Our First Open Morning – a success

Monday 25th April, 9.00am, saw a number of HWu3a members moving chairs and tables to provide a more open space in the church where we meet for our coffee mornings.  Group leaders arrived to set up displays showing how their group operates. An invitation had gone out to those members who had joined HWu3a since our January launch and publicity had gone out to the general public to “come and see”. Well before our publicised start time, people were arriving to peruse the group tables and engage group leaders in conversation. By 10.30 the hall was busy with conversations and questions.

At 10.45 one of our u3a groups, the Jordan Jammers, struck up with music and song to entertain us for a short while, making it difficult to carry on a conversation but entertaining nonetheless.

While they were performing, our special invited guest, the Chair of the District Council, Cllr Stephen Bilbie, arrived to mark our official opening and to see for himself what HWu3a is all about. He finished his visit with a few words of support.

During this Open Morning, we had 20 visitors, who came in to enquire about u3a, 17 of whom then joined, and about 80 of our newest members found out more about the groups. It was a good social opportunity and a great way to get our message out to the public. Thanks go to all the volunteers – group leaders and group members, registration team, refreshment makers, meet and greeters and furniture shifters – who helped to make the occasion interesting and very worthwhile.

More images from the day