Winter 2026
Welcome to the Winter 2026 edition of the Newsletter.
A belated Happy New Year to you all.
New Year - new venue
It was quite a wrench moving from Springdale Church Hall to Woodfield Social & Sports Club for our regular monthly meetings. A major factor for changing venue was the limited capacity at Springdale - we are growing with over 300 members now and typically we see 60-70 attending each month. Another factor was that Springdale was not suitable for presentations which required use of a projector - the daylight just couldn't be controlled to ensure the speakers' supporting visual aids were acceptable.
The advantages at Woodfield are: increased capacity, large car park, flexibility with the choice of two large rooms, one with seating already in place. Also it's much more suitable for visual presentations.
The first event at Woodfield was on January 27th. Many thanks to all who attended and for bearing with us - it's all new to us too!
We look forward to many more successful monthly meetings in the future.
Wolverhampton u3a - now a charity!
Another milestone in our u3a's journey is that we have recently been granted charitable status and are now registered with the Charity Commission. This is a huge step forward for us.
As a registered charity, if members are taxpayers, we are now able to claim Gift Aid from HMRC on membership subscriptions. Discussions are under way as to how the increased revenue can be used to increase support for our groups.
At renewal time in early March, when the Membership Secretary invites you to rejoin, there will be a simple opt-in form to complete and return if you consent. Gift Aid can be claimed retrospectively for up to four years, so it really is important that you complete the opt-in form if you are able.
Annual General Meeting
Another date for your diary. By now you should have all received the formal notice and invitation to the AGM - to be held at Woodfield on Tuesday March 31st. Please try to attend if you are able. It is an important event - to inform members about the year's activities, to confirm or elect the members of the committee who will represent you, link with the Third Age Trust and to give direction to our organisation for the next year. Note that there are a number of Officer posts which will be vacant, so please consider standing.
There is no charge for this meeting, and the usual refreshments will be provided.
PS - can you bring your own mugs please.
Round the Groups
Brush Up Your Shakespeare
This group has been running for many years under the excellent stewardship of Ben Whitney. A house move out of the area for Ben put the future of the group in jeopardy, but I volunteered to try my hand at coordinating, so we are continuing. For now.
The final play covered during Ben’s involvement was Troilus and Cressida, which I think I can safely say was not a favourite for anyone. It was considerably easier to follow when watching two DVDs of the play rather than simply reading the text, although there was some dispute as to which was better: the BBC edition from 1981, starring Anton Lesser or the RSC version from 2018 starring nobody I’d ever heard of and involving several transgender roles. (You may be able to guess which was my preference!)
Our current play is The Two Gentlemen of Verona, which was chosen by one of the group members. Most of us went to see this on stage at the ‘Other Place’ in Stratford in August, which was before we actually started reading it. We have only managed to meet twice since then due to a range of circumstances, so we haven’t really got very far with it.
I for one am enjoying it much more than Troilus and Cressida!
Carol Chapple.
Group Coordinator
Classical Music
The Classical Music Group has had another full and successful year, with only the December meeting cancelled through lack of support – it’s a crowded month!
We started last year appropriately with a session devoted to Overtures, mainly of the concert or free-standing kind, and three afternoons were spent listening to the works of specific composers, Aaron Copland and Felix Mendelssohn, or specific instruments, the clarinet and cello. Venice was chosen by a member of the group as a place where a large variety of music has been composed through the ages. We listened to, among other pieces, la lugrube gondola. In other months, we watched a Mozart opera and a ballet, Spartacus, and heard extracts from the BBC Music Magazine’s winning CDs.
Along with a successful Bring Your Own session, 2025 proved a year of rich and varied listening. But we still have a shortage of members who are willing and able to give presentations. So new members – with fresh ideas - are always welcome and would not be asked to give a presentation immediately! But when you’re ready to do so (and it’s the idea that’s important), there are members to help you find the music if you don’t have it on CD.
John Sheard
Group Coordinator
Computer Group
The Computer Group does not operate like a traditional U3A group: we are a “Computing and Smart Device drop-in Clinic”.
