Our Bring a Friend Day saw a wonderful turnout for this special October meeting.

Our Group Leaders excelled themselves with eye-catching displays showcasing the wide variety of activities Mansfield u3a has to offer.

We were delighted to welcome six new members today, and we wish them every happiness and many enjoyable years with Mansfield u3a, whichever path they choose.

With a last-minute change to our guest speaker, a big thank you goes to Philip Tucker for stepping in and arranging the ever-reliable James Ellson.

James, a former police officer of 15 years – starting in London and finishing as a Detective Inspector at Moss Side, Manchester – is also an accomplished climber and mountaineer. He captivated the audience with a spellbinding talk, “Five Hours Up, Five Hours Down: Soloing the Matterhorn.”

The Matterhorn, first climbed by Edward Whymper in 1865, remains one of the most iconic peaks on every mountaineer’s wish list, and James brought his thrilling solo ascent vividly to life.

Once again, Mansfield u3a members and Group Leaders demonstrated the teamwork, enthusiasm, and dedication that make our organisation such a continuing success.