I am Barnsley born and bred apart from a seven-year stint at Notre Dame High School in Sheffield. Despite all that I chose to train as a physiotherapist away from home at The London Hospital, Whitechapel.

Fascinating place and the home of Jack the Ripper and the Elephant Man. Being so far from home only made me: want to come back which I did regularly, complete with bags of washing!

After retiring from clinical physiotherapy and physiotherapy education I became a Barnsley Hospital governor, when a friend suggested u3a. I hadn't got a clue what it was and was pleasantly surprised at the breadth of what was on offer. I joined the French and Italian language groups, the art group, wine appreciation, zoom quiz, a

walking group and have learnt to jive. The rest is history and I have never looked back.

I am a born and bred a Yorkshire lass and lived in Barnsley since I was 11 years old; when I left school at 16, I started work as a Cadet Nurse before doing my nurse training based in the old Beckett, Saint Helen, Kendray and Mount Vernon Hospitals. After qualifying I worked at the then newly built Barnsley Hospital for 19 years before doing further training to become an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner.  I then worked in various parts of the region for the NHS, Academia, Industry, Ambulance and Fire Services, heading up 3 services before I retired after completing 50 years as a nurse, a job I truly loved. 

After retirement I began searching for things to occupy me and was told about the U3A – best decision I ever made was to join; there is so much to do and so many lovely people and I have a whole new set of friends. I take part in Drama, Art Appreciation, Silver Shimmy (Belly) Dancing, Dining Out, and am Coordinator for the Debating Group. 

When I heard that a Vice Chair was needed in order to comply with U3A requirements I thought I would give it a go – nothing ventured and all that, and hope I can learn and enjoy the role and I look forward to meeting many more of our members.

I moved to Barnsley in 2020 when I retired from a career the water industry in the North West.  I joined the u3a as some older friends of mine in the NW spoke highly of it.  Barnsley & District u3a has not disappointed me.  I have met some lovely people. I am a member of our gardening group, geology group, exploring Barnsley,  current affairs and the debating groups which just about sums up my interests with the exception of music which I enjoy outside the u3a.

I am not a true local, moving to Barnsley about 40 years ago. This is the most time that I have spent anywhere and my home. My father was in the Navy so I have done the ports and ended up far away from the sea.

I joined Bu3a by accident, through a friend and then I was asked to co-ordinate the u3a High Street Project. The project involved, several of you, recording and photographing Barnsley streets as part of a national initiative to capture the impact of Covid.

I am at a time in my life when I can draw on many life and professional experiences in H.R. management, teaching in a Business School, managing adult education projects and as a Trustee of 2 South Yorkshire Charities.

I was born in Barnsley and have lived and worked here all my life. British Steel and Local government were early employers until I attended Bretton Hall College to work for my teaching degree. The four years I was there were wonderful. Working in such a beautiful environment made studying a pleasure. We used the Sculpture Park a lot for inspiration for writing and drama. Having been widowed in 2001 and then semi-retired in 2011 | knew I had to find interests outside my family, which led me to join Barnsley u3a. Through Bu3a I have found wonderful friends and am able to pursue my interests in Literature and Drama.

I'm retired after a diverse career, contributing to local authorities in transport and education. My journey ended working in technical support for Apple at 02. Joining Barnsley u3a enabled me to channel my love of technology within the organization. From Gadget Help and publicity to now serving as the Webmaster, I also pursue my passion as an artist.

I joined Barnsley u3a almost 13 years ago when I moved into the area. It helped me to make new friends and discover the area. I am the New Members Secretary and Penistone Manager. I also coordinate the Crown Green Bowling, Crafty Chat and MOTO groups, all in Penistone. I help out with the Eating Out in Penistone group. I run the Penistone Drop In sessions and attend committee meetings and New Members meetings. I like to attend Canasta in Penistone and ten pin bowling at Carlton. I am a member of the travel committee and help to plan day trips and longer holidays.

I was born in Staffordshire. I didn't move far, apart from time spent in France renovating a property until 2022 when we moved to Barnsley to be near family. COVID-19 initiated my retirement as a Chartered HSE professional, having worked for some 35 years in large-scale manufacturing plants and later as a consultant. I loved the job, being involved at all evels of the business, and also directing emergency response and security teams. Earlier in my career, I was chair and president of the NSHSG, where we won awards for promoting health and safety in the workplace. The Bu3a risk assessment officer post became available shortly after joining Bu3a and I am a member of the cosmology, geology, literature, choir, and canasta groups.
For many years, I have tried my luck as an abstract artist, potter, and poet.

currently I hold the position of Buzz Editor. I live in Barnsley and have been married to Andy for almost 50 years. My working life was spent in the Paper Industry - first at Star Paper Mill on Old Mill Lane, then in paper merchanting at offices in Sheffield and Leeds and finally as a Sales Representative travelling to customers all over the UK. Both Andy and I retired in 2007 and began ourworldwide travels.
We joined the u3a in 2016 following an initial request from the Sequence dancing group to come along and teach a specific dance which we had learnt. At the next New Members meeting we were warmly welcomed. Currently I am an active member of Sequence Dancing, Literature , Sunday Strollers, Monday Walkers, Wine Appreciation and Jewellery Making.

Having been born at a very early age to a policeman and a nurse, moving from London to Berkshire - now Oxfordshire -  then on to Leicestershire with short postings to London and Folkestone and back to Leicestershire. Next new home was in Scotland for 24 years, then south to West Sussex, back up to Birmingham, with a periods in France including a covid lockdown with curfews, finally settling (?) in South Yorkshire.  After a varied and unremarkable series of career attempts, I finally found my niche in my early 40's as a Crime Scene Investigator - or SOCO or Forensic Scene Investigator depending on which Police force one worked with - including a period in Afghanistan teaching their police some of our ways.  23 years of intrigue and amazing scientific developments, the satisfaction of helping to put some of our most dangerous people into places of safety for our safety!.  We joined Bu3a a few short years ago and now find myself volunteered (none of my doing, honest!) into the position of System Controller.  Having dipped into computer technology in the 1980's and building my own systems, I'm hoping to help bu3a - along with the real tech gurus - continue its move into the brave new world of digital.