Ashbourne & District u3a

02/11/2026

Members of the Monday Pickleball group were definitely on good form this morning with 22 of them playing several games on a carousel arrangement around the four Courts in use.
https://ashbourne.u3asite.uk/u3a_groups/pickleball/
The original group, formed around three years ago, has blossomed into 3 sessions a week. Which is testament to how much everyone enjoys the game.
Many of the group have played some form of racquet sports before and find that Pickleball combines the skills of tennis, badminton and table tennis. The quality of play has definitely improved with many players now enjoying good levels of skill and confidence in their play. Well done everyone. 👏👏
If you are interested in joining the Monday or Thursday groups please contact Sheila the Group Leader for further information including about payments for the hire of the Courts.

01/11/2026

Some great online talks this month. Joni Mitchell's inspiration for her album Blue tickles my fancy, what about you? Click on the image to find out more. https://ashbourne.u3asite.uk/

This month we have a calendar full of exciting online talks for u3a members to enjoy. As always, this email includes just a taster of what's on offer.

31/10/2026

Thank you to our Science and Engineering group for the very detailed report of their recent meeting, it sounds fascinating.

Concorde Noise Reduction Programme - Talk by Ron Banks 29/10/2026
During the early stages of the evolution of supersonic passenger transport, it was recognised both in the UK and France that engine noise would be a principal issue. At the time, aircraft noise reduction was already very much an issue for subsonic aircraft and the need for high bypass engines (such as the RB-211) was recognised as essential to lower their noise levels. However, supersonic flight requires a zero bypass engine with a spill intake and a much higher thrust to weight ratio - quite different to subsonic flight! Accordingly, in 1959 the Supersonic Transport Aircraft Committee was set up by the UK government and an equivalent organisation was set up by the French government and in 1962 the two governments got together in a joint venture calling the potential new aircraft Concorde.

Universities and companies worked on engine noise reduction and by 1972 a lot of test facilities were available both at model scale and full size. The results of this work allowed Concorde to take off meeting noise regulations at nearly every major airport throughout the world by reducing power levels as the edge of the airfield was approached. The big exception was New York where an unusual flight manoeuvre was adopted. Almost immediately after leaving the ground, Concorde would make a sharp left turn to avoid the microphone beyond the end of the runway, allowing it to continue in trans-Atlantic service for 27 years!

29/10/2026

Thanks Ian for today’s report ‘The walking group ventured out into Cheshire and the Macclesfield Forrest for a lovely 5-mile walk organised by our very own Liz and Alan all in fine weather. Great views, photo with the Cat & Fiddle on the hill in the background’.

29/10/2026

The Ukulele group are enjoying a wide range of songs that they were practicing yesterday. These include several old favourites and also making a start on ones for the forthcoming festive season which includes performing for at our December Monthly Meeting. This is always widely appreciated with the audience joining in many of the songs, including using the words from the big screen.
Leader Sue notes ‘We are a mixture of beginners, improvers, and more experienced players, who all enjoy playing music and having fun learning to play songs together’.
The group meets weekly at Elliot Lodge and currently has a waiting list to join, but if you are interested in this for the future please contact Sue via the Ashbourne u3a.

28/10/2026

Some hardworking members of our Park Garden Volunteers group have been out today to tidy the beds in Ashbourne Park ready for the Winter. This group have done sterling work to set up and care for the two beds near the Memorial Gates in the park and care for them through some difficult growing conditions particularly in the last couple of years.
In the Summer the beds were not surprisingly very, very dry but with some extra help the majority of the plants have done extremely well and are thriving. Well done to all the members who have spent some very hot days and evenings tending them. 👏👏
We get some lovely comments from members of the Community about how nice the beds are. What a nice advert for u3a.

27/10/2026

‘The Ashbourne u3a Landscape and Heritage spent a very interesting day in Coventry on Friday. Our first visit was to the medieval St Mary's Guild Hall which largely escaped damage during WWII. We had a very interesting guided tour there in the morning and returned in the middle of the afternoon for a cream tea in the stone vaulted undercroft.

In the first part of the afternoon, we had another very good guided tour, this time of Coventry Cathedral. Our visit to the ruined old cathedral was brief, as by then it was raining hard, but the new cathedral was welcoming and dry! Our guide was very knowledgeable and we could really appreciate its architecture and furnishings.

This lovely day out was much enjoyed by us all.

27/10/2026

It’s always great to pop in to see either of our two Chess groups and note how they have developed so well in the last year or two. ♟️♟️
Today the experienced Chess players were delighted to note that all tables were full and 12 players were enjoying a bit of flexing their brain cells!
It’s been great to see how the group has grown under the careful guidance of Group Leader Duncan. He now organises one group for those new to Chess or with limited confidence and this group for the experienced players. Well done everyone it’s great to see your enjoyment. 👏👏
If you are interested in joining either of our two groups please contact Duncan via the Ashbourne u3a website for details of dates and times of the sessions which are usually fortnightly. They are both very friendly and supportive groups who enjoy a cuppa along with some mental gymnastics. 👍

27/10/2026

That word retirement is very divisive in u3a circles. I dislike it because it suggests withdrawing from something, wheras I think this stage of life is about embarking on something new. Making decisions that are all yours to make and doing exactly what you like for the first time ever!
u3a is a great place to follow dreams, whims and any other thoughts. I've rekindled my schoolgirl French, learned to play Pickleball, Petanque and Padel, learned a lot about birds and other wildlife, discovered new places to walk, drunk a lot of w**e .... always thoroughly enjoying the company of new friends and acquaintances.
To find out more have a look at our website and see what you'd like to try?