ACTIVITY AND EVENT HISTORY
This page will list all recent and past years activities and events
Events and Meetings
| Year | Date | Event/Meeting | Venue | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 5 September 2023 | SEPTEMBER MEETING SPEAKER Bonnie Cooper | Connect | ALL THINGS CHINESE. Bonnie came to N Ireland as a University student, met her future husband, and has been here for 20+ years. She has a well-established business and offers courses to Chinese citizens, and others interested in learning about Chinese Culture, The Language, The Food, and The Festivals. To put the icing on the cake Bonnie brings pre-prepared "eats". |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 3 October 2023 | OCTOBER MEETING SPEAKER Adrian Morrow | Connect | "TALES FROM THE CASTLE" Adrian is the Managing Director of Antrim Estates Company/Glenarm Castle and is renowned for his informative and humorous talks. He has over 30 years of experience in Estate and Land Management, Tourism and Events, Hospitality, and Agriculture. This enables Adrian to drive the introduction of new projects and keep the business going. forward. |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 7 November 2023 | EVENT INFORMATION DAY - EXHIBITORS | Connect | INFORMATION DAY WITH LOCAL EXHIBITORS (20+ exhibits) Bu3a INFORMATION DESK North Community Transport Make-The-Call Service Good Morning Causeway Kennedy's Pharmacy Kilrea Home Heating Advice, CC&Glens B Council WAVE, Caring for Victims and Survivors Bu3a BOOK SHARE |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 5 December 2023 | EVENT CHRISTMAS LUNCH | To be decided/confirmed | CHRISTMAS LUNCH - FIRST TUESDAY IN DECEMBER Meeting for lunch provides members with an opportunity to socialise, meet other members, and have some good food, fun, and company. The Lodge Hotel, Coleraine, is one of our most popular venues at Christmas. NB: Eileen Richmond will provide members with details well in advance of the event. Guests welcome! |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 2 January 2024 | JANUARY MEETING SPEAKER Sir Paul Girvan | Connect | HIGH COURT JUDGE, Rt Hon Sir Paul Girvan was educated at Larne Grammar School, Belfast Royal Academy, Clare College, Cambridge, and Queen's University, Belfast. Called to the bar of Northern Ireland, in the early 70’s he went on to have a distinguished career, receiving a knighthood on his appointment as a Justice of the High Court of Northern Ireland. He has served as Chairman of the Law Reform Advisory Committee, and the Land Registration Committee. |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 6 February 2024 | FEBRUARY MEETING SPEAKER Eddie Lynch | Connect | COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND The Commissioner's primary role is "to safeguard and promote the rights of older people and to provide advice to government on policy, practice and legislative issues that affect older people". Making recommendations for improving the care home sector, providing regular advice to the government during the pandemic, and continuing to advocate for older people are part and parcel of his role. Q&A SESSION TO FOLLOW. |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 5 March 2024 | MARCH MEETING SPEAKER Chris Calderwood | Connect | COAST (CAUSEWAY OLDER ACTIVE STRATEGIC TEAM) COAST is an inter-agency partnership that aims to improve the health and well-being of those aged 60 and over in the CC&G Borough Council area. Holding bi-annual forums and large networking events, ensures the voices of older people are heard. COAST'S Bu3a visit will provide an insight into the various services available. Q&A SESSION |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 2 April 2024 | APRIL MEETING SPEAKER David McKeown | Connect | "FROM VET TO LIFE COACH - AN UNEXPECTED JOURNEY " David doesn’t believe in ‘retirement’ and is currently in his 4th career. Many will know him as a vet in North Antrim. After 25 years, in his late 40’s, he moved to the challenging role as Executive Director of a Cheshire-based Insurance Company. Nowadays he is the Director of the Samaritans charity and is a qualified Coach. His talk to u3a will focus on anxiety/stress management and the power of various techniques. |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 7 May 2024 | MAY MEETING AGM and ENTERTAINMENT | Connect | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. - followed by entertainment YOUR ATTENDANCE AT THE AGM IS VERY IMPORTANT, as a quorum of 20% of the membership must be present. AGENDA 1 Apologies for Absence 2 Minutes from previous AGM 3 Presentation of Reports 4 Election of Officers 5 Election of Committee members. AFTER THE AGM BUSINESS HAS CONCLUDED, ENTERTAINMENT will be provided by “SCAD THE BEGGARS “. |
