British Sign Language Course
Digital Skills Trainer
CURRENTLY MO TRAINER IN DORSET BUT WILL MONITOR AND ADVISE IF THAT CHANGES
This was brought to our attention by a u3a member, and we thought it would be of interest to all u3a members.
‘Paul spent 2 hours with me yesterday and helped me with my mobile phones, QR codes, iPad, Tablet, laptop and even getting my Nikon camera to automatically send photos to my mobile phone. If there's something he doesn't know (eg: camera to phone) he'll research it before he arrives.’
All trainers are DBS checked and paid by BT. No fees payable by members. It's a new initiative fully funded by BT, please contact Paul Scarborough, Digital Skills Trainer at paul.scarbrough@abilitynet.org.uk if you are interested in this service.
Science and Technology Group
The Science & Technology Group (of over 160 members) has a dedicated website for all S&T Group News and future monthly presentations at https://greenacre.info/technology (or search “PU3A tech” on Google).
The S&T Group, which welcomes new members, has its monthly meetings on the third Wednesday morning most months and the latest topics for future talks by our Guest Speakers are shown on the Programme page of our website and are also listed below. Take a look and you are very welcome to come along to join us in Harman’s Cross Village Hall.
Meetings Start at 10:00 am on the 3rd Wednesday most months in Harman's Cross Main Hall and end at about midday.
Entrance Fee: £2 - Non-members Welcome.
Programme for 2026:
18 February: Wildlife Management [via video link to the Hall]
18 March: Dr John Snow - Pioneer in three fields of Medicine
15 April: New Maps of Hell
20 May: Podiatry & Iron Deficiency: The Hidden Epidemic
17 June: Hydraulic Power.
15 July: The Great Wildebeest Migration
19 August: Field Trip (Members Only)
16 September: [No Meeting]
21 October: Secrets of the Human Brain [via Video Link to the Hall]
18 November: Developments in Marine Navigation
09 December: Environmental Impacts on Water Quality
Further presentations are being arranged so please see the S&T Website HERE for the latest information as the talks schedule may change.
The S&T Group's website is frequently updated and is full of information, so please take a look by clicking HERE for its Menu tabs and see the Next Meetings page fordetails of our imminent meetings.
Tuesday Bridge Group Travels
A Report from Virginia
“Totally brilliant. I loved it all.”
16 members from the U3A Tuesday Bridge group went away to Cornwall for a three day weekend of bridge, thanks to the organising skills of Tracey Baker one of our members. We stayed at the Burdock Vene a luxury hotel near Falmouth. Each morning we had a bridge lesson from Jeremy, who runs a Bridge club in Exeter. Afternoons were free. There was another bridge lesson at five, then social bridge after supper. I signed up for this because I’m I am part of the group and didn’t want to miss out. But I wasn’t expecting it to be such an enjoyable experience. The hotel had every facility you can imagine – golf, tennis, snooker, swimming pool spa and an outside hot tub, for the adventurous there was chilly swimming in the Halford river. The hotel was extremely comfortable and the food was outstanding– the bread and butter pudding was to die for, scallops and chilli squid exceptional. Totally unexpected (I thought I would be bored) were Jeremy‘s lessons – these were taxing, stimulating and kept us all on our toes. At our usual morning bridge session it was notable how much our bridge had improved. The lessons had shown us many new ideas and opened our eyes to new ways of playing. The quote above was said to me today by one of the members.
u3a South West Region Council
At the end of March 2026 there will be one vacancy for a council representative for the South West Region, as Susan Parkers term of office will come to an end. If you or anyone you know may be interested please read the following information.
The dates for the election process will be as follows, and the elected candidate will become a Council Representative from the 1 April 2026 and join them for their first meeting on the 23 April 2026.
• 8 January 2026 - Nominations open
• 3 February 2026 - Nominations Closing
• 17 February - Elections Open
• w/c 2 March (TBC) - Hustings
• 24 March - Elections Closing
• 1 April - Newly elected Council Representatives start in post
• 23 April - First in person Council Meeting in London
In the new year there will be a link on the u3a website to where the information will be available.
Christmas Wreath Making
It’s that time of year again and the Gardening Group had a festive session with making Christmas wreaths. To see more photos please take a look at the Gallery section.
Swimming Group going strong
These hardy swimmers are still braving the weather to enjoy the benefits of swimming in the sea and if you would like to join them please contact: seaswim@purbecku3a.org.uk
Helping Hands
Purbeck u3a recently received a request to publicise the "Helping Hands" community car service in Wareham, offering older residents transport to vital medical appointments. This is a popular and much needed service, but unfortunately they have a very small pool of volunteer drivers and are trying to recruit some more volunteers. Given the age of our current volunteers, there is a danger of the service becoming unsustainable, which would be a great shame.
