Arts and Crafts This group meets every Monday in the Village Hall at Darite. The artists create 'masterpieces' in a variety of mediums; the crafters engage in various crafts such as card and jewellery making, knitting and embroidery. Major components of the meeting are coffee, and 'putting the world to rights'.

Patchwork The Patchwork group members produce some amazing work. A recent opus is the magnificent banner; its first outing being at the recent anniversary dinner.

Book Group Some members of this small but lively group are seen here browsing through the books of the 'library'. Each month we get together and discuss books we have read. Usually we choose a 'set book' for the next month -a particular author or title or topic. Books which have been selected in the past include; Don Quixote, the biography of a chosen scientist, a children's book, a John Masters title, The Main Cages, any a book on the supernatural, a detective story, 'our oldest book', a Henry James novel, Agnes Gray, Memoirs of a Geisha, a book by HG Wells, Suite Francaise, Heart of Darkness, and 'the Brontes'. Members also share any other book or books which they have been reading in the previous weeks.

Play Reading Group This group meets bi-monthly. Plays read recently include The Importance of Being Earnest, Rebecca, West Dean, an Agatha Christie, and The Winslow Boy

Creative Writing Since starting, this group has revealed many hidden talents, with members producing works of fiction, fact, autobiography and poetry. Often there is a given subject or first line, thoughts poets generally prefer a subject of their own choice. Subjects recently include; "Through the Garden Gate", "I've Had Enough. I'm Leaving", "The Ring", "Weekend", "The Advertisment", "Why am I here", "A Remembered Feast", "The Bus Stop", "Those Shoes", "Doing a Runner", and "On the Move".

Discussion Groups -Liskeard and Pensilva These are lively groups, and lots of different opinions are expressed -but everyone is given the chance to state their views. Sometimes there is a 'lucky dip' session when members draw a subject from a hat and talk about it unprepared. Topics discussed recently include; Changes in the Rural Community, Human Rights, Superstitions and Myths, Unitary Authority for Cornwall, Power resources for the future, What is a healthy diet?, Feminism -the role of women today, How can we save our green belts?, Faith schools and city colleges, Are computers necessary in our lives?, Women's Rights, Pollution, Your Best Holiday, and Care in the Community.

Travel Travellers and holiday-makers tell of their trips -with photos, video, maps and brochures. And sometimes with food and drink. Some places we have 'visited' are; Andalucia, Cyprus, Christmas-time trips, Norway, Northern India, England, Rocky Mountains and Vancouver, Jersey, South Africa, Venice, Seville, 'From the Galapagos to Panama', 'Konia and Turkish Nomads', 'Ireland', 'Poland', 'Alaska and the Rockies'.

Social History This group is studying English social history through the ages starting with the Tudor period. Currently we are looking at the end of the Stuart era. There is 'homework'. Members research and write up short articles on a selected topic, which are then collected into a journal.

Family History

French Le group de discussion français se rencontre chaque mois dans les maisons des membres. On discute des sujets divers qui viennent des journaux français et des sites enligne et pour cette raison on a toujours un peu de devoir à faire. Il n’y a personne qui parle français tout à fait couramment, mais quand même on discute assez facilement avec, de temps en temps, l’assistance d’un dictionnaire français ! Même si on est établie seulement cinq mois on peut dire que les membres peuvent parler maintenant beaucoup mieux qu’au commencement. On paye £1 par rencontre pour le thé et les biscottes et le frais des photocopies. À l’avenir on pense à inviter des français pour nous parler. En plus on espère de voir des films français. Si vous avez appris le français à l’école d’un niveau à peu près GCSE et vous voudriez venir nous joindre, vous êtes inviter de prendre contact avec Jenny Jones : jay.jay@virgin.net.

Music Appreciation Each month we play music by a selected composer or performer or of a particular genre, and sometimes there is a live performance. Some recent subjects include; Music for a Summer Day, Schubert, French Composers, Opera and Ballet, Seasonal Music, The Piano, New Year's Day Concert from Vienna, A Celebration of Mozart, Regal and Festive Music, Haydn, Child Prodigies, Czech Music, The Cello, Woodwind, Jazz, Voices, French composers, Bach. A great favourite is "Desert Island Discs" where a member introduces their own personal selection of music with reasons for their choices.

