A Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year is wished to all our members. The monthly meeting on 19th December will be our members Christmas Party. Numbers are limited to those who have signed up to attend.

COVID, COLDS AND FLU - please do not attend meetings or groups if you feel unwell.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO WEAR YOUR NAME BADGE AT MONTHLY MEETINGS, SWITCH YOUR PHONE TO SILENT AND IF YOU ARE HARD OF HEARING PLEASE SIT IN THE FRONT ROWS.

REMINDER - Have you renewed your Membership? Many thanks to those of you who have already paid by BACS - please collect your new membership cards from Yvonne at the next meeting. This year's fee remains the same at £25. If your details, or preferences, have changed please fill out the renewal form and hand it to Yvonne. You can pay by BACS, cheque or cash. Cheques made payable to "Ringwood u3a". Details for bank transfer: Ringwood u3a, Barclays Bank, Sort Code 20-72-37, Account No 13297136, reference JUST 'your name'. Any queries/problems, please contact Yvonne on 01425 476687.

Our Programme Leaflet, which can be downloaded from this website, gives information on all Interest Groups, when they meet and details of the Group Leader as well as the Speakers at our monthly meetings for some six months ahead. The latest version is dated 14.11.24. Printed copies will be available at monthly meetings and from the leaflet display in Greyfriars. Talks for first six months of 2025 now listed.

IMPORTANT:- If you see someone at a meeting who may be new please make them feel welcomed and included. Everyone has a role to play in doing this but we would like to recruit a team of people to become 'Welcome Buddies' and ensure that any visitors are introduced to others and told about groups that may interest them. Please talk to Barbara on the Welcome desk if you feel you could be part of this team.

June Edwards and Barbara Colman continue to look after the meeting REFRESHMENTS however they need the help of two others, each time. So if you are able please volunteer to assist. A Rota is being organised and you are asked to please sign up to help.

The MEN's INTERESTS GROUP - Please email Roger on pagregory47@gmail.com or ring him on 01425 470268 if you would like to join the group and be advised of future events.

WALKING GROUP - This group will be meeting on the 4th Wednesday of the month for a 3 to 4 mile walk. Please make sure you bring water, head covering and wear stout footwear. Well behaved dogs are welcome.

The next PUB LUNCH will be on Friday 31st January at (tba) Please let Ann or Judith know if you will be attending by Monday 27th. Please email the group on u3arlunchers@outlook.com if you would like to be added to the group list.

The talk at our meeting on 16th January will be by Sheila Ward on the National Parks.

Excellent News - we have a new group 'CHARITY CRAFTERS' which will be lead by Yvonne O'Neil and Mary Brindley. Meetings will take place from 2-4pm on the 4th Thursday of the month. They will be making Octopuses for preemie Babies and /or toys for charity, all knitted and/or crocheted, patterns and help will be given. If interested please contact Yvonne on cwg.angel@googlemail.com or 01425 476687.

PETANQUE - Meets on Mondays at 10.30 at Avon Heath Country Park (parking charge £3 for 2 hours). Contact Judith for more information or just turn up.

The GAMES GROUP meets on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays from 2pm (please check with Jo re location). There will be a small charge (circa £2 depending on attendance) to cover room hire if held in Greyfriars. The group plays a range of games including Scrabble, Rummikub, Upwords, Mexican Train and card games - feel free to bring along your favourite if you wish. If you would like to take part please contact Jo Barratt on josephinebarratt@hotmail.com.

SINGING FOR FUN meet at Greyfriars on 1st and 3rd Wednesday in the month from 2 - 4 p.m. It is a very informal singing group, no audition, just members who enjoy singing well known songs and meeting other members. There is a small charge which includes all the song sheets and refreshments. You are welcome to come along and give us a try. If you need any further information give June a ring on 01425 472769.

NEW FOREST AND BEYOND - If interested in joining this group please contact Jo on josephinebarratt@hotmail.com

FAMILY HISTORY GROUP - Please contact Judith on polygor@hotmail.com or 07880 907073 if you would like to know more about this group and its future direction.

We would like to start more groups so please let us know if there is a particular interest that you would like to take part in. Judith is willing to lead groups in Art; French, German or Italian. If interested please contact her on polygor@hotmail.com or 07880 907073. Would anyone be interested in forming a Travel Group?

PING PONG- Although not a u3a group if you are a Greyfriars member do come along to the Activities Centre on Mondays where you will find other u3a members taking part. 2.30 to 4.30 from September. Sessions cost £2.50 which includes drinks and biscuits.

Following last year's talk on Blashford Lakes you may like to consider joining the gentle "Healthy Walk" that take place there starting from the Tern Hide Car Park at 10.30 on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month. These free organised one hour walks are on level paths around the Reserve lead by Nigel, a Hampshire Wildlife Trust Volunteer. We generally stop briefly at one of the bird hides en-route. A number of the walkers then go to Hockeys for coffee afterwards. May be cancelled if there is local flooding.

CONTACTING US --- There is an issue with contacting us via the website for some people due to the way their email is launched. If you have this problem please use the contact details that are printed on our downloadable leaflet.

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY (ICE) CARDS. The U3A have produced small 'credit card size' cards which fit easily into a purse or wallet to provide essential details in case members are taken ill at an event, particularly if on a walk or on a trip away from Ringwood. The idea is that you write your name, who to contact with a phone number and any medications, conditions or allergies on the card and KEEP IT WITH YOU. Then, if needs be, someone can find the card and have the appropriate information. Please pick up a card and fill it in then pop it in your purse/wallet - that way someone will be able to help you if necessary. Cards will be available from the Welcome Desk at monthly meetings or from Group Hosts.

New PHOTOS of group activities are always welcome for the website so if you can take a nice picture when you are part of a group or event please do (having first established that everyone is happy to have their picture published) and email them to Hazel.

If you have a MOBILITY issue, either short or long term, that is preventing you from coming to the monthly meetings or attending a group please contact a member of the Committee to see if we can find a local member who could provide a lift.

Did you know that u3a members can make savings on their shopping at major supermarkets and well-known brands with the Third Age Trust's u3a 'Click and Save' scheme? Just sign up to receive the Trust's monthly newsletter at u3a.org.uk/newsletter for more information.

Please note that whilst every effort is made to keep this page and indeed the whole of the website current there may from time to time be a delay in updating the information provided. If you see anything that needs amending please advise Hazel by email - hazeltaylor5191@gmail.com