9 minute read
Making the most
Making the most of lockdown
A lockdown caused by a pandemic affecting older people badly might not seem promising conditions for an organisation where groups of retired and semi-retired people meet, mostly faceto face and often in quite large numbers. But Fleet and District U3A has kept running since March and is now looking forward to a new year of activities.
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The U3A’s aim is to let people in what we call the third age develop existing and new interests, meet new people and have fun. In Fleet we are lucky to have one of the largest U3As in the country with around 2000 members last year so that means a very wide range of activities are on offer. It’s all summed up in the U3A’s motto Learn, Laugh, Live! This has still been possible even in a virtual world, although for some it has also meant learning new computer skills.
Among the highlights has been a monthly meeting shared via You Tube featuring a talk by Maurice Kent about the surprising history of cinema in Fleet, Church Crookham and Aldershot which has had over 1000 views. That’s four times more than can attend the usual monthly meetings in the Harlington Centre. Many groups have continued through Zoom including a group especially for Members on Their Own. Some groups like Photography, Art and Creative Writing have shared their work online while the Belly Dancing group has been meeting in groups of six in a local park rather than indoors.
Now planning is underway for things to start getting back to normal, of course only when it is safe to do so. It will inevitably be a mixed picture and the next few months will bring some different ways of doing things. But we want to get as many meetings running as possible and every Group Leader is thinking about what they can organise. We have speakers lined up for monthly meetings covering subjects ranging from Electric Cars to Dietary Supplements to Elgar. Next year we hope to be able to resume our programme of trips and visits including Bowood House and Aerospace Bristol, while the Rollers Group is planning a trip to Blenheim Palace.
The last few months have not been easy for many people; some have just been bored and frustrated but for others lockdown brought loneliness and isolation. For anyone who is retired or semi-retired in Fleet, Church Crookham, Aldershot, Wellesley and surrounding areas, the U3A is there. If you are interested in knowing more you can go to the website at fleetu3a.org.uk or contact the Enquiries Secretary at enquiries@fleetu3a.org.uk or on 0845 8723623. We would love to see you.
Local Groups
Clubs
As you are all aware, government guideline restrictions still apply, so if you are interested in specific groups please contact them directly for event and meeting updates.
Recreation
Aldershot Branch, British Model Soldier Society
meets on the third Thursday of each month, except Dec., at 7.45pm at Willis Hall, Sandy Lane, Church Crookham.
Call 01252 621056 or e-mail t.b.wright@btinternet.com Aldershot Militaria Society
We meet on the last Thursday of every month. New members welcome. We have speakers/ members giving talks on various subjects. We meet at Aldershot Military Museum, Queens Avenue GU11 2LG.
Contact the chairman Colin Day on 01784 491695.
Limited based at The White Lion, Lower Farnham Road, GU12 4EA has been established due to plenty of support from local people to keep the pub going as a traditional English local and develop it into ‘More Than a Pub’, offering other community activities outside pub opening hours.
Basingstoke Canal
Society act as guardians of the Basingstoke Canal and welcome new members to help with maintenance and improvements, crew the ‘John Pinkerton II’ trip boat and to participate in talks and other social events. Members receive a quarterly magazine and a bi-monthly bulletin.
Contact Doreen Hornsey on 01252 623591 or visit www.basingstoke-canal.org.uk Cody Farnborough Amateur Operatic Society
An award winning local musical theatre company, producing two productions each year at the Princes Hall in Aldershot. We rehearse at Velmead Junior School on Tuesdays & Thursdays and always welcome new members.
Aldershot Community Pub
www.cfaos.co.uk
Farnham Humanists
meet for monthly Sunday evening talks and discussions on topics of general interest, and first Wednesday of each month for a pub drink and conversation. People from North East Hampshire are welcome.
Visit www.farnham.humanist. org.uk or email info@farnham.humanist.org.uk Railway Enthusiasts
We welcome those who are actively modelling railways, wishing to know more about the subject or who have an interest in railways in general. We meet at 109 Horley Lane, Farnborough every Tuesday night from 7.30pm onward.
www.rec-farnborough.org.uk RHL - Rushmoor Healthy
Living runs friendly, affordable exercise classes in Hawley, Aldershot, North Camp and Farnborough.
www.rhl.org.uk
SeeAbility’s now offers day activities. Sessions available Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Baking, drama, pottery, woodworking, music therapy, crafts.
Further details please telephone 01252 815256.
The Friends of Brickfields Country Park are a small group of local residents, who
and Societies
perform varied management tasks from rubbish clearing to building new paths, tree and habitat works. We welcome involvement from anybody, as members of the group or occasional volunteers.
www.brickfieldspark.org WI - The Women’s Institute
We meet the 2nd Wednesday of the month at 7.30pm at St Josephs Church Hall, Queens Road Aldershot. Open to ladies of all ages. Some months we have a speaker other times we may have a craft evening. We are a very friendly small group of around 30 and would welcome potential new members to visit.
Please contact us on facebook @aldershotwi, email us on aldershotpres@hampshirewi. org.uk or visit www. hampshirewi.org.uk. Currently closed due to Covid 19 please check for re-opening details.
Sport
Angling Aldershot Park Angling
Club located at the end of Guildford Road, Aldershot, is suitable for beginners and more experienced anglers.
Contact: 01252 330599
Archery
Cody Bowmen is based at the Cody Sports and Social Club, which offers both field and target practice archery.
www.haa.org.uk/clubs/allclubs/13:cody-bowmen
Athletics
Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club
offers training facilities and competition throughout the year in a variety of disciplines. This club accepts members from age nine and above.
www.afd.org.uk
Badminton
Parkside Badminton Club
is based at the Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot. The club competes in the Aldershot and Camberley leagues and meets on a Tuesday evening.
