UTTOXETER 3RD AGERS ‘OPEN HOUSE’, EVERY WEDNESDAY!
Due to the popularity last August of members enjoying 'Knit & Natter', the Craft Group continue to be 'in situ', led by Caroline Derry and Jenny Tomann - they look forward to seeing you!
Open House takes place every Wednesday from 10:00am through to 11:30am at Wilfred House on Carter Street, Uttoxeter, and is an opportunity to grab a free Tea or Coffee (and a biscuit), to find out the latest Uttoxeter u3a News, and to meet friends.
Trips and Event tickets can be booked and collected. You can also renew your membership, or sign up as a new member - you will be made very welcome!
Committee Members and some Group Leaders are usually in attendance, and will be happy to answer any queries you may have.
The tea/coffee/biscuit girls and boys look forward to seeing you at Open House - Pam and the Gang
We are always looking for more activities to start-up. If you have a particular skill or interest, please come and tell us about it at ‘Open House'.
IN THE KITCHEN - All hands on deck!
We are very fortunate that every Wednesday for Open House we have a dedicated team of Baristas and Washer-uppers. We also have a small team of Meeter-Greeters , to welcome members and guest and look after the 'sign in' sheet to comply with fire regs.
We are always looking for more volunteers to join our merry crew. If you can ever help out on a Wednesday, do let any member of Committee know - some of us are always at Open House - just look for our blue lanyards.
OPEN HOUSE Main Events
We try to put on a ‘Main Event’ every month, normally on the third Wednesday, and the Events Group are busy organising a Calendar of events throughout the year for you to put in your diaries. Planning is well advanced for 2026..... Watch out for details of future events - those confirmed are listed below
No need to book, just come along, enjoy and learn.
We are keen to showcase the talents of our groups, or individual members at an Open House event. If you would like to do that, please let the Chair Rob Hawkins know, and we will arrange [and publicise] a mini event for you. There are so many groups that have so much to share, and it would be great for us to do that.
Forthcoming events
What fun we had in previous Open House Events!
Open House 15 April 2026
Open House 25th March 2026 - Sue Walsh
Another busy Open House saw well over 50 people attend a varied morning, with members having a social chat and coffee catch up, the opportunity to purchase the last few remaining tickets for the After Dark Barn Dance, Wednesdays Knit and Natter Group present, and new members joining too!
The main focus of the day was a large group congregated at the far end of the hall for the new Northen Soul Group - turnout and interest taking the new Group Leader Russ Whitehurst completely by surprise. It appears there is definitely a place for this New Group, which will run twice a month, starting Tuesday 7th April - see the Group page for more details.
The Spring Craft Open House Event, 18 March 2026
This was very popular, especially with the ladies! Run by the Craft Group (Caroline, Jenny and Porsche), it was lovely to see everyone so engrossed in crafting, and see their delight at the finished creations. There were Woolly Sheep, Small Decorative Flower Pots, and Easter Cards being made in abundance. It was quite apparent everyone who took part had really enjoyed their morning. Many thanks to our u3a Craft Group for their hard work in preparations, from planning designs and purchasing materials, to running the event.
Open House – 18th February 2026
Entertainment by “Below Decks”, our very own Uttoxeter & District u3a Shanty Group
Open House on 18th February was exceptionally well attended, with more than 70 members and guests gathering for a lively, nautical-themed morning of music. The entertainment was provided by “Below Decks”, the Uttoxeter & District u3a Sea Shanty Group, who delivered a spirited and thoroughly engaging performance.
The programme featured a wide-ranging selection of traditional and popular sea songs, including Nassau Bound (Sloop John B), No Hoper, Yu Jokers and Rogues, Liverpool Lou, The Wellerman, Roll the Old Chariot Along, The Corncrake, The Mermaid, Little Li I Love You, The Black Velvet Band, Cornwall My Home, Pay Me My Money Down, and The Wild Rover.
The enthusiastic response from members and guests reflected the group’s energy and musicality, creating an uplifting and memorable morning for all who attended. Just for fun, we are also sharing an alternative image of a few of our “u3a Vagabonds of the Sea.” Sue Walsh
In October we welcomed Hannah Moore to Open House, who volunteers for the charity Mary’s Meals, which provides 3 million children in 16 countries around the world with a nutritious school meal every day. Due to a low-cost, volunteer-led approach the charity is able to provide food at 10p per meal: it costs just £19.15 to feed a child for a whole school year! Hannah’s talk was inspiring and the Open House audience was moved by her description of the vast improvement that just one square meal a day can make to the children and their ability to concentrate on their school work. Would you like to support this very worthwhile charity? If so, take a look at their website for details: www.marysmeals.org.uk
One way our u3a could help is to collect foreign currency. If you have unwanted foreign currency at home, however large or small the amount, please bring it to Wilfred House one Wednesday morning or hand it to any of our committee members. We will make sure it gets sent to Mary’s Meals. Jenny Lingham
What a great turnout at Uttoxeter u3a Open House on June 19th when we were entertained by Burton u3a Jazz Band – a rip ROARING event!!!
Photos courtesy of Hazel Glover
No need to book, just come along, enjoy and learn.
We are also keen to showcase the talents of our groups, or individual members at an Open House event. If you would like to do that, please let the Chair Rob Hawkins know, and we will arrange [and publicise] a mini event for you. There are so many groups that have so much to share, and it would be great for us to be able to do that.
Previous events
