Norton Radstock u3a Members gathered in numbers for the February Coffee Morning. It was good that so many were able to attend, and the atmosphere and chat was great between members, most of whom had not ventured out very much during the long Covid Pandemic period. New members who had joined in 2022 also enjoyed the event.

The next Speaker meeting will be held on 14th March at the Somer Centre when the group will be entertained by Saffron Summerfield who will be joining members from her home via Zoom. Saffron is an accomplished guitar player who has performed in the Royal Albert Hall and her programme will range from classical to blues and we shall hear of her journey from Milton Keynes to Mississippi – not to be missed.

The u3a has a full range of coffee mornings programmed for the coming months and in April following the usual 11th April Speaker Meeting on 25th April at the Coffee Morning the Group will hold its important AGM. Members will learn how the u3a has coped with Covid and those attending will be encouraged to decide how their local u3a develops in the next twelve months.

The pre-pandemic forty or so u3a subject groups are now beginning to start up again. There are Group events planned for the summer, which will include in April a visit to Forde Abbey Gardens for the famous Tulip Extravaganza, in May the RHS Malvern Spring Festival and in June Mottisfont Abbey Garden, House and Estate to enjoy the world-renowned collection of roses.

On 13th June, the Group will celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee holding an Afternoon Tea at the Somer Centre when members will join in the spirit of celebration for this historic occasion. Booking will be essential and tickets are already being sold. This year is also the 40th anniversary since the u3a was founded and the movement has now grown throughout the UK with well over 1,000 local groups and 450,000 members.

Colin Tincknell OBE Chair, Norton Radstock u3a