WELCOME TO BALLYMONEY U3A
WHO ARE WE?
We are Ballymoney U3A and are in the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area. BU3A is a member of the Third Age Trust whose vision, like ours, “is to make lifelong learning, through the experience of U3A, a reality for all third agers”: the third stage of life ie retired or semi-retired. Members come from all walks of life, with experiences, and skills to share. Of course, there’s the social aspect of making new friendships. The only criteria for membership, is that you are retired or semi-retired, and there are no age-related constraints. There are no entry qualifications required, or any given. Our main aim is long-term learning and having fun! Now in our 4th year BU3A has a membership of 150, who take part in a variety of activities.
Ballymoney U3A provides members with opportunities, through Monthly Meetings and Activities, to enhance their lives, make new friends, and enjoy new skills or hobbies. This all happens in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Learning is informal and for fun!
WHAT DO WE DO?
Ballymoney U3A provides educational, creative and leisure opportunities, offered in a friendly informal environment. This is mainly via Activity Groups, covering topics ranging from Book Group, Bridge, Creative Writing, Computers, Environment, Family/Local History, Gardening, Golf, Photography, Ukulele, to Walk with your Dog. Other social Activities take place eg Coffee-Catch-Up, Out-to-Lunch, and Movie-Goers.
The ethos of U3A is “self-help” and utilises the knowledge, experience and skills of members to organise and provide Activity Groups.
Ballymoney U3A offers you the opportunity to “get out of the house”, and through Main Meetings and Activities, make new friends and enjoy a new skill or hobby. MONTHLY MEETINGS and ACTIVITIES are the means used to achieve our goal.
WHERE AND WHEN?
In normal times Monthly Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, with refreshments being served from 10.30 am -10.45 am. The Holmes Memorial Hall, Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AZ is the current venue.
An annual Programme of guest speakers and topics, is compiled for the year ahead. A guest speaker is present at monthly meetings from September to November, and January to April. December is the Annual Christmas Lunch, giving us the opportunity to be social and enjoy each other’s company which we may not have been able to do during normal meetings. See Activities and Speaker Programme 2020-2021.
HOW MEETINGS WORK – DURING COVID
Early in 2020, Covid-19 restrictions removed most opportunities for meeting in person, and Zoom video-conferencing has become the medium through which Main Meetings can run. A link will be emailed to members, by the Zoom Host, to enable joining the Meeting.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED/BECOME A MEMBER?
To take part in any activity you have to be a paid-up member. You can join by coming along to a Main Meeting and get an idea of what we are about. When you decide that we have something to offer you, then become a member.
Registration for Activities takes place during September and January. A minimal fee is charged to cover accommodation, lighting and heating costs. However, some activities such as Gardening and Environment are free of charge. As a participant in organised activities fully paid-up members are fully insured.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Members should no longer be in full-time employment. There are no age-related constraints, and no entry qualifications required, nor given. Being a paid-up member, is a pre-requisite to gaining access to BU3A Monthly Meetings held in Holmes Memorial Hall, and Activities happening in various locations.
Potential members are welcome to come along to a Main Meeting or Activity, to get an idea of what we are about. A member of the “Meet and Greet Team” will guide visitors, to the Sign-In Desk, Coffee Area, and find a seat. The Membership Secretary or deputy is available at Main Meetings equipped with Membership Forms and other relevant information. The Treasurer will also be in attendance to collect associated fees.
MEMBERSHIP FEE
Annual Membership Fees fall due in September, however new members can join at any time.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
Cash or BACS payment - £15 with the U3A magazine; or £6 without.
Cheque payment - £16 with U3A magazine; or £7 without.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
That is amember of another U3A and get Direct Mail Magazine already.
Cash or BACS payment - £10 with Direct Mail Magazine
ACTIVITY FEE
A minimal fee is charged to cover accommodation, lighting and heating; however, some activities such as Gardening and Environment are free of charge. All organised activities are fully insured, via fully paid-up membership.
WHO ARE WE?
We are Ballymoney U3A and are in the Causeway Coast and Glens Council area. BU3A is a member of the Third Age Trust whose vision, like ours, “is to make lifelong learning, through the experience of U3A, a reality for all third agers”: the third stage of life ie retired or semi-retired. Members come from all walks of life, with experiences, and skills to share. Of course, there’s the social aspect of making new friendships. The only criteria for membership, is that you are retired or semi-retired, and there are no age-related constraints. There are no entry qualifications required, or any given. Our main aim is long-term learning and having fun! Now in our 4th year BU3A has a membership of 150, who take part in a variety of activities.
Ballymoney U3A provides members with opportunities, through Monthly Meetings and Activities, to enhance their lives, make new friends, and enjoy new skills or hobbies. This all happens in an informal, friendly atmosphere. Learning is informal and for fun!
WHAT DO WE DO?
Ballymoney U3A provides educational, creative and leisure opportunities, offered in a friendly informal environment. This is mainly via Activity Groups, covering topics ranging from Book Group, Bridge, Creative Writing, Computers, Environment, Family/Local History, Gardening, Golf, Photography, Ukulele, to Walk with your Dog. Other social Activities take place eg Coffee-Catch-Up, Out-to-Lunch, and Movie-Goers.
The ethos of U3A is “self-help” and utilises the knowledge, experience and skills of members to organise and provide Activity Groups.
