groups

The group coordinator has provided no information about this group.

The Architecture Group now meets at Bayston Hill Methodist Centre Hall for its monthly meetings. The group studies the buildings and gardens, architects and architectural styles of Britain and other countries, through different periods of history. This includes building techniques, methods and materials. The works of individual architects and movements are explored, and in the warmer months we undertake field trips organised by group members. Participation is the key, and group members are encouraged to present the results of their researches or to help arrange the events and activities in our programme. Topics over recent years have included Brick Gothic Architecture, Greek Architecture, Guttering, downpipes and gargoyles, Mid 20th Century British Architecture, the Re-invention of Paris, the Bauhaus Movement, the architecture and buildings of Buffalo, New York State, the design and engineering behind a number of opera houses and at the winning designs for the Sterling Prize. In the summer months we have visited Bishops Castle, the follies built by two of our members in the garden of their home, and had walking tours to view the architecture of Underdale and Abbey Foregate in Shrewsbury, Meole Village, Newtown, Welshpool and the Kingsland area of Shrewsbury to look at architectural styles and a little of the local history. During the Covid-19 \'lockdown\' Zoom meetings included Art Nouveau Buildings in Romania, The Penson Dynasty of Architects, the Buildings of Cressage, Modern Places of Worship, The Amsterdam School of Architecture, The Pritzker Prize winners and a Zoom walk around Claremont St., Mardol, Hills Lane and Barker St. Since meetings in person (under Covid-19 Regulations) have re-started we have had presentations about Vernacular buildings, Windows, windmills, architectural engineering including the Channel Tunnel, Cistercian Abbeys, a Churchill Fellowship, the development of Kingsland from 1870 to the present, Shropshire\'s Non-Conformist churches and chapels, lodges and gatehouses, and some of the buildings of Broseley and Broseley Wood. Our venue for meetings is Bayston Hill Methodist Centre Hall, Lansdowne Rd, Bayston Hill (just past the parade of shops) - a larger room than our previous venue and with an excellent range of facilities. Meetings are usually on the first Tuesday of each month at 2pm (or 1.30pm in the Winter/Spring) but the walks are arranged for other times. In summary the group members present illustrated talks, organise visits and keep the group fed and watered at meetings and consists of informed and sympathetic contributors and listeners. Though the group is full at present we will welcome new members to the group to fill any vacancies that occur. Please contact the Group\'s Coordinator if interested. Our most recent meetings were an afternoon walk around Broseley and Broseley Wood on Tuesday 17th May and our meeting on Tuesday 7th June was a trip to Montgomery to look at the buildings, architecture and history of this important but compact town. The July 5th meeting looked at energy efficient housing including Passivhaus houses and improved/retrofitted EnerPHit houses, both of which use far less energy to live in than the majority of houses presently being built. We will take a break in August. On September 6th we will have a presentation about Much Wenlock and later in September a follow-up visit to Much Wenlock. In October the presentation will be about Church Curiosities including carvings, epitaphs, gargoyles, etc. In November we will have a presentation about Philip Johnson the famous USA Architect.

The Art Appreciation group studies art history up to the beginning of the 20th century. We focus on a theme for a September-to-July programme, such as Dutch and Spanish Golden Ages, French painting, Italian art, British painting and Russian art. Group members are invited to contribute, introducing an artist or theme illustrated by relevant paintings. Usually there are three volunteers per meeting so preparation is not too onerous and we like time for discussion. We use a digital projector and screen to show pictures at meetings. It is helpful if volunteers have computer access to collect illustrations they want to show us, but this is not essential. This year, the Art Appreciation group is studying German art. We started in Medieval times, with Gospel books of Aachen in the Charlemagne area, the Reichenau school in Otto IIIs time and the Bohemian school. We also looked at sculpture, particularly architecture from that time. Then, we went on to Northern Renaissance with a whole session on Albrecht Durer, followed by Cranach, Altdorfer and Holbein. We moved on to Mannerism (Hans von Aachen and Bartholomeas Spranger). In March, we will discuss Baroque and Romanticism and carry on during the summer with Nazarenes, Impressionists and Symbolism. It has been truly amazing since last September, as the majority of artists have been unknown to us and it has been great fun, with, on occasion, some hilarity in discovering about their lives and types of painting. We have therefore learnt a lot about German Art but also about German history and geography as well. As we near July, the group will start to think about themes for next year. We always welcome new members and now that our venue is the Inn on the Green at Radbrook Green, we have plenty of space. There is a small charge of £1 per person which includes refreshments.

The Astronomy group held its initial meeting on 30th January 2017. Since then, the group has settled into a series of monthly study meetings that are held at the Tesco Harlescott Community room. The venue has worked out well, being a good facility, which is easy to access, with the added attraction of being free of charge! That said, since the onset of Covid, we have been meeting by zoom. So far we have studied the planets and moons of the solar system and a number of the stellar constellations. We have also studied the principles that determine the performance of astronomical instruments that amateurs might own and how to select suitable instruments for specific purposes. We take it in turns to conduct specific research and then present our findings to the group. We are keen to attract a few more members but they must be prepared to conduct internet based research and be able to present to the group, preferably using Power Point.

Welcome back Backgammoners! Both new and old. Our group will re-launch after Covid on Monday 13th September 2021. We have guidelines for members and appropriate checklists and risk assessments in place. Our aim is to make members feel at ease after the Lock Down. Please feel free to contact Pauline or Marion for a chat if you need any reassurance. Our group began in January 2017 and continues to thrive. However, there is always room for more members. We currently have a lovely group of ladies and gentlemen. New members are always welcome to join us. Those more experienced players do a great job of sharing their expertise and improving our beginners. If you are interested in coming to join us or just to see if this is \'your thing\' please contact us. It is always great to welcome new members. It is a very relaxed group and lots of fun. Our group meets every 2nd and 4th Monday of the month. The session is 10am - 12noon and is held at Inn on the Green, Radbrook. Parking is available adjacent to the pub in their private car park or in Radbrook Green Shopping area (go to the far end of the car park near to the recycling point). You do not need to pay for parking. How to get there: If you are travelling by bus: Number 20 bus for Radbrook leaves Bus station 9.35 goes out over the Welsh Bridge, Frankwell island. Bus stop just opposite Inn on the Green and Co-op. Return journey: Buses leave from opposite the Co-Op: Number 20 at 12.21pm going back into town. Coffee and tea and biscuits will be provided by the venue for a contribution of £1 per person or soft drinks can be purchased from the bar. If you are interested in joining our vibrant, friendly group please do not hesitate to contact either myself or Marion. Contact details below: Pauline Carmichael: Co-ordinator: 07535351785 / 01743 861224 email: pacarmichael55@gmail.com Marion Lexmond: Joint co-ordinator: 07913 604865 email: marion@lexmond.co.uk We look forward to welcoming you. See our article in May 2019 news letter! Members are asked to bring along a board if they have one but don\'t worry if you don\'t have one, we always have enough to share. Novice players to more experienced... all levels welcomed! Hope to see you soon. Pauline. Photographs from the Backgammon group can be found at the Shrewsbury U3A website at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/backgammon1.html Documents from the Backgammon group can be found at the Shrewsbury U3A website at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/backgammon.html

A group which will appeal to enthusiasts of board games such as Carcassonne and Ticket to Ride and many others.. The group meets at The Nerdy Cafe, Mardol on the second and fourth Fridays of the month.

