Following the interesting talk on Bumblebees given at the January monthly meeting, Richard is setting up a Bee Walk group to help in the national study of bees.  For more details or to contact Richard for further information, please see the "Bee Walk" tab below.

A new Carpet Bowls group is being planned.  This game differs from its close cousin, short mat bowls, but still involves getting your bowl closest to the jack.  Intrigued and want to find out more then please see full details on this link.

Alternatively please contact Group Leader/Contact, Peter, to express your interest or ask questions.

Do you enjoy Portrait Painting or maybe want to give it a go?  Then we are hoping to get a new Portrait Painting Group underway in the New Year.  (Some of you may recall that we had such a group running in the past.)  Derek, one of our members who is an accomplished artist, is looking to get things started and is planning a meeting in the cafe at the Leigh Community Centre early in the new Year to discuss with all those interested.  Please contact Derek for more details.

Meetings will take place from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Leigh Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings of the the month.

Art for Pleasure is a relaxed friendly meeting for anyone who is interested in coming together to paint and draw using a variety of suitable materials. We improve our skills and knowledge through discussion, books, handouts etc.

Each meeting has a ‘theme’ which members can interpret in their own way.

LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!

New members are very welcome
The group is suitable all levels of ability
The ‘themes’ are merely to provide some ideas
Members ideas and input is valued
Please contact me if you need more information or wish to join our group.

The group have a list of artists for each month. Members do some research on the artist they choose and give a brief talk while we look at their paintings on a projector. Some of us attend U3A days at the National Gallery which are very interesting along with visiting the Mall Gallery to see the Portrait Exhibitions. It is a friendly group, none of us having any prior knowledge of the subject.

Bumblebees are in decline and conservation efforts  can be supported and enhanced by understanding the populations and distribution of the various species.  The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) has developed a national surveying process which we plan to join.  This will involve a small group undertaking a self-selected monthly walk of a set route and identifying and recording all the bumblebees we see.

We are especially lucky that the Thames Gateway is home to two rare species, the 'brown-banded' and 'shrill' carder bees, both of which can be seen on Two Tree Island.

We'll arrange for members to be given training to help you identify the bees you see.

If you want to be part of this exciting piece of work, have the chance to learn more about bees plus get a little bit of exercise each month or if you just want to learn a little more about what's involved, then please contact Richard using the button above.

We are a small friendly group and we like to read a variety of books, ranging from classics to biographies to thrillers -- in fact anything goes! We take it in turns to come up with a list of books and decide between us which one we are going to read next, which seems to work well.

Why play Bridge? Well in the words of the novelist W. Somerset Maugham “Bridge is the most entertaining and intelligent card game the wit of man has so far devised”.

As a social game, bridge is unparalleled and a great way to meet new people. Bridge is good for the mind – a mental workout that stimulates both halves of the brain in equal measure. Playing bridge develops both logical and lateral thinking, it helps short and long term memory among many benefits.

At the start of 2018, we were able to get the Bridge for Beginners group underway. Currently there are no spaces in the group but if you are interested in playing this fascinating card game then please register your interest by contacting the group contact and getting your name added to the waiting list. Once we have enough names, plus someone to teach, we’ll start a second Bridge group.

If you already know the game and would be willing to share that knowledge by teaching others how to play then please get in touch.

Leigh Estuary U3A Canasta Group has been going strong since November 2017 and meet at a members home on the first Thursday of the month. We have 12 members and we usually get 8-12 members attending. It is a very friendly group and although we did start with 2 or three beginners and a few who hadn't played for some time, everyone is of a reasonable ability now.

Bearing in mind that usually Canasta is played in fours, we do sometimes have to adapt to three-handed Canasta!

Of course we do have varying rules of Canasta within the group which is interesting but we ask that everyone plays the same as the majority and the people we have taught.

This group is now up and running and intended for those members who have played Canasta before. Please contact Duncan if you are interested in joining.

Already play canasta and looking to improve then contact me using button above to see if spaces.

