Tweeddale

Return to Tweeddale u3a

Tweeddale u3a Groups

Archaeology & Heritage     

Meets Monthly Third Monday
Normally starts 09:30 to 16:30
Details The A&H group has an interesting programme lined up for 2024 over the period January to September. We have two talks so far on The Covenanters and the textiles of Paisley, two trips by local bus to Biggar museum and the National Museum of Scotland, 2 car trips ( if there are sufficient drivers ) to Old Gala House and Thirlestane Castle and a trip to Floors Castle by Tweed Wheels (subject to availability). All the talks and trips are organised or given by the members for the members. So come and join us form January onwards - there is something for everyone!

Art Activities     

Meets Tuesday am Fortnighly
Details We meet fortnightly on Tuesdays at 10.30am in the Drill Hall. We meet throughout the year, apart from July and August. This is a very informal drawing and painting group for all levels and using any medium. This could be watercolour, acrylic, oils or pastels. We produce a programme with a suggested subject for each session. This is, nevertheless, optional.

Art Appreciation     

Meets Monthly, 3rd Tuesday, ( May alter as required )
Details In this Group we use the umbrella term ART to encompass Painting, Architecture, Photography, Sculpture, Interior design and Textile design etc. In other words Art in all its forms. To do this we use public transport where possible and practical, We also make use of hiring Tweed Wheels minibus for trips further afield. The social aspects of the group are seen as an important part of what we are about and, to this end, all site visits include coffee on arrival at the venue where possible, followed by lunch at or near the place visited for those wishing to socialise further.

Astronomy     

Meets Monday p.m. Monthly
Details Meetings so far have covered a range of topics, including Earth satellites and space probes, the orbits of planets, comets, meteors, types of telescopes, elements in stars and measuring astronomical distances. We have attended some of the public lectures at the Royal Observatory at Blackford Hill, Edinburgh. We are in close contact with the Tweeddale Astronomical Society. One of our group has a telescope that can be used to view the moon, stars and planets.

Books 1 - Books for All     

Meets Monthly, 3rd or 4th Wednesday evenings
Normally starts 19:30 to 21:00
Details The group aims to be informal, meeting in the evening in members’ homes. Due to this, and some remaining Covid considerations, we have kept the group to ten people. We meet throughout the year and also have a fun get together around New Year (very) loosely based on literature themes)Books are chosen once a year from suggestions by the members. In the past year those we have read include A Gentleman in Moscow, Sixteen Trees of the Somme, Mrs. Dalloway, The Silent Patient, The Dictionary of Lost Words and A Thousand Splendid Sons.

Books 2 - Bookworms     

Meets Monthly, 4th Tuesday pm
Details We read and discuss a variety of modern fiction, including British, American and European authors. Books are suggested by members who then lead the discussion. We have been meeting recently in the coffee garden at The Park Hotel, but will review this in the Autumn.

Books 3 - Reading for Pleasure     

Meets Monthly, 2nd Monday pm
Normally starts 14:00 to 00:16
Details The U3A group Reading for Pleasure was started some years ago with the aim to read not only little publicised but highly recommended books ( for example Rory Stewart’s the Places In Between and Highland Drove by John Keay) but classic books that we tend to put aside to be read “later”. The books are suggested by our members and the discussions are lively and debatable. Our meetings are held on the second Monday of the month at 2pm. At the moment the venue is flexible due to Covid19 compliance.

Chess     

Meets Every Friday
Normally starts 14:00 to 00:00
Details Chess, meets every Friday at 2pm at the Golf Club. Both for beginners and experts (and everyone in between). Tuition available. Facilitator is Bill Hardcastle.

Classical Music/Opera apprec.     

Meets Last Friday afternoon of each month
Details Music, a chance for members to introduce their favourite music— polyphonic, Baroque, classical, choral, instrumental or operatic— to other music-lovers. Meetings take place in members' own houses. Contact Marsali (marsalimacdonald@btinternet.com) or Helen 9tu3a@iangrantcumming.com)

Committee     

Meets 
Details Tweeddale u3a committee members

Cribbage     

Meets 2nd Wednesday of each month
Normally starts 14:00 to 00:00
Details Cribbage meeting on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 2pm at the Park Hotel. Facilitator Rosemary Waterhouse. "Britain's national card game" of subtleties and tactics"

Film Fans     

Meets Fourth Monday of the month
Details Prior to each meeting, one of the members suggests two films which they think will be of interest and the group votes on which one to watch. We choose a fairly eclectic selection of films from classics to recent releases, some on serious issues and some more light hearted. After watching the film we discuss aspects of it such as the main theme, the portrayal of the characters, the roles of the actors and other relevant topics arising from the film. We usually meet in the home of the person whose choice of film we are going to watch and our meetings are held on the 4th Monday of each month.