Breakfast at Shrewsbury’s is a Shrewsbury U3A study group formed in July 2018. Group members arrange to meet on the first Saturday in the month to enjoy a breakfast at one of the many cafés, farm shops or hotels in Shrewsbury town centre or the surrounding areas. There are currently 20 members of the group (December 2021) with around 10 members attending in any particular month. The group members meet at the chosen establishment at 9.30am and you can take one for the team by ordering of a full English breakfast but our more sensible members pick a lighter or healthier offering. The aim of the group is simply to enjoy good food in good company, support local trade and start the Saturday in the best possible way. The group will always choose locally-run establishments and aim to steer clear of national chains. As a Shrewsbury U3A member, you don\'t have to formally join the Breakfast at Shrewsbury’s group, just turn up if you are in the mood. There’s no need to send your apologies if you can’t make it, nor reserve a place if you can.

The Bridge 1 group consists of people with a variety of card play ability. Some have played bridge for forty years, others for one or two years. Acquiring the bridge skills may have started at university or college, or by learning from friends, joining a club, and buying a book, or just simply joining a U3A group following retirement. Our group started very small some years ago, and met in members homes but numbers increased so we now meet in a set venue. We are relaxed and easy going, taking pleasure sometimes in analysing the hand played, to see how it could have been played better, and partners are randomly selected so we increase our knowledge and experience. Some of our number want a more competitive play, so in addition to the group, they join a club as well. Others take lessons to enable them to improve and then impart their new experience to others. We learn from each other. Bridge is not just about skilful card play, it is about understanding the complex mode of communication between partners called the auction in which players vie with their opponents to take control of the dealt hand and become declarer. A defender, however, if clever and with card distribution in his favour, can outwit the Declarer. No two hands are ever the same. We have now reached the maximum number which the venue will accommodate and our numbers cannot now increase, but some of us are prepared to help another group get started. A book, a few lessons, lots of practice and a few new acquaintances will take you a long way.

Players of some experience meet to play Bridge. The group is not really suitable for complete beginners.

We are a friendly group who are happy to help each other and discuss bidding after play has finished. We play duplicate with different partners and score. New members are welcome from beginners to more experienced.

We are a very friendly group who were beginners but are now improvers who are confident in the principles, bidding and playing of the game. Pre pandemic there were about 20 of us in the group. Now we are back we need to rebuild our numbers. We pick for partners, play duplicate and score. Picking for partners gives us all experience in playing with and against a variety of players. We very much welcome new players, whether beginners or more experienced.

Meeting from January 11th will be at Radbrook Community Centre first Tuesday 11th Jan and every two weeks . From 10-12 with a few date exceptions Our next get together is May 3rd, 19th and 31st. Followed by 14 and 28 of June, July 12 and 26th.

The Cinema group is a fairly small, friendly group, who enjoy going to films, and then discussing what they have seen. We dont necessarily see the films together (although members often do make arrangements with each other), but when it suits each of us, and then we meet up to discuss what we have seen. We choose 2 or 3 films each month which we all try to see. We use the Old Market Hall programme primarily, but also keep an eye on what is on at Cineworld, including the National Theatre screenings. Occasionally we find that we are virtually all in agreement about a film, but more often there are varying views and this makes for a lively and interesting discussion and the opportunity, perhaps, to consider aspects of a film which we had not initially appreciated. Recent films about which there was general agreement include La La Land (we couldn\'t see what all the hype was about), I,Daniel Blake and Manchester by the Sea (both of which we rated highly).

Classical Music Appreciation

This group is for those of us who would like to breathe life back into \"old\" mechanical mantle clocks - we are hobbyists not professional clock repairers and we learn knowledge and skills from and with each other. You do not need to have lots of tools or a workshop - just a wish to have fun and experience the joy of hearing a broken clock ticking again.

The computer club exists to share knowledge and help those people who are wishing to learn more about their computer/s. A few of our group are keen enthusiasts with a lot of knowledge, but we find that everyone has something to contribute. In general, the first half of the meeting is often a presentation covering some aspect of computer use, either from a guest speaker or from within our own members, but our most valuable feature is the open session where we ask questions and share ideas. Please note we do not offer one to one tuition, but we will all try and help you fix a problem. It is not unknown for one of our more experienced members to take over your computer at home to help solve any issues. We often bring our laptops/notebooks/tablets, but these need to be charged up in readiness, as the number of plug sockets is limited. The Memorial Hall (where we meet) provide free internet access so you can get online if the session requires it. There is a boiler to make tea and coffee for our mid session break.

The group aims to create a convivial environment in which to learn and develop the skills of contract whist. The number of players for the group is between 3 and 7. The group meets for 1-2 hours twice a month at The Crown Inn at Coleham. In contract whist players compete individually. An understanding of the rules of ordinary (partner) whist is required.

We are a small friendly group, who share a love of cooking - and eating! We meet every month in each other's homes to share the preparation and cooking of a lunch, which we then enjoy together. We share recipes, tips and ideas. Numbers are limited due to the logistics - none of us have industrial sized kitchens! Some of the themes we have enjoyed so far include, a Spanish Tapas lunch, easy puddings, salads and basic Italian meals. The group is full at present. Pictures from our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/cooking.html

We are a small group whose aim is to improve our writing skills and try out new forms of expressing ourselves in the written word through a monthly assignment and (friendly!) criticism. We have been meeting for more than 10 years now so we must be doing something right... Our writing reflects our different life experiences and differing attitudes. The discussion around our contributions to the topic of the month is often as much about the nature of the content and the ideas behind it, as it is about its style and form. In other words, we learn more than just writing. Creative writing makes you think, but since the subject is the same for everyone, it is instructive and interesting to compare one\'s thoughts and interpretation with those of the other members of the group. Logged in members of Shrewsbury u3a can view samples of our work by visiting our Group Page and then clicking the Documents tab. We hope you enjoy reading them and we welcome comments! If you are interested in joining us, please do get in touch with the co-ordinator. Our group can cater for up to 7 members.