VISITING ESSEX CHURCHES GROUP

This group is for people who are interested in church architecture and history and comparative religion. Members share organising the visits to places of worship. The group has visited many Essex churches of a variety of Christian denominations. We have also visited two synagogues, a mosque and a Sikh gurdwara along with Hindu and Buddhist temples.

Our first visit for 2020 has been arranged and we will be visiting St Laurence Church, Eastwood on Wednesday 12th February at 10:30am.  This visit is being organised by Dorothy and Beryl and if you want more details please contact Beryl direct by using this link.

This group is now up and running and they enjoyed their first cinema outing to see Red Joan at the Odeon, Southend.

Next trip is to see 1917 - During World War I, two British soldiers -- Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake -- receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades.  The group will visit Basildon Cineworld Festival Leisure on Wednesday 15th January to see the 15.30 showing.  Contact Pamela for full info.

If you are interested in watching a film with like minded people then please make contact with Pamela  by using link above.

This group explores Classical Music together.  The group has restarted now with a new group leader so please contact John using button above if interested in joining.

This group meets at a members home and is currently full.  We take it in turns to choose the book and try to limit ourselves to those written before 1940 excluding War & Peace (too long), Virginia Woolf and James Joyce ('streams of consciousness' too baffling)

Sadly this group will be closing in the late autumn.  If there is anyone willing and able to take on then please contact the Groups Co-ordinator

Ravenshead U3A have kindly shared their useful computer guides. Click on the *Computer Help Guides* link here.

We have lively discussions (very loosely based on some discussion questions/issues that I email before the meeting). We usually get between 8 and 12 people attending. People often do a bit of research on issues that have interested the group so there is a bit of information sharing that goes on between sessions.

I hope people are enjoying themselves - I know I am - lovely group and very interesting discussions (and lots of laughs!)

So far this year, the Contemporary Novels group have read:

January - 'Arthur and George' by Julian Barnes
February - 'Where My Heart Used to Beat' by Sebastian Faulks
March - 'The Little Red Chairs' by Edna O'Brien
April - 'Hagseed' by Margaret Atwood
May - 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver
June - 'Notes from an Exhibition' by Patrick Gale
July - 'The Stranger's Child' by Alan Hollinghurst
August - 'Deaf Sentence' by David Lodge

To see the books that we have read since we started, please see the Reading List in link above.

We have decided to change our group name from vigorous walking to Country Walks as this better reflects what we do.

Apart from the name change everything else remains the same.

Click on News & Events above for details of our walks.

If you are interested please contact Dave using the button above.

The Craft Group is a very friendly, informal group which welcomes members with an interest in any craft, whatever their level of ability.

In keeping with the spirit of the U3A, we are all willing to share our skills with each other. Although we generally work on our own individual projects, which include knitting, crochet, quilting, card making, embroidery etc, we also, on occasion, try a new skill as a group, led by one of our own members. Member-led sessions to date have covered Chicken Scratch, Quilting, Iris Folding, Gift bags and boxes.

We meet at Leigh Community Centre, from 2 - 4 pm on the second Tuesday of the month. To enjoy a sociable afternoon and maybe feel inspired to try a new skill, please contact the Group Organisers via  the link above.

Creative Writing for all abilities. Using memory and imagination and encouraging each other with our writing. For examples of our work click link above.

Please contact Lynda for details.

A new Creative Writing group welcoming beginner writers as well as writers with more experience. Sessions will feature short story writing, autobiography and poetry. Optional homework and additional resources provided and your suggestions for writing topics always welcome!

This group needs someone to take it forward, if interested and willing to help please contact the groups co-ordinator.

NB: Days/times/location are not set in stone and can be changed to suit members if necessary.

The Cryptic Crossword group aims to support members to improve their skills at completing Cryptic Crossword clues (i.e. those which are not just straight definitions).
Both those with existing skills and those who want to learn how to do crosswords of this type are welcome to join the group.

Group members bring along crosswords they are working on and blank crossword grids are provided for those who are beginning to learn.

More experienced members of the group support new learners.

We also have general discussion on the different types of clues and how they can be solved
Members are invited to nominate a Clue of the Month which they have found particularly clever, challenging or amusing!

