We are a  branch of The University of the Third Age, which is a self-help group for people no longer in full time employment - no age limits! The U3A is not about study and qualifications: it's about members improving the quality of their lives by getting together to share interests and join in activities. Although we were only formed in March 2007  we now have a membership in excess of 200.   Our members have already organised for themselves the following groups: Archaeology, Birdwatching, Book Club,  Computing, Cycling, Gardening, Geology, Lunch Club, Music Appreciation, Rambling, Science/Technology, Photography, Meditation, Travel, Theatre Visits and many others. New ideas from our membership are always welcome.     NOTE:  Our venue is the Jersey Farm Hotel   Meetings assemble from 10.00, for a prompt start at 10.30. Guests are welcome to attend one of our meetings as a ‘taster’ before deciding whether to join. An admission fee, currently £1, covers the costs of room hire, refreshments at an extra cost. Annual U3A membership is £11 per person, or £7.50 for members of another U3A branch. REGIONAL NEWSLETTER - January 2010    Theatre Group Theatre Royal Newcastle.  Tues. 9th March at 7.30 Play:  "ENJOY" by Alan Bennet, starring Alison Steadman Tickets:  £22 in stalls + coach £10 Must confirm by 15th Feb.   Sunderland Empire  Sat. 20th March at 7.30 SLEEPING BEAUTY  -  Birmingham Royal Ballet Tickets £20 in stalls  +  coach £10 Must confirm by 20th Feb.   Signposts from WorldU3A International Group and U3AOnline Australia, sent once a month, to any and all U3A members anywhere in the world. Link here to website See below for a list of  forthcoming speakers.   Date Title Speaker  28th January 2010  The Churches Conservation Trust (caring for a thousand years of history)  Rosie Lister & Tim Charlson  25th February 2010  The Wensleydale Railway  - Putting Rail back in the Dale!  Ruth Annison  25th March 2010  Nepal: a trek through Langtang and Helambu   Dear Diary  from George Jameson If you would like ANY local event publicising in a future Teesdale U3A NewsLetter, please contact George on 01833 637957. Deadline is the Sunday before the Thursday monthly meeting.  December 11th Friday TOMORROW 7.30 pm St Mary’s Church Barnard Castle Christmas concert with Concordia Tickets £4 including wine and mince pies, available at the door, or contact Pauline on 01833 630102. Arranged by the Rotary Club of Barnard Castle and featuring ‘Concordia’ with organist Joan Johnson  Jan 25th Monday at 7.30pm  Rev. John McManners speaking on 'The monastery of Wearmouth and Jarrow and its place in biblical scholarship': in the St Mary’s Parish Church Barnard Castle. All welcome.  Jan 28th Thursday 7 pm Barnard Castle School.  Martin Narey, Chief Executive of Banardos. Tickets £8.50 incl. refreshments. Contact 01833 630102  ADVANCE NOTICE  July 15th Thursday 7.00pm.Jersey Farm Hotel.  Speaker: Dr Paul Hawkins (inventor of ‘Hawk-Eye’); “Technology in Sport: Hawk-Eye’s view”. Tickets £8.50 including refreshments. Contact 01833 637957 For further Local Events, visit www.visitteesdale.co.uk and/or  www.teesdalehalls.co.uk GALA THEATRE, DURHAM The RAVENSWOOD SINGERS and OPERA LIVE BROADWAY MELODIES With excerpts from: Miss Saigon, Porgy & Bess, Chicago, Les Miserables, Joseph, Phantom and many more Wednesday Evening 10th February, 7p.m. Tickets £10 (plus coach fare) Contact 01833 630102