The cryptic crossword members are now divided into two smaller groups. One meets on the second Thursday at 2.00pm, and the other on the third Wednesday at 2.30pm. Both groups meet at the Tesco Community Room.

We formed in July 2017 and since 2020 it was agreed to meet every Wednesday instead of alternate weeks. Currently we meet at The Stop Cafe, Greyfriars, Shrewsbury at 10.00 am. Members suggest routes and so far they have included ones to Upton Magna, Attingham, Haughmond, Longden, Pontesbury, Wellington, Hadnall. We try to factor in a coffee stop en route. We are of mixed cycling experience on average cycling about 20 miles mainly on quiet roads. Sometimes we venture further clocking up 30+ miles. We are always looking for new routes and recently we cycled to the Potting Shed at Crew Green. During lockdown a couple of members decided they would not carry on so we were able to add a couple of new people and look forward to them joining us soon.

The group will be open to mixed ability cyclists, the fastest among the group always waiting at key points for slower members to catch up, ensuring that no one gets lost or left behind with the aim being social as well as for exercise. Coffee stops are mandatory! Please note that members are responsible for their own safety and maintenance of their bicycle and for wearing suitable easily visible/bright clothing - a helmet is recommended.

We are a friendly mixture of people with varying photographic knowledge and experience, but with one common aim. To explore the photographic process and to learn and enjoy ourselves along the way.

So, do you look at your photos and feel they are somehow not showing what you saw and wish there was help to improve your photography?

Perhaps you have wondered what those camera settings P,A,S & M are there for?

Maybe you want to have the confidence and knowledge to venture beyond a “factory” manipulated, in-camera, image to using a RAW image file, i.e. a digital negative

or maybe you wish you could learn how to make your own adjustments to a digital image to produce a satisfying and very personal result?

....if the answer to any of these is YES, then keep reading.

We recognise that the camera always was and still is just the first stage in a journey towards a final image. To achieve this end, we help each other to understand our cameras and to get the best from them. Then we can help each other to take our images to the second stage with modern digital software used in phones and computers.

We meet monthly, when indoors usually for a two hour meeting and three times a year for field trips which can last for most of the day.
We can also meet on a more informal basis and in smaller numbers for photo-walks in a variety of locations.

Our indoor meetings provide an opportunity to view and discuss the images we have taken. These will be small portfolios of images either on a chosen subject or taken on a field trip. We also have sessions led by our members to share techniques, hints and tips.
These might be:
 ⁃¤⁃ Photo composition techniques;
 ⁃¤⁃ Using lens filters to achieve a specific result;
 ⁃¤⁃ Understanding basic digital camera controls, e.g. Shutter speed, Aperture, ISO, White balance and their use in differing circumstances;
 ⁃¤⁃ Using basic photo software to make mainly light touch enhancements to an image such as cropping or lightening or darkening an exposure;
 ⁃¤⁃ Removing unwanted distractions from an image.
• These techniques and many others are not recent innovations as a result of the digital revolution but have been used in the field and in darkrooms since photography began in the nineteenth century!

What we are not is specialists in any particular photographic genre, such as wild animals, long exposure landscapes, star/astro photography, macro photography, sports or racetrack photography and so on.
We can describe the basics of these interests. We may even feature one of them in a learning session if there is enough group interest, but you will not find that it is our central purpose.

Contact our Group Coordinator for further details Mike Tyler (01743) 860408, or view more information at https://u3adp1.wixsite.com/website

Discover pubs and restaurants for lunch in Shropshire with a small group of up to 14 people. Good food and great company once a month. We meet on the 4th Wednesday of the month from 10.30am until 2.30pm.

A new group meeting for lunch and chat at the many Shropshire pubs and eateries. Already full!

Discover pubs and restaurants for lunch throughout Shropshire with a small group of up to 12. Good food and great company once a month.

This group is for people who are good at DIY and for those who would like to develop some DIY capabilities. Experienced DIYers can swap advice and tips with each other as well as helping those who are less experienced to tackle jobs that would otherwise go undone or require a tradesman. The group will meet on zoom, at times to be determined.

The focus is on our own work, in any medium, regardless of whether people are total beginners or not. Ideally we shall have a still life object to help provide subject matter. There is no teaching; we just enjoy doing our own thing in relaxed company. We meet in Drapers Place, near the Abbey, 10 - 12 on the third Wednesday of the month.

Dance with the U3A! Everything from Elizabethan Galliards to Argentinian Tango, and everything in between! You don’t need a partner, just a sense of fun. If you want to know more, contact Robin on 07773 558682 or by email at rbenie@aol.com

The Economics group meets to consider any aspect of economics, with some emphasis on the basics, and current economic topics.

This group is about exploring what is meaningful, what’s important and what might give you more sense of purpose in your day to day life. For example we will explore music that touches us, and what we enjoy when we are in nature. This is not a course about the meaning of life theoretically; it is about you exploring areas of meaningfulness and worthwhileness that resonate with you.

We begin with a 10/15 minute meditation. Members are invited to share their understanding of what they believe mindfulness is. This can allow some clarity to be shared on any misconceptions. We often share a piece from book or website we have seen, that allows a discussion on what we understand is being said and how helpful it was. We will explore together how we feel it can be used in our daily life. Occasionally an issue is brought that is present and how meditation and mindfulness can bring some calm to our constant questioning in our minds. There could be a short enjoyable experiment with the group to demonstrate how mindful or not we really are. The group meets fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons at 2pm til 4pm

We are a friendly group who enjoy playing, singing and listening to traditional music from the UK and around the world. Members of the group play (or attempt to play) a variety of instruments at differing standards, ranging from near beginner to expert but no-one is judgmental! Those who sing also differ widely in ability but everyone in the group is supportive of the others. You don’t need to play or sing to come along; you just need to enjoy folk music and its stories. Songs and tunes played or sung include traditional songs from the UK, America and elsewhere, including industrial, political and social songs and broadsheet ballads, sea songs and shanties, Christmas and seasonal music, songs from the sixties’ “folk revival” and more modern songs in the folk idiom. The meetings take the form of “open mic” sessions without a microphone(!) and discussion. Frequency: Meetings take place twice a month on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month from 10.00 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Venue: The Inn on the Green, Bank Farm Road, Radbrook (adjacent to the Co-op Store and Radbrook Shopping Centre). The meeting venue is accessible for the disabled and car parking is available to the rear of the Inn. The venue is also easily accessible from Shrewsbury Town Centre via the No 20 bus. Cost: There is no charge for the sessions but tea and coffee are available at a cost of £1.00.

The group coordinator has provided no information about this group.

The members of French Conversation 1 are mostly at the level of rusty "O" level French but we do our best to be disciplined and speak French throughout the meeting. We start with general conversation and then perhaps read and translate an article or play a word game. We finish with coffee and biscuits.

