News

We have just established a group of Really Useful Members (RUMs). Thank you to the dozen or so people who have already agreed to join this helpful (and hopefully merry) band. We could still use more.

The idea is to provide support to those key people who organise our main activities. The most obvious example is the Speaker Secretary, who - let's remind you - organises and finds speakers for 24 meetings every year. But each Tuesday and Thursday meeting involves lots of other tasks on the day: For example we need coffee and tea to be made and served, chairs to be put out or re-arranged, the projector to be set up, new members welcomed and made to feel at home, less-mobile members helped to their seats and more. Not all of this needs to be done by the same people every time - some RUMs may only be able to help occasionally but we do need to cover 24 meetings with several RUMs at each.

If you feel that you could contribute in a small or large way, please contact Fran (currently our Chair) by clicking here chair.

The August issue of Chester Times has now been published. This issue appears while we are still in a heatwave and it contains reports on our July meetings, and details of many upcoming events. There are also the regular pieces about our recent events, including the fascinating talk on the first Mersey Tunnel (Queensway). In addition to the Quiz there is an item by our crossword puzzlers group which contains some hints about solving cryptic clues. August's Member Remembers is Ken Golby who is a Freeman of Coventry. You might also be interested to read reports from our our collaboration with the University of Chester's Festival of Ideas called Through the Looking Glass. This issue also contains details of how to renew your membership and join us for the AGM. Previous editions of Chester Times can be found in the Links at the bottom of this page.

For those who took part in the recent holiday, some photographs are available here. Holiday 2026

We thought you might like to see where our members come from in 2026. On the right is a map showing the number of members in each postcode. Some of you come quite a way to join in with us us!

In Case of Emergency (ICE)

As part of your membership record it is possible for us to store details of an emergency contact. This allows someone to be contacted if you are unable to give such information.
Whether you choose to allow us to store such information is entirely up to you. However, we strongly recommend it. If you are in a group such as walking or cycling, or even an indoors activity it is important that the group leader knows who to contact in the event of an emergency.
We are also offering the option of Chester u3a printing your ICE card for you. This is again entirely optional and is free to members. It is a credit-card-sized card which you may carry in your wallet or purse. Click here for more details,

The NW Region issues a Newsletter and the latest edition can be found here. They also organise events which you can explore on their web site here. Details of other nearby u3as are to be found here.

Keep an eye out for new groups and activities. Our members create five or so new groups each year. Some of the more recent include Bus Buddies (so successful that there is already a Bus Buddies 2), Cinema Visits, Film Discussion and off-lead Dog Walking. Poetry Appreciation is dormant, but you could revive it! See all this and much more on the Groups page.

Chester u3a Facebook page - We have a Facebook page - please give it a try. As the page grows, it will contain information about our events and activities giving members a flavour of what the groups, and Chester u3a as a whole, are doing. View via this link > Facebook. You may add information about your own group by going to the ‘Create Post’ section on the page, where you can add text, photos or even videos to show current and planned activities. Information about a member or photograph must have permission from the member (copyright). All posts are moderated by one of Chester u3a's designated administrators, so it may be a day or so before you see your item.

The National Newsletter contains all events and news around all UK u3a's. You can sign up for their newsletter and see details of online events.

Help your u3a via Riviera Travel's Affinity Partner scheme. Riviera Travel operate their “Affinity” Charity Scheme with all u3a’s across the country. Riviera Travel will donate up to 10% of the total basic cost of your holiday as a charitable donation to Chester u3a. Any holiday booked with Riviera Travel is eligible.

Here is how it works: Make a booking by contacting Riviera Travel directly (not via a travel agent), and simply mention you want to claim Affinity Commission for Chester u3a. At the end of your holiday, Riviera Travel will pay the commission to the Third Age Trust. After deducting a handling fee, the Third Age Trust will pass the commission on to us.
For information on holidays with Riviera Travel go to www.rivieratravel.co.uk

Try our Treasure Trails & Walks with 5 different walks TT1 to TT6

Some of our participants' comments:

"I have followed the previous treasure hunts and the walk which allowed me to gain familiarity and knowledge of Chester since moving to the area a couple of years ago. I also joined the zoom presentation given by Sam Chadwick which gave an excellent insight into the siege and its effect on the City. I undertook previous treasure hunts/walks with my grandsons and it was great fun spotting the items in the pictures, which I repeated with them once I had got the answer sheets"

"Thanks so much for organising the treasure hunt. We tried it with our family on Friday and enjoyed looking at familiar places with new eyes"

"What a wonderful piece of work. Instructions very clear and information extremely interesting. I love local history and this will be very useful when my grandchildren come to visit and want to learn about Chester. Unfortunately, I don't think I will be able to do it all in one go (struggling with mobility now in my 80's but will have a go"

"Set the grandchildren the Siege of Chester challenge. They enjoyed, so more of the same please"

For those who took part in the recent holiday, some photographs are available here. Holiday 2026

Previous issues 2026

Previous issues 2025

Previous issues 2024