Members can call on us when they need help regarding computers, tablets, smart phones etc or when they require specific help or training.
All Wolverhampton u3a members are automatically members of the group. We meet on a Tuesday (alternating between mornings and afternoons) at the “Tractor Shed” at Bantock Park.
Members who require further information can call me on 07777 642896
Frank Lewis
Group Coordinator
Creative Writing
Our group continues to meet monthly at Codsall Library, and our membership is growing steadily: we now have 16 members.
But before I continue, I feel that I must mention Gerry Mills, who sadly passed away in December. Gerry started the Wolverhampton u3a Creative Writing Group well over 16 years ago and continued as coordinator until we took over in 2022. Many writings were shared, enjoyed and sustained around Gerry’s dining room table over the years, and we continue today using the same Group format which she developed.
We all miss you, Gerry; may you rest in peace.
The Creative Writing group met regularly throughout 2025. Perhaps one of the most memorable was when our May meeting coincided with the 80th anniversary of V.E. Day. The Library was decorated for the event and the staff invited our Group to a 1940’s style afternoon tea. It was an excellent repast, (especially the bread pudding!) and we dressed for the occasion. Our writings for the meeting were also themed for V.E. Day. Definitely one to remember.
A few of our group also read out some of their poems at the u3a monthly meeting in October and we thought it went down well. In fact, we will be doing something similar at the Writer’s Hub, an event for local writing groups, at the Wolverhampton Literary Festival in February. Watch this space!
John Ellard & Tess Fitzsimons
Joint Group Coordinators
Foraging
It’s been a good year for foraging.
Last year was a “mast year” and you may have noticed the hedgerows laden with sloes and haws in Autumn. We have shared recipes and explored the benefits of elderberries, hawthorn, rosehips, birch bark, nettles, quinces, apple cider vinegar and St John’s Wort, celebrating St John’s Day in June with a traditional (and very lively) bonfire.
The group has taken a cue from nature and hibernated over Winter and will regroup in March when the wild garlic should be in leaf.
Christine Collings (Group co-coordinator)
French
Our group continues to meet fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons at Tettenhall Wood Institute. Here we have a room that can accommodate us all as we continue to expand. It appears that u3a French is one of the few sources for learning French in our area that ‘pops up’ when people are searching on the internet.
Our meetings, which last about two hours, are fairly informal but we do have a structure. We start with each participant giving a short talk, in French, about something interesting they have done or seen recently, followed by a question session. This enables everyone to have an opportunity to speak French.
We continue to use our magazine ‘Bien-dire’, which keeps us up-to-date with current vocabulary and events in France such as: The recent history of the women’s Tour de France. We also read about the beautiful villages of Alsace and their culinary specialities plus recipes! Using this magazine means we can prepare by reading it beforehand if we wish.
Judith Rose
Group Coordinator
Picture of group taken at meeting on 20/1/26
Indoor Games
Our monthly meetings have been going well. Even with family commitments, holidays and medical appointments we have managed to keep to a good number of members to enable us to enjoy a range of games. We had to split the group into two in November as we had too many to play the same game! A few members are taking time out to pursue other interests, but we have new members wishing to join. We would have met our latest member this month, but weather played the best hand and we had to cancel.
Each month has been different, including chatter on a variety of topics. Always light-hearted, with a good dose of laughter. I’m waiting for the neighbours to complain!
February is usually a good meet as some of us will have been gifted new games for Christmas. I received ‘Blank Slate’ - a word elimination game; I hope the rules are simple!
Sue Stephens
(Group Coordinator)
Visit Chillington Hall - March 25th 2026
Spaces are filling up fast!
We are lucky to have this historic hall and estate, steeped in history, right on our doorstep.
It's generally not often open for visitors and then only for groups on certain days and special events.
Wolverhampton u3a have secured a morning slot for 25th March 2026 for up to 40 members, split into two groups of 20.
If there is sufficient demand, up to two extra afternoon groups may be possible.
The visit lasts about two and a half hours in total and will include tours of the house, the gardens and a trailer ride in the grounds to the lake. Hot beverages and biscuits are included on arrival.
