Beverley & District u3a was founded in 2000, and so celebrates its Silver Anniversary in 2025.
A number of events have been taking place over the course ot the year by way of celebration....read on for an account of our Spring Fair, and for "Fish & Ships", a visit to the Hornsea Lifeboat Station.
Spring Fair 2025
Our Spring Fair, held at Bishop Burton College on April 10th as part of our Silver Anniversary celebrations, was a huge success with over 130 members attending.
Thanks are due in particular to Rachel Ellis-Jones, whose initial idea it was, and to Sue Symmons who took a leading role in resourcing a fantastic array of speakers and stall holders.
The organising committee was completed by Jo Herrick, Linnia Khemdoudi, Shelagh Murray and Nadine Tull.
Helpers on the day were Pam Buckton, Maureen Fisher, John Kilner, Sharon & Chris Lambson, Barbara Norcaro and Mike Welsh.
Special thanks also to all of the really excellent speakers and exhibitors, and to Bishop Burton College for hosting us.
Here is a selection of pictures from the day. Click on any picture for a full screen version.
Cheerful welcome from Jo and Sheel
Rose Horspool - Colour in the Garden
Leilah Vyner - Willow Weaving
Fish and Ships
On Friday 16 May a group of u3a members visited the Hornsea Inshore Rescue headquarters for a talk, a tour of the lifeboat and a fish and chip lunch.
The day was typically windy and cold, particularly down on the sea front in Hornsea! However, the staff, which included several members of the lifeboat crew, welcomed us warmly to their education room within the lifeboat depot. The talk was informative and very interesting, staff recounted some of their more memorable rescues over the last 20 or more years that they have been inexistence. They told us how and why they were formed and why they are a totally independent organisation from the better known RLNI.
It was clear that the volunteers dedicate their time and efforts to ensure that they are trained to the highest levels to be able to respond to a wide range of potentially life-threatening situations, in all weathers, 365 days a year.
One of the crew members donned his kit to show us what they wear when on 'a shout'. For fun, we timed him getting into his suit to see how long it takes them to be ready from arrival at the station to getting on the boat. I guess practice makes perfect, as it took less than 2 minutes!
We were all impressed that ordinary people volunteer for such a dangerous but necessary role to help keep us all safe - even when it is often because the person who needs rescuing has done something daft to cause their own mishap. The staff were very generous in their opinions and were just glad that they are available to help.
A great way to spend a few hours and the money raised goes a long way to keep them all afloat, so worthwhile all round.