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.
Visit an Amazon Fulfilment Centre
Have you ever wondered how those brown packets find their way to you?
Come along on a free tour of the Gateshead Amazon Fulfilment Centre on Monday 28th September at 12noon. This is a massive, highly automated robotic fulfillment centre, spanning multiple floors, which features over six miles of conveyor belts, and utilizes thousands of robotic drives to move product pods.
The centre is at Follingsby Lane, Gateshead, NE10 8YA. Each tour is 60-90 minutes long and is under 2km and does involve some stairs. Visitors must wear flat, closed toe and heel footwear. Long hair must be tied up. Government issued photo ID is required, which must match the details given at booking. No photography is allowed on the tour. You are only allowed to carry a wallet, keys and transparent water bottle. A safe location is available for anything else. The full rules will be sent to those who book.
Contact Tim by 18th September to book a place.
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 Monday 21st September 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.
Floristry: Flower arranging for beginners
The group is now full, but there is a waiting list if anyone would like to join the group should a place becomes available to contact the group's leader via the Floristry page.
' Yee-ha! Potential New Group: Line Dancing/Beginners.
Keep fit, have fun and stomp your cares away. Tuition will be free with a small charge for the room. (Stetsons/boots optional, strictly no horses!).
First meeting will be on Wednesday 23rd September, details on the group’s page. Note the group is now full but you can ask to be added to the waiting list 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.
Cancelled Group Sessions
Tai Chi Simplified 24 will have its next meeting on 16th September.
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.
Links
NOTE: The newsletter contains two errors. Coffee with Friends meets on Saturday 19th September not the 18th and the planned first meeting of the Floristry group is on Thursday 5th November not the 4th. Apologies for the confusion.