THIS WEDNESDAY, June 2, sees Teignmouth and District u3a will be celebrating u3a National Day.

This is a national event with lots of different activities planned for all members to get involved in and enjoy.

‘Learn, laugh, live’ is the essence of u3a.

Members can learn from each other, just by being part of a group. Enjoyment of the activity or just being in someone’s company is going to lead to inevitable laughter.

Getting out and about with friends, both old and new, will add that additional spark - time to start living again!

Teignmouth and District is one of 1,057 u3as across the country, with a total membership of more than 450,000, so this event will provide a wonderful opportunity for members to lend their support locally, as well as being part of the ‘bigger picture’.

The mayor of Teignmouth, Peter Williams, will be kicking off the proceedings just before 10am, with the town crier, Patrick Brophy, on hand to signal the start of the morning guided walks around the town and across to Shaldon.

Many thanks to Pete, the ferryman, for kindly donating free crossings to u3a members.

Short strolls, or ‘looping the loop’ around The Den are also an option for members, who want to be ‘part of the action’ but prefer not to join a guided walk.

For every walk or activity members take part in on June 2 they will be given a ticket for a prize draw. If members are prepared to wear something yellow and blue (the u3a colours) then they automatically qualify for another prize draw entry ticket.

Sincere thanks to Emma at Jack’s Patch and Mo at Morrisons for kindly donating very attractive gifts for the prize draw.

The tennis court on Teignmouth Den has been booked for the day. One of the static displays will feature a book and jigsaw swap/sale, organised by the book group. Members are encouraged to bring any unwanted books and jigsaws to exchange or donate.

A ‘graffiti wall’ has been set up, designed for members to add their comments and thoughts on the subject ‘What u3a membership means to me’. Very insightful!

u3a will be showcasing a significant number of group activities enabling members to find out, at first hand, what members of other groups have been up to since they were last able to meet together.

Perhaps members will be inspired to try something new, and gain the maximum benefit from membership subscription.

Appropriate Covid precautions will be taken throughout the day to safeguard members’ health and safety, with a maximum of thirty members permitted to ‘occupy’ the court area at any one time.

More information about all our groups will also be on display in the foyer of the Pavilions theatre.

This will be an opportunity for anyone interested in finding out more about Teignmouth & District u3a to see what a successful, vibrant and active member-led organisation it is!

During the lunch period, there will be some musical entertainment, courtesy of Teign Tunesmiths, a relatively new group formed during ‘lockdown’, and the more established ukulele group.

A seated fitness session and displays of salsa and eastern dancing will take place early afternoon. At 4pm members of the sea swimming group will be taking a plunge in the briny with a great send off from deputy town crier, Sally Falcao.