The venue for the meetings is generally at cafes in the Leigh area. At present it is at the TruLeigh Scrumptious, (opposite Leigh Library), Broadway West.

Your Group Contact will e-mail members each month to confirm the meeting date and venue.

Please check with Pat before attending.

The group consists of 14 members and are asked that, if possible, everyone bring an article from the media or write out a subject that they would like discussed and these are put into a bag and pulled out at random. We do not discuss religion or politics (very wise) but the topics are varied and can be anything from space travel, state/private education, the pros and cons of medical science etc. and of course we also have light hearted topics such as "talking is the best way to beat winter blues" (no problem for us) or life begins at 60 not 40 (very encouraging). Each meeting is different so it is not possible to be specific on the topics but the most important thing is that obviously everyone has their own ideas but there is never any bad feeling however diverse opinions maybe.

We end with tea and biscuits and the satisfaction that we have put the world to rights - leaving as the same friendly group that arrived.

A friendly group which encourages members to talk about any subjects that interest them. This creates added stimulus and variety in other areas besides our news reviews.

We are pretty full right now but please let me know if you are wanting to join us and I'll let you know once a space is available.

The title says it all!

The group will enjoy bi-monthly(ish) visits to interesting venues using scheduled coach trips from local coach companies. Destinations will be within approximately two hours journey time.

I will be using Cooks Coaches for transport on all excursions, all their vehicles are air conditioned with a toilet. The pick-up points will be Chalkwell, Leigh Elms and Thames Drive, although if sufficient demand for other pick-ups these could be added.

I will also be using two companies with guides, Greatdays (www.greatdays.co.uk) and City and Village Tours (www.cityandvillagetours.com). Both companies have very good websites, so do take a look.

Please note: As of the March 2020 trip, I am changing payment arrangements.  I will be taking a non-refundable deposit of £5 per person at the time of booking, with the balance being due about six weeks before departure.  I will also limit each trip to a maximum of 40 people, and I will only do about six trips a year

UPCOMING TRIPS (please click on trip name for more details when available)

Wednesday 12th February 2020 - A Brief History of Jazz

Thursday 12th March 2020 - VERNACULAR SPECTACULAR

Monday 4th May - Messing About on the River

Thursday 7th July - Sutton Hoo and Woodbridge - details to follow

Thursday 10th September - Beach Huts and Barnacles - details to follow

The Mansion

This second Sunday Lunch group got off to a start with lunch at the Southchurch Park Dining Rooms.  Some wonderful home cooking that was enjoyed by everyone.  Plans for 2020 were also discussed and organised.

This group does exactly what it says so if you want to enjoy lunch on a Sunday along with friends then please contact Trevor who will keep you informed of where and when.

Discovering Essex does what it says on the tin. We are a group keen to learn about the people and places of our County by visiting or, very occasionally, having a speaker. Essex, despite its reputation, is rich in history from the dawn-of-time right up until yesterday and we intend to discover some of it.

One month there might be a guided tour of a historical building, on another, a trip on an ancient vessel or we might find ourselves watching someone practising an ancient Essex skill or craft.

We all take turns suggesting and organising an event of interest which means there is something for everyone and we all enjoy ourselves whilst continuing to feed our brains a little  (and usually, satisfying our bodies too!).

See our newsfeed for what we've done in 2019.....

Members of the group are now organising the sessions. Our objectives are explore and discuss people and their occupations, history events and locations that make up the area East of London. We do not restrict ourselves by looking at London’s East End only but will be exploring South East and North East districts as well as London’s sprawl into Essex.

This group is for everyone who is interested in family history matters in all its many facets. It is not solely for research into ancestry but covers any matter which is related, however loosely, to family history generally.

If you have a family history matter/mystery that you would like the group to research for you please get in touch with the group contact mentioned above. Derek will be able to indicate what may be possible and talk to you about what information you already have or need to find to enable the research to commence.

A new group that has got off to a flying start.  If interested in finding our more then please contact Heather using link above.

