2011-12 All Courses full listing

Challenging Hill and mountain walks, varying in distance from 8 to 14 kms. Details of each walk including the degree of difficulty of each walk will be advised beforehand to group members. For serious walkers not ramblers!
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This class is aimed at those with some previous experience of patchwork and quilting, but those with no previous experience will be welcome. We will learn about and practice a variety of patchwork and quilting techniques. All sewing will be by hand. The more experienced class members will be encouraged to introduce different topics to the group
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Leisurely walks in the countryside (about two hours in duration). Commencing 3rd October 2011.
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Each month a different author will be chosen for members to read and discuss. The last half hour of each session will be poetry and discussion

Come along for a gentle walk in Marbella. Normally the start will be from the chiringuito La Pesquera Urb. Marbellamar,continuing along the paseo past the famous Marbella Club and Puente Romano Hotels as far as Victors beach then returning to La Pesquera. This may vary as time goes on. Please contact Teresa to confirm. The stroll in this beautiful environment will be interspersed with occasional stretching excercises, Perhaps enjoy a coffee afterwards in the restaurant La Pesquera overlooking the sea.

The club runs throughout the year (no summer break) All levels of players are welcome. If you are not a regular at the club, please telephone the group leader beforehand.

To allow beginners and more experienced astronomers the opportunity to learn and pass on knowledge to others about the hobby. To introduce the basics of observing the stars, planets, satellites and Deep Space objects to beginners. To extend the capabilities and enjoyment of all. To provide help with choosing and using telescopes, binoculars, other equipment and information sources.Meetings would also include observing sessions when weather permits. Members who have binoculars or telescopes would be able to bring them.
NB Next Meeting Monday March 26th at 7pm Location to be confirmed

Learn to meditate in a relaxed atmosphere with an experienced spiritual healer. Meditation brings health benefits, reducing stress and anxiety, lowering blood pressure and improving sleep patterns. Meditation also brings the spiritual benefits of self-understanding and awareness. Learn how 5 minutes a day can change your life. Donation per meeting to help with travel costs.

The group will be for anyone interested in drawing and painting, no matter what their experience. Beginners are more than welcome. The aim of the group will be to share ideas and skills and learn together. Although there will be a programme most of the session will be encouraging members to work on their own project/s. Members will need to provide their own materials/ paints, boards, paper, pencils, pots for water etc...I would also like them to bring a plastic cloth big enough to cover a table so that we do not damage any of the tables at the venue. (bought very cheaply from any todo shop)

A series of talks and seminars covering a broad range of subjects which may include Meditation, nutrition, Reiki, yoga, homeopathy, diets, acupuncture, aromatherapy, counselling, naturopathy, shiatsu, kinesiology, shiatsu, psychotherapy, herbal remedies, reflexology, Buddhism, complementary therapies, CBT, NLP. This is essentially a workshop to which participants contribute their experience. Check EVENTS for details of the next sessions.

If you are looking for new inspiration and recipes for entertaining, this group is for you. Over six fortnightly sessions I will take your from starter course all the way through to dessert for a beautifully served meal. The course will be repeated over additional two terms in 2012. There will be a charge of €5 for the ingredients, but you'll be able to sample the food prepared.

Friendly discussion group held entirely in Spanish with topics chosen by participants. Some preparation will occasionally be required before a session. Help will be given with pronunciation, grammar and usage

There is nothing like the giving and receiving of a hand made card or the sense of achievement that you get as your confidence grows. Whether you are a complete beginner or have some craft knowledge this workshop will introduce you to techniques and materials and allow you to leave with finished cards at the end of each craft session. An approx. cost of 3 Euro will be charged at each session to cover materials used. Jayne will supply scissors, work-boards, templates etc..

Every week there will be something different like breathing meditation, daily inspiration, muscle relaxation, guided meditation with inner journey and so on. A great opportunity to unwind those stresses.

A sociological insight into current issues. Further details on enrolment.

This Group will be for all grades of oil painters from complete beginners to experienced oil painters. Demonstration by Julia will be part of the class structure and the sharing of skills amongst members will be an important part of the course. Members will be expected to provide their own equipment, eg. canvas, paint, easel, brushes, etc. Also please bring plastic cover for tables and paper towels.

The group will discuss and decide on a programme at the first meeting. Some suggestions are:visits to museums, theatres, Malaga Christmas lights and a meal.

Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned writer makes no difference, the weekly meetings will help move you on, open your mind and unblock your creativity. We all have a book inside us – or at least a story or two. Come and develop your ideas in a relaxed environment, a quiet and comfortable space where we can think and dream, invent and create... Meetings take place in Shiraz lounge bar at the Puerto Deportivo, Marbella

To give members the ability to use their PC more effectively for email, internet access and basic office activities - word processing, spreadsheet, simple database, producing presentation material; brochures, greeting cards etc. Also to provide guidance on protecting their PC and valuable data items. Each member should already have a PC and some basic knowledge. If possible they should bring their own laptop/portable PC to the sessions. There will be internet access via WiFi or network cable. The course will last for 5 weeks, further sessions will be run if there is demand.

