Ver-Colne Valley

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Ver-Colne Valley u3a Groups

Armchair Cinema Group     

When Last Wednesday of the month
Information 

Badminton     

When 2nd Thurs & 3rd Fri of month
Information 

Ballroom Dancing     

When 2nd and 4th Tuesdays
Normally meets 20:00 to 22:00
Information 

Book Discussion     

When 1st Fri of month
Information Members decide which book to read each month, ready for discussion at the next meeting. The reading list is planned a few months in advance so readers have time to beg, borrow or buy the chosen book. The aim is to introduce members to books that they personally might not have considered reading themselves and so discover new authors and different kinds of literature. Books are analysed and thoughts and opinions about the work in question shared - although members are not always in agreement. The group meets in the afternoon of the 1st Friday of the month.

Bookworms     

When 3rd Monday of month
Normally meets 14:30 to 16:00
Information 

Boules / Petanque     

When Monday afternoons dependant on the weather
Normally meets 14:00 to 16:00
Information Group plays at courts in Mediterranean Garden in Highfield Park.

Bridge - Intermediate     

When Tuesday - weekly
Normally meets 09:30 to 12:00
Information We meet every Tuesday in the Lounge at Greenwood Park.  We are a small, friendly Group and play Acol bridge to an intermediate level. Come along for a taster session to see if you would like to join us. This is a joint group with South West Herts U3A.

Canasta     

When 
Information 

Cinema     

When Once a month
Information 

Classical Music Appreciation     

When 3rd Wed of month
Information 

Committee     

When 
Information 

Creative Writing     

When 2nd Fri of month in afternnon
Information Whether your interest is poetry or prose, whether you're a Keats or Shakespeare in waiting (or a would-be McGonagall or Cartland) our Creative Writing group could unleash your talent. Joint with Chiswell Green

Crochet     

When Second Thursday of the Month
Information 

Crochet 2     

When 1st Thursday of the month
Normally meets 14:00 to 16:00
Information The group meets on the first Thursday of the month from 2pm to 4pm. The meetings are held in a member's home on a volunteer basis.

Croquet     

When 1st & 3rd Tuesday in playing season
Information Joint VCV and SWH group made up of members who enjoy a friendly and lively rivalry whilst endeavouring to improve our skills at this fascinating game. We play Garden Croquet and Golf Croquet on 1st and 3rd Tuesday mornings from May to September, depending on weather. We are lucky to have the use of The St Albans Croquet Club courts at Clarence Park.

Current Affairs     

When 1st Friday of month
Normally meets 10:00 to 12:00
Information 

Cycling     

When Variable
Information Our posse of 'Pedal Pushers' rides once a month, but does take a winter break from December to February. Rides are in the region of 15 - 20 miles, with stops for coffee and lunch, and the group normally pushes off from either Bricket Wood or Park Street stations on the Abbey Flyer line. The group tries wherever possible to keep off busy roads and use cycle paths. Cycling is a VCV 'Open Group', enabling all members to participate.

Embroidery Group     

When 4th Tues of month 10:00-12:00
Normally meets 10:00 to 12:00
Information As from January 2024, meetings are being held at members homes Any VCV member, is welcome to come along, with or without embroidery experience. We are a friendly stitch and chat group.

Engineering (1)     

When Qtly planning meeting and visits on various dates
Information The group's purpose is to learn about the role that engineering has played and continues to play in manufacturing over the centuries. In this very wide subject it is intended that visits will be made to both heritage and modern sites and ,where possible, invite specialist speakers to our meetings. On our visits we will endeavour to have a knowledgeable guide to explain objects more fully. The group consists of a mixed group of engineers of various disciplines together with those just interested in seeing how things are made and work.

Event Organisers     

When 
Information Group organising events

Family History     

When 2nd Thurs of month
Normally meets 10:00 to 12:00
Information The progress of this group owes much to one member's 30 years of experience in the fascinating and addictive area of tracing ancestry. At its monthly meetings (held on Thursdays) members report progress from their delvings - have they found the missing link yet? Although, as the group has realised, it can be costly with subscriptions to web sites and fees for certificates, it is undoubtedly cheaper than the option of outings to far-flung areas of the country to look at church registers and visit graveyards. But, of course, one can still do both. Joint with Chiswell Green.

Flower Arranging     

When Variable
Information As the title suggests, this group (we call them 'The Petals') gains ideas and learns about the art of flower arranging through a mix of demonstrations of quite varied styles. It's hoped that group members will progress to hands on activities as their confidence grows.

Folk Dancing     

When 4th Wed of month
Information This joint study group with South West Herts U3A meets on the afternoon of the 4th Wednesday in the month. Dances are mostly in the Anglo-American country dance tradition - the sort of dancing that you may have done in primary school or at a barn dance or seen in adaptations of Thomas Hardy or Jane Austin novels (though we cannot claim to be as elegant!). Dances are 'walked through' before trying it to music. Sessions are open to all, from the totally inexperienced to those who go folk dancing on a regular basis.

Garden Allotment     

When Variable
Information Joint with Chiswell Green. Although known as 'The Green Fingers Brigade', this group's main activity centres on developing and maintaining its allotment in Park Street, where it digs in on Tuesday mornings (rain Gods permitting).