• Saturday 29^th Feb - Kimono Exhibition is on at the V&A plus Fashion in Focus Tour
• Jan / Feb Mary Quant at the V&A Museum date to be confirmed
• April ‘Out of the Blue’: 50 Years of Designer Guild £8.80 – date to be confirmed, but it will be a Wednesday 8^th, 15^th, 22^nd or 29^th.

• 10^th June meeting at Jenny’s house.  Contact me for address.

Fashion Matters. To the economy, to society and to each of us personally. Faster than anything else, what we wear tells the story of who we are - or who we want to be. Fashion is the most immediate and intimate form of self-expression.

Please click on "News & Events" button above for a write up and pictures on events we have had so far.

Our latest Winter/Spring 2019/2020 Programme can also be found on the "News & Events" button.

Fashion comes quite high on the list of interests of lots of women, with this in mind we could see the need for another group dedicated to inspiring and furthering our knowledge. Meetings are taking place on the 4th Friday of every month. Alternate months 'AT HOME', an hostess from the group members at 2.30 pm to discuss future events. The other alternate months we will endeavour to have an' AWAYDAY' to anything fashion related that catches our eye.

This promises to be a valuable and informative time for us which will hopefully enable us all to make the most of ourselves and not fall into the trap of 'looking old'.

This group had its last meeting on Monday 29th July 2019

If you would like to see the group continue then we need someone to take over the role of Group Leader/Contact.  Please get in touch with our Groups Co-ordinator if you can help and keep this group running.

Learn a second language like you always promised yourself you would.

The group aims to enhance our knowledge of the works of this theatrical duo by talking about one of their operettas and where possible play a DVD or YouTube performance at each meeting. There may also be outings to performances of their work.

Gilbert & Sullivan Group are meeting Tuesday 17th September at 2.00 pm at Leigh Community Centre. Fancy escaping for an afternoon. We will be watching a DVD recording of The Sorcerer. Sit back and enjoy Sullivan's sparkling music and Gilbert's marvellous wit and cutting humour.

The villagers of Ploverleigh are preparing to celebrate the betrothal of Alexis Pointdextre, the son of the local baronet, and the blue-blooded Aline Sangazure Alexis reveals to his fiancée his plans that love should unite all classes and ranks. He has invited a representative, John Wellington Wells from a respectable London firm of sorcerers to Ploverleigh. Aline has misgivings about hiring a real sorcerer. Nevertheless, Alexis instructs Wells to prepare a batch of love potion, sufficient to affect the entire village, except that it must have no effect on married people. The village gathers for the wedding feast and the potion is added to a teapot. All of the villagers, save Alexis, Aline and Wells, drink it and, after experiencing some hallucinations, they fall unconscious. What can possibly go wrong!

The group's initial meeting was on the 17th October 2019 and is being well supported.

The group mainly comprises members who have no previous experience of the guitar although a few have been playing for many years.

The intention is to gradually learn the basics of playing melodies and simple chords to reach a reasonable standard and have fun doing it. There are a few spaces available so, if you are interested, please contact David using the above "contact me" link for further details.

This is one group, but divided into two consecutive sessions, sharing the same programme. This means we can listen - and (hopefully)- learn of the history and development of Jazz from its origins to the present day in the comfort of our home. The programme is not chronological, but an eclectic mix to appeal to all tastes.
No live music, but we would typically have a mixture of DVDs, CDs and LPs.

The aim is for an enjoyable and sociable evening which runs from 7.30 until 10.00 - 10.30 pm with a halfway interval for refreshments and chat.

Local History is an opportunity to find out more about the town and surrounding area where we live.

In September we had Jim Gaillie from Battlesbridge Antiques visit and not just tell us a bit about the Centre, how it started etc but set us a fun quiz showing us a number of unusual objects and asking us to work out what they were.  If you missed the meeting and want to have a go then details are on our News & Events page, link at top.

At our July meeting, and following a bit of research undertaken, a number of members gave brief talks on the history of a few local Essex villages.  Some fascinating facts were unearthed.

