Whitley Bay Newsletter- Our u3a produces a monthly newsletter which is e-mailed to all members. Paper copies are available to those who do not have an email address. See link at bottom of page to the latest newsletter. Entries for the next newsletter should be sent to Ann, our Newsletter Editor, at wbu3anews@gmail.com by midday on the 2nd Friday of the month. Group Leaders may send in entries at any time during the month, as long as they arrive before the deadline.
General Reminders
In order to update our records, please check we have your current address and email, especially if they have altered in the past five years. Please notify the Membership Secretary of any changes by clicking here Membership enquiries.
Coffee with Friends
The group will not be meeting on Saturday 21st November due to the Christmas Fayre being held in The Dome that day.
Christmas Social December 16th 2026
Members are cordially invited to Whitley Bay u3a’s Christmas Social on Wednesday, December 16th in Linskill Centre, 2pm to 4pm. It is a Members Only event. It is free of charge but admittance will be by ticket only.
Tickets will be available at October’s and November’s Members’ Monthly Meetings. If you would like to come to the Social but are unable to collect your ticket at the October or November meeting, you can have a friend collect it on your behalf, provided they give your name.
Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements when you receive your ticket.
Volunteers to help set up the Hall from 12pm on the day and help clear away after the Social will be very welcome. Please let any Committee member know if you can offer your assistance.
Amazon Fulfilment Centre Visit
Twenty five members visited the Newcastle Fulfillment Centre in Gateshead on 28th September. The tour took about two hours and members saw the unpacking of incoming goods to storage and the packing of peoples orders. In addition to a few hundred staff they also saw some of 16,000 robots spread over three floors. The visit can be described as amazing, fascinating and very interesting.
If you missed out you can book on a public tour or view a virtual tour at https://www.amazontours.com/uk/
New Groups
Bookbinding
There is still time to sign up for our new Bookbinding Group that starts in the Autumn but be quick as spaces are limited. All equipment is provided. Look out at the next monthly meeting for the lovely examples of what you can create in this course. Contact Tracey for details.
CAMEO
Why not visit the Kittiwake on the third Monday of the month at 11am for monthly CAMEO to Come And Meet Each Other? No pre booking required. Just bring yourself along and perhaps an idea of an activity you would like to do with the other members. More details on the group's page.
Really Useful
The Really Useful Group exists to help and support Whitley Bay u3a members to volunteer in the community. The group's first project is to help primary school children with their reading. Go to the Really Useful Group page for more information about the group's activities and joining the group.
News from the Groups - Vacancies
Looking for a new activity? Some of the groups looking for more members are: Scrabble, Board Games, Bridge, Church Bell Ringing, Discussion and German Conversation. contact the Group Leader.
- Board Games
- Bridge Group Contact Ron and Trish. Every Wednesday at 3:00, except u3a meeting days, in the Kittiwake Pub, Claremont Road, Whitley Lodge. There is ample parking and refreshments are available. We look forward to seeing present members again and would welcome new Bridge players.
- Church Bell Ringing
- Discussion
- German Conversation
- Quiz Our friendly group invites you to join them at St Andrew's Church, Monkseaton for a friendly quiz.
- Scrabble on a Tuesday or Thursday
Clarification - Children accompanying members to u3a groups
The u3a Trust has insurance cover for all groups and events that are held by Whitley Bay u3a. Recently, a few members who attended a class / group have asked Group Leaders if they could bring children they care for to a group during school holidays so that they do not miss a session. The lower age limit to attend u3a is 18 as u3a is for adult membership only. Any incidents/accidents at a meeting by children under 18 would not be covered by our insurance. So, unfortunately this is not something that can be accommodated. We appreciate it does make attending meetings difficult for some people in school holidays but I am sure you understand we have to stay within the bounds of the insurance.