This group meets fortnightly to improve our French speaking skills through exchanging news, discussion and role-play in an informal and friendly atmosphere. Our members have different levels of ability and we aim to support each other.

The group meets monthly to visit an interesting garden, often in the local area.

This is a small, friendly group who meet to converse in German. There is usually a short German text to read followed by discussion.

This is a new group for U3A members who want to practice their German conversation skills in an informal environment, rather than concentrate on correct grammar and/or written German. Interested members should express interest online

The Golf Croquet group was formed in 2011 and we have all enjoyed learning a new skill and had some good laughs. It is not like the strict game of croquet with lots of rules but more of a fun game. Our next season starts in April 2020. We play on 2nd & 4th Thursdays from April to the end of August, starting at 6 pm each evening. The group is full (18 members) at the moment so if you are interested you will be put on a waiting list. The Co-ordinator will contact you if there is a space for you.

A group for those keen to put their free bus pass to use. Our first outing to Ludlow on Monday 30th April was a wonderful success. On Friday 1st June we enjoyed a terrific day out in Bridgnorth. This new group now arranges a monthly excursion to foreign lands (beyond Shrewsbury) by encouraging you to make use of your free bus pass. We meet at Shrewsbury bus station (although, depending on the destination, you may be able to board at a more convenient bus stop) and travel together to a strange and distant town (in Shropshire, or a neighbouring county). On arrival, we typically go for a coffee and share ideas about what to visit or where to shop and some of the group members also arrange to meet again for a spot of lunch at a chosen time and venue. We equip ourselves with the bus return timetables and the group members decide how long they wish to stay at the destination town and catch their preferred bus back home to Shrewsbury. We have tremendous fun, there is great camaraderie, and the group members are free to be with others and spend time alone when they wish. As a Shrewsbury U3A member, you don\'t have to formally join the Have Pass Will Travel Group, just grab your \'twirly\' bus pass and join us on our next outing that takes your fancy. Our group photos can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/have-pass-will-travel1.html Our travel documents can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/have-pass-will-travel.html

The History 1 group decides on a period of world history and members choose a subject relating to it that they would like to research. Their discoveries are shared with the group and everyone joins in with questions and discussion. History 1 is a long-established group interested in all aspects of world and local history military, political, philosophical, economic, social, biographical and the arts. Together we decide on an area to study and each choose topics to present to the group. The presentations always lead to lively discussion. Over the past couple of years, we have been looking at the eighteenth century, presently concentrating on the second half the Enlightenment. This continues to be a rich source of subject matter which we have not yet exhausted.

At the History 2 group, each person takes it in turn to present a historical topic of their choice. Recent topics have included Constantinople - decline and fall, Four Medieval Queens, a history of Ellis Island. Presentations are followed by refreshments and discussion. In July, the group went on a walking tour of Shrewsbury, with members taking it in turn to give a potted history of a landmark. In December, we had a historical quiz, with members giving clues around the theme of Who/What/Where am I? Group size is limited due to the size of venue. At present, we are full. Previously the group has chosen to study the historical period 1815-1871. We have now decided to broaden our scope to include topics from any period. Topics can cover political, social, economic, military history of Britain or anywhere in the world.

Meetings are held at premises having disabled access. Members of the History of Science and Invention group who volunteer make presentations upon the development of science and technology through the ages which may be specific scientific discoveries and inventions or the lives of eminent scientists and inventors. Presentations are many and various depending on members' interests ranging in recent times from 'A Shocking History' - the history of man's edgy relationship with electricity' to the life of Joseph Banks; from 'A History of Distillation' to accounts of Captain's Cook's voyages. The mood is lightened or made pensive by topics such as ' A History of Penny Slot Machines' and a reflection on the nature of time through a history of the calendar. If you would like a ticket to ride on the monthly missions of this space-time star ship, you need to know that it docks monthly on the morning of the first Friday each month to take on board its intrepid crew. No previous knowledge of science or interstellar navigation required, just an enquiring mind and possibly, for the anxious, a packet of Kwells!

A project team formed to propose a solution to u3a Shrewsbury’s IT problems. The main thrust of this work was carried out between Sep & Dec 2021. We looked at a number of other ways to manage our membership and groups and trialled a few of them in demonstration roles. A way forward was identified still using Arda with local 3rd party support. This is now overseen by the committee position \"IT Admin\". The IT Project group has effectively run it\'s course and although not closed down completely, it is current inactive and not accepting new members.

The Italian group is suitable for those with some basic knowledge of Italian vocabulary and grammar (as a guide a knowledge of the present, perfect and imperfect tenses would be assumed). The aim is to be able to speak and understand spoken Italian. Members have studied Italian for a number of years and are probably at a level described as \'intermediate\'. If you contact the coordinator, he will be able to provide more detailed information about the activities of the group. Help from any member already fluent would be welcome. November 2018 update: We are focusing on talking more between ourselves in Italian. We aim to speak and read in Italian at each of our twice monthly meetings,as well as discussing vocabulary and grammatical points. Members often make presentations and everyone is encouraged to suggest or provide activities. If you think that this might be suitable for you, we would advise attending a meeting to \'get a feel\' for what we do and to clarify the level. Documents relating to our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/italian.html

We are a small group who enjoy brushing up on the Italian language. We are making steady progress but with strictly no pressure; the emphasis is on making learning a fun activity. At our meetings, keeping to a basic level, we follow text book exercises, revising vocabulary and useful verbs. We translate passages from various publications and devise other activities to make learning interesting and to help in expressing ourselves in the language. We use a laptop to listen to native speakers. This is also a social group and we meet for lunch once a month at a local restaurant. The group is full at the moment.

Our focus is mainly on building confidence with conversation plus bits of reading, listening and grammar at intermediate level to enable everyone to keep making progress. Meetings on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays 10 -12 noon, initially at Coordinator\'s house. We are sorry but we are not accepting new members at the moment. We have decided to limit the size of the group to enable meetings to be held in members\' houses with social distancing.

