Our members have enjoyed some outstanding trips in the past with visits to the Bluebell Railway and the Pendon Model Railway Museum interspersed with a delightful Railway Walk on the IOW along the old line from Yarmouth to Freshwater. I would recommend the Pendon Museum [near Abingdon] to all Branch members, particularly those in the Quester Groups – all the models quite apart from the working railway systems are remarkable. The village pub – “The Plough” in Long Wittenham is excellent!
More recently we have had illustrated accounts of rides on “The Ghan” from Adelaide to Alice Springs; “The Canadian” across Canada and the Rockies; the Blaenavon and Pontypool Heritage Railway in S. Wales; and a lighthearted afternoon consuming mince pies while we watch a slapstick film of Buster Keaton in “ The General”.
Our 2023 programme included one special treat, a ride on the Gartell Light Railway near Templecombe and on the Seaton to Colyton Tramway.
Just over 10 years ago Dale Greenwood, having given up various activities, confessed to his wife, Ann that he was now short of something to do. Knowing of Dale's interest in steam engines Ann suggested that he start a u3a railway interest group. This Dale duly did, and it has been running very successfully ever since. To commemorate this milestone a 10-year anniversary lunch was held earlier this month.
Over the 10 years the Group has been extremely active with talks, visits, and even short holidays to places of railway interest. Talks have been given both by members themselves as well as outside speakers, a memorable example of the latter being by a South West Trains driver who told us what was involved before being allowed to drive a real train. Members were impressed by the amount of training and learning that was required. Other talks have covered not only railway interest in the UK, but also abroad, to the far ends of the earth, including Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the United States. Visits have included several preserved steam railways as well as museums and railway exhibitions.
The Anniversary lunch was held at the Winchester Racquets and Fitness Club where an excellent meal was provided by the friendly staff there thus ensuring a most enjoyable occasion for members and their wives, husbands, partners and friends.
It is a measure of the time and dedication of Dale that he has been succeeded by a group of five led by John Richbell under whose auspices we now look forward to the next 10 years of this most successful u3a group.
| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Group Leader: | |
| When: | Variable |
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