There is plenty of car parking available.
Cost is £18 per person.
If you want to book your place, please respond by email to: Mike Blackshaw
Stating: am or pm preference and how many places.
Please transfer the money (£18 pp) to Wolverhampton u3a by 25th February please:
Account: 00741831 Sort Code: 30-18-56
New Group! - BUDDIES
This is a new group for single, divorced, widowed members - and those with caring responsibilities who may need an occasional informal social outlet.
For those of you that have not joined, this is a friendship group with just one aim: enjoyment while socialising with like-minded people.
The group is a means of making friends and taking part in activities which are normally more pleasant in the company of others. It is expected to grow from meeting and chatting over a tea or coffee, into other interest areas, such as visits to cinemas and theatres, trips and perhaps raising teams for quizzes etc.
The only limitation to what the group can do is the imagination of its members.
We will be holding our second meeting on Wednesday 11th February at the Wolverhampton Art Gallery Cafe starting at 11.00am. If you would like to come along, you would be most welcome, as the more people that join the group the more diverse the activities should become.
If you would like any further information before the meeting, please email me:
Tai-Chi
Not a u3a group – but some members might be interested.
Age UK holds five Tai-Chi sessions every week at different locations and times (Ashmore Park, Bradmore, Tettenhall Wood, All Saints Road). They are open to anyone aged 50+, last one hour, and are an enjoyable way to improve mobility, health and wellbeing.
For more information search Tai Chi Classes at Age UK Wolverhampton.
u3a member Tim McNamara says:
“I have attended a session almost every week for more than two years and highly recommend them.”
Walking Group
This is my last report as co-ordinator of the Walking Group.
During 2025 we had a steady flow of walks in the first part of the year. This came to a halt in the summer because we didn’t have walk leaders; maybe because of the three heat waves and the holiday period. However, we replaced the ordinary walks with three evening walks which proved very popular.
We repeated the Shifnal walk because it is such a nice area and we had another two very local evening walks which were well attended.
Unfortunately, we couldn’t resume walks in the autumn because of the lack of leaders, but we had an early Christmas walk and lunch led by John.
The walking group had been very successfully co-ordinated by Linda for a number of years and again we thank her for her work. Now I have stood down as co-ordinator because of family commitments.
I am again appealing for a volunteer to co-ordinate the group. The role of co-ordinator is not at all onerous. You don’t have to lead walks or even join the walks.
Your role is administrative:
You circulate the walk dates for the year.
Volunteers offer to lead a walk on one of those dates.
You circulate the details of the walk to members, by e-mail, using the Beacon facility, as you have the addresses of all members. It only takes a few clicks on the system.
We eagerly await a volunteer to fill this role.
However, this is not the end of walking for Wolverhampton u3a. John Sheard has offered to be the “communicator” and circulate offers of walks by leaders. So, if you are a keen walker and you can think of a nice walk to lead, just send the date and the details of the walk to John and he will circulate them to all members.
Contact John Sheard
My thanks to all those who led walks during 2025 and all best wishes for a healthy 2026.
Mercedes Fonfria (ex-Group coordinator)
Online Learning Events - free for u3a members
February 2026 Highlights:
The mathematicians' library
Friday 6 February at 10am
Thomas K Briggs explores some of the publications that have been instrumental in the development of mathematics throughout human history.
Gravy or grave? The ghost in literature
Friday 20 February at 10am
In this illustrated talk, we trace how ghosts have evolved in literature -from Gothic horrors to psychological hauntings - revealing how writers use the supernatural to explore fear, guilt, and human conscience.
Cures from within: can we use chemistry to teach the body to heal itself?
Tuesday 24 February at 11am
In this Science Network Event, Dr Angela Russell introduces the field of regenerative drug discovery and how it is beginning to impact diseases of ageing.
Mindfulness and meditation series
Starts Wednesday 25 February at 10am
We welcome back the six week course of Mindfulness and Meditation led by members of Sheffield u3a Mindful Ageing Group John, Mike and Ruth.
Forthcoming Events
See the full list of events with details.
Your Committee
Meet the members of your Committee here.