Quizzing, Litter Picking and A Treasure Trail: Bingham u3a go big for u3a day

John, Veronica and Ann discuss Bingham u3a's plans for u3a day and how it fits into their larger plans

After our AGM in October 2020, we put together a plan of action with the key objectives of :

● Helping as many of our members as possible to access the Internet and developing an improved programme of virtual meetings, support groups, quizzes, films, entertainment and activities

● Reaching out to our members who were unable to access the Internet

● Using our skills to the maximum to raise public awareness of u3a and its benefits across all the media available to us, including broadcasting

● Recruiting new members and retaining our existing membership

In order to assist with financing this plan, in January 2021 we successfully applied for assistance from the Reach Rushcliffe Fund set up by Rushcliffe Borough Council to support local initiatives that aim to tackle loneliness and social isolation and we were awarded a contribution to the costs of creating and circulating our Newsletter, printing and general marketing costs and obtaining a Zoom Pro licence.

Key long-standing fixtures in our 2021 calendar are National u3a Day on the 2 June and our 21st birthday celebrations in September, both held over from 2020.

Active planning for our celebrations of National u3a Day started on 9 February, and a Working Group was established to carry that project forward on the 9 March.

On 2 June, we shall be taking part in a Litter Pick around Bingham which will be a joint initiative between Bingham u3a, u3a Midlands Region and Rushcliffe Borough Council.

We shall also be running a general knowledge quiz themed on the meaning of the 2nd June and a Treasure Trail featuring some of our interest groups with prizes for the winners, and sheets of questions and picture clues will be available online and at locations in the town from the 2nd June onwards.

We'll be continuing our celebrations on 3 June, which is a Market Day. We shall be manning a colourfully decorated marquee in central Bingham with displays of photographs, paintings, the written word, maps, merchandise and informative literature. There will also be presentations and live and recorded music and opportunities for passers by to “Hav-a-Go” © at some of our outdoor activities and at conversational French and German, and enjoy free food and drinks. The location will be marked by eye-catching signage and u3a-themed decorations including yarn-bombed bollards and we shall be handing out promotional flyers.

Of our 35 currently active interest groups, at least half are expected to be featured at the event, including Ambling, Walking, Explorers, Real Ale and Cider Appreciation, Popular Music, Music Appreciation, Recorders, Photography, Table Tennis, Gentle Exercise, French and German Conversation, Creative Writing, Art, Knitting and STEM.

We have already started promoting these events in press releases, social media and our website, and nearer to the date we shall also be putting up posters advertising the event on public notice boards in Bingham and its surrounding villages.

We’re also in the process of recording, producing, editing and presenting a series of interviews to be broadcast on a local Community Radio Station and included in a local audio magazine.

Wish us luck!

We want to hear about what you are doing on u3a day: get in touch with us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.