September 2026 Bulletin

Welcome back to the u3a autumn term. Hope you had a wonderful summer. One highlight for me was seeing the eclipse. I was anxious to get a good look at it as, surely, I won’t be around for the next one in the UK in 2080. When I said this, I was told that there were at least 4 a year worldwide and one could easily hop on a plane and go and see another. That resonated with me - there are lots of opportunities, we just have to see and take them. At a recent count we have 88 groups in Shoreham and Southwick u3a and whilst we’re unlikely to join them all, the important thing is that over time we could. So, if you are not doing so already, please have a go at something new.

Come and try our New Group – Chess 2

Chess 2 will meet on the fourth Wednesday of the month at The Amsterdam from 10.00-12.00. It is Shoreham & Southwick u3a's second chess group and will complement Karen's very popular Second Friday of the month group, enabling u3a chess players to enjoy their game twice a month. 

Players of all skill levels are welcome. So please contact groups@shorehamandsouthwickU3a.org.uk if you wish to sign up for the first meeting on September 23rd.

Monthly Event - Friday 25th September

The History of Brighton Toy Museum with stories by Chris Littledale

Come to our next talk which is about the Brighton Toy Museum in Trafalgar Street in Brighton, which houses one of the world’s best collections of model trains, tinplate toys and other related exhibits. Hear from Chris Littledale, the museum’s founder and a world expert in toy and model restoration.

This event is free for members. Non-members £4.00 and includes refreshments.

Please note that part of the front row at the Events are reserved for those with mobility or hearing issues. Please use these if you would like to.

26 October 2pm Presentation and Workshop:
Ocean Currents – the World’s Conveyor Belt
by David Gill

Following on from David Gill’s fascinating talk at July's Friday Event on his work in Antarctica, he will be running a workshop event to introduce the concept of ocean currents and demonstrate how they function through a practical session.  It will also explore the influence of shifting ocean currents on the World’s climate and discuss the impact of these shifting currents on people and the natural environment.  The workshop will take place at 2pm on Monday 26 October in Room 3 of The Shoreham Centre.  Please contact Chris Whittle at groups2@shorehamandsouthwicku3a.org.uk  to register your interest.  Please note the event is limited to a maximum of 30 attendees

Try Something Different - Eclectic Music

Think BBC6 Music rather than Radio 2.  The group will play, share and discuss the music we love. From classic rock to soul to post-punk, folk, electronic and new indie discoveries. All tastes and eras are welcome as long as you’re up to exploring something new!  Please contact Chris Whittle at groups2@shorehamandsouthwicku3a.org.uk  to register your interest in attending a pop-up meeting at 2pm on Thursday 24th September in Room 8 at the Shoreham Centre.

Your u3a Needs You!

We need more volunteers to help with the Friday Events in the afternoons of the last Friday of the month. Whether it is helping people at the door, being on the signing in table or serving the teas, our volunteers make the events go smoothly and have fun working together. You don’t have to be able to attend every time, but what you can do will be very much appreciated. Why not give it a go? If you are interested, please let me know by replying to this email.

We are also still looking for a new treasurer and would be delighted to hear from you if you are interested.

Emergency Contact Details

We are still building up our data on emergency contact details. If you have not yet provided these, and would like to do so, then please email Liz, our membership secretary, on membership@shorehamandsouthwicku3a.org.uk and provide the name, phone number and relationship to you of the person who you would like us to contact in an emergency. These details will be stored on your membership record and made available to the group co-ordinators to use only in an emergency.

Have a great Month.
Karen Hewitt, Chair

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