At the May 2019 meeting the group were delighted to have Ken Crowe (ex head of Southend Museums) come and talk to us on the 2003 discovery of the Anglo-Saxon grave at Prittlewell.  The tomb is reckoned to date back to around 580AD.  Many of the excavated artefacts are now on show at the Southend Central Museum.

A fascinating insight into the discovery and work around recovering what turns out for the UK some unique Anglo-Saxon artefacts.  The talk was very well received and if you have not yet seen the exhibition then you must get along to the Museum.

When Liz Simmons sadly gave up her role as GC of this group, after an illness, the members got together and decided that they wanted the group to continue but in a slightly different way.

Although I am Group Contact, the members run the group themselves, taking turns to organise and contact the other group members. This has been working extremely well and everybody seems quite happy with the arrangement.

We have also extended our range of walks by going out as far as Danbury and Rettendon, very adventurous for us, but the tea cakes were good. The tea cakes are mandatory, of course, but only after we've finished the walk, usually a maximum of three miles.

Our latest walk was around Rochford via Stambridge Mills and alongside the river Roche (see photo). As we came back, we met the proprietor of our coffee stop who turned tail and rushed back into the shop to put the kettle on.

We are full at the moment but join the waiting list anyway.

Victor

Having been on hold for a period, Janice has now got this group underway once more.

The first walk will took place in April 2019.  All walks will be "gentle" so suitable for most members but if you have any questions about suitability then please get in touch.

Please contact Janice using button above to join the group or to obtain further details.

Allison’s group embarks on visits to all sorts of interesting destinations; they visited the Old Operating Theatre and Borough Market last September and The Royal Opera House in October.  On Friday 15th November the visited the World Wildlife Photographer of the year exhibition at the Natural History museum.

If you are interested in joining her group and visiting places of interest in London then please contact Allison.

The group met on Monday 9th December to plan trips for 2020.  The proposed list of visits is below.  Final dates depend on opening days, group numbers, times etc:

January - Guildhall - library, possibly tag on Tower Bridge
February- Sir John Soames Museum
March - Bank of England, Silver Vaults and Temple of Mithras
April - Royal Albert Hall Tour -if available
May - Greenwich - choose your own
June- Lambeth Palace plus secret gardens walk led by Bob on 10th June ( 2 trips this month)
July - Geffyre Museum
August - London walk to be discussed
September - Buckingham Palace
October - Houses of Parliament
November - Old Bailey and Appeal Court
December - Kew Gardens - to view the lights so a late pm trip.

The group organises monthly trips by train to London. The group uses tubes, buses or short walks to get to the various locations.  Contact Lorna for further details of any trips or with ideas of where you might want to visit.

The main aim of the group is to ‘do what it says on the tin’.

It has been a long time since this blog was updated but the of restaurants we have tried continues unabated. We continue to average 26/27 members at each lunch and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find new restaurants who can cope with the numbers successfully.

With that in mind, all our members put forward their two favourite restaurants and from that input I have now drawn up a ‘Favourites’ list of 10 restaurants to eat our way through!

Today, we visited the No. 1 choice, Baboush, in the Ridgeway, Chalkwell, a much talked about and maybe, mis-understood Turkish restaurant. For those of you who have never had the opportunity to see the fascinating decor, not to everyone’s taste, should look at the attached photo and a visit to the ‘golden’ toilets is a must! The food is delicious, arriving Mezze style and as we work our way through the courses finishing with the delectable Baklava, we try not to think about the calories. A true experience.

Our ‘Christmas’ meal at the end of November was to another favourite on the list, The Royal Tiger, at Rettendon. This was our third visit.

And now 2019 ...... where did that last year go?

If you enjoy eating good food and sharing some friendly, interesting company then we are the Group for you. We aim to eat at restaurants that offer a good variety of different cuisines at reasonable prices. I took over in November 2018 and we now have a list of restaurants from which group members can make a choice. We aim to eat in the local area and have been to a variety of venues including Leigh Bistro (European), Damak (Turkish), Il Palazzo (Italian), Peterboat (Pub Grub) and had a delicious Xmas meal at the Royal Oak at Stambridge. I look  forward to hearing from anyone who would like to join our waiting list - please use "contact me" button above.

