Monthly Meetings

The monthly meetings are held at at the COWSHACC, Welshpool, where you can catch up with what's happening in the U3A. These meetings are during the morning of the first Tuesday of each month, opening doors at 09.45 to start the meeting at 10.30 until noon.
We usually have a speaker on a topic of general interest, with an Open Meeting in August. Entrance for members is free, with a cup of tea/coffee for an extra 50p. Non-members are welcome for a taster visit (not available for December) and also pay 50p for refreshment. (See How to Join Us page.)

Programme

Coronavirus. The programme may be subject to change given the fast changing situation. The committee has decided to cancel the April meeting. The committee will continue to review the situation and make a decision about each meeting in turn, and communicate any changes to members via email/post. This page will be regularly updated with updates.

Please note also that the programme may be subject to alteration if speakers cancel at short notice. There will always be an alternative speaker who may cover a different topic. Scroll down for more information on specific events in the programme.

2020 Speaker/Activity
3rd Mar AGM followed by Ian and Karin Thompson "Chernobyl: Before and After". An illustrated talk touching on the history of Chernobyl and some local links to Mid-Wales, and exploring some surprising aspects of Chernobyl today. The presentation includes contemporary photographs of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.
  7th Apr This meeting has been CANCELLED by the Committee following concerns over the coronavirus.
  5th May This meeting has been POSTPONED following concerns over the coronavirus.
The land of the rising sun. Life and culture in Japan. A film, a chat and an origami demonstration. Derek Beddow, retired education consultant and regular visitor to Japan.
  2nd Jun This meeting has been POSTPONED following concerns over the coronavirus.
Power, Pesticides and Packaging. Panel discussion number 1 - the environment. The pros and cons of new developments. David Sprake - Programme Leader for Renewable Energy Engineering at Glyndwr University, Stephen Kenyon - Group Secretary for NFU Cymru, Morrisons Supermarket Manager (name not yet confirmed).
  7th Jul Could be postponed - watch this space.
Welshpool U3A Groups Open Day. Find out what's on offer. Information, displays and informal chats about our groups. Come and meet members of different groups and find out what they do.
  4th Aug Could be postponed - watch this space.
Athens, Much Wenlock and the world. All about the Wenlock Olympics. A local event with global consequences. Chris Cannon, Archivist - Wenlock Olympian Society.
  1st Sep Could be postponed - watch this space.
Inside the Palace (of Westminster). What's it actually like being an MP ? Trials, tribulations and achievements. Glyn Davies, former MP for Montgomeryshire.
  6th Oct The birds and the bees and others. Rescue and rehabilitation of injured British wildlife. Helping our friends who can't always help themselves. Megan Morris-Jones, Founder of Cuan Wildlife Rescue.
  3rd Nov Some like it hot ! How can forecasting help communities ? Understanding meteorology and the role of the TV presenter. Sabrina Lee, Meteorologist and presenter at BBC Wales.
  1st Dec Music and wellbeing. Can music improve your health ? A light-hearted session before Christmas. Cathy Beech, singer, composer and teacher.
2021 Speaker/Activity
  5th Jan This could be you ! Who are magistrates and what do they do ? Come and meet some and have a go yourself. Rebecca Klug JP, Montgomeryshire magistrate.
  2nd Feb How does it work ? Number 1 - the media. What goes on at a local newspaper ? Talk by County Times Staff.


December talk – ‘Singing and Wellbeing’ by Cathy Beech

Cathy, who lives locally to Welshpool, has sent us the following additional information prior to her talk:
I have been singing professionally for over 20 years and have faced many mental health difficulties that have allowed me to take my time and learn to use my singing to get me through some of the darkest times in my life.  As a result I now run my own singing school and teach one-to-one classes as well as work in a recording studio, perform live and sing and write my own music.  I have been given the privilege to help people who are struggling with their mental health and it has proven time and time again to lift them above their thoughts that hold them accountable for things that they have not done.
I LOVE with all my heart the compassion, the vision, the focus and the joy that singing brings to many and my latest venture is a dementia choir in Newtown, it is still new, but the results so far have been a miracle.
Singing does not change with age.  With the right mind set, the correct coaching and the love of singing, you can do anything with your voice.  Patience, time and, most importantly, determination will always get the results that you want from your voice.
I am so looking forward to meeting you all and talking to you in greater detail about how amazing singing is and I will demonstrate my own voice as well as help you to listen to your own.  It will be a revelation.


January 2021. Talk on magistrates by Rebecca Klug

Rebecca will be coming with one or two colleagues and speaking about magistrates. She has sent us this further information: Have you ever wondered what magistrates do? What sort of people they are? What goes on in a magistrates’ court? Come and meet some of us, find out what sort of decisions we have to make, and how we make them - and have a go yourself!