Ralph Fearnehough
Ralph joined York u3a in 1992, after retirement, on the advice of a friend. He immediately joined the 10m Rambling Group, and later The Monthly Walk. Ralph led a 7-8m walk in the newly formed Over the Hill group, and he and his wife, Janet, walked with the 7-8m Monthly Walk and later the newly formed Strollers group, and the Wolds Walk 5-6m group.
All the many Leaders of the u3a walk groups were, and are, exceptional people, good at keeping together these friendly groups in regular walking.
Besides walking, Ralph enjoyed Rosie’s ‘Cookery for Men’ course, and there he met Henry Mills, the benefactor of a generous gift to York u3a, and later again, Henry was pleased to see another man in the Yoga group. Joining ‘Weather Watchers’ and ‘Geology in Yorkshire’, involving walking, and latterly the ‘Astronomy’ group, suited Ralph’s life-long interests. The Science and Science Engineering groups were also enjoyed, but gradual hearing loss made it less easy to continue. Ralph, together with Janet, also got to know Mike Doss on many of his ‘Social History of York’ groups and learned much from his well-researched and fascinating walks around York.
From an early age, Ralph, with his family, enjoyed music and concerts, and he enjoyed Marc‘s ‘Music Appreciation’ course, and later Paul Howorth’s ‘Opera group’ and the lively presentation of G&S comic opera. The Ballroom Dancing group at Guppy’s was good winter exercise, where he and Janet met many friends from other groups, a feature of u3a classes.
Ralph, a professional Horticulturalist, still retains his passion and skill in gardening at 93, growing vegetables, fruit, shrubs and flowers, mostly from own seed and cuttings. He says: "We have a very large garden, backing on to the Foss, having lived here for 60 years. We have enjoyed the get-togethers in the garden with various u3a groups over the years and continue to do so."
To try to keep fit, Ralph has enrolled this year for the Fit & Flexible group, and Early Days of Cinema, where his lack of hearing won’t be a problem! He still enjoys the occasional Saturday Morning Talks, meeting friends there; and the York u3a outings, and continues to walk regularly with Janet and the family.
Joining York u3a has given him a happy retirement.
Anne Ryder
A friend encouraged Anne to join in 1994 following early retirement from a career with Terry’s. She shared the following happy memories of her time with York u3a.
Anne initially joined the Gardening group, was Treasurer for 10 years and is still an active member. She has gardened at private houses, The Homestead, and a school in Clifton. The group had over 150 members at the time, but it was reduced when the Pocklington and Haxby & Wigginton u3as were established. She also visited many gardens where open days were being held. Her own garden was around a third of an acre and she held open days there (called Cream Teas). These were more like a small garden fete with stalls, books and auctions raising over £1000 for charity.
If that wasn’t enough, she soon joined the Flower Arranging group. As the leader for this group was moving, she took up the role of Group Leader. Under her leadership the group took on more members and people came from all over the York area to join. In fact, it was so successful that the group had to keep moving to increasingly larger rooms. She did this for over 23 years before eventually retiring, sadly no-one has taken over, so the group has now stopped meeting.
Despite being a busy member and Group Leader Anne joined the Country Walks group and enjoyed the beautiful countryside, and a few lunches in the country pubs!
Anne has been on many short breaks with York u3a, going to Scotland, the Lake District and Wales. She has made many friends over the years and still takes other members out in her car if they are unable to get themselves around. Having been to so many places and been so heavily involved in York u3a Anne couldn’t pick out one memorable moment saying that there had been so many.
Anne wouldn’t hesitate to recommend York u3a. She described it as a great place to make friends and to do things that make you happy. In her words, it’s all about friendship.