Chandler’s Ford u3a Celebrating 25th Anniversary

Knitted postbox toppers are appearing around Chandler’s Ford. Have you seen them? These have brought a lot of smiles.

Chandler’s Ford u3a is celebrating its 25th Anniversary by erecting 25 toppers in Chandler’s Ford. Thank you Jill Mayes for sharing these photos.

I read that someone removed one of the toppers from the post box in Fryern Arcade. It was the afternoon tea topper installed by the Mayor of Eastleigh on Monday 27th February 2023. Luckily the tooper has now been found.

Installation of Toppers

According to Chandler’s Ford u3a, launching the installation of toppers was His Worship, the Mayor of Chandler’s Ford, the Mayor of Eastleigh, Cllr. Adam Manning along with the Mayor’s Attendant, Marian Cooper. He is pictured here posting the second letter whilst Sandra Claxton, co-ordinator of the Toppers Team, is installing the Topper on the second post box at Fryern Hill.

Thank you for Chandler’s Ford u3a for sharing this lovely photo below.

To celebrate the 25th Anniversary Chandler’s Ford u3a are having some special events to reflect this milestone.

According to Bridget Hignett, Chair of of Chandler’s Ford u3a,  their March meeting will take place on Monday 13th and will focus on the 25th Anniversary of Chandler’s Ford u3a, featuring interviews with some of the original members about how it all began and how we have come to be where we are. There will be cake too, with tea and coffee of course!

Chandler’s Ford u3a provides the ideal environment for those no longer in full-time employment to make new friends, learn something new and have the opportunity to get out and about or share their understanding and experiences.

You can get in touch with the u3a by coming to a monthly meeting as a visitor or to join them use the tab ’Not a member – join u3a’ or download a membership application form.

Their monthly meetings are held at 2.00pm on the third Monday of each month, unless a Bank Holiday intervenes, in the Methodist Church and Dovetail Centre, on Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, SO53 2GJ.

From the website of Chandler’s Ford u3a:

Chandler’s Ford u3a was formed in March 1998 and we have about 400 members and meet each month on the third Monday. We are excited to say that since September 2021 we have been giving our members the choice to either meet in person at the Dovetail Centre, The Methodist Church, Winchester Road, Chandler’s Ford at 2pm or to join us via Zoom if they wish to.

Over the last few months we have enjoyed a wide variety of subjects, including Living & Teaching in Sri Lanka, the LIfe & Works of Cole Porter, the origins and manufacture of paper for banknotes, Guide Dogs for the Blind, caring for your garden roses, bees & bee-keeping, fish-mongering, canal boats, gardens, Violette Szabo GC, the Broadlands Estate, bridge construction and rescue dogs. To view the next month’s talk please see the tab Monthly Meetings (left hand menu) where the next expected speakers are displayed with a short introduction.

Can you help find this missing topper?

Local resident Debby Bartlett said another topper has gone “missing”. It was for the Genealogy group and was on the post box in Merdon Avenue. It had a blue fabric base, and decorated with a baby, a wedding couple and a Gravestone. All were made from felt, fabrics or knitted.

Have you seen the topper?