Buxton Theatre Trip
2 tickets available due to a cancellation
- Date: Friday, 7 August
- Show: Iolanthe by Gilbert & Sullivan (Matinee Performance)
- Price: £50
This witty and magical operetta tells a tale of forbidden love causing an absurdist fusion of two worlds – the magical fairies of Fairyland and a bamboozled House of Peers.
Featuring some of Sullivan’s most glorious music, including Oh Foolish Fay, If You Go On, You’re Sure To Win, and what is popularly known as The Nightmare Song, audiences can expect an evening of first-class entertainment and riotous fun suitable for all ages.
For further details or to book, contact Alice on 01270 765856.
Sandbach U3A Walking Cricket: Agonisingly Close to Glory at the National Festival
Thirty-two teams from across the country descended on Worcester County Cricket Club for this year’s National Walking Cricket Festival — and Sandbach U3A’s team gave as good as they got.
With ten teams competing for the Cup and twenty-two, including Sandbach, in the Shield, the day promised tough competition. Sandbach opened strongly against Derby on the county ground outfield, winning by 40 runs with neither side losing a wicket. A comfortable 70-run win over Valley End followed, building real momentum.
The team’s third match, against Cannock 3, proved the tightest of the day — a hard-fought contest lost by just seven runs. Sandbach regrouped for their final game against Evesham, the eventual runners-up, and produced a fifty-run win on the county ground to finish the day on a high.
It came down to the finest of margins. Across all four matches, Evesham totalled 501 runs to Sandbach’s 500 — pipping them to second place by a single run. Worcester Central were the only team to win every match, taking the Shield.
“Close, but a great day out and a tremendous team performance,” said Team Captain Mick Jackson — and it’s hard to disagree. A one-run difference across four games is about as close as competitive sport gets.
Team Captain Mick Jackson and the squad: John and Maggie Coats, Val Hollins, Bernie Davis (wicket keeper), Aled Owen, Charlie Stevenson, Vic Blackstone, Ian Spreadbury, David Muncaster and Rob Thompson.
Fancy being part of next year’s squad?
Sandbach U3A Walking Cricket is looking for new members. It’s cricket at a gentler pace, suitable for all abilities — teams of up to ten, batting in pairs, softer ball and everyone gets a turn batting, bowling and fielding. You’re never out — you just lose 5 runs per wicket within your four overs — so there’s no pressure and everyone stays involved. If you enjoyed cricket or rounders at school, you’ll love it, and it’s a great way to keep active while having a laugh with friends.
The group meets twice a week at Sandbach Community Football Centre, Hind Heath Road — Mondays 11am and Thursdays 1pm (weather permitting). Just 20p a session, or £10 pre-pay for the year. New members warmly welcome!
Please see below
Our next Talking Travel Event
And our next Sunday Afternoon Tea & Cakes Event
Sunday afternoon get-together 9th August 2026
Join us for a relaxed afternoon of tea, coffee, cake, and conversation at our monthly social gathering
Venue
The Wesley Centre, Sandbach. CW11 1DG
Date and Time
Sunday 9th August
2pm – 4pm
The event is free to attend and is open to all Sandbach & District u3a members.
Please come along to enjoy warm drinks, sweet treats and friendly conversation in a welcoming setting.
Refreshments
Gluten-free cakes will be available.
Please note that only dairy milk will be provided, so feel free to bring anything else you may need.
And finally …… An extract from a Roger McGough poem that may have been written for us!
There is no cure for ageing
Because ageing isn’t an illness, but a way of life.
And some are better at it than others
The secret?
Think yourself younger than you really are:
On a crowded bus or tube, offer your seat to a young man
Design a website, invent an app
Take up Zumba, forget to nap
For no-one can predict what’s lying in store
With a future more challenging than ever before.
If you would like to contribute to the next Newsletter please make contact here