5-Aug-26

My wife Joan passed away in September 2018 after a 5-year battle with cancer and my world fell apart.

Fortunately, I met someone in Long Sutton who suggested that I join the u3a Sutton Bridge which I did and I have not looked back.  At my very first u3a meeting I signed up for Line Dancing (currently waiting for a new leader)  Beginners Bridge and SWIG One wine tasting and the rest is history as they say.

I was invited to join the Committee to help with raising grant funding and have stayed on the committee ever since (currently Chairman).  I have found u3a very friendly organisation helping me to overcome my feelings of loneliness and social isolation.  It has significantly widened my circulate of friends and activities and I would highly recommend it to one and all.

Frank

5-Aug-26

When we lived in Derbyshire, we enjoyed being members of Buxton u3a. So, when we moved to Long Sutton, one of the first things we did was to seek out a local u3a branch.
Since joining Sutton Bridge u3a we have found plenty of interesting things to do and also made some lovely new friends. We have also started our own group, the Sharing Supper.

Dianne

25-Jul-26

Wine & Chat

If you are looking for a thoroughly enjoyable social get-together, the u3a Wine & Chat group is an absolute delight.

From the moment you arrive, you are welcomed into a warm and hospitable atmosphere that instantly puts you at ease. The group is beautifully designed to increase interaction among u3a members, making it incredibly easy to strike up a conversation, share stories, and connect with others.

It is a fantastic space for encouraging new friendships, bringing together people who appreciate good company and a relaxed environment. Whether you are a long-standing u3a member or completely new to the u3a, this group offers the perfect blend of lively conversation and wonderful hospitality. Highly recommended for anyone looking to expand their social circle and enjoy a brilliant afternoon or evening out!  

Suzanne

25-Jul-26

Overview

I joined u3a Sutton Bridge in 2017 after receiving a Newsletter from our local Councillor inviting the public to attend a u3a General Meeting.  I had recently retired and moved into the area and finished making all the changes to the house that we had planned, in effect I now had nothing to occupy my time, so we, my wife and I, went to the meeting.

My life changed on that day!

We were greeted so warmly by the members and the Committee and all were so enthusiastic about, what was then a new u3a, forming interest groups that would appeal to the membership.  Table Tennis, yes table tennis, I had not played it since I was 19 years old but one of the Members wanted to start a group to do just that and I was in like a shot!  I am still a member of the Table Tennis group and I love it!   Not just playing but the social interaction I have with the other group members who I now count as firm friends.

This was the start of my u3a journey and I have more friends than I know what to do with, I am in other Interest Groups, some of which I lead.

If you are a “Blow-in” (this is what the Lincolnshire Yellowbellies call “Incomers”, I only found that out a few days ago) you should really have a go at this, you will never regret it!

Chris

25-Jul-26

Photography

My wife bought me a new camera for my Birthday a few years ago.  It came with a handbook of instructions larger than my cars workshop manual!

I was very pleased when Roger Jennings opened this new Interest Group and now I know what to do with it once it’s out of the case!  I still have a lot to learn but thankfully I am a slow learner so I get to spend lots of time with Roger and the rest of the group and am looking forward to the future photography expeditions that Roger is planning.

Chris

25-Jul-26

Wine & Chat

This is a new group lead by Jim Stalley who hosts it in his garden in Sutton Bridge.  It is in wonderfully informal and relaxed environment and although wine is involved, I think that the Chat is by far more important.

Based upon the two meetings so far, the conversation does not need a starting pistol; it is nonstop!

Chris

25-Jul-26

Chess

Once a month at the Long Sutton Library, tea, coffee and biscuits provided who could ask for more?  I last played Chess at School so I have a bit of catching up to do to take on some of the others. This is a game where winning depends on strategy, cunning and a killer instinct, well that’s my opinion!

I am working on all three and Frank, the Group Leader, has all these attributes(?) in abundance and he is prepared to teach all the moves to everyone.

Chris

25-Jul-26

Archery

Our new group leader, Nigel, is putting in a real effort to increase group membership and it is working. Our fortnightly event takes place behind the Curlew Centre where there’s plenty of parking. All the equipment is provided and Nigel makes sure that everything is set up to maximum safety levels.

Our star Archer, Paul Milton, is the one to beat if. Paul was a complete novice when he started, well that’s what he told us, and so with some instruction and good equipment everything is possible.

Chris

25-Jul-26

Table Tennis

The group has an excellent leader in John Blake. Thanks to John, we have a great venue at The Curlew Centre and all the equipment is readily available.  The Table Tennis group caters for absolute beginners or like me those who have played but half a century ago! We have a really good time with lots of laughs and some exercise that keeps you moving!

Chris

22-Jul-26

A Great Way to Settle In and Meet People

When my husband and I moved to the area, we joined the Sutton Bridge u3a to meet people and get involved locally. It has been a highly effective way to do just that.

The group is welcoming to newcomers, and the monthly meetings and interest groups provide an easy, low-pressure environment to build a social life from scratch. Through the activities, we have made a solid circle of dependable new friends.

If you are new to Sutton Bridge and want to establish a local social circle without any fuss, joining the u3a is well worth it.

Suzanne & Ian