Badminton
U3A has been lucky enough to be able to join with an existing badminton-for-fun group which plays at the Berinsfield Leisure Centre. We are a sociable group of extremely mixed ability. Some of us had not played for 50 years, others have been active players throughout their years. We all have one thing in common, we enjoy a run-around. Players pay £3.50 per session to the Centre but only when they play. We play all year round but there is no requirement to turn up each and every week – you play when you have the time, energy and inclination.
Petanque
The Group plays all year round on a new purpose-designed playing terrain, funded and built by the Sports Park’s Associate club, Petanque Wallingford.
The Group’s members join the Petanque Wallingford Club’s regular Tuesday morning gathering at the Sports Park, Hithercroft Road, playing from 10.00 am to midday. U3A players pay a green fee of £2 per visit, but are encouraged to become members of the club, which has several regular weekly sessions and a full programme of special events and competitions.
Cribbage
Cynth very pleased with her high scoring hand
Throughout 2017 we enjoyed a year of continuing fun. We take turns at hosting and therefore we cannot accommodate more than two card tables so cannot take a lot of members. However if enough people want to learn or play members of the existing group are willing to start another group who, once taught, would continue as a separate group under their own steam. Therefore, we welcome experienced players or those who have rusty memories of the game or those who simply wish to learn. We continue to be at different stages and are all competitive but most of all we have fun. Besides playing Cribbage we have a meal out together twice a year which is always a very merry occasion.
HB 24/01/2018
Birdwatching 1
The Birdwatching group is very friendly and is aimed at those who have some experience of birdwatching. Our annual programme includes a mixture of fairly local half-day trips, whole-day visits to further flung sites and a three-day trip which, in May 2019 was to Suffolk. We visit an interesting range of sites and have, in this birding year, taken in College Lake near Tring, Keyhaven, Little Marlow, Dinton Pastures where we did some birding followed by a lovely Christmas lunch at the Wheelwright’s Arms, Slimbridge, the London Wetland Centre at Barnes, Brandon Marshes near Coventry and the Discovery Centre at Thatcham. We have a Planning Meeting in July where we agree our programme for the year followed by strawberries and cream and cake.
Visits follow a very civilised format in that we all meet for coffee before starting our birding and then adjourn for lunch to a suitable venue before continuing our birding. Car-sharing works well and the group is very friendly and informal.
Birdwatching 2
We are a small friendly group who usually meet at local locations using our own transport on the 3rd Thursday of the month. None of us are “experts” and we tend to learn off each other. Reference books have become very useful.
The morning usually finishes with coffee and/or lunch where we plan between ourselves the next month’s meeting place.
In the past, we have visited the lakes at Stanton Harcourt, along the river at Culham Lock then into Sutton Courtney and to Ewelme Pond and Village.
Euchre
A group of keen card players thought it was time to teach themselves a new game. A pin was stuck in the index of a book of card games and up sprang Euchre – a whist-based game with bowers, bennys and shiftshapers! We meet in Catherine’s We meet in the back room of the Dolphin Pub in Wallingford for the cost of a cup of tea. Please contact the groups coordinator if you wish to join.
Canasta
Following requests from several members we have started a Canasta group. Canasta is a rummy-based game played in groups of 2, 3 or 4 and is easily taught. Whether you are a complete beginner or an advanced player and you wish to join us please contact the groups coordinator.
Bridge
The bridge group is struggling and would welcome new members. We have a wide variety of expertise. If you’re interested please contact the groups coordinator.