IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR HARD COPY NEWSLETTER RECIPIENTS
The newsletter distribution process is changing due to a shortage of volunteer deliverers and rising postal costs. The committee would like to thank all the hard-working hand deliverers for their efforts and kindness over the years. Here is a summary of the key updates:
The Change:
Starting with September’s issue, we will trial delivering all printed newsletters via Royal Mail instead of using local volunteers.
Costs and Funding:
- Printed Copies: To cover the increased postage, envelope and label costs, households will be asked to pay a £6 annual fee (covering all nine issues).
- Digital Copies: The downloadable email version remains free for all members.
Action Required:
If you wish to continue receiving a physical copy:
- Notify the newsletter editor – newsletter@camelotareau3a.org
2. Submit payment of £6 to the Treasurer. Bank transfers are accepted. Payee name: Camelot Area u3a. Account number: 70218219. Sort code: 20-99-40. Payment reference: ‘Newsletter’ plus your membership number.
3. Deadline: Please respond by 1st August. If no word is received by then, you will be automatically switched to the digital-only version.
Note: The £6 fee is per household, NOT per individual member.
Membership Application Forms - Now Available
Open Day 18th June - Save the Date
Notes from our Vice Chair - May 2026
At our last committee meeting we reviewed all the necessary documents. These are available to view on our website - camelotarea.site.uk - if desired. There was a slight adjustment to our Bye-Laws (our Camelot Area rules), where the committee felt it was only reasonable to grant free access to the monthly meetings for Associative members, plus ensure they already received a monthly email copy of our newsletter.
Another change to the Bye-Laws is to offer two free 'taster sessions' to prospective members, if wished, before they sign up to an activity. There is no obligation for new members to complete these sessions but it may allow a member to feel comfortable with the content of the group's subject before signing up. Once the two sessions have been completed, and if they wished to become a permanent member of the group, they would pay any additional fees to the group leader, such as hall hire for example. Group leaders would have to be contacted before any 'taster sessions' take place, to ensure that spaces are available.
Thinking of activities, a member asked me if there was anyone out there who would be willing to run a ukulele group? She would love to play with others and develop her playing, so if there are any budding ukulele players out there, wanting to start such an activity, please do get in touch.
Another suggestion was if someone would like to organise a 'games' group. At present, we have bridge and scrabble groups, but we do not have a mixed game activity group with, for example - Boggle, draughts, chess, dominoes, Rummikub, Ming, Articulate, backgammon, plus any other card games that exist Ð the list is endless. If you would like to start such a group, that would surely be well attended and appreciated, please contact us.
One last item to mention is our Open Day on Thursday, 18th of June 2-4pm. Please save the date. You may want to arrange those 'taster sessions' or offer a new group to our members Ð an excellent way to advertise our varied activities.
Amateur Dramatics Group (Chard)
As we are part of the Avalon Network, any budding actors amongst us who would be interested in joining Chard & District u3a's fledgling drama group will be warmly received.
The group meet on alternate Sundays at 2.00pm in Holyrood Street, Chard. The next meeting will be on the 7th December. Please contact them directly for further information.
November Monthly Talk - change of presenter
Regrettably, due to ill health Andy Hamilton, our speaker for the November meeting, has had to cancel. We wish him a speedy recovery and hope to reschedule his talk - 'First Time Forager' - sometime soon.
We are extremely pleased to announce that stepping in at short notice is Jude Coram. As a comedy stage magician, Jude has modelled himself on his comedy hero's Tommy Cooper, Paul Daniels and the Two Ronnies. Ever since going professional in 2023, he has entertained, enthralled, and excited audiences all over the South West. His time with us is part performance and part educational.
Further information is available via the link found on the Events Page.
Cary-in-Bloom wins Gold
As reported by 'Castle Cary Real News' on the 9th October, Cary-in-Bloom were awarded the Ayre Gold Cup in the Small Town category.
A huge well done to our Art Monday, Art Tuesday and Digital Photography groups, who played their part by contributing so magnificently to the Cary-in-Bloom Art Exhibition (see earlier post for more details).
A Day at the Races - 6th May 2026
Our friends and colleagues in the Okehampton u3a, are now negotiating a deal with Newton Abbot Race Course to include:
- entrance to the Paddock enclosure
- access to a box (big room), overlooking the winning post, all afternoon
- Tea/coffee and canapes - small pasties, mini quiche, chicken nuggets, sausage on a stick, sandwiches etc.
It meeting will be held on May 6th and the cost will be no more than £40pp. The maximum number of spaces is 50. With 27 already booked ... If any member of Camelot Area u3a would be interested in going, please can they contact Dee asap on chair@okehampton-u3a.org.uk.
Annual General Meeting - 26th September 2025
Vice Chair's Report
Thank you to all of you who have attended this year’s AGM. I'm pleased to confirm that this end of year report will be included in the October Edition of Camelot-Area newsletter and on our website.
Firstly, I would like to thank the committee and your ever enthusiastic group leaders, for all their hard work this year. They have provided us with yet another year of memorable activities and much shared laughter. Long may it continue.
