atmosphere. Of course, it was hard work by the committee but all worthwhile. Thank you to them and all those who attended.
FIRST AID COURSE
We currently have 3 places available on the Red Cross First Aid course. This will be held at Penmaenmawr Community Centre 2pm on Thursday 24th September. Contact Liz via penu3a@gmail.com or 07891 497562 if you would like to attend.
GAZEBO
Some time ago we purchased a gazebo for use at u3a events. Does anybody know what happened to it please? Ring Janet on 07733 415830.
PRINTING FOR GROUPS
We have now purchased an eco-tank printer. This is a new type of printer that is now on the market. The purchase cost was a fraction of the annual rental of the old machine. It does not use cartridges. Ink comes in bottles which are emptied into tanks. This will give us considerable savings in future.
It has been decided that as Liz and Alan McGill are our Tech Team, managing the web site etc. they will carry out printing now for all Pen u3a groups, including drama. Ruth Connolly will continue to take responsibility for producing and distributing the newsletter.
Any Group leader, or event organiser, needing to print material can send it to penu3a@gmail.com or contact Liz 07891 497562.
SOCIAL MEETING SEPTEMBER
We are at Penmaenmawr Community Centre on Thursday 17th September 2026 at 2pm when our speaker will be Vicky MacDonald. Vicky’s talk is entitled Crossing the Menai Strait before Telford. We look forward to welcoming everyone.
TEA ROTA
| September Croquet | October Drama | November Film & Theatre |
| December Committee | January Jazz Appreciation | February Pickleball |
WALKING HISTORY TREASURE HUNT
There are still places available for the drama group's walking history treasure hunt on Tuesday 1st September. Open to all members, but please book with Pat (01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com) when meeting arrangements can be confirmed. The cost is a mere £1 for a good bit of fun, ending up eating together.
DRAMA GROUP
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.
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.
NEWSLETTER
Please send any information for inclusion in the October 2026 newsletter to newsletterpenu3a@gmail.com by Friday 25th September 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
WALKING HOLIDAY
Wednesday 7th October for four nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis staying at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen. The cost for twins (no doubles) is £380 per person - there is a possibility of a single at £420 per person. A £10 non-returnable deposit is required on booking and the balance payable 14 days prior to start of holiday. Contact Pat on 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com for information or booking please.
BOOK GROUP
Liz McGill 07891 497562 treasurerpenu3a@gmail.com 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. New members are welcome, contact Liz or just come along.
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 A reminder to those who have signed up for the walking history treasure hunt on Tuesday 1st September. Meet at 1.30 p.m. as per separate e mail sent out.
PANTO NEWS
we start rehearsals with a read through at 2.30 p.m. on Tuesday 13th October - everyone very much needed please - many thanks. Janet Dibble 07733 415830
FILM and THEATRE GROUP
We will be meeting up on the 10th September at 1pm at The Gladstone. Everyone is welcome. We do have a thriving WhatsApp group so if anyone wants to join the group, please get in touch with Janet Dibble 07733415830.
HOLIDAYS
Pat Greenhill 01492 516463 Wednesday 7th October for four nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis staying at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen. The cost for twins (no doubles) is £380 per person - there is a possibility of a single at £420 per person. A £10 non-returnable deposit is required on booking and the balance payable 14 days prior to start of holiday. Contact Pat on 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com for information or booking please.
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 will be 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. Restarting on September 4th.
UKELELE
Sue Wensley 01248 680637 or cdwensley.u3a@btinternet.com Wednesdays 10.15-12.00 noon fortnightly in The Split Willow Llanfairfechan. Meeting in September on the 9th and 23rd.
WELSH CONVERSATION
Eleri Evans 07525 652399 Group meet on Thursdays 12.15-1.15pm at The Seagrass Restaurant Llanfairfechan.
WALKING GROUPS WALKING HOLIDAY
Wednesday 7th October for four nights on a dinner bed and breakfast basis staying at the Hand Hotel in Llangollen. The cost for twins (no doubles) is £380 per person - there is a possibility of a single at £420 per person. A £10 non-returnable deposit is required on booking and the balance payable 14 days prior to start of holiday. Contact Pat on 01492 516463 or patty43@btinternet.com for information or booking please.
SHORT WALK
Pat Greenhill 01492 516463. Meet at 10.30 a.m. on Wednesday 9th September on Graiglwyd Road, Penmaenmawr (near as possible to path up to Trout farm - between Graiglwyd Farm and Mountain Lane) (OS ref. 759 721) for a walk of approx. 2.5 miles. Short part of Mountain Lane then skirts Moel Lus. Hopefully inspiration by the day for where we should eat!
PUB GRUB WALKS
Jean Dorsett 07984610959 & Kay Preston 01492 544558 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 Please note - that Jean & Kay have been Co-ordinators for the Pub/Grub Walking Group for 7/8 years. Would anyone else like to take the role over? We feel it is time for someone new to take this lovely group on its journey from 2027. If interested please contact one of us.
BUS/TRAIN WALKS
Maria Duda Tel: (01492) 879074 Wednesday, 23 September Catch the 10.24am train from Llandudno Junction station to Pont y Pant for a 4/5 mile walk over to Betws y Coed via Rhiwddolion. There is a loose stony section on the descent to the A5. Cross the Miners' Bridge and follow the river to Betws. Lovely views. Picnic lunch. Leader: Sonia Williams Tel: 07726 208086.
MEDIUM WALKS
Eve Webster 07751499817 & Janet Dibble 07733415830 Wednesday September 16th A walk of about 6 miles. Starting from the Conwy Falls Cafe, Betws Y Coed LL24OPN. The walk will start at 10am. We will be going up lanes and on woodland trails and through fields near Capel Garmon and then onto the Burial Chamber. From then on its downhill all the way back to the cafe. There will be some uneven ground with tree roots and there are also several stiles but they are all in good condition. Please bring picnic lunch, snacks and water. Please wear suitable clothing and footwear. Walk leader is Sue Foulkes 07887652410.