These will be open and lively discussions among the participants about current events of interest. Topics will be announced in advance to give a chance for research if so desired. (Non-active spectators are discouraged.) See Schedule

A mix of films to be shown three weekly on a Wednesday. See Schedule

Covers the period from the Spanish American War of 1898, when Spain lost the last of its colonial possessions, to the Transition from dictatorship to democracy, with special emphasis on the Second Republic (1931-36), Spanish Civil War (1936-39) and the Franco dictatorship (1939-1975).

Sketching and painting in various media

Rubber Bridge with the aim to Duplicate Bridge. Some experience of playing Whist would be useful. Beginners and Intermediate players welcome. Group Members must have a playing partner. Venta Los Alberquilles is on the Alhaurin road out of Coin just past the Autovia next to the car sales lot

I look forward to sharing the joys and sorrows of my garden in the spring. We will start in mid winter and continue until the Summer. Last season participants enjoyed seeing how the garden changes during the different seasons. They also had a chance to ask questions and to acquire seeds and cuttings as they became available. My garden is just outside Alhaurin el Grande. The walk takes about one hour. Coffee and chatting take a bit longer.! Jan 19th,Feb 16th,March 15th,April 12th,May 10th, June 7th.

The aim of the course is to get acquainted with mainly modern Spanish literature in translation. The course participants will read the same title to enable for a lively discussion. A book list will be presented at the first meeting in order to choose the books to be read during the course.

The programme is designed to offer something for everyone, particularly those who wish to gain more from their cameras whether they are small compacts or more sophisticated SLRs. It will cover the technical basics but more importantly how to create more interesting photos. A lot of emphasis will be placed on the practical rather than the theory with participants own photos being used as the basis for exploration and discussion. It is intended that every other fortnight practical field trips will be undertaken in and around the local area.

The Marbella U3A Book Club has been meeting fortnightly for a number of years with a membership of 18-20 international participants. It's purpose is to read, discuss and analyse literary works in English with the guidance of a different member who acts as presenter for each particular book. This discussion leader will have researched the life and literary standing of the author and will provide us with critics' opinions and insights. We look forward to an exciting coming year with a marvellous selection of books including offerings by J.G. Ballard, Lawrence Durrell, D.H. Lawrence and Ernest Hemingway.

This course is intended for those who already have a reasonable grasp of the principles of composition, exposure, lighting and the use of their camera. It will develop these principles further but also investigate how these are applied in various photographic situations. It will also cover the basics of photo editing on a computer. There will be field trips every other session to put into practice workshop theory.

Journey to various coastal and mountain sites of special interest‭. Information exchanged with experienced watchers Members make their own arrangements with others in the group to reach the meeting point. Cars are then pooled with passengers making a contribution to fuel and any toll charges. It is advisable to take a picnic lunch, drinks and binoculars/scope as well as maybe a camera. 4wd cars are very welcomed. Meetings take place normally every three weeks and instructions will be sent to participants in time for any arrangements.

This is an established course which is carrying on from last season and would suit those who have already begun writing their stories. You could benefit from the experience gained by the existing group to develop your special memoir using childhood memories, life crossroads, travel, family history and much more. Together the group offers inspiration and guidance to help achieve the creation of a personal memoir that can be passed on from generation to generation

Whether it’s pen on paper or fingers on a keyboard, if you yearn to write, then this is the course for you. Short stories, novels, plays or poetry – whatever you want to write this course will provide the foundations for improving your writing skills in a fun and friendly atmosphere. There will be a small charge of 2 euros per meeting to help with research, travel and printing costs. Be inspired – all you need is an open-mind, a willingness to get involved and imagination!

For existing and new members and their friends,‭ ‬this is essentially a social gathering but also an opportunity to discuss‭ ‬topics of mutual interest.‭ ‬Committee representatives will be on hand to address any U3A matters in general or in particular.‭ Here you can find out information on courses, social activities, become a member and pay membership fees. NEW! Now Book exchange too. Members bring in books they have read and recommend. Be sure of a warm welcome whether you live in Spain all the time or whether you are just returning to Marbella. Catch up with friends old and new.

Would you like to create your own panoramic images? Use your own digital camera with just a little computer assistance from Tom, you can create your own masterpiece. Not suitable for phones or pads masquerading as cameras! Some useful tips for beginners and seasoned amateurs alike. Share your own experiences, indulge in a little fun and impress the guys at home! Start with a presentation from Tom at Hotel Sultan. Friday 20th January after coffee morning 1pm. Then fortnightly 3rd 17th Feb and 2nd Mar. We will hope to exhibit our work 16th March at Hotel Sultan for the benefit of our members and photographers during coffee morning. Book your place now at u3a@graty.co.uk

The Special Relationship: The U.S.A. and The U.K., 1775 to the present.

The Course has now been completed and will restart in January 28 2012
Please contact the Course Leader if you are interested. This course would be for Individuals who wish to compile a family tree. Attendees should be aware that there is usually a cost for extracting records from the various archives. This basic course will describe how you get started, what records are available (and costs) Writing it all down, how the internet can help. It would be a bonus if attendees were able to use a computer for record keeping and research but not essential.
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