Contact: 01252 344438
Bowling Aldershot Traction
Bowling Club plays in the Aldershot and District bowls league. A bowls club based in Farnborough.
Rushmoor Indoor Bowling
Club An indoor bowling club based at the Farnborough Leisure Centre.
www.rushmooribc.co.uk
Boxing Aldershot Amateur Boxing Club
An amateur boxing club located at Alderwood Leisure Centre.
www.aldershotabc.com
Canoeing Basingstoke Canal Canoe Club
A canoe club based in Mytchett.
www.b3c.org.uk
Cricket
Aldershot Cricket Club based at Guildford Road, Aldershot. The club offers
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Local Groups Clubs and Societies
youth coaching and aims to encourage players of all ages and abilities to join.
www.aldershot.play-cricket.com
Football
Aldershot Town Boys and
Girls provides football for both boys and girls of Aldershot and the surrounding area. It is open to children from 5 to 8 years old for non-competitive football and competitive football for those aged 9 to 16.
www.abgfc.co.uk
Gymnastics Rushmoor Gymnastics Academy
A local gymnastics academy, based in Aldershot, offering a range of classes catering for all levels of ability.
www.surreyandhantstaichi.com
www.chris-phoenix. squarespace.com
Hockey Aldershot and Farnham
Hockey Club Friendly and competitive hockey club, which teams, as well as junior and mini hockey.
www.afhockey.com
Judo
Judo Club Osaka
offers lessons, based at the Maida Gym, Aldershot.
Email: secretary@ judoclubosaka.org.uk, contact 01252 33222 or 07817 292685. www.britishjudo.org.uk
Kung Fu
Kung Fu Kids offer lessons for children aged between six and 12 years old. It is based at the Alderwood Leisure Centre, Aldershot.
Martial Arts
Surrey and Hants Tai Chi and Qigong Club
Tai Chi and Qigong lessons taught in and around Aldershot and Farnborough, with separate classes for different ability levels.
runs men’s, ladies’ and mixed
Rugby
Aldershot and Fleet Rugby Club based at Aldershot Park.
www.aldershotandfleet rugby.com
Running
Rushmoor Park Run
A free weekly 5km event for runners of all standards, taking place at Queens Avenue, Aldershot, GU11 2JL.
www.parkrun.org.uk/rushmoor Sailing Hawley Lake Sail Training Centre
A military centre open to all, offering training courses and club facilities in multiple water sports.
www.hawleylake.org.uk
Scuba
Scuba Dolphins Diving Club
A friendly and active diving club, welcoming divers from complete beginners to fully qualified divers from any diving agency. Full training is offered by a team of nationally qualified instructors.
Contact: 07907 565529 www.scubadolphins.co.uk
Skiing Aldershot Ski Race Club
offers young skiers a chance to develop their skills on artificial surfaces and snow.
www.aldershotskiraceclub.org
Aldershot Snowsports
for the Disabled Offering the disabled of all ages to chance to experience different types of snowsports in a safe and secure environment, both competitively and uncompetitvely.
www.asdaldershot.org
Local Groups Clubs and Societies
Swimming Aldershot Youth Swimming Club
Children’s swimming club based in Aldershot.
www.aldershotyouth swimming.org.uk Rushmoor Synchronised Swimming Club
(British Champions 2013) welcomes girls aged between 7 and 12 to join our fabulous club.
To find out more visit www.rssc.org.uk or email membership@rssc.org.uk
Squash Scamps Squash Club
A small, friendly club, offering competitive and social squash, at the Aldershot Garrison Sports Centre.
www.scamps.biz
Taekwondo
Predator Taekwondo
Academy is based at Fight Science, Aldershot, which has produced countless domestic and international champions.
www.predatortaekwondo.co.uk
Table Tennis
Aldershot and District Table Tennis League
Website showing results, tables and standings of teams within the Aldershot and District Table Tennis Leagues.
www.aldershot.ttleagues.com
Tennis
Eggars Hill Tennis Club
(incorporating Aldershot Methodist Tennis Club) A thriving and very friendly local tennis club, consisting of two professional tennis coaches that offer private lessons. Their club consists of three all weather courts with floodlights on two of them, a comfortable clubhouse, ample parking and pleasant gardens. They also have adult and junior league teams.
www.eggarshilltennis club.org.uk
Volleyball Hart and Rushmoor Volleyball Club
The Volleyball Satellite Club runs every Monday at Wavell school, from 4pm till 6pm for 11 years and over.
www.pitchero.com/clubs/ hartrushmoorvolleyballclub
Support Groups
Aldershot & District Tinnitus Support Group
We meet on the second Wednesday of the month, between 1.30pm and 3.30pm at the Rowhill Nature Reserve.
www.tinnitus.org.uk
Youth Organisations
1st Blackwater BP Scouts
We meet at the Scout Hut at the far end of Carrington Lane Recreation Ground in Ash (behind Holly Lodge School) and cater for boys and girls aged between 5 years and 18 years.
Email richard.llewellyn@ benchmarkgeo.co.uk, call 01276 63940 or view www.1stblackwatervalleyscouts co.uk
Air Cadets for boys and girls from 12 – 18 years old with a spirit of adventure and an interest in aviation.
Contact Flt Lt Lynda Bradley 01252 515143 also www.2407aircadets.org Sea Cadets Farnham Fleet & Aldershot
For ages 10 – 18, we meet Mondays and Fridays at Sea Cadets, TS Swiftsure, Lower Weybourne Lane, Farnham, GU9 9LG.