| 2023-2024 | Tuesday, 4 June 2024 | ANNUAL OUTING TO GLENARM CASTLE | GLENARM CASTLE AND GROUNDS | ANNUAL OUTING - GLENARM CASTLE AND GROUNDS Tuesday 4 June 2024 COST £26.50 (including guided castle tour). Contact Eileen at: helpeventsbu3a@gmail.com TRAVEL BY COACH Seats re limited to 49 and will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 3 September 2024 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Speaker. Brian Rankin Comical poetry and story telling |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 1 October 2024 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Information day with lots of exhibitors |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 5 November 2024 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | John Pinkerton: Talk on Holland and Germany Battlefields |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 3 December 2024 | Monthly meeting | Local Hotel. TBC | Christmas Lunch |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 7 January 2025 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | PSNI - Judith Lavery: crime prevention |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 4 February 2025 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Osborne Family: Air Ambulance |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 4 March 2025 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Diana Mc Clelland: Family history |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 1 April 2025 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Zara Hutchinson: Ballymoney Community Fridge |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 6 May 2025 | Monthly meeting | Connect building | Annual General Meeting: Afterwards ‘Scad the Beggars’ will entertain us with an ensemble of musical items. |
| 2024-2025 | Tuesday, 3 June 2025 | Annual Outing | TBC | The annual outing will visit places of interest using a coach, complete with a meal. |
Activities
| Year | Activity | Day/Time | Venue | Leader | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | Art | 2 nd Tuesday 2.0 pm - 3.30 pm. | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Margaret | Learn new skills under a qualified tutor to produce pleasing pictures. |
| 2023-2024 | ART FOR FUN | Tuesday TBC 2 pm - 3.30 pm TBC | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | TBC - GUEST ARTIST Margaret | PROPOSED ACTIVITY END SEPT - TO BE CONFIRMED Guest artist will offer Workshops, demonstrating Watercolours, Line Drawing, Encaustic Art(working with wax and travel iron). Participants will be invited to request their preferences, so that all benefit. |
| 2023-2024 | BRIDGE | Monday 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm | Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Acom Business Centre, 2 Riada Ave, Ballymoney BT53 7LH | Paul/Kathleen | Engaging with others and learning how to play the fascinating game of Bridge |
| 2024-2025 | Bridge | Monday 2.30 pm - 4.30 pm | Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Acom Business Centre, 2 Riada Ave, Ballymoney BT53 7LH | Kathleen | Bridge is a mindsport and a great game, a social pastime enjoyed by millions of people around the world. It is a fascinating game with 4 people at each table. North and South are partners as is East and West. The purpose is for each couple to outdo the others by gaining more points. |
| 2023-2024 | COMPUTERS, IPADS, TECHNOLOGY | Wednesday 10.30 am - 12:00 pm | Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Acom Business Centre, 2 Riada Ave, Ballymoney BT53 7LH | Michael | Tuition is available for IPAD's, Apple and Android based mobile phones and Microsoft Windows based computers. Subjects covered include: basic how to use; apps such as e-mail; security and for Windows users Microsoft Office products such as Word processing. Participants should have their own devices. |
| 2024-2025 | Crafts | 3rd Tuesday 2.30 pm- - 4.0 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Sally | Meet together to use your artistic skills to produce many things such decorating flower pots, lampshades, Christmas paraphernalia. A good opportunity to enjoy meeting other like minded people. |
| 2024-2025 | Creative writing | 3 rd Tuesday 12.30 pm - 2.0 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Anne | Members meet to share stories be they fiction, memoirs or autobiography in a supportive and friendly environment. The most important aspects of the group are the enjoyment of writing different themes and topics. |
