Emsworth U3A (University of the Third Age)

Activity Group Details

Where no contact details are given for individual Group Leaders, contact the Group Coordinator, Michael Moore (023 9247 0341).

Art Appreciation 3rd Thursday  2.00 pm
Ask Eric Whitehead
Contact: Eric Whitehead 01243 370230
The group explores the visual arts in terms of genre, period and subject
matter.  The exploration considers the dates, politics, philosophy and
ontology of the subject.  Discussions are enhanced with digital projection equipment, internet searching and visits to galleries.

Bird Watching Monthly: 4th Tuesday 9.50 am
Bridge Road car park
Contact: Tony Wootton 01243 372511
We meet on the fourth Tuesday morning of most months in the year. Usually we walk locally for a couple of hours both around the estuary and woodland. We try and identify birds that come our way rather than search for a specific bird. Occasionally we have a full picnic day out at proper wildlife reserves like Titchfield or Pulborough.

Bridge Variable
Contact: Patricia Claxton 01243 373981
The Bridge Group is mainly for beginners and players who know the game but are not experts. We hope to improve our play by meeting and playing informally. We meet in the houses of different members at times and dates to suit ourselves

Computing As and when
In your own home
Contact: Ron Leach 023 9259 9501
Help with your PC when you want it.

Creative Writing 1 Monthly: 1st Tuesday 10am
Contact: Mike Wood 01243 430097
The Group encourages and assists with all forms of writing - prose, poetry, short stories, articles, etc. Most members are writing their childhood or life stories along with the occasional short story or poem. Notes on technique are sometimes offered for discussion, but the main benefit is the 'feedback' provided by the group when a member reads out their work.

Creative Writing 2 Twice Monthly: 1st Tuesdays 10am
Contact: Catherine Madina 01243 377749
This group is very flexible. Our first main project is to write our own life stories, though we are not limited to doing only this; and our meetings enable each of us to share our writing with the other members of the group, which gives stimulus, support and constructive criticism.

Our next project might well be to explore the possibilities of writing a novel, or to engage more fully with poetry, depending on the dynamics and interests of the members. .

Discussion Monthly: 4th Wednesdays 10am
Contact: Brenda Wallace 01243 370332
The group meets in Brenda's home in the centre of Emsworth. One or more of the group suggests a topic for discussion. These include topical issues, current affairs and comparison of the services provided by 'utilities'. Members contribute based upon their previous experience and knowledge.

Environment and Technology Monthly: 2nd Wednesday 3.00pm
Lake House, Bidbury Lane,PO9 3JG
Contact: John Worley 023 9248 3217
This group will explore and try to understand the issues about biofuels, coal/nuclear power, why electric cars are so long coming, space tethers, rising sea levels, life the universe and everything.
Link to Environment & Technology Group Blog
"http://emsu3aet.blogspot.com/"

French Conversation Monthly: 2nd Thursday 10am
Eve Taylor’s house
Contact: Bridget Purvis 023 9225 6600
The French Group meets on the second Thursday of the month from 10am until noon. There are 6 members at present and all have a good basic knowledge of French so the group is not suitable for beginners. We take turns to describe an interesting visit or holiday, or discuss a topic relating to or current affairs.

Gardens Monthly: 1st Monday 10 am
Contact: Yvonne Healey 023-9248 3069
A small group which meets in members' homes in the winter months. We watch videos of gardens, the Chelsea Flower Show etc, discuss matters of interest & plan outings for rest of the year.

We aim to visit a garden each month (weather permitting) within about a 20 mile radius. Several of the gardens visited have been open under the NGS by appointment only. The owners have been very welcoming & informative.

Genealogy Monthly: 1st Thursday 2.15pm
Pastoral Centre
Contact: Patricia Williamson 01243 378560
The 18-strong group meets every first Thursday from October to May.  With
members of varying experience, it's become more a forum than instruction,
pooling ideas, sharing news, discussing new websites, etc. (not ALL
computer-based!), and offering advice.  We have visited The National
Archive, Family Record Centre, Newspaper Library, various County Record Offices, Portsmouth Mormon Family History Centre, etc.

German Conversation Monthly: 1st Monday 10am
Contact: Bob Hailey 01243 373268
This small group begins each session working through a section of a beginners' course 'Talk German' followed by any combination from: a short talk in German by a member on a topic of their choice: explanation of, and exercises on grammar; reading and translation from a wide range of sources; working through GCSE reading and listening comprehensions and speaking tests.

Italian Monthly: 1st Friday 10am
Contact: Marie Gilham 023 9245 1320
The group meets on the first Friday morning of the month when short articles in Italian are read, translated and discussed. This group is for those with some knowledge of the language - not beginners.

