New year to be rung in with new art and science interest groups at Southwell U3A

A town’s U3A is to ring in the new year with a range of new interest groups.

Southwell U3A has expanded its offering of over 70 different groups tailored to different hobbies and knowledge.

Its latest additions are art and design since 1850, ‘Small Wonders’, and science.

The art and design since 1850 group will trace the roots of modern art and design to the middle of the 19th century.

Members will look at craft and design led by William Morris and friends, as well as Paris’ fine art, hotly followed by the impressionists.

Small Wonders is a self-learning group which will look at the small-scale natural life that surrounds us at home, in our gardens, houses or even on our food and drink.

It will explore everything from small pond life, to yeasts and moulds, tiny plants, mosses, lichens and native insects.

It will not involve complex biology, but members will have opportunity for microscopic examination and a change to ask questions about the subjects.

The new science group will consider a range of subjects, such as advances in medical science, astronomy, particle physics, heat pumps and any other suggestions from members of the group.

There will be short illustrated talks where applicable, followed by group discussions.

The groups are designed to offer fresh opportunities for learning, socialising, and personal development for those who are no longer in full-time work but who wish to remain active.