11th September 2026
A message from our Chairman, Ian Henderson
As your Chairman, I give you all a warm welcome to the start of the winter season. As the dark days descend on us it's important to keep us safe and in good humour over the winter. We look forward to you supporting our speakers and each other.
Victor Hawker
On a sad note, we mourn the passing of Victor Hawker, our former Treasurer, whose funeral took place on Tuesday 8th September.
Speakers
This year, our Speakers have been planned by a group of members, they represent a wide range of subjects which will hopefully encourage discussion, reflection and learning. They will sometimes cover subjects that have become taboo, but need thinking about, nevertheless. They will also cover local developments in Biggar and nearby, and achievements of local adults and young people.
Volunteers
A request! We need volunteers to help with making teas and coffees, especially at our first meeting in September. Perhaps you already know St Mary’s Hall kitchen? We are providing milk, tea etc. Could you come and put the kettle on and make it?
Subscriptions
A reminder to all members that your subscription for Biggar u3a was due for renewal on 1st September. It has been decided to keep the fee the same as recent years - £15 per person. It would really help our new Treasurer, Robert Dunsire, if you could pay in advance of our September open meeting please. This will reduce queues at the meeting and also help Robert to process payments in good time. For how to pay, please click on the membership tab above.
New Chess Group: Would any members like to join a new Biggar u3a Chess Group? If so, please contact Ian Henderson at ianhendo4@gmail.com, tel: 07368 914373
Hearing Loop at Open Meetings from September: Are you hard of hearing and using a hearing aid? We shall, as you know, be starting our monthly meetings at St Mary’s Hall from September, whilst the Bowling Club is being refurbished. St Mary’s Hall has a Loop system, which helps those with hearing aids hear more clearly in a large hall. We want you to take full advantage of this system. Depending on what type of hearing aid you have, you need to check with your supplier to see how to make sure your hearing aid is able to benefit from the Loop system. It may be a simple switch on your hearing aid, or an app on your phone - you just need to ask your supplier.
Suggestions Box
As before we shall have a Suggestions Box at every monthly meeting. Please use it. We have made several important changes thanks to our members using the box last year.
We want to become a more caring U3A, more aware of the difficulties that come with aging. Please let us know how we can do this.
Groups
There are spaces in several of our groups and you can always start a new group yourself, with support from the U3A. For example, we have no Science group, no History group, no Theatre visiting group, no Spanish or Italian groups ……….
New Jigsaw Group
Would any members be interested in joining a new Biggar U3A Jigsaw Group? If so, please contact Ian Henderson at ianhendo4@gmail.com, tel: 07368 914373.