Mah Jong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involves a degree of chance. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols.

We are looking for two more members, and it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or have played before.

Please contact Chris by using the button above

I can hear you questioning yourselves … how can maths ever be fun?

But did you know that the writers of The Simpsons included numerous high-brow maths references in the show, on account of how many of the main writing staff had a detailed knowledge of maths.

Think about that … the most popular TV show in history, an animated comedy, had a writing staff packed with maths experts. The fact that mathematicians are behind the most successful comedy in history does somewhat annihilate the stereotypical view that maths, and by extension mathematicians, are no fun, or "humourless".

So, if you can see past the stereotype, if you like exercising your brain, if you enjoy figuring things round and round till the penny drops; then join us for some fun solving and discussing of mathematical, logic and other puzzles.

Anyone interested in joining - please contact Barbara Zybutz by using button above

A current affairs group for everybody to discuss, deliberate, consider, moot or address the issues of the day. It is quite delightful. A great way to start each month.

If you love to chat about things going on then please get in touch, look forward to meeting you.

We have a great time and there is help on hand if needed. Boules are
provided.

This is only a small group and, whilst currently full, please register your interest with Pamela if you like the idea of joining as soon as vacancies arise.

We do play on an outdoor rink and play every week, weather permitting, we aim to keep meeting throughout the Winter months and you can always warm up with a coffee in the Club House.

We now have a second group up and running.

If interested then please contact Victor using the button above.

This group has been going for several years now.

We started an OU syllabus more recently.

If this interests you then please get in touch.

We are a small group of keen photographers of varying experience and equipment. Our informal monthly sessions include a mixture of external 'shoots' and meetings at LCC, where we review our efforts, cover technical issues and sometimes just chat (strictly relevant subjects, of course). You can view some of previous shoots via the "News & Events" button above.

Our latest timetable of events can be downloaded on the link to be found on the "News & Events" page. 

We also have a closed (i.e. private) Facebook page (administered by Graham) where members can post pictures. Please get in touch via FB to join and request to join the group

We welcome new members of all levels of ability (and kit!). We do have spaces if you wish to join us, in which case please get in touch using the "contact me" button above.

At our December 2019 meeting, Sue and Ruth treated us to a very "photographic" quiz.  If you missed the meeting but want to see how well you might have done then you can try for yourself here.

Our display of photos is now up at the Community Centre, make sure you get along to review and enjoy some great photos - they do look good on the wall all together.  A photo of the exhibits can be seen on our News & Events page.

A newly formed group that held their first meeting on Monday 1st April.  Spaces available so if you want to get involved please contact Steve.

We do what it says on the tin!

Since we began in June 2013 we have read a variety of plays, some suggested by members, some well known, occasionally favourites of mine. We started with J. B . Priestley's " Dangerous Corner", then Agatha Christie's, " The Mousetrap". Several of us had never seen it. "Ten Times Table", an Alan Ayckbourne was next, then Rattigan's "French Without Tears", and Paul Doust's "Cold Comfort Farm". Rather more serious was Wesker's "Chicken Soup and Barley". Then for Christmas a one act version of "Scrooge the Miser", an excellent read and time for festive goodies. "Darling Buds of May" by H. E. Bates was a fun afternoon and my favourite last week was Noel Coward's "Waiting in the Wings".

Next month we await Tom Stoppard's Arcadia. Variety is definitely the spice of our lives!

We are now fully subscribed and have a waiting list. If you would like to be added, or are interested in becoming part of a new, similar group, please get in touch and let us know.

THE POETRY GROUP

- is for people who like to read poetry, but may have not had the time or motivation to do so of late. Recently we decided that individual members would choose a poem, find out a little bit about the writer and introduce it to the group - this has worked really well so far.

To make it easy for everyone we have also decided to work from an anthology called The Rattle Bag edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes, so even if you do not have a computer, you still have access to the chosen poem and can think about it before we meet. Of course the local library can help here if you want to do some research.