Listening to Jazz Monthly: 4th Monday 2pm
Contact: Michael Moore 023 9247 0341
01243 431859
This small group listens to jazz mostly from the 1930s to 1960s.  Both major and minor figures from the period are played including vocalists and each track is discussed in a non technical way.  Members do not play instruments themselves.

Literature 1 Monthly: 1st Thursday 10am
Contact: Mary Whitehead 01243 370230
We enjoy discussing our books in each others houses.  The books are
recently published, and often Book Prize winners.  The meetings are
enhanced, sometimes, by author videos.  The opportunity to meet authors at libraries, festivals and day courses, locally, are eagerly taken up by
some of our members.

Literature 2 Monthly: 1st Wednesday 10am
Contact: Una Rayment 01243 375620
We read a book each month. The programme is planned up to a year in advance and the books are selected from the list of sets available for reading groups in the Hampshire libraries. Could be fiction, non-fiction or biography. Recent reads included William Dalrymple. Jane Austin, Chima Achebe. Ian MacEwan, Ann Patchett and Dan Brown.

Local History Monthly: 4th Wednesday 2pm
Pastoral Centre
Contact: Margaret Rogers  01243-377245
The Local History Group is a self-help group that meets monthly except for July August and December. At its first meeting each year it identifies subject areas of interest. Each member selects a topic within the general area of interest and presents and leads the discussion on that topic on the agreed date during the year. The group leader usually takes the first session or two so so that other members have time to prepare for their sessions. Visits to local museums and other places of interest are arranged.

Money Matters Monthly: 2nd Tuesday 2.30pm
Contact: Mary Colbourne 01243 378324
The group meets in a member's home, usually 1 Swan Close in the centre of Emsworth. We have a general non-confidential discussion on money matters covering consumer issues, best buys, green issues, energy saving, utilities (comparison of suppliers and tariffs), insurance, travel, fares, banks, building societies, investments, interest rates, charges, budget implications, tax changes, inheritance tax and much more.

Music Appreciation Monthly: 2nd Friday 10am
Contact: Bob Hailey 01243 373268
We listen to, and watch video recordings of, a wide range of orchestral, choral and chamber music from earliest times to the present day, but mainly from the Classical and Romantic eras. There are always notes on the life and times of each composer and on each work. 

Music Appreciation 2 Monthly: 2nd Fridays 10.30am
Contact: Betty Packman 01243 375851
We meet monthly to discuss and listen to a variety of mainly classical music. This includes Early Baroque to present day composers (approximately 150 to date). Occasionally we watch videos of composers lives and/or their works. 

Opera Appreciation Monthly: 1st Tuesday 2pm
Contact: Marie Gilham 023 9245 1320
The group meets on the first Tuesday afternoon of the month when the story of a particular opera is illustrated with a CD of highlights of the music.

Poetry 1 Monthly: 3rd Monday 10am
Contact: Ann Richards 023 9246 3761 
Meets at 10.00 am every third Monday in the month – venue varies.  We range widely over the works of English, Irish and American poets throughout the ages as well as a more general study of poetic styles and forms.  This is a relaxed and friendly group and the only qualification for joining is a love of the subject and the desire to know more

Poetry 2 Monthly: 4th Monday 10am
Contact: Daphne Deahl 023 9247 5424
Our taste is wide ranging. We are equally interested whether we are reading Homer or Benjamin Zephaniah. This year we are concentrating on Paradise Lost and the Welsh poets. 

Scrabble Monthly: 3rd Tuesday 2.30pm<
Contact: Margaret Harry 01243 371420
The Scrabble Group meets monthly for friendly and informal, but hard fought, games of Scrabble. Up to twelve members play two games per session, with a well-earned cup of tea and biscuit at half time.

Singles Group Monthly: 4th Saturday 10.30am
Contact: Suzanne Carpenter 01243 375997
No details

Spanish Group Twice: 2nd and 4th Tuesdays 10am
Lake House, Bidbury Lane, PO9 3JG
Contact: Judith Worley 023 9248 3217
Conversation focussed for those who already have a rudimentary grasp of the language and want to enhance their communication skills in Spanish speaking countries.

Walk & Pub Lunch Monthly: 2nd Monday 9.20am
Bridge Road car park
Contact: Ken Harry 01243 371420
The walk is open to all members of the Emsworth U3A. Details are provided at the preceding monthly meeting. We aim to visit a different pub each time and to have walks of about three to four miles. (Flattish if possible) Non walkers are invited to join us for lunch.

Wine Appreciation Monthly: 2nd Tuesday 10am
Waterside URC Hall
Contact: Peter Richards 023 9246 3761
Meets on the second Tuesday morning in the Waterside URC Hall, Bath Road for tutorial tastings.  This is an enjoyable way to learn more about wine in a very practical way.