Monthly Meetings

• Location & Time

Normally meetings are held on the last Thursday of each month at 2:00 p.m. at the Laganview Enterprise Centre, 69 Drumbeg Drive, Old Warren, Lisburn BT28 1NY.

If you are new to U3A, and are interested in joining, come along as a visitor to one of our monthly meetings. This gives you an opportunity to meet current members and have your questions answered. There’s no obligation to join and you don’t have to make a decisions on the day. As you come in collect one of our application forms from the Membership Secretary in the foyer, then sign in at the registration table in the hall.

• Speakers

We have a wide variety of speakers, from Bee Keepers to Military Historians! Some examples:

June 2021 – Adam Ferguson: The reimagination of the 18th century walled garden at Hillsborough Castle.
May 2021 – Jonny McNee: The Story of the Donegal Spitfire
April 2021 – Dot Blakely: Out & About In Lisburn With The Birds
February 2021 – Ann Donnelly: Northern Ireland Screen, films of historical Lisburn.
May 2019 – Development & Growth of a local business
Jun 2019 – Harry Clarke, Stained Glass Artist
Sep 2019 – Resurgam – Old Warren Community Project
Oct 2019 – Archaeology of Lisburn Castle Gardens and Moira Demesne
Jan 2020 – Costumed Living History Presentation ‘Victorian Memories’
Mar-Jul 2020 – Lockdown
Sept 2020 – BeeKeeping on Ards Peninsula

• Catering

We have a great team of volunteers at every meeting, organised by the Catering Coordinator. They arrive early to make coffee and tea, set out the cups, condiments and biscuits, and serve us with a smile and a laugh. We are ever grateful to them!

• Sign-Up Tables

At every meeting we have tables set up at the back of the main hall, past the tea and coffee station, at which several Group Leaders sit. They have sign-up sheets for various activities, distribute tickets and collect fees for upcoming events, and provide information for anyone with an enquiry.

• Meeting Format

Generally, people tend to arrive early to sign in on the attendance sheet and pick up name badges and newsletters (for those without email) out in the hallway. Then on into the main hall to choose tea or coffee and a biscuit, check in at the sign up table and choose a seat for the meeting. There is always chatter and laughter, as friends greet one another, and new comers are made welcome.

The Committee Chair begins the meeting by welcoming everyone, and making announcements, followed by the Administrative Secretary with any points of business for the members; finally, the Speakers Coordinator introduces the guest speaker. At the end of the talk and thank you to the speaker, each member is responsible to stack their own chair against the wall before leaving.