All Interest Group Members must be current financial members of Wellington City U3A
WE REGRET TO ADVISE THAT BECAUSE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, ALL MEETINGS OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS ARE CANCELLED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE.
We know this will be tough for many of us who enjoy meeting up with each other but these are extraordinary times and our U3A cohort is particularly vulnerable to serious consequences if we catch this virus.
Changing of the Guard
A very big thank you to Heather Hapeta who in August 2015 established the U3A Walking Group and has now handed over the reins. The group quickly built up to 15 walkers by the December and in Feb 2016 split into two groups – ‘serious walkers’ and the more ‘social ones’. Heather has led the ‘social ones’ (Group One) since then and is handing over to David Cropp.
Since February 2016 the ‘serious walkers’ (Group Two) have been led by Jeannie Buxton and there are now about 40 on the email list. With much thanks to Jeannie for her efforts with this group we look forward to Paul Armstrong as the new leader.
Again in 2015 (good year for ideas?) Diana Winn established the U3A Philosophy group and that now has a waiting list. As Diana steps down we appreciate her setting up this popular group. The group will now be managed by three of its members.
Antiques Group
This group meets on the third Thursday of the month at 10 am at Gaynor Stewart’s home on The Terrace.
Contact: Doug Helps 232-4881 or dougyvonne1@gmail.com
Art History Group
Meets on alternate Thursdays from 10.30 am to 12 noon at St Ninians Church, Karori.
Contact: Anne Lee 970-8644 or annelee635@gmail.com
Book Group 1
Meets on the 1st Wednesday of each month, on The Terrace at 10.30 am.
Contact: Elizabeth Moles 387-9293 or emb.moles@gmail.com. This group is currently full.
Book Group 2
Meets on the first Thursday of each month at 10 am – 12 noon at members’ homes. The members are mainly from the Northern and Western suburbs.
Contact: Sheila Williams 479-2226 or sheilawilliamsnz@gmail.com. This group is currently full.
Book Group 3
Meets on the third Wednesday of each month at 2.00 pm in Oriental Bay. This group is currently full. Contact Pamela if you wish to go on the waiting list or start another group in the Eastern suburbs.
Contact: Pamela Jefferies 801-6620 or pamelaaj@xtra.co.nz
Book Group 4
Meets on the first Wednesday of each month from 10 am – 12 noon at members’ homes. Members are mainly from the Northern Suburbs. Format: The host for the next meeting chooses a genre for that meeting. Each member reads any book they like in that genre, and reviews their book at the meeting for the other members. If you’re interested in joining the group, please get in touch with Sue Fish.
Contact: Sue Fish. Mobile: 027 327 3633 or email: suef365@gmail.com
Current Issues
Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of the month at 10.00 am in the Burma Lounge, Malvina Major Village, 134 Burma Road, Johnsonville.
Contact: Michael Hodgen 478 6303 or michael.hodgen@xtra.co.nz
Film Group
Meets on the third Saturday of the month (daytime) at the Penthouse cinema with the film followed by a discussion at the café. New members welcome.
Contacts Colleen McClymont 027 5277202 or Bob McClymont 027 5277203 or mcclymont1@xtra.co.nz
Film Group – Mid-Week
Catches a film this year on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month, usually at Lighthouse Cuba, but will go further afield to Penthouse or Roxy to catch a better film. Times vary but aim at early afternoon after the Tues lecture and with opportunity for discussion after each film. Members are notified before each, and are free to attend as many or few films as they wish.
Contacts: for the second Tuesday, Suzanne Blumhardt on 3847046 or hatblum@xtra.co.nz and for the fourth, Aidan Kay on aidankaynz@gmail.com or 021 0282 2082.
German Conversation
This friendly group will meet at 10.30 am on the second and fourth Mondays of the month in members’ homes. New members welcome.
Contact: Diana Barnes 479-2947 or dgbarnes@xtra.co.nz
Music Appreciation Group
We meet on alternate Thursdays from 10 am until 12 noon (excepting the winter school holiday) at St Ninians Church, Karori. All welcome and morning tea/coffee/biscuits provided. Each meeting a member presents music on a topic chosen by them. The music is mostly classical, but does not have to be. Doing a presentation is entirely voluntary, and it is not necessary to know lots about music, just to enjoy it. Recent subjects have included brass bands, the French horn, songs from movies, TV themes, composers Carl Nielsen and Antonin Dvorak, Member’s Choice and singing in a choir by guest speaker Simon Nathan. The first topic for 2020 will be “The Art of the Movie Soundtrack”.
Dates for 2020 are: Semester 1: Feb 13 & 27, March 12 & 26, April 9 & 23, May 7 & 21, June 4 & 18, July 2. Semester 2: July 30, Aug 13 & 27, Sep 10 & 24, Oct 8 & 22, Nov 5 & 19, Dec 3 .
Contact: David Barker, 021 376 660 or u3a.wlg.musicapp@gmail.com
Philosophy Group
Meets in the Common Room, St Andrew’s Church, The Terrace (outside ramp), twice a month on first and third Mondays at 2.30 pm. We are currently looking at philosophers of the twentieth century. We are currently full.
Contact: Dougal Congalton 476-8498 or dc.congalton@xtra.co.nz
Performing Music Group
New members welcome.
Contact: Jennifer Timmings 479-5325 or jjatimmings@gmail.com
Shakespeare Studies
Meets on alternate Wednesdays at St Andrew’s Centre, 30 The Terrace from 10.30 am until 12 noon. Numbers are limited to 10.
Contact: Roger Chapman 021 037 5622 or chaplaw42@gmail.com
Walking Group One
Meets at the Wharewaka (beside the lagoon on the waterfront) at 9.45 am every Monday morning. All U3A members welcome, no need to call – we’d welcome you for a social walk and talk and, of course, coffee at the end. We explore historic, nature and cultural places around the city.
Contact: David Cropp 027 657 0666 or cropp.david@gmail.com
Walking Group Two
Longer walks (Monday mornings 9.30 am to 12 noon approx.), around and about Wellington during the year with casual inner city walks over January. Walks usually end at a café for an optional coffee. On the second Monday of each month a longer walk of up to four hours is scheduled. As our members are all reasonably fit a good degree of fitness is expected. Transport is usually based around Gold Card times with carpooling when necessary. New members are welcome throughout the year as a number of our group often go overseas.
Contact: Paul Armstrong 476 6965 or paul.armstrong9@gmail.com
Anyone interested in leading/forming a New Group please contact Alan Wright 0211708540 or alandavidwright@gmail.com