| 2023-2024 | ENVIRONMENT | Monday ON HOLD TBC | As advised by Activity Leader | Jean | Group getting together to clear rubbish and debris from a local area to make the environment more pleasant. Reflective safety jackets and tools are provided |
| 2024-2025 | Family History | 3 rd Tuesday 10.30 am - 12.0 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | John Flynn | Researching family records of relationships among family members, visiting PRONI etc. Also studying the local geographical history in the Ballymoney area. It incorporates cultural and social aspects of history. |
| 2023-2024 | FAMILY, LOCAL HISTORY | 3rd Tuesday each month 10.30 am - 12.00 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | John/Gladys | Researching family history for part of the term. Visiting and studying places of historical interest. |
| 2023-2024 | GARDENING | 3rd Thursday each month 2.00 pm onwards | Ballymoney Community Hub, Robinson Hospital Site | Geoff/Davy | Having some workshops - seed sowing, plant swaps or videos. Mostly going on visits to open gardens. |
| 2024-2025 | Gardening | 3 rd Thursday Starting 2.0 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Geoff and Kathleen | Going on visits to various gardens, as well as having demonstrations of seed sowing, taking cuttings and discussions on edible weeds. |
| 2023-2024 | GOLF | Thursday weekly Starting 10.00 am | As advised by Activity Leader | Donal/Paul | The group meets each week at different golf courses. mainly Benone. They also organise a two day golf holiday twice a year. |
| 2024-2025 | Golf | Thursday weekly 10.0 am tee off | As advised by Activity Leader | Donal and Paul | Golf is a game played on a large open-air course in which a small ball is struck with a club into a series of small holes. A very popular sport, meeting at different venues. The group go on a break to Donegal twice a year to practice their skills. |
| 2024-2025 | IT | Wednesdays 10.30 am - 12.0 pm | Ballymoney Community Resource Centre, Acom Business Centre, 2 Riada Ave, Ballymoney BT53 7LH | Michael | Learning how to use computer, iPad or tablet to best use covering aspects as requested |
| 2024-2025 | Line Dancing | Every Wednesday 1.30 pm - 3.0 pm | As advised by Activity Leader | Margaret | Line dancing is a choreographed dance where a group of people perform a series of steps in time with music. |
| 2023-2024 | OUT TO LUNCH | 3rd Friday each month 12.30 pm for 1.00 pm. | As advised by Activity Leader | Eileen | Meeting at various restaurants for great food, and good company. |
| 2024-2025 | Out to Lunch | 3 rd Friday each month 12.30 pm for 1.0 pm | As advised by Activity Leader | Eileen | A very popular event when members are invited to go for lunch to different venues each month. A great opportunity to spend a lunch time socialising, chatting and experiencing the cuisine at different hotels. |
| 2023-2024 | PHOTOGRAPHY | ON HOLD 10.30 am - 12.00 pm. | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Davy/Ian | Learning techniques for taking good photos in various locations. The next week studying those photos followed by discussions. CURRENTLY "ON HOLD" |
| 2023-2024 | READING GROUP | 2nd Tuesday of the month 10.30 am - 12.00 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Mary/Karen | Getting together to read a suggested book and then sharing opinions. |
| 2024-2025 | Reading group | 2 nd Tuesday 10.30 am - 12.0 pm | Connect Centre, 2-6 Model School Road, Ballymoney BT53 6BH | Margaret | Meet together to read prescribed books followed by discussions the following meeting. There are two kinds of people in the world. Those who think it could never happen to them and those who know it will ….. A quotation from one of the books members read. |
| 2023-2024 | STORY TELLING | 2nd Monday of each month 11.00 am - 1.00 pm | Ballymoney Community Hub, Robinson Hospital Site | Mary/George | Some very intriguing stories are told in this group, with each member imparting their knowledge or relating their childhood memories perhaps. |
| 2024-2025 | Story Telling | 2 nd Monday 11.0 am - 1.0 pm | Ballymoney Community Hub, Robinson Hospital Site | Mary | Members meet together to share quite a variety of tales such as “English visitors to the farm”, “ Poaching salmon”, Stories from magistrates court to mention just a few. |
| 2023-2024 | UKELELE | TBC 11.00 am - 12.00 pm | As advised by Activity Leader | Mary | Providing harmonious melodies using a Ukelele. The Ukelele is provided at first until you become competent. |