So, this year we have held two coffee-mornings, one for new members and the other for our group leaders. Our Open Day on the 19th June, was well attended and the new changes suggested by your feedback, met with approval of many.
We represented our Camelot Area u3a at the Market Place for two local events – ‘Volunteers in the Community’ and the ‘Cary In Bloom’ exhibition. Both were well received and highlighted our organisation well.
A few new changes for this past year include our excellent new website. Up-to-date, easy to use and visually stimulating; a big thanks to Alan Gibbons for making this happen. Alan and Peter Townley continue to maintain the website, updating and presenting new material. An additional thanks is also needed to Peter for him stepping into the role of our new minutes officer, anyone who can logically record our committee meetings is okay with me.
A massive ‘thank you’ must go to Caroline Reeves, who is sadly standing down as our membership secretary. Caroline has successfully overseen the new membership online application procedure, which has greatly reduced administration. She will be greatly missed.
Also, a good time to mention that we are enjoying the third year of membership subscriptions remaining at the same fee. Please look at Peter Kennedy’s Treasurer’s Report to see the healthy position we are in financially.
So, to conclude, please continue to enjoy your u3a for this coming year, we trust you'll continue to enjoy another period of sharing experiences with good friends, as well as making new ones, learning new ideas and completing exciting projects.
Stella
Committee Nominations 2025/6
Those wishing to serve on the Camelot u3a Committee should return their Nomination Forms no later than the 19th September to allow for their application to be included at our AGM on the 26th September.
Remember a strong committee ensures your u3a remains relevant and engaging for its members, fostering a positive and active learning environment.
As you are probably aware, we already have great competency and enthusiasm in our committee. However, we welcome new blood and ideas as the keystone to our maintaining ongoing sustainability and success. If you would like to know more about who we are and what we do, please contact our Vice Chair via the Contact Page.
Third Age Trust's SHORT STORY COMPETITION - Coming Soon
The Third Age Trust's annual Short Story Competition 2025 will be launched on Thursday 21 August. Details will be posted on the u3a Learning Activities webpage that day including a prompt to inspire your story.
As usual, the Trust is working with Bloomsbury Publishing who are providing generous prizes and one of the final judges, author Sara Grant. On Friday 3 October, Sara will conduct an online workshop to help you polish-up your story after it's been written. Details of how to enrol (free of charge for u3a members) will be in the September Creative Writing Newsletter.
The competition is open to all u3a members, not just those in our Writing for Fun group.
CARY-in-BLOOM Art Exhibition
As part of Castle Cary's participation in Britain in Bloom Competition, a national campaign that encourages communities to improve their local environment through gardening and community action, the organisers held a week long art exhibition in the Market House - Assembly Room.
We would like to congratulate our three amazing creative groups who helped make the exhibition titled 'CARY-in-BLOOM' such a success.
- Art Monday
- Art Tuesday
- Digital Photography
Extract from "Castle Cary & Ansford Spring Newsletter"
Your local u3a in Cary always warmly welcomes new members. If you fancy joining any of our 24 activity groups, or wish to start one yourself, please get in touch. You can join online by using our new website www.camelot-area.u3asite.uk or just Google ‘Camelot Area u3a’. You will find details of groups ranging from creative art, photography and music to walking and wine appreciation - just some of the activities on offer.
We are delighted to announce that our annual membership fee is remaining at £17 for the third year running.
Just one of the benefits of membership is the opportunity to attend a monthly free talk, refreshments included. You can catch Concorde on
March 28th, Mud2Fire on April 25th (pottery), and Countryside Detective on May 30th. Throughout the year we have extremely varied topics presented by some fascinating and entertaining speakers. Please join us on a Friday afternoon at Caryford Hall from 2-4pm. Non-members only £2. Hope to see you there,
From the Vice Chair
Games, Puzzles and Talks:
When you find yourself at a loose end and are looking for something to occupy yourself and tax your mind, why not take a look at the puzzles & games section on the u3a's National Website. Here you'll find a selection of logic puzzles, mathematical and word games every month. Go to link below:
As well as puzzles & games, you can find a range of competitions, free talks, shared memories and so much more on the u3a's National Website. Go to link below:
Digital Photography Exhibition 2024:
The exhibition of pictures from Camelot U3a Digital Photography Group held recently in Shepton Mallet Library, was a great success. Visitors to the Library were able to view the photographs, at ease, as they returned or chose books. The theme of The Natural World fitted in well with the topics focused in The library itself.
Eric Rentall and Denise Bailey worked hard to display the photos when the exhibition started on 4 th November. “The Natural World” yielded many interesting pictures animals ( even wild boars!) flowers ( gorgeous orchids) unusual plants and vegetables as well as stunning landscapes and sunsets.
After a week, as only half the submitted photographs had been shown, it was decided to change the display . The Library was happy with this idea so a brand new set of photographs remained on show for another week, on the same theme and equally captivating.
The exhibition closed on Monday 21st November.
