Cupar and District u3a is one of over 1,000 UK-wide locally-run interest groups that provide a wide range of “opportunities for people to come together and learn for fun“. Members explore new ideas, skills and activities together in small informal activity groups. Membership is open to anyone not in full-time work and costs only a modest annual fee. Here is more from our local group …

Cupar and District u3a has a wide range of activity groups.  Our members draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other.  There are no qualifications to pass – it is just for pleasure. It’s all voluntary.

Looking for a Group that suits You?

The greatest benefit of being a member of u3a is in taking part as a member of an activity group.  The groups all run themselves.  The activities of some groups are easy to take part in without prior skilling.  Other groups intentionally are about gaining or improving a skill. These groups may follow a structured course and have someone leading informally as tutor.

When considering joining u3a you should first make enquiries about the individual groups and consider how well the individual group matches what you are looking for.  The website (via this link) is your starting place for checking out what interests and activities are provided by our groups.

Two groups are introduced below. Both aim to satisfy their members wants. However, each group has its own purpose and its own way of operating.

Singing for Fun

An ideal group for those who want to join with others and share the pleasure of simply singing.  The group is not aiming to become a trained choir but to remain a group of friends who meet and sing popular songs together.  Keeping it simple, the group shares copies of lyric sheets and ‘Alexa’ plays the songs. The group all sing along with the recorded artistes, and just enjoy singing together.

The group volunteered to sing some songs at the Cupar and District u3a Christmas Party. The group chose the songs and handed lyric sheets around the audience. The group also projected the words onto a screen and the audience joined in. Some members got up and danced, that’s what enjoying music does.

The group is open for more members and meets every second Wednesday from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon in the Befriender Lounge of the Castle Furniture Project in Cupar.

Art Practical

For u3a members who enjoy painting and textile crafts. The group is not an art class. Members work on their individual projects and bring along their art/craft materials and kit. There are easels at the studio.

The group shares the cost of hiring studio space for blocks of 6 sessions and meets both morning and afternoon on alternate Fridays at the Off the Rails studios at the old Railway Master’s house, once a part of Ladybank station. There are 2 big rooms with art tables and chairs. Anyone one with limited mobility can opt to informally ‘reserve’ a downstairs spot.

The group generally all stop work at 12.30 pm to have lunch and chat together. Some bring a packed lunch (there’s a microwave). And some share in the cost of a wee bit of cheese/bread and wine. U3A membership provides the insurance cover. 

Why not come along to one for a free ‘trial’ and see if it suits you?

Waiting Lists

A number of the subjects, such as languages, are very popular and many of these groups have waiting lists.

Vacancies do arise in all groups.  Applicants who are held back by a waiting list are requested to make this known to our membership secretary.

Fresh groups can be established when the demand is known.

 

It’s a BETTER Dog’s life …

As an example of an activity run by Cupar and District u3a, last month members were invited to Cupar Corn Exchange to hear guest speaker, Kayleigh Maclean, Support Relations Officer, at the Dogs Trust Centre in Glasgow.

Kayleigh provided a refreshingly positive talk about the work of the Dogs Trust in re-homing dogs. She drew our attention to the importance of a dog’s health and well-being. She outlined the steps taken by the Trust centres to provide preparatory training both of dogs and prospective dog owners. She emphasised that the successful re-homing of dogs depends on the careful matching of dogs with suitable new dog owners. Kayleigh indicated that the Trust’s centres were readily accessible sources of advice, training and support for dog-owners, with committed staff and volunteers. She drew attention to the high cost of providing the high standard of care and that the Trust was largely funded by voluntary contributions, especially legacies and donations. 

Kayleigh was accompanied Chico, her small dog, who during her talk quietly made a friendly introduction to members. The visit by Kayleigh and Chico was much appreciated by the members.

February meeting …

“An Introduction to the Work of Mary’s Meals”

All u3a members and guests are welcome at the upcoming Open Meeting where Alison Nind, a volunteer of the charity “Mary’s Meals” will speak about the life-changing meals the charity provides to support the lives and education of some of the poorest children in developing countries.

Alison will illustrate the seemingly simple approach by which the charity supports some 2.6 million children. All welcome. Come and see the new screen and the new projector we now use.  There are refreshments as usual, without charge, of course.

Wednesday 11th February at 2.00 pm, Upper Hall, Cupar Corn Exchange.

 

 

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