News from Members & Groups

IGO : Interest Groups Online

One of the best parts of any local u3a is its range of special interest groups, and that’s why I co-lead Fairford u3a’s recorder group and enjoy being part of Cirencester u3a’s rail-buffers group. 

In addition, the u3a also provides a range of on-line groups under the “Interest Groups Online” (IGO) banner.  I lead or co-lead three IGO groups, namely a book club, a recorder group and a railway group. 

Why does IGO exist?  One important reason is that it provides interest groups for folk who can no longer get out and about.  But it does more than that, IGO can bring together people from all over Britain which brings a wider range of views, outlook and knowledge. IGO groups can provide support for specialist groups which would be unlikely from a single u3a. 

IGO currently has about 2,000 members and 150 groups.  Membership costs £10 a year

There will be an IGO Fair on 11-13 February 2026. This will provide a general introduction to IGO plus one-hour “taster “ sessions  for nine groups (including the recorder-players).

To find out more, go to https://www.u3a.org.uk/what-we-do/learning/interest-groups-online or just put u3a igo into your internet search engine.

Peter Stephenson

Group Leaders Meeting

A meeting for all Group Leaders takes place once a year providing an opportunity for Group Leaders to discuss the challenges, and successes, of leading a Cirencester u3a Group.

This year the meeting will take place at 12.15 pm on Thursday 29th January at the Ashcroft Centre.

The meeting facilitates useful discussion about a range of topics that have cropped up over the year, such as u3a communications, Risk Assessments and group finances, as well as looking forward to the year ahead.

The meeting will be held over lunch, so that leaders can chat whilst sharing refreshments provided by the committee.

For more details, contact Reyn Hauff, Groups Co-ordinator, on groupscirenu3a@gmail.com

Festive Fun & Celebrations!

Christmas Special Events for three u3a Groups ...

A Cirencester u3a Christmas at the Monthly Members Meeting

The December Monthly Members Meeting provided some Festive cheer and tradition, to the backdrop of Christmas music provided by our very own Ukulele Group. Many members arrived early to listen to the ukulele players, who set the festive tone for the meeting, and played again afterwards as refreshments were served.

The guest speaker, Steve Rowley, described the history of Mummers plays, and opened his talk in disguise – “In Comes I” – running up the hall dressed in a costume made of strips of material. The presentation included volunteers from the room who dressed up and performed a short play. The characters included Prince George, the Turkish Knight, The Doctor and his horse, Clever Legs, Humpty Jack, Jack Straw and Old Father Christmas.

A Merry Musical Christmas!

Full attendance including a new group member and a visitor at this Christmas-themed session made it varied, entertaining and, unsurprisingly, heavily linked to memories.

The meeting began with ‘Dance of the Snowmen’ by Howard Blake, followed by Christmas carols, both traditional and modern.

A 1953 self-recording of Robert Evans, aged 13, singing ‘In the Bleak Midwinter’ and ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem’ did rather show its age although a much more recent recording of a member’s son singing the former carol solo in the local parish church gave it deeper meaning and held special memories.

The same held true for ‘Away in a Manger’, this Group’s leader’s favourite carol, for ‘O’ Tannenbaum’ and for ‘Once in Royal David’s City’ sung by the boy treble in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge. Our last traditional work was J.S.Bach’s ‘Sheep May Safely Graze’.

We followed up with more modern works by John Rutter including ‘The Star Carol’, ‘Candlelit Carol’, ‘Still, Still, Still’ and ‘Tomorrow Shall be my Dancing Day’ and also enjoyed ‘I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas’ by Irving Berlin.

As a contrast, we listened to ‘Fairytale of New York’ by Kirsty MacColl and the Pogues, ‘That Was the Worst Christmas Ever’ by Sufjan Stevens and, disturbingly unforgettable, Elvis Presley singing ‘Here Comes Santa Claus’…

The meeting closed, appropriately, with ‘We Wish You a Merry Christmas’.

Creative Crafts Group Comes of Age!

The Creative Crafts group celebrated 18 years of crafting together this Autumn. During those years the register of names has changed but two founder members still attend.

During the 18 years, we have learnt, taught and experimented with a very long list of craft activities. We have shared our work with the public and currently have stitch work on show in the Visitor Information Centre in Cirencester. In the past we have held displays at General Meetings and sold pieces for charity.

We are happy to welcome new members with or without crafting experience. If you are interested in visiting or joining our Group please contact Chris Rogers

News from the Military History Group

The Group's contribution to the 2025 Cirencester History Festival took the form of a lively lecture on the 'Mutiny on the Bounty' from Douglas Butler. 

A packed audience in the Cirencester's Baptist Church heard about the Mutiny and the incredible 4000-mile open launch journey by Captain Bligh and his officers. 

Douglas went on to talk about the consequences for the Pacific islands of Tahiti and Pitcairn and finally described the fate of HMS Pandora which sailed out to capture the Mutineers but foundered on the Great Barrier Reef.

My first sailing trip with the National u3a Sailing Network

The Dodecanese, Kos, Greece 20th- 27th September 2025

We departed from Kos Marina on Sunday 21st September. We had good weather, a moderate swell, and winds up to 20 knots. We tacked our way to the furthest point, Lipso, in three days with a wind across the beam. The wind was behind us for the return journey giving us long runs of 5-7 knots SOG with constant wind and a bit of surf power. Exciting and great fun. We stayed in marinas, on town waterfronts, and at anchor for two nights.  

It is a holiday that I will remember for a long time. I met some amazing people with a wide range of sailing experience. 

It really was a case of a learn, laugh, live adventure and I have already expressed an interest in next September’s trip to the Ionian Sea!

If you would like to know more about the National u3a Sailing Network, contact me on cirenu3a@gmail.com or get in touch with Susan Gibson at susan.gibson@volunteers.u3a.org.uk