In recent months we have looked at the poems of John Keats and Robert Frost, and John Betjeman and Carol Ann Duffy (two very different Poet Laureates). At the meeting in September we discussed metaphor in poetry and this theme continued with a look at three poems by Robert Frost and two of the Metaphysical poets. We have also discussed sonnets and what they are.

We are a very friendly group, and individuals are free to suggest where we might go next so that everyone's taste is catered for.

Bee

The subjects for the next three meetings of the Psychology Group are:

tba

Anyone interested in joining please email.

For those with an inquisitive mind. You hear something, or read something, and you wonder why it is. It intrigued you to the extent that you want to find out more. You look it up on the Internet, or look it up in a book, perhaps in the library. One thing leads to another and suddenly you come across some obscure fact or event of a historical nature, probably not the sort of thing you would read in a conventional history book. It's "Quirky History" and you want to share it with someone. And that's exactly what we do in the group. Meeting during the afternoon on the first Wednesday of the month in the informal setting of the home of one of the group, we talk, we discuss, and we share, the topics we have discovered.

You might like to join us just to see and hear how it all works out. You might like to make it a monthly commitment!

We meet on the ground floor room of the Stables at the rear of Leigh Road Baptist Church; accessed via Chalkwell Park Drive at south end close to Leigh Road.

If you love the challenge of a quiz then join us on the second Monday of each month for a fun session of questions and answers. Don’t worry, you are not left to answer questions alone as we play in teams, mixing the teams for each session. Members volunteer to set the quiz and we share that load throughout the year. Whoever is setting the quiz, sets the format for that session so we get a variety of ideas coming through. This is not University Challenge and we keep it at that fun level.

It is a great way to meet new people at the same time as learning something new (or maybe a reminder of something you have forgotten).

We currently have spaces so please get in touch and join in the fun.

This group is currently on hold and looking for another group leader/contact to take up the challenge of taking it forward.

If interested in helping out please contact our Groups Co-ordinator

Sadly, we have put this group ON HOLD and really would like to find a new Group Leader/Contact to take over what has been an exciting and popular group.  If anyone is willing to help out then please contact the Groups Co-ordinator

In the meantime, members can continue to enjoy previous events via the "News & Events" button above and remember:

Serendipity - A happy accident or pleasant surprise – specifically, 'the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it'.

Objective: to explore and have fun!

The idea: To visit places of interest ideally unusual, that the majority of us haven’t visited before. No coach trips. We will jump on the train at Leigh/Chalkwell and have a fun and informative day, may be London, may be anywhere! To be serendipitous and be prepared to change our plan and take advantage of an opportunity that occurs.

Our days are variable, sometimes on a Saturday, usually every 2 months unless something occurs to take advantage of more frequently.

Please click on News & Events above for the adventures we have had so far!

Short Mat Bowling is played indoors. No previous experience is needed and woods are provided.

Currently the group has decided to pause the indoor bowling activities in preference to outdoor bowls and will reconvene on 10th September.  For more information contact Mike using link above.

In the mean time, anyone can sign up for the summer grass season, just ask at the club. You will need to join the green bowls section but again any questions - ask Mike.

This is a group who welcomes absolute beginners along with those who have some knowledge of the language. We are using the BBC Talk Spanish book to assist our learning while mainly focusing on conversation. The group is currently full but you are welcome to come along to one session as a taster and then join this group when spaces become available. Please contact me if you are interested in joining.

Corinne

John Poland is helping this group to improve their Spanish.

Like food and good company then come and join us.

We must emphasise that you do not have to be a good table tennis player to join. The emphasis will be very much upon enjoying the game, having some fun whilst at the same time having some regular exercise and keeping active.

If you would like to know more then please contact Marilyn.

We must emphasise that you do not have to be a good table tennis player to join. The emphasis will be very much upon enjoying the game, having some fun whilst at the same time having some regular exercise and keeping active.

If you are interested or would like to know more then please contact Peter.

Please contact us for more information.

No previous experience of tap dancing is necessary. Meetings fall on second and fourth Friday of every month.

