Sedgefield & District U3A
Six years ago, when we were gauging the interest in a U3A for Sedgefield, we were a little worried that there was already a surfeit of activities and interest groups in the village. However, as our group is for the retired and semi-retired and aimed at those people who want to continue a busy, active and enquiring lifestyle, we knew we could fill a niche not already covered.
Meeting on the first Friday afternoon of each month in the Parish Hall, we listen to an interesting speaker
and a wide variety of topics are covered over the year. Some serious, some humerous, some of local interest and some of wider appeal – but all interesting, entertaining and informative. We also enjoy a chat over coffee and biscuits and sign-up to take part in any (or all) of the Interest Group activities projected for the next month or two. However, and here’s the thing, most of these events take us out of the village!
Our Homes and Gardens Interest Group visit large Houses and interesting Gardens from Wallington in the north to Breezy Knees near York in the south, from the snowdrops at Greathamin the spring to Acorn Bank over in Cumbria and through the spectacular autumn colours at Thorpe Perrow. And many and varied other venues in between.
Our Science and Industry Group has a similar diverse programme. We started off last year with a visit to the BBC studios in Newcastle, then had an interesting and slightly squiffy trip to a bottling plant in Lanchester where we ended the evening enjoying a selection of their wines together with an feast of complementary charcuterie and delicious cheeses. We travelled to Newton Aycliffe (in cars) to visit the Hitachi plant to discover all about the new innovations in train carriages – they have the facility there to build doubledecker carriages as seen on the continent. Now there’s a challenge for Virgin East Coast; but perhaps a step too far? We came home from the Primula Cheese factory in Team Valley with a goody bag stuffed with samples of all their products, and were treated to an unexpected (but very welcome) sight of some burly North Yorks firemen practising wild water rescue when we visited the Tees Barrage. Our season ended with a fascinating trip to JDR Cables in Hartlepool where we were astounded to see ginormous reels of wire cables being wound before they’re transported to offshore wind farms for installation to carry electricity back to the mainland. Early next month we are going on an afternoon cruise from the Quayside in Newcastle to the mouth of the Tyne to discover more about the Industrial history of this iconic river. And, somewhat macabrely (?) we’re hoping to arrange a visit to a coffin maker this year!
And who knew there were so many places to see drama, dance, music, film or lectures in the North East? We are so lucky to have access to this superb collection of buildings: from large purpose built theatres and concert halls to smaller, intimate venues in unexpected locations. From Newcastle to Middlesborough, Sunderland to Darlington through Durham, our Theatre Group makes every effort to visit them all. Our furthest trip was to the Globe on the South Bank in London where we saw a modern interpretation of As You Like It (set in Mexico) and viewed their engrossing exhibition of Shakespearean times.
Not to be outdone, the Photography Group members regularly make visits to places of interest where they capture that unexpected view or conjure up a tricky camera angle. They’re frequently out and about in Hardwick Park, up to Durham, or along the river in Newcastle.
Of course, our Wine Appreciation Group cannot travel too far for Health and Safety reasons but we do sample a wide variety of wines from right around the world. We’ve been to Argentina and Chile, Australia and New Zealand, to California and to France, Italy, Spain Portugal, Germany and Hungary in Europe. We’ve tasted some exceptional wines, some we weren’t quite so sure about, some surprisingly good budget bottles and some special break-the-budget wines. And, we’re learning all the time!
The Lunch Group is perhaps not quite so adventurous but each month we visit a pub, hotel or restaurant within about 20 miles of Sedgefield to get together to enjoy a delicious meal and a drink and appreciate good company in a comfortable venue. Each trip is organised by a member of the group on a rotating day each month so that as many members as possible can join us.
Our Art in Action Group, although currently taking a break, has visited museums, galleries, exhibitions and shows to view old masters and modern art, sculptures, outstanding needlework and quilting, Couture clothing, and exceptional pieces of oriental glass and pottery right around the North East from Newcastle to York, through Durham and Bowes. Together with the Science and Industry group, we’re currently trying to arrange a visit to the National Glass Centre in Sunderland where we hope to ‘blow’ a personal Christmas Bauble!
The U3A is all about extending our boundaries, getting out and about, discovering new things and increasing our knowledge. I’m sure you’ll agree, that for a relatively small group, the 100+ members of Sedgefield and District are doing just that.
More information : or Contact : Chris Balfour 01740 621883