Tel: 01305 231382 Email: koborne@ageuknswd.org.uk
Office hours: 9 am to 3.45 pm Monday to Thursday
Fungi Foray for the Walking Group
Science &Technology August 2025 Visit to the Royal Signals Museum, Blandford.
The S&T Group had an interesting visit in August.
Art Appreciation Activities
The group had looked at an artist called Kandinski during the year and before the summer break thought it would be fun to have a practical session and challenge themselves to produce their own "Kandinski" followed by a picnic lunch together.
PPQ Success
News from the Guitar Group
The Purbeck U3A Guitar Group was started in 2021 by a beginner player, Paul, who had enjoyed the Ukulele Group and wanted to learn to play the guitar with the support and encouragement of others.
We are a group of 15-20 beginner and intermediate guitar players, enriched by a handful of singers, who meet on the first and third Friday afternoon of each month at Stoborough Village Hall. Our sessions last from 2-4 pm with a break for tea and conversation midway through.
We play acoustic guitars (steel or nylon strung) and mainly play songs which we can sing while strumming or fingerpicking the chords. Some of us can play simple intros and riffs, and we have a couple of guitarists who play harmonica for intros and riffs. We play in a variety of genres, mainly folk and popular music of the 60s onwards.
We have played small gigs at two of our local care homes, and at Holme Gardens, which have been enjoyed and appreciated by audiences and players alike.
Our emphasis is on fun and learning. If you are interested in picking up your guitar again, or would like to start playing the guitar, you would be very welcome, please contact Paul on guitar@purbecku3a.org.uk
More Congratulations for Fiction Writing Group
Caron Parrett is another member of the very successful Fiction writing group and with entries from all over the country, was one of the 17 finalists in the National u3a Short Story Writing Competition for 2024. Click HERE to read her story called “Maureen”.
This follows on from the success of Gill Calvin Thomas with the publication of her book called, ‘Vex Not Her Ghost’, available from Amazon.
They are both well written and a good read. They are certainly a talented bunch and if you would like to try your hand at writing you would be more than welcome to join them. For more information contact Caron: fictionwriting@purbecku3a.org.uk
More Fiction Writing Success
Acclaim for member of Fiction Writing
One of their members (Greg Duncan) features on the front page of Swanage News click the following link to read the article.
Historical novel by Purbeck writer inspired by freedom fighter aunt
His book "Champagne in a Broken Teacup" is available on Amazon.
In the spring of 1940 recently married Marie-Claire was blissfully pursuing her career as a freelance artist in Paris. She had no idea that in early May Hitler's armies would invade France and rip her life apart.
The story follows her life as tragedies strike and she is forced to flee Paris to escape from the Gestapo. Using a false name and identity she begins a new life in the small provincial French town of Nevers. She finds unexpected inner strength as a resistante but her previous life in Paris catches up with her.
Although this is a fictional story woven into historical reality, it was inspired by the activities of his French aunt, an art teacher, who during World War 2 was a document forger for the French resistance.
Changes to the Highway Code
Have you heard about the new changes to the Highway Code? The new code will be available to buy in April.
The Older Person”s Forum is providing free webinars to take you through the changes showing excellent video clips.
Should you wish to follow this site for details of new events and information there is a space to signup for email updates on the righthand side of the Home Page.
A small sample of information on their website:
Quick Guide leaflet for Dorset schemes
Road Safety web site
Relevant pathways for assessments if you are a medical practitioner
‘Cost Calculator’ to estimate how much it costs to run your car and how much you would need to spend on public transport
If you don’t have a medical condition which affects your driving then the forum recommend the following assessments: List of notifiable medical conditions https://www.gov.uk/health-conditions-and-driving
If you do have a medical condition that may affect your driving then see Wessex DriveAbility assessment
If you live in Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset, Wiltshire or Berkshire then why not have a look at the ‘Going Car Free‘ web site. You can additionally Contact them by: Tel: 02380 554100 E-Mail: hello@goingcarfree.com
Dorset Driver Gold is aimed at people aged 65 years and over who have an interest in updating their skills and knowledge, want help in familiarising themselves with a new vehicle or simply want to gain confidence.
The Institute of Advanced Motorists (IAM) Offer a number of courses to give assistance to the older driver, like the Mature Driver Review which is great in building confidence
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) Offer an Experienced Driver Assessment. This is a one-hour drive in your own car with a RoSPA Assessor
Gerry Griffin
Group Leader, Advanced Driving