Garden Appreciation     

When Variable
Information This is a social group interested in gardening, where monthly activities are organised by group members, but there is no regular meeting day or time. Events are notified in advance by email to group members. We visit local garden centres and gardens and arrange talks on gardening topics, as well as visiting members’ own gardens. This is a social rather than a “hands on “ gardening group and we usually enjoy tea/coffee as part of our event. There is currently a waiting list to join the group.

Geology     

When 1st Wednesday of the month in members home
Information Members meet in homes and have occasional visits out

Grumpy Old Men     

When 3rd Monday of the Month
Normally meets 20:00 to 22:00
Information Meetings held at the Prae Wood Arms, Redbourn Road, St Albans

Grumpy Old Women     

When 2nd Friday morning of the Month
Information Meet at Burston's Garden Centre Restaurant

Holiday Group     

When to be advised
Information Interest List Joint Group with Chiswell Green u3a

Italian (Intermediate)     

When Weekly every Tues morning
Information A friendly and sociable group who enjoy having fun while learning to ‘Parlare Italiano’. The objective of the group is to get to grips with basic ‘Holiday Italian’ - nothing too intense, no exams, not seeking formal qualifications, just making themselves understood by the locals and ensuring that they can read menus, ask directions and the like.

Line Dancing     

When 1st & 3rd Mondays
Information This is a Joint Group with South West Herts U3A. Pat Baxter is the liaison person with SWH, not the Group Leader.

Mah Jong     

When 2nd Wed of month
Information 

Painting and Drawing     

When NULL
Normally meets 14:00 to 16:00
Information Meets: 2nd Wednesday oof the month in June and July at Parish Centre Station Road Bricket Wood from 2 – 4 pm

Railway Trips     

When 
Information 

RUMs     

When As required
Information Group of volunteers who regularly help running VCV

Sailing     

When 2nd Tues & 4th Wed of month
Normally meets 13:00 to 17:00
Information Joint with Croxley

Singing for Fun     

When 1st & 3rd Tues of month
Normally meets 14:30 to 16:00
Information Currently we number about twenty-six, but would welcome new members across all types of voice,from soprano to bass. Our repertoire is varied and we perform occasionally for outside organisations, such as Age Concern. If you enjoy singing and would like to join us, please contact the Group Organiser (see Groups Directory) or come along to a rehearsal.

Spanish     

When 2nd & 4th Tues of month
Normally meets 14:00 to 16:00
Information Just the job for those wishing to communicate with the locals when next visiting the Iberian Peninsula.

Table Games     

When 1st & 3rd Wed of month
Information As the name suggests, this group enjoys the conviviality of tactical, 'across the board' pursuits, with Triominos, Yahtzee and Bananagrams being among the favourites. Meetings are held on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at members' houses.

Table Tennis     

When Weekly on Thurs
Information The Table Tennis Group (TTG) commenced in March 2012 using the excellent facilities at Orton Hall, Greenwood Park. Membership has varied over the years but there is a core of players who have been in the group from the start. New members are welcome and the emphasis is playing for enjoyment; if you win, even better. All abilities are catered for, bats are provided and advice is available for those who wish to improve their skills. Table tennis is a fast game and is stimulating physically and mentally.

Theatre Goers     

When 
Information Theatre Goers Database and Theatre infomation

trip and Event Helpers     

When As needed
Information The members are the 2022 volunteers willing to help with day trips. Names can be added if others come forward

Trips and Events     

When As advertised
Information This groups is for those members who have voiced an interest in going on Day Trips or attending Events.

Ukulele (1)     

When Tuesday - weekly
Information 

Walking 1 - Amblers     

When 4th Friday of month
Information Known as Joy's Jaunters, this group caters for those wishing to take gentle strolls through the Hertfordshire countryside, although it has been known for them to venture further afield on occasions. It meets once a month, usually on the 4th Friday, and walks are generally a maximum of two miles, typically starting and finishing at a local hostelry or tearoom. Amblers is a VCV 'Open Group' in which all members can participate.

Walking 2 - Short walks     

When 
Information This Group usually meets on the 4th Friday morning of the month, although the date moves occasionally due to the availability of a walk leader or a clashing Bank Holiday. The groups's walks are around four miles or so, meeting at a pub and ending up there for lunch, for those who wish to stay on. This is a 'Dog Free' group and members take turns to lead walk.

Walking 3 - Middy walks     

When 2nd Tues of month
Normally meets 10:00 to 13:00
Information One of the VCV's longer-standing groups, this Group meets on the 2nd Tuesday of the month and is intended for those who enjoy circular walks about five miles long through local country lanes and paths. Should any member of the group wish to help lead a walk at any time, they would be most welcome to do so. Walks normally start at 10am from a convenient hostelry - perfect, should time permit, for staying to enjoy a post-walk drink, lunch and a gossip with fellow walkers.

Walking 4 - Longer Walks     

When Bi-monthly on 4th Fri of month
Information 

Walking in London     

When Every 2 months usually in 1st or 2nd Week of month
Normally meets 11:30 to 13:30
Information The VCV has a full programme of walks around the Capital designed to cater for a wide range of interests and tastes. Every two months a walk is selected, with our personal Blue Badge guide, with two optional dates, allowing members to select the one most appropriate to their schedule. Walking in London is a VCV 'Open Group'.

Wine Appreciation     

When Monthly 3rd Friday
Normally meets 14:00 to 16:00
Information Joint with SWH