The Jazz Appreciation group meets once a month to listen to and discuss a wide range of jazz. Members vary in their tastes. Consequently, we hear artists that we might not otherwise listen to, hear some artists for the very first time and discuss our likes and dislikes. Over the past couple of years, we have been listening to more contemporary jazz than before. As new members join, we are exposed to new things, which can lead to debate as to whether it is jazz or not. The normal format is for one member to talk about a particular musician, style of music, instrument or their own favourite tracks for the first half of the meeting. Then in the second half each member is invited to play a track that might be related to the first hour's topic. For up to date information and general Jazz news check out our private Facebook group: www.facebook.com/groups/644584129080941/

The Latin group began over six years ago. The group is led by our esteemed and knowledgeable coordinator Sue. We are a small group of 11 dedicated and lively members. Our introduction to Latin began with Cambridge Latin Course book 1. We are now at the end of Book 111, ready to start on Book 1V. The course has taken us to the city of Pompeii, Roman Britain, Egypt and Imperial Rome. Learning Latin is fun but hard work sometimes. We have adopted a light-hearted approach with plenty of friendly discussion to keep the spirit high. We are often asked, why Latin? Latin is a superb educational tool and one of the best ways of learning about Language. It provided the means by which Greek and Roman ideas and culture could spread throughout the west. It has had a powerful and lasting effect upon nearly all European languages including our own English language. If you have desire to learn this great language, you will find it a rich source of enlightenment and pleasure. We all get our refreshments from the bar and then spend about two hours studying. This will include digressions on Roman history, aspects of Roman society such as slavery, imperialism, the army and religion, among others. We also trace the origins of English vocabulary in the Latin, which is always fascinating, when contributions from group members are very welcome. We have a lot of fun but when brain death seems to be ensuing, we stop.

This group is for those wishing to learn beginner\'s line dances, so no experience needed. Dances will be learned \"from scratch\". Come and have some fun exercise which isn\'t weather dependent. You work as hard as you want and can take a break whenever you wish during the meeting. Plenty of free parking at venue and there\'s a regular bus service. It\'s a lovely floor and the hall is well ventilated, with drinking water and toilets available. We are not holding any meetings during July and August 2022. We start again on 5 September 2022 and have 8 meetings booked until 19 December 2022. We may have some spaces available, so if you are interested in joining us, ring me (07816 627 935) and I will keep a waiting list until I have heard from our group members as to whether or not they will return on 5 September. We aim to keep to a maximum of 15 members as beginners need plenty of floor space.

The \'founder members\' have no specific knowledge of linguistics, but share an interest in languages and hope to develop their understanding. We intend to investigate a range of elements, including historical linguistics, the patterns of languages across the world, how language is used and how meaning is expressed through language. It is proposed that a textbook be adopted initially as a basis for study.

The Local History group features talks from local historians on Shrewsbury and other places in Shropshire. Visits to places of local interest are organised as a follow-up to the talks.

Unfortunately this group is full and cannot take any new members at present. We meet on the third Friday of the month to research and discuss the local history of the town of Shrewsbury, its buildings and people. In addition to the monthly meetings we arrange visits and walks to places of interest from a local history point of view.

This Group meets at 10am on the first Friday of each month in the Bradbury Room at Drapers Place, Horsefair, Abbey Foregate, Shrewsbury. The Group has Joint Co-Ordinators, Anne C and Jane S. This is an interactive Group with members presenting talks themselves, with occasional Guest Speakers and visits out. The Group is now full.

This group has been formed to meet the demand for membership of the 3 existing Local History groups, each of which has a slightly different approach to the subject. Members have agreed to take an informal approach to begin with using research and discussion, combined with occasional speakers and visits, through an evolving programme which will be discussed at the first meeting.

Looking at Art is a small group that has been meeting since April 2012. Individual members take turns at researching an aspect of their chosen subject, either painters or a particular period of art, and then present their findings to the other members usually by PowerPoint or with books. We have recently studied cave and rock art around the world, the Staffordshire Hoard and the art of the Egyptians. We now intend to work our way chronologically forward up to the beginning of the 20th century. We also intend to visit some galleries.

We meet at Churchill\'s in the Conservative Club on the second Thursday each month. Timing is: 1200 for 1230.

Lunch Club 2 aims to provide the opportunity for members to meet together and socialise over lunch. Lunches will be organised at a variety of restaurants, cafes and pubs in Shrewsbury at a range of prices.

We meet to learn and develop our skills in this fascinating game. It is often thought that mahjong is a very difficult game to play. In fact, it is like a card game except you use tiles and build walls - experiencing it is the only way. The group usually play regularly each Monday afternoon at Meole Brace Bowling Club. The current group play a Hong Kong Chinese version of the game. This has reduced the number of combinations from the Western version often played by ex-pats and has a scoring system that is more simple. Our enthusiasm as a group has led to the following: 1. Social festive lunches arranged around play at Xmas ,Easter and summer 2. Creative talents. One member has hand-embroidered several tablecloths to match individual Mah Jong sets. 3. A few members also play, calling in Chinese. 4. Members have volunteered to pass on their skills to set up a group playing at the main library in Shrewsbury.

Our monthly meetings usually comprise of a presentation by a group member, on a topic of their choice, followed by an informal quiz when members each ask two or three questions and provide the answers. We don\'t keep score or mark results. We are here to enjoy ourselves. Pictures from our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/military-history.html

This group is for people who are keen model makers or would like to try their hand but could benefit from some support and advice. The nature and scope of crafts to be practiced will be down to the group members could cover a broad spread of model making skills. For those who are keen on fabricating model parts from basic materials, there is potential to access the appropriate workshop facilities. Initial meetings, to determine the way forward for the group, will on zoom at times to be determined. Once we have six participants, we will proceed.

The Modern Art History group began meeting in 2005 with aim of looking at movements and artists from Impressionism onwards. Over the past 15 years, we have worked our way up to contemporary artists. However, the addition of new members each year means that a number have missed artists and art movements that they would have liked to have studied. The result has been the development of a more eclectic programme. Since 2015/16, half the meetings are on post 1945 artists and half on revisiting earlier artists. In a typical meeting, 2 members will volunteer to talk about a particular artist/movement and show pictures for the whole group to discuss. Time allowing, another member will also talk about a particular picture/art work. With the aid of a laptop and projector, members of the group introduce various artists and movements to the rest of us as a basis for lively discussion. No previous knowledge is assumed and all are welcome. Our coordinator will be delighted to talk to anyone interested in joining us. Documents relating to our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/modern-art-history.html

As none of the group members of Music Appreciation 2 come from a trained musical background we prefer to use the title 'The Enjoyment of Music Group' as it is a more accurate portrayal of what happens at our meetings. We enjoy the sharing of personal musical favourites in the hope that they will also become the favourites of others. Some sessions are entirely led by individual group members, such as 'An Afternoon with Mozart' or 'The Beauty of Combined Voices'. At others everyone brings one or two pieces they like and which they associate with the theme of that particular meeting. 'Music in Films', 'A Musical Tourist to Vienna' and 'The Satanic and the Angelic in Music' are three typical examples. The group has enjoyed another varied and interesting year out at Yockleton. Some extremely well researched and well-presented sessions have been led by individual members, including a wonderful insight into Greek Music and its links with 20th Century history, a fascinating examination of brass in orchestral and band repertoires, also music from the Wurlitzer and its significance in popular culture. Other sessions have included Music & Revolution, Sir Thomas Beechams wit and lollipops, and favourites from one members collection of CDs. Last year's Christmas lunch at The Yockleton Arms and a group visit to the live screening of The Nut-Cracker Ballet, together with a variety of home-made cakes are indications of why this is such a popular group. It currently has a full complement of ten members.