Ballymoney U3A offers you the opportunity to “get out of the house”, and through Main Meetings and Activities, make new friends and enjoy a new skill or hobby. MONTHLY MEETINGS and ACTIVITIES are the means used to achieve our goal.
WHERE AND WHEN?
In normal times Monthly Meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month, with refreshments being served from 10.30 am -10.45 am. The Holmes Memorial Hall, Charlotte Street, Ballymoney, BT53 6AZ is the current venue.
An annual Programme of guest speakers and topics, is compiled for the year ahead. A guest speaker is present at monthly meetings from September to November, and January to April. December is the Annual Christmas Lunch, giving us the opportunity to be social and enjoy each other’s company which we may not have been able to do during normal meetings. See Activities and Speaker Programme 2020-2021.
HOW MEETINGS WORK – DURING COVID
Early in 2020, Covid-19 restrictions removed most opportunities for meeting in person, and Zoom video-conferencing has become the medium through which Main Meetings can run. A link will be emailed to members, by the Zoom Host, to enable joining the Meeting.
HOW DO I GET INVOLVED/BECOME A MEMBER?
To take part in any activity you have to be a paid-up member. You can join by coming along to a Main Meeting and get an idea of what we are about. When you decide that we have something to offer you, then become a member.
Registration for Activities takes place during September and January. A minimal fee is charged to cover accommodation, lighting and heating costs. However, some activities such as Gardening and Environment are free of charge. As a participant in organised activities fully paid-up members are fully insured.
MEMBERSHIP CRITERIA
Members should no longer be in full-time employment. There are no age-related constraints, and no entry qualifications required, nor given. Being a paid-up member, is a pre-requisite to gaining access to BU3A Monthly Meetings held in Holmes Memorial Hall, and Activities happening in various locations.
Potential members are welcome to come along to a Main Meeting or Activity, to get an idea of what we are about. A member of the “Meet and Greet Team” will guide visitors, to the Sign-In Desk, Coffee Area, and find a seat. The Membership Secretary or deputy is available at Main Meetings equipped with Membership Forms and other relevant information. The Treasurer will also be in attendance to collect associated fees.
MEMBERSHIP FEE
Annual Membership Fees fall due in September, however new members can join at any time.
INDIVIDUAL MEMBER
Cash or BACS payment - £15 with the U3A magazine; or £6 without.
Cheque payment - £16 with U3A magazine; or £7 without.
ASSOCIATE MEMBER
That is amember of another U3A and get Direct Mail Magazine already.
Cash or BACS payment - £10 with Direct Mail Magazine
ACTIVITY FEE
A minimal fee is charged to cover accommodation, lighting and heating; however, some activities such as Gardening and Environment are free of charge. All organised activities are fully insured, via fully paid-up membership.
ACTIVITIES
Activity Groups, take place, as arranged, in The Holmes Memorial Hall, members own homes, and other venues, eg Golf Range, Archery Centre. Activities mainly take place during day time hours. However, there are some exceptions an example of which is the monthly Tuesday night Quiz. Each Activity Group has a Leader who is the often the subject expert, and an Administrator who retains attendance records, and advises the Group of updates.
ACTIVITIES include:
• Archery
• Book Group
• Bridge
• Creative Writing
• Coffee-Catchup
• Computers/Technology,
• Environment,
• Family/Local History
• Gardening
• Golf
• Movie Goers
• Out to Lunch
• Photography
• Zoom Readers
• Ukulele
The following Activities are in the offing: Current Affairs, Play and Poetry Reading, Recipes, Photo Editing/Photobooks.
HOW ACTIVITIES WORK – DURING COVID
Early in 2020, Covid-19 restrictions removed most opportunities for meeting in person, and Zoom video-conferencing has become the medium through which Activities can run. A link will be emailed to members, by the Zoom Host, to enable joining the Activity.
Activities using Zoom: Creative Writing, Family History, Quiz Group, Zoom Readers, Bridge and Gardening. Outdoor Activities ie Golf continue to meet weekly. Using Zoom has extended services offered by The Third Age Trust (TAT) to include more inter-U3A Activities eg national Quiz, and Bridge.
Activity Groups, take place, as arranged, in The Holmes Memorial Hall, members own homes, and other venues, eg Golf Range, Archery Centre. Activities mainly take place during day time hours. However, there are some exceptions an example of which is the monthly Tuesday night Quiz. Each Activity Group has a Leader who is the often the subject expert, and an Administrator who retains attendance records, and advises the Group of updates.
ACTIVITIES include:
• Archery
• Book Group
• Bridge
• Creative Writing
• Coffee-Catchup
• Computers/Technology,
• Environment,
• Family/Local History
• Gardening
• Golf
• Movie Goers
• Out to Lunch
• Photography
• Zoom Readers
• Ukulele
The following Activities are in the offing: Current Affairs, Play and Poetry Reading, Recipes, Photo Editing/Photobooks.
HOW ACTIVITIES WORK – DURING COVID
Early in 2020, Covid-19 restrictions removed most opportunities for meeting in person, and Zoom video-conferencing has become the medium through which Activities can run. A link will be emailed to members, by the Zoom Host, to enable joining the Activity.
Activities using Zoom: Creative Writing, Family History, Quiz Group, Zoom Readers, Bridge and Gardening. Outdoor Activities ie Golf continue to meet weekly. Using Zoom has extended services offered by The Third Age Trust (TAT) to include more inter-U3A Activities eg national Quiz, and Bridge.