Latest Group News

nikkistoddart
Jun 28, 2023
3 min read

Updated: Apr 6

We currently have over 100 active groups but always have room for more. If you have an interest that you would like to pursue or knowledge to share with others please consider forming a group. The Q&A sheet should help but you would also get plenty of support from the group coordinators.

New Groups

Fly Fishing

One of our members is interested in starting a Fly Fishing group. The idea would be to meet up monthly and fish different lakes/venues. Members would need to hold a licence and have their own equipment. Please contact us if you are interested and we will arrange an initial planning meeting if we have sufficient interest.

New Book Group

We still have vacancies for a new book group. Meeting 10:30 to 12:30 on the 3rd Friday of the month.

Looking to have lively discussions about diverse types of books. Every six months or so, each group member will suggest a book, with an emphasis on novels, eg, contemporary novels, classics, award-winning novels, hidden gems, crime novels. But of course, other genres can be in the mix too, eg, travel books, autobiographies/ biographies … . If we have time, we're hoping to talk about other books we’ve read or heard about that month.

Spaces

French (Advanced)

We have spaces on this recently formed group that meets 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.

Group Activities

The Cycling Group conquered the Box Hill zig-zag for their February ride - powered variously by e-bikes, leg muscles or strong determination! The reward was the coffee and flapjacks at the top.

At the beginning of February, Reigate & Redhill u3a Handbell Group enjoyed a visit from Haywards Heath u3a Handbell group. We listened to each other, then played together some pieces previously rehearsed, plus a couple of brand new pieces. We provided our guests with a super spread of cakes and savoury bites and a warm welcome for their return visit. Our leader David organised the exchange and Alan conducted what was quite a complicated set up! A very successful and joyful event for us all and we look forward to our next return visit to Haywards Heath u3a.

Shirley Harnett

Andrew Mason gave a fascinating talk to the Science group in January, drawing on his 35 years of working in engineering research and development for the BBC. He provided insights into the making of programmes such as live music television where camera shot changes are timed to the beat of the music, and visualisations of the audio could be used to prepare the production assistant's breakdown of the

track. Then onto the subject of loudness measurement - fixing the problem of adverts that are too loud. Here Andrew contrasted the venerable "peak programme meter" with the possibilities opened up by the "ITU-R BS.1770" algorithm. As a retirement gift he was presented with a box that contains a stereo PPM and a "bendy loudness

meter" - something quite unique. Finally he spoke of the future, technology still in development: Next-Generation Audio. With this, the listener can have fully-immersive 3D audio experiences, and can be given control of the mix of foreground and background sounds. Yes, the ability to cut out annoying background music!

A new Sunday Lunch Group started in February with the aim of meeting every 1st and 3rd Sunday each month. The first meeting was held on the 2nd February and was well attended by 13 members at The Donyngs Indoor Bowls Club in Redhill. Their restaurant produced an excellent roast lunch which was heavily subsidised by the bowls club at £10 each ! It was a very convivial occasion comprising good food and excellent company.

Each group member takes it in turn to choose the next venue. On the 16th Feb. we met at The Arkle Manor on the A25 toward Dorking. Another excellent venue where we were looked after very attentively. Again attended by 13 members although not all the same ones as previous. Conversations flowed freely and for those not in a hurry , it turned out to be a 3 1/2 hour lunch !

There are now 17 members of this group and several on the waiting list.

If you would like further information about any of our groups, would like to start a group or would like to join a group, please contact us by completing the form which can be found on the Groups’ page or emailing us: groups@rru3a.org.uk