The Nature Watch (NW) Group has a different experience every month but all are about learning together and sharing our experience and interests. Indoor meetings (arranged for the inclement months of January and November) are built around illustrated talks, often led by invited specialists. Outdoor meetings take us in our shared cars to a wide range of locations, each fascinating in its own way. We stroll through some surprisingly rich habitats and discover what supports or damages them, what plants and creatures thrive in them and how they came about through or despite the behaviour of mankind. We have ample opportunity to use binoculars and cameras to see more and make a durable record of sites visited. When people choose, there can be a stop for coffee or lunch on the way home. Very occasionally it is possible to organise a coach trip to somewhere not so local. The group is full at the moment but don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t be put off registering your interest as vacancies can arise and you would always be informed if a special coach trip were on the horizon.

As part of the drop in sessions at Palmers Café held on the last Friday afternoon of each month, there will be an area set aside especially for new members to meet each other and members of the committee, to learn more about Shrewsbury u3a and what it has to offer and to discuss what they are hoping to get from their membership and hopefully give in return.

A group for U3A members who live on their own. The group aims to provide opportunities to socialise, share strategies, and to provide support to those who enjoy their own company but appreciate involvement with others.

This French conversation group will do what it says on the tin. If you can speak French at a conversational level and wish to chat with others over a cup of coffee on a variety of subjects, this group might be for you. A friendly, supportive group where we can interact with each other to improve our fluency and learn new vocabulary along the way.

The Petanque group will meet at Shelton Cricket Club commencing 2nd April, and will play throughout the winter, weather permitting. Members are required to bring their own boules, although sharing may be possible. Toilets are available and it is recommended that players bring a garden chair as there is no seating at the Cricket Club. A donation of £1 per player per session is requested to be paid to the Cricket Club for providing the venue.

Philosophy! Don’t be put off. If you are like me - someone who has always had a casual interest in Philosophy and read the occasional book but always wanted to learn and understand more - this group is just right for you. Firstly let me say that none of the group has any academic expertise in philosophy - so no need to feel intimidated by the thought of joining a group of academic philosophers. We simply use the book \'Western Philosophy: An Anthology (Second Edition) by John Cottingham as the starting point for our discussions. We work through the book section by section. We have spent the last 12 months completing the section Authority and the State in which we read about The Social Contract and various philosophers’ thoughts on the matter. We have discussed topics including :- Our obligations to respect the law : Plato - Crito The Just Ruler :Thomas Aquinas - On Princely Government Sovereignty and Security : Thomas Hobbes - The Leviathan Consent and Political Obligation : John Locke - The Second Treatise of Civil Government Against Contractarianism : David Hume - Of the Original Contract Society and the Individual : Jean-Jacques Rousseau - The Social Contract The Unified State : From Individual Desire to Rational Self-determination- The Philosophy of Right Property, Labour and Alienation : Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels - The German Ideology The Limits of Majority Rule : John Stuart Mill - On Liberty The Minimal State : Robert Nozick - Anarchy, State and Utopia Social Co-operation and Rational Self-interest : David Gauthier- Why Contactarianism Liberalism, Resources and Equal Worth : Ronald Deorkin - Why Liberals Should Care about Equality How the group works. Prior to each meeting a question is set to form the basis of our discussion. Each member then reads the appropriate section (5-6 pages of text) together with any additional references supplied by the group coordinator( YouTube video or website link) or researched by the individual member. Members take turns in giving a short (5-10 minutes) introduction to each meeting and then we discuss the topic in depth. . The discussion usually broadens out into present day issues related to the subject matter discussed. We meet at 2pm at The Lion Hotel in Shrewsbury on the second Tuesday of each month for two hour.. Please feel free to contact. Kevin Nester kevinnester@adm-group.co.uk 07711 764768

The Philosophy of Social Change group is now in its sixth year, normally meeting in central Shrewsbury, but currently by Zoom. New members are welcome - and are requested! - but to allow all members to take active part, we seek to keep our numbers to 10 or fewer. Prospective members should be willing to read (or view) our chosen works, perhaps a new one every eight weeks. We take philosophy to be the analysis and clarification of ideas. For the most part social change appears to happen without planning and is something to which everyone is subject, irrespective of choice. Possibly in every generation, in every nation, reflective people express frustration that the political, economic or social arrangements in which they find themselves, lack fairness, rationality, freedom or meaning. Galvanizing change in a preferred direction may, to some people, seem too urgent for (time-wasting) clarification of ideas. Others might consider the reverse, that ideologues of reform or revolution are liable to disturb the peace, put lives at risk or guarantee new tyranny. Our field of study includes but is not limited to the philosophy of politics, economics and sociology. The intention of the group is to read and reflect on writings which might improve our understanding of ideas concerning social change: whether, in what direction, and by what intervening steps, social progress might deliberately be achieved. Over our first four years, we discussed works on the theme of Rights and Freedoms. Our current studies concern The Purpose of Government. The next intended theme is Socialism and Utopianism, to be followed by Nationalism and Internationalism. The works we investigate, may be ancient or modern, academic or popular; formal studies, drama, fiction, poetry or film. Group members by turn, introduce a suggested philosophical question each meeting, as a method of opening the social change ideas in the work.

This Group will aim to play pickleball for fun at a location or locations to be determined.

A poem is 'a machine made of words', according to the American poet W.C.Williams. At Poetry Appreciation 1, sometimes we've found the 'machines' judder and halt - as in our sessions on Chaucer and Emily Dickinson, though the cogs, levers and pulleys of their poems were running more smoothly after our discussion. In the past few months, our verbal spanners and screwdrivers have been at work on the poetry of Carol Ann Duffy, Pablo Neruda, Tennyson, Owen Sheers, Simon Armitage, Milton, Shakespeare, Elizabeth Bishop, and poems about such topics as towns and cities, growing up, travel and birds. We also have a regular 'mystery poem' and 'desert island poems' sessions. We have argued a lot. But, as someone once said, "Poetry will find consensus where politics never can".

This group explores member\\\'s creativity through writing poetry. Members are encouraged to constructively and honestly critique the poetry of of their fellow members.

We are an informal group of amateur but enthusiastic photographers. We concentrate on getting the best results from our cameras rather than software manipulation and enhancement. We have a theme every month and some of the photo subjects being covered this year include Fungi, Perspective and Scale, Action Photos, Boats, Wildlife, and Stately Homes. We also discuss a photo topic each month which is related to the next months photo subject. In addition we have a closed Facebook group and we also arrange several field trips as well. Generally, we share experiences and techniques, learning from each other. If you are a beginner, a gifted amateur, a social photographer, or a professional willing to share your knowledge we would welcome you to our group.

