Bushey & District U3A 20th Anniversary Afternoon Tea

We were delighted to hold a celebration Afternoon Tea at Allum Manor on Wednesday 5th June 2024 in honour of the 20th Anniversary Year since the Bushey & District u3a was formed. We were delighted to welcome over 200 Members and Guests including 3 of our first four u3a Chairs.

David Jonal and his Blue Check team provided the catering and we were entertained throughout the afternoon firstly by Paul Jaffa at his keyboard, who was followed by Helen the Vintage Singer.  This was particularly apt as we were also celebrating 80th Anniversary of the D-Day landings.

As this celebration coincided with National Volunteers’ Week, we were pleased to invite the regular volunteers present to take home the lovely flower table decorations prepared by local florist Sam’s Flowers.

Here is a selection of the photos taken by Tony, Laurie & Jeff of the Photography Group, and who also provided a fantastic display of photographs in the Reception area of the Hall.

Below are a few of the many comments we received after the event:-

'Please convey to the Chairman and all the Committee my appreciation for the kind gesture shown to me and former Chairmen, in publicly showing appreciation for the roles we played in the past to help Bushey U3A flourish as it has. I am sure from what we witnessed at the Anniversary Tea it will continue to do so with the current officers at the helm. Maureen would also like to say thank you for the flower display all of which have been put together so beautifully.' BC

'Please pass to the Committee our thanks for a lovely welcome and thank you so much for the gift of a celebratory mug. I was so surprised to be elected chairman, I had no ambitions in that area but thoroughly enjoyed the three years that passed so quickly, probably because Brian and Edith had done the ground work.' MM

'Just a short note to say ‘well done’ to you for your hard work and your team in organising Wednesday’s event. So lovely to catch up with many faces not seen for months. Also, so kind to put Trina and my short write up on your info. Flyer.' JB

'I'm actually sending this message to say thank you to all the committee for the 20th anniversary tea this afternoon. It was very good and also thank you for the flowers from the table!' FF

'Just to say how much I enjoyed the 20th Anniversary Tea Party. Everything went so well and all the planning paid off. Everyone deserves a big thank you.' MG

'20th Anniversary Committee - you all did an amazing job! Thank you so much. There was a good atmosphere. If there were any hitches they weren't obvious.

Well done all of you - I hope that you enjoy a well-earned rest.' RS

'I am enjoying the lovely flowers, and you went to so much trouble to make out the pretty thank you cards for the recipients, and we really enjoyed the whole afternoon.' SG

'Just to say a huge thank you for a wonderful afternoon, Alan and I enjoyed it very much! All your efforts and hard work paid off and you delivered a successful event.' SB

'I would like to thank you and your event committee for organising such an enjoyable afternoon to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of Bushey U3A. You all worked so hard to make it such a successful day. Many thanks.' TS

'A huge 'Thank you' for an amazing afternoon. Congratulations to all who made the Anniversary celebration such a success and also for my vase of flowers - what a lovely selection ... and very undeserved. It is true that talking to so many, many friends we had not seen for ages meant several had been through tough times - but how wonderful to be able to say as much as we all wanted to and to share concern and words of encouragement. And what a lot of laughter we enjoyed recalling hilarious moments together. Thank you again for inviting us. I hope all those involved in the organising will enjoy quality 'feet up' time in the days ahead!' VM

'Thank you and the committee for a really lovely afternoon. The tea was excellent and thank you for the flowers, you all must have worked extremely hard for months putting everything together.' WM

We also received messages from a former Chair and three former Treasurers, who were unable to join us on the day but had heard how successful the event had been:

'I know the celebrations were very much enjoyed by all my friends. Well done to you Andrew, Gill, Gay and Denise. One friend brought me a copy of the printed recollections. I was honoured to have my own on view. Dear Gay, who is my neighbour, called in yesterday and surprised me with a gift of chocolates and a commemorative 20th Anniversary mug. The chocs won't last long but the mug will certainly provide many u3a thoughts and thanks for the outstanding friendships made over the last 20 years. Please thank the committee on my behalf. Warm Regards.' EB

'Many thanks for the fine mug you gave me on Tuesday. What a thoughtful idea. I am glad that the tea party went so well.' AG

'I was delighted and surprised to receive the commemorative mug and pot of flowers and was very sorry I could not join you at the Tea.' AW

'I had been thinking of you all on 5th June and thank you for the Commemorative Mug – such a lovely thought!' MF