Ticket Conditions

When indicating interest in a show, payment by the deadline will guarantee you a ticket. Please include a stamped addressed envelope with your cheque.

Please note that all tickets booked and paid for are your responsibility to sell in the event that you can no longer attend. I will of course direct any enquiries in your direction.

See our News & Events page for details of future trips planned.  A few details of trips in near future are included below.

Forthcoming Trips:

Advance notice of planned trips (contact Trevor to get your interest booked in early):

21st February 2020 - The Showman - Tickets are £43 falling to £39 if we form a group of 20+ but they can only be held until 30th October so get in touch quick if this appeals.  More details on News & Events page

27th February 202 - THE CROFT - Matinee performance at The Palace Theatre.  Tickets   £24.50

29th February 2020 - Priscilla - Queen of the Desert at Palace Theatre - fuller details to follow

April 2020 - Beautiful (The Carole King Musical) at Palace Theatre - fuller details to follow.

May 2020 - & Juliet at Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Tickets incl coach £52.  More details on News & Events page

Enjoy having a look through and let Trevor know if you are interested in booking. Please make sure you send a cheque by the deadline and if you could include an SAE, it would be useful. Thank you.

Trevor

This group explores anything and everything that might loosely be associated with a transport theme including aeronautical, buses, coaches, trains along with anything that floats.

Visits Planned:

January  - Amazon Fulfilment Centre
February  - Waterman's Hall, 16-18 St Mary at Hill Billingsgate, London EC3R 8EF
March  - Biggin Hill Memorial Museum

For full details of our 2020 Programme and details as to who is organising please see link on News & Events page

If you'd like to join the group to be kept informed of any future trips, then please contact me.

Lorna

Our aim is to learn simple chords to accompany popular songs.

This group comprises a mixture of abilities ranging from well seasoned musicians to complete novices. We meet twice a month for a session that is guaranteed to be fun and always very uplifting to the spirits. As Plato said “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”

We occasionally put on performances for local events such as the celebration of 400 years at the Dutch Cottage (Canvey), to performing at Nazareth House (Southend), and for the Home Sweet Home Care Group in Leigh.

Contact Marion if you are a beginner, want more experience, or are just after more information.

If you are looking for the vigorous walking group then please note we have changed the group name to Country Walks.  Please see Country Walks tab for information on this group.

Our first visit was in April 2018 to Warley Place, formerly a famous garden, but now managed as a nature reserve by the Essex Wildlife trust. After a pub lunch most of the group visited the "Arts and Craft" church as it was only a mile down the road and open that afternoon. I attach a picture of the group outside the church.

In May there was no organised visit but a number of members went to Writtle Agricultural College on 24th, as they were open under the National Open Garden Scheme.

Our June visit was to Beeleigh Abbey Gardens near Maldon, where roses were one of the main features.

In July we visited South Shoebury Hall and enjoyed a fine display of agapanthus.

In August we went rather further, visiting Marks Hall Arboretum. This was a very large, interesting site so we were unable to see all of it in one tour.

Our final visit was to Horkesley Hall in September where we had a lovely tour, followed by homemade soup and cake.

In October there was no organised visit, but members were notified of free open days at Beth Chatto's garden and RHS Hyde Hall.

We have enjoyed lovely weather for all our visits and most places provided refreshments. Many thanks to all who organised a visit during 2018.

On our wildlife walks we look at the natural world, taking short, fairly slow walks round local open spaces such as the parks, the woods, the marshes, even the streets. We are looking at nature in every form - animals, birds, trees, flowers, insects, and little things like fungi and lichens. We share any knowledge and identifications, and use books when this fails. The aim is to enjoy the wildlife, increase our knowledge, maybe find new places, take photos and generally get the most out of our precious open spaces.

We usually finish up having coffee together.

Our last walk was to a misty Two Tree Island - see News & Events for some photos from the walk.

This is a small group and currently full.  Please use the contact me button above to add your name to the waiting list.

The group is very warm and friendly, with each person contributing in a different way. We have lots of laughs, not necessarily from the consumption of alcohol, so don't get the wrong idea!