From a choice of books offered by Shrewsbury Library members of the Reading 1 group select 12, aiming to read some books outside our comfort zone to broaden our horizons. Each month we read one of these before the meeting then, on the day, we discuss its strengths and weaknesses. It is stimulating, and revealing when we are not in agreement. It reinforces the argument that while our individual thoughts are invaluable, they can often be prejudiced too. According to the philosopher Thomas Hobbes, a co-operative society with a strong benevolent leader is needed to steer us along a considered and enlightened path. Discussion of the book leads us naturally on to the issues it has highlighted. If all this sounds stuffy, believe me it\'s not. We\'re a friendly, relaxed group and we have lots of laughs.

Another twelve months of interesting reading and enjoyable discussions has passed by for the Reading 2 group. When asked by the Shrewsbury U3A Editor to put together a "piece" for the newsletter we initially said, "What do we do, we just read!" But then "what do we read?" An interesting discussion followed and from titles and names put in we suddenly realised that we have considerably widened the scope and style of our reading choices since we first got together, some years ago now. This year we have learned a lot from reading books such as "Colour Bar", (recently a film), about politics in Southern Africa; "The Story of Lucy Gault (William Trevor) about the troubles in Ireland; how to collect marbles in "The Marble Collector" by Cecilia Aherne; the gossip about Charles Dickens' secret mistress in Claire Tomalin's "The Invisible Woman"! We try to keep up to date on the latest reviews and take it in turns to suggest titles, which we decide on by consensus. We may not always like the same topics but the sharing of our ideas means we have a good variety of things to talk over. We were sorry to lose one of our long-standing members early this year when she left to live in France but we keep her in the picture and enjoy her emails. What will we read this coming year? Who knows yet, but I am sure it will be well worth making the effort.

Christine Rose is offering a short guided programme to run between August and the end of December, with the aim of group members meeting together to spruce up their Spanish prior to going on holiday. Sessions will be held at Christine’s home on Wednesday afternoons from 3pm to 4.30pm on the following dates: August 10, 17 and 31, September 7 and 14, October 26, November 30, December 7, 14, 21 and 28. Please telephone Christine for further information on 01743 231726

This group is for people who want to collectively pursue, or sample, a sport or adventurous activity. It can do whatever the group members want it to do as a single group or in smaller sub groups.

The purpose of the group is to equip members with the knowledge and tools to help them begin research into their family history. It is envisaged that the course would be of 6-8 weeks duration, after which the members should be confident to continue their research by themselves and a new course could then be offered to a different group of members.

The purpose of the group is to enable like minded members to participate in a range of craft activities such as embroidery, quilting, dressmaking techniques, knitting and crochet, sharing knowledge and skills in a social setting.

This is a new group for Sunday pub lunches and the first Shrewsbury U3A group to make use of a Sunday. We are looking to gather around 10 regular members who are up for going out for a pub lunch on a Sunday once per month. We can sample all the best pubs, restaurants and farm shops in and around the Shrewsbury area. Those with transport should be willing to collect a nearby member without transport (and share the travel expense). Our inaugural meeting has been arranged in February 2019 at Côte Brasserie. Please contact Group Coordinator, Carol M, to register your interest.

This is a mixed ability group although it is a fairly active one. We play doubles on three tables. The losers join the end of a waiting queue and winners stay on their table for a further game but take new partners. The turnaround is fairly quick so that people in the queue don\'t have long to wait to play.

This is a small group who want to play singles as opposed to doubles and due to the nature of this activity we ere looking initially for a group of 10. At present we have 8.

This is a mixed ability group although it is a fairly active one. We play doubles on three tables. The losers join the end of a waiting queue and winners stay on their table for a further game but take new partners. The turnaround is fairly quick so that people in the queue don\'t have long to wait to play.

This is a mixed ability group although it is a fairly active one. We play doubles on three tables. The losers join the end of a waiting queue and winners stay on their table for a further game but take new partners. The turnaround is fairly quick so that people in the queue don\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\'t have long to wait to play. Please note the group will meet every Friday EXCEPT for the first Friday in the month from 12 noon until 2.00pm.

Members interested in attending a particular theatre trip should contact the group co-ordinators (theatretrips@shrewsburyu3a.com). When a theatre trip is planned, those who have signed up for the outing will receive a letter giving details of the trip and an application form if they wish to join the trip. This helps members who might miss notices placed on the noticeboard at U3A meetings. Our planned trips are regularly announced at the Shrewsbury U3A monthly meetings at Theatre Severn and displayed in the Shrewsbury U3A online calendar, newsletter and private Facebook group.

The Topical Discussion 1 group enjoys stimulating debate on a range of topical issues in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

The Topical Discussion 2 group began in March 2014. There are currently 9 members, so more members are very welcome to join for discussion sessions on topics of contemporary interest.

This is tennis but played on half the size of a normal tennis court. It can be played on a badminton court. You play using a large racquet and a soft ball. It has all the benefits of playing normal tennis such as gaining flexibility, coordination, competitiveness and agility and of course it is great fun. It is great for anyone who can no longer run round a full size tennis court but still enjoys hitting a ball. Touch Tennis is quite addictive and a great sport for someone new to the game, as the rules are easy to pick up and obviously it is a much slower game than normal tennis which makes it perfect for those wanting to maintain their overall fitness levels in a socially fun environment with like‑minded people.

Regular trips and outings are arranged for Shrewsbury U3A members. Details of the forthcoming trips are advertised in the monthly newsletter, on the Shrewsbury U3A website and in the events calendar. Members interested in attending a particular outing should contact Seeven, the Group Coordinator at trips@shrewsburyu3a.com

The Ukulele group continues to meet every week on a Tuesday at the \'Inn on The Green\' pub in Radbrook, for a lively strumming and singing session, which normally lasts for two hours. We have built up a varied song collection and take it in turns to choose and introduce a song from the Shrewsbury U3A Song Book, to ensure that we all get a chance to play our favourite tunes and songs. Over the last year, we have played to a range of audiences, including residential homes, day centres and community clubs throughout the district. We have a great deal of fun playing and singing and it\'s a bonus to be able to share some of this with other people. We also enjoy meals out together and the occasional theatre trip. At present we have 32 members on our books and can cater for around 30 people, therefore, currently there is little scope to accept additional members wishing to join the group. However, we welcome all enquiries from new members and treat all applications to join on a case by case basis. We can also offer help to anyone who wants to learn to play the ukulele. We can even provide the loan of a Ukulele, for anyone without an instrument. There is a charge of £1 per session which includes a cup of tea or coffee and a biscuit. We have built up a wide-ranging repertoire of songs old and new(ish). We try to perform each one better every time and we have a lot of FUN. The ukulele is designed to be as easy as possible to play - absolute beginners can master their first two chords and be strumming along with the rest of us in twenty minutes. We were all beginners not so long ago. No ability to read music is needed although it does help if you know (or, with a little prompting, can remember) the tunes of popular songs of the 20th century. You bring the ukulele, we provide the song sheets. Lots of song sheets! Photographs and video clips of our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.weebly.com/ukulele.html