Bridge After the loss of their leader, the bridge players have now regrouped and are meeting on Thursdays in the Public Hall.

Scrabble

Photography

Film of the Month We have a Personal Video Screening Licence which permits the screening of personally owned or rented DVDs to U3A members. We try and select recent and popular films; if you have any ideas for films you would like to see, or have DVDs you could loan to be shown, please see Linda. Films shown recently include Piccadilly Jim, Little Miss Sunshine, Cats, Oh What a Lovely War, Big Fish, The Da Vinci Code, The Terminal, Brick Lane, Atonement, Becoming Jane, The Contender, The Painted Veil, and Amazing Grace, Slumdog Millionaire, Brighton Rock, The Duchess.

Sunday Luncheon The venue for the monthly luncheon rotates around a small number of restaurants and pubs prepared to accommodate this large and lively group.

Dance Group This is a new initiative organised in conjunction with Attik Dance .

(Longish) Walking Group Some recent walks have been; Luxulyan to Par, Widemouth and Bude, around St. Neot, Fowey, Bodinnick and Polruan, Tavistock canal, Padstow and Stepper Point, Crow's Nest, St. Cleer and Trethevey Quoit, Cadover Bridge and the Dewerstone, Cargreen and Landulph, Roughtor and Brown Willy, around Mount Edgcumbe, around Cotehele, Lerryn to St. Winnow, around Rilla Mill, In the Walkham Valley, Pentire Point and the Rumps, Tavistock canal, Pensilva, Tokenbury and Minions.

Short Walks Group The group usually meet at Rapson's Car Park and share cars to the walk location. The walks are never too strenuous and invariably include a cream tea or other refreshments. Some recent sucessful short walks have been from Lostwithiel to the Duchy Nursery, around Horndon, Bodmin Parkway station to Lanhydrock, around Mount Edgcumbe, the Camel Trail, around Dunmere, along the Bude Canal.

"The Walking Web" THE WALKING WEB is a contact system for members who like walking and have regular access to the internet. We share email addresses and any member of the group can suggest a walk of any length and severity. It’s up to others to take part if they feel any walk is suitable for them. Our walks are very informal and may or may not keep to the suggested route, especially if only two or three walkers take part and fancy a detour! Notice of walks is usually sent out two to three days in advance when the weather looks set reasonably fair. Everyone walks at their own risk and needs to sign a U3A disclaimer form. It’s also up to every member to ensure they have the right gear for the terrain and weather. If you’re a member of Liskeard U3A and would like to be added to the web list, please contact Jenny Jones on jay.jay@virgin.net.

Cycling This group is for reasonably competent cyclists, and ususlly involves longish rides on back roads, with plenty of hills, and with the occasional foray off-road. Recent routes have been; Scorrier Portreath and Tehidy, around Looe, the Camel Trail, around St. Breward, the Coast to Coast Trail. The "Pedal back the Years" series of organised cycle outings have proved to be popular with members.

"Easy Riders" Cycling Group This is a sub-group of the main group and enables less confident bikers to cycle on mainly level, off-road trails. They are always accompanied by more experienced bikers.

Garden Visiting An initial programme of gardens to visit is compiled at the start of the season, but is invariably changed to accommodate members' suggestions -and the weather! Gardens visited recently include; Mount Edgcumbe, Cothele, Eden Project, Lukesland, Tregrehan, Trewithen, Lanhydrock, Pinsla, Bosvigo, Ellis Gardens, Marsh Villa, Heligan, Pine Lodge, Rosemoor, Longcross.

"Down to Earth" Gardening Group This is a practical, 'get your hands dirty' gardening group. At recent meetings they have learned how to make hanging baskets, visited local nurseries, had a plant swap, and dibbed around in members' gardens.