Film Group 1     

Meets 1st Tuesday of the month
Details Before each meeting one of the members suggests two films which they think will be of interest, and the group votes on which one to watch. We choose a fairly eclectic selection of films from classics to recent releases, some on serious issues and some more light-hearted. After watching the film we discuss aspects of it, such as the main theme, the portrayal of the characters, the roles of the actors and other relevant topics arising from the film. We usually meet in the home of the person whose choice of film we are going to watch and our meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month. Currently we only have six members and would be happy to have one new more. Obviously, we cannot have a group larger than can be accommodated in a home and everyone present must be able to see the screen.

French Conversation     

Meets Once a month
Details Contact Alexandra Duncan for more information

Garden     

Meets Monthly, 3rd Friday pm
Details The group meets on the third Friday of the month from March to October. On these days we normally visit a garden which is open to the public under the Scotland’s Garden Scheme, but may open by arrangement to groups such as ours. During peak gardening months we also occasionally visit members' gardens on an ad hoc basis. Most visits take place in the afternoon and occasionally we enjoy a full day out, but always attempt to return before 5pm. Members share their love of plants and gardens. We learn from each other about garden design and plants suitable for Peeblesshire gardens. The programme tries to offer variety for members’ shared pleasure, inspiration and education. Not all our members have gardens and we are certainly not all experts in plants or garden design, although some of our members are very knowledgeable! In February we hold a planning meeting where we draw up a programme for the season from suggestions made by members for visits to local gardens and nurseries, although occasionally further afield. At the end of the year we normally hold a pot-luck lunch or an afternoon tea.

German Conversation     

Meets Thursday or Friday morning, by arrangement
Details The German conversation group meets on Thursday or Friday mornings, by mutual agreement. Currently members are jointly reading Der Vorleser by Bernhard Schlink, to help in the understanding complex German writing.

History     

Meets Monthly, 3rd Thursday
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details What does the U3A History group do - and how do we do it? We aim to meet on the third Thursday of each month (apart from December, July and August). The category “history” is defined as more or less any historically relevant topic from 1000 AD onwards. Most of our sessions are talks and occasionally computer presentations, prepared by members of the group. Each talk generally last about 30 to 40 minutes and is followed by questions, and sometimes sharing source materials. In September we have a planning meeting when we usually fill our calendar with subjects suggested by members. This pre-planning means that each month the entire group can prepare for the chosen topic, and this results in a lively post-presentation discussion. We have great fun, learn a lot, and we all contribute. Recent topics have included Nellie Bly, the first person to travel around the world in under 80 days; the effects of the Mayflower; the history of Foodbanks; and Daniel Defoe. We currently meet in the Studio at the Eastgate Theatre.

International Affairs     

Meets 3rd Wednesday 10.00 am at Cross Keys Peebles
Normally starts 10:00 to 11:00
Details This group was formed in the autumn of 2020 as a result of the amalgamation of the Future of Europe and International Justice groups. After meeting on-line during the worst of the pandemic, the group now meets in person, but has continued to enable access to the group through Zoom for people unable to meet in person. We also monitor the air quality during the meeting. The group meets on the third Wednesday of each month, starting at 10.00 hrs. The group format involves selecting an agreed topic for discussion, preferably with an introduction by a member of the group, followed by a group discussion. Although not exhaustive, the following topics are those which the group plans to address: global migration, economic and social differences between countries, access issues (e.g. medicines, justice), globalisation, defence and aid policies, slavery (ancient and modern), climate change and governance.

Living and Local History     

Meets Monthly, 2nd Thursday
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:00
Details If you live in the Tweeddale area, you can't help but be fascinated by the amount of history we have on our doorstep. Pre-history and Roman history, Border Reivers and Covenanters, French sailors and German hotel owners, Mills and mail coaches, railways, elephants and explorers. You don't have to be an expert in history, local or otherwise, to be involved in our group. New to the area, or resident all your life, you just have to share our interest. Sometimes we cover one topic with one presentation; sometimes we have shorter presentations from two or three members. This year we created a town trail and are planning a wide variety of talks and a couple of visits. Members might arrange a visit to a local place of interest, or lead a walk around a local area. We have explored Tweeddale by minibus, led by a one of the group. We also improved our research skills by a visit and talk at Hawick Heritage Hub.

Lunch group     

Meets 1st Wednesday of each month at 12 noon
Details Meets 1st Wednesday of each month at 12 noon. Contact: Jim Lyon.

Mahjong     

Meets As agreed between members
Details Meeting dates agreed between members. A mixture of experience, so help available for beginners or those who need to refresh their memories. Facilitator Sheena Jones

Natural History     

Meets Thursdays
Details We generally meet fortnightly on Thursdays for half or whole days. but in winter less frequently. The group began with birds and plants, but now promotes a broad interest in Natural History and environmental issues. We visit areas around Peebles, along the Tweed and Manor Valley. Sometimes we venture further afield e.g. to St Abbs Head, Musselburgh Lagoons, Carrifran Wildwood. We have amateur experts in several areas but all learn from one another. Everyone is welcome.