The Virtual Meetings group was set up, initially as only a short term group, while U3A members adjust to the new normal of lockdown during the Covid-19 pandemic. Many of the U3A groups are now meeting in a virtual conference room. The aim of Virtual Meetings was to trial the various options available, list their pros and cons and advise what might be best for individual groups. A secondary aim is to help host initial meetings for other groups (rather than their own co-ordinators) to help them over that first technical hurdle for their first group virtual meeting. A report of the groups findings was produced and circulated in May 2020. Currently the group has served it\'s purpose and is now inactive. Although at some point in the future it may meet again.

The members of the Walkers 1 group meet come rain or shine, unless extreme weather conditions occur. A typical walk is between 5 and 7 miles, and walks are led in turn by members of the group. On occasions, particularly if there is a fifth Thursday in the month, a longer walk (up to 9 miles) may be undertaken. The terrain will vary and may include some steep ascents and descents and uneven ground. All walkers should be fully and properly equipped and have stout walking boots. Shorter walks usually finish at a location where walkers can enjoy a sociable pub lunch. On longer walks we sometimes have a packed picnic lunch. Walkers 1 (originally called The Walking Group) has been around practically since the formation of Shrewsbury U3A 25 years ago. It was nurtured in the early years and for quite a long time by Barbara D. who was succeeded by Philip & Lyn M. and then by Mike B. The group has always been an active and friendly crowd supporting the coordinator and leading a variety of interesting and challenging walks. A cursory scan though our records indicates that up to 100 members have been part of our group over the years and maybe more. However, there is still room for more, so why not try out our friendly crowd?

The Walkers 2 Hill Strollers group meets at the Meole Brace Park & Ride. We try to combine good scenery, a goodly trek (6 to 8 miles with some hills) and an interesting lunch, preferably at some suitable watering hole for the weary traveller. We are now almost fully subscribed but you are welcome to come along for a testing little trek with a small but perfectly formed gathering of convivial folk. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather - only inappropriate clothing. Pictures from our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/walkers-2-hill-strollers1.html Documents relating to our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/walkers-2-hill-strollers.html

This is a new friendly group started to walk on the 5th Wednesday of the month (4 per year). The walks will be between 6 and 8 miles with varying degrees of difficulty details of which will be made available before each walk. Some of the walks might be on the edge of the county or a little bit further. A coffee and picnic break will be taken. It is not a requirement that members need to lead a walk. We will meet at MeoleBrace Park and Ride 9.15 for 9.30 am and leave as a group sharing vehicles.

The Just Walking group has been appropriately named because, unlike the other walking groups, we do not finish with a pub lunch taking a picnic en route This enables us to be more flexible not having to rush the walks to meet a pub booking time. We meet most Mondays in the month except some bank holidays. We walk between 5 and 6 miles sometimes a bit more at a steady pace, but stopping to take in views and any objects of interest. We try to make the walks interesting and varied. We have enjoyed a number of walks in the past year including walks starting fromHope, Cheswardine, Grinshill, Coalbrookdale, so we spread ourselves around! Although we have been rained on, we have always managed to eat our picnic outside. We meet either at Meole Brace P and R or at the walk start to begin walking before 10am. We are always interested in members who will walk regularly and lead walks . Pictures from our group can be found at www.shrewsburyu3a.com/walks-just-walking.html

The Walks Medium 1 group consists of around 25 members who enjoy walking together and having lunch afterwards. We walk for about 5 miles enjoying the countryside and conversation, then go to a country pub. We like a bit of a challenge to raise our heart-rate. We value members\\\\\\\' contributions to our knowledge of the wildlife, industrial archaeology, local history and geology as we go. Our numbers are of a convenient size for lunch at small characterful pubs. Pictures from our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/walks-medium-1.html

Members of the Walks Medium 2 group walk for approximately two to two-and-a-half hours covering an approximate maximum distance of six miles. Walks normally take place within the county but we have been known to stray over the border into Wales. The pace of walking can be described as fairly leisurely and we tend not to do any too strenuous walks involving hills and mountains, generally sticking to low undulating areas. All walks are planned, organised and led by individual members or jointly with another. On average this would result in members organising at least one walk per year. If members commence at the Park and Ride they share lifts to minimise expenditure and to enjoy one another's company. Rates payable to the drivers are in accordance with those set out by the U3A. The best part of the day for many members is that, on completion of the walk, we participate in lunch and some light refreshment in a local pub before returning home. To summarise: members enjoy getting out and about in the countryside, participating in a reasonable amount of gentle exercise, visiting some good pubs and, above all, enjoying each other's company. Pictures from our group can be found at: www.shrewsburyu3a.com/walks-medium-2.html

We walk on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays each month, currently at the start point for the walk, usually within 40 minutes drive from Shrewsbury. Before the lockdown we would meet at the Park & Ride at Meole Brace and car share to the start point. Car sharing is still encouraged. The walks offer a variety of terrain up to 6 miles in distance, with ascents and descents. Rough terrain and stiles may also be encountered. We walk at a steady pace but always have time for a coffee break as well as pauses to allow the group to keep together and take photos. We ask for volunteers to choose and to lead walks. The leader chooses a route and we stop during the walk for refreshments. The leader will decide if we end the walk with a pub lunch. Details of distance and other details are emailed out to members a few days in advance. We are a friendly group and if you’d like to know more, please get in touch with Jonathan Mutch, our group coordinator We invite you to try a walk with us before you commit to joining the group. We currently have room for more members. Do enquire if you\'re interested.

We walk leisurely for about 3 miles in and around Shrewsbury, We try to limit hills to ones that are not steep and we take time to enjoy the views and appreciate nature. Some of the places we have been to are: Loton Park, various bits of the Montgomery Canal, Craven Arms and Stokesay, Bridges walk over the Severn at Shrewsbury, Eastridge Woods, Nesscliffe and The Cliffe, Longden, The Ercall, Haughmond Hill, Welshpool and Powis Castle. When members feel ready they undertake to find and lead a walk. We no longer organise a pub lunch after the walk but some members arrange this between themselves. Some people bring a flask of coffee for when we take a short break.

This group is a self-study group, using DVDs and tutorial materials.