Photography     

Meets Monthly, 1st Tuesday pm
Details We meet on the 1st Tuesday afternoon of the month. The aim of this group is to learn, share, gain confidence, satisfy, amuse and enjoy; learning through doing and informal exchange of knowledge and experience. The level of expertise and sophistication of equipment are less important than an open mind and a good eye for a picture. Whether you are a happy snapper or a more serious photographer you are welcome.

Poetry     

Meets Monthly, 3rd Monday 2pm
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details We meet on the third Monday of each month in the Macfarlane Hall Song School, old Parish Church, Peebles from 2pm-4pm. The subjects for the year are chosen by members and each month we have a theme such as The Sea, or Friendship, but equally we may focus on a specific poet. Good quality prose is welcome as well as participant’s own compositions (although we are not a creative writing group). Usually, we have time to read two poems each, sometimes more, and it’s a good idea to have a selection available in case there are duplicates.

PPE Group     

Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details Three groups, Economics, Philosophical Conversations and Politics have combined as a PPE group. We meet, via Zoom, at 2pm on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month, discussing issues members select. New members or visitors/observers are welcome. For details of how to participate contact Tony on t.kinder@icloud.com

Print Group     

Meets 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month
Normally starts 14:00 to 00:00
Details Lino printing involves carving an image onto lino to product a block. This is then inked and a print taken onto paper or card. Tuition available.

Russian Literature     

Meets 
Details The group meets once a month hosted by the person who has chosen the book. The group has been going for roughly six years and during that time we have read books from the Golden Age of Russian literature including Lermontov, Chekov, Pushkin, plus more modern Russian authors such as Sorokin, Gazdanov, Teffi, etc. The format of the group is that the person choosing the book, provides a biography of the author and a short historical context. We discuss the book in some depth having often taken some notes whilst reading the novel. So some work is asked of group members but this is rewarded by often stimulating and interesting discussions.

Science and Society     

Meets Monthly, 3rd Monday 2.00 pm
Details Members of the science and society group discuss the ways in which scientific advances have improved all our lives. The contribution of individual scientists are highlighted and the areas where progress in the future may be investigated. No science background is required.

Scrabble     

Meets Last Friday of each month, 2pm
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:30
Details 

Short Walks     

Meets Wednesday at 9.30am
Normally starts 09:30 to 11:30
Details The Shorter Walks group meets every Wednesday 9.30am at the Peebles Post Office corner. Short Walks vary from “very easy” along a river path to “slightly more challenging” gentle hills and woodland paths out of town, from 2 to 3.5 miles in distance, and we are never on our feet for longer than 1.5 hours, usually less. A route of each walk is emailed each week and there is usually an option to peel off to make a shorter circuit home for the less able. Sometimes we involve use of a bus to the start or finish or both. We assume everyone has a bus pass. We always finish the walk at a coffee stop.

Summer Outing 2024     

Meets July 9 2024
Details Visit to Dumfries House, Ayrshire

Table Tennis     

Meets Thursday
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:30
Details We meet weekly on Thursday at 2.30pm in St Joseph’s Centre, Rosetta Road, Peebles. We have fun and get exercise. Equipment is provided. We encourage you to come along and give it a try. The group runs from October through to June.

Tu3a Volunteers     

Meets 
Details Members who have offered their services when required

Walking     

Meets Every Wednesday
Normally starts 09:30 to 00:00
Details Arranged every Wednesday, we meet either at 9.30am in Kingsmeadows Car Park, Peebles or at the start of the walk normally at 10 to 10.30am. Car sharing is encouraged. The Group is organised and led by a member on the day and the details are circulated by email beforehand. Please inform the walk leader that you wish to go on the walk and provide the leader with contact details. The walk locations range from the Pentlands, Tweed Valley and the Melrose area. Car-sharing is, as I mentioned, encouraged and a contribution to fuel costs should be made.The distances of the walks are between 5 - 10 miles,(long) one week and less than 5 the next (medium) and are usually in the mornings but occasionally a packed lunch is required.

Walking with dogs     

Meets Meets every 6-8 weeks
Details Walking with dogs. Meets every 6-8 weeks for a 1-2 hour walk with dogs and other dog lovers (as opposed to dog walking). Dogs are not compulsory, but this is not suitable for anyone canine averse. Contact Cedric Blakey.

Wine Tasting     

Meets ad hoc, Meetings by arrangement
Details Meetings by arrangement Different group members host meetings (not too far from a bus stop!) and source/present the wines. Everyone contributes to the cost of the wines and cheese.