I have lived in Crewkerne for over 50 years and in that time have been lucky enough to serve our community in a few different ways—including 30 years as a Town and District Councillor, running a small business, and helping to secure our indoor swimming pool, which was a huge project for our small Town and taught me the value of working closely with the local community. .

As Chair of our u3a, I hope to bring some of that knowledge to our organisation to help build an inclusive, vibrant space where we can all continue to learn, laugh, and try new things together.

I moved to Crewkerne from Derbyshire in 2022 to be closer to my daughters and to enjoy watching my granddaughter grow up. Since then, my family has expanded — I now have two more grandchildren and a granddog.

Not long after moving, I went to the Folk Dancing Group and found it so welcoming that I decided to join the u3a. I am now a member of the Sunday Lunch Club, Family History and French Groups. In 2023, I became a member of the committee as joint Group Coordinator with my husband, Norman.

My move to Crewkerne from the East Midlands coincided with the birth of our second granddaughter. Every time I move it’s been in a southerly direction as I was born in Cumberland.

I joined Crewkerne and District u3a in 2023 and was elected to the committee the following year where I am the joint group’s coordinator with my wife Susan.

My first group was Folk Dancing and now I am in the Short Tennis, Sunday Lunch Club and Listening to Classical Music Groups as well.

I have been a member of Crewkerne & District u3a for nearly five years, having previously belonged to a u3a in Norfolk before relocating to Somerset. I formerly served as treasurer for this u3a Branch and have now taken on the role of Technical Adviser overseeing the introduction of our new website.

My professional background includes extensive experience in accounts and statistics, gained initially with Customs & Excise and subsequently through a range of commercial roles in futures markets and grain trading. This work also involved shipping operations and the preparation of associated international documentation.

Now retired for some 20 years, I continue to pursue a wide range of interests within the u3a. I run both the table tennis group and the creative writing group, reflecting my long-standing fascination with the game of table tennis and the English language. I also have a strong interest in computer programming and am an active member of the Digital Technology Group, where we are beginning to explore areas such as robotics.

My family lived in Derbyshire during our childhood. A beautiful County, like Somerset. So, it was easy to settle down here after several wonderful postings with my husband, whilst in the RAF. I worked at Yeovil District Hospital until our retirement. We soon made many friends within the U3A here and Severalls Bowling Club. I have been the Speaker Secretary in Crewkerne and District U3A since 2013 and really enjoy being involved. Crewkerne is a very busy town, full of character and only half an hour away from the Jurassic coast! Always a treat to discover quaint villages and explore neighbouring counties, there is so much to see, we are very lucky.

RIck Canning - Significant points in my life

· Moved to Singapore as a child

· Returned to Sussex to attend boarding school

· Studied mathematics at University

· Got married, moved to Somerset and had two sons

· Taught mathematics in a Somerset secondary school (and for a year in California)

· Became responsible for the school’s budget as well as treasurer for two other organisations

· Fought off severe competition for coveted U3A treasurer post

Wilson Smith

Born in South Armagh N. Ireland, worked as a car mechanic before joining the Royal Air Force, aircraft engineer, for 22 years.Then moved to MOD, logistics, which eventually took me RNAS Yeovilton. Chose Crewkerne because of its geographical location plus it felt like a friendly market town. And so it has proven as Denise and I are very happy here.

I moved to Crewkerne, with my wife, in 2017 from Grantham in Lincolnshire to realise our dream to live in the South West. We came across Crewkerne quite by accident whilst on holiday in the area and consider ourselves very fortunate to have found such a lovely friendly place to live.

I joined the U3a whilst in Lincolnshire and enjoyed many activities including Table Tennis and Badminton, and quickly joined again when we moved to Crewkerne. I now belong to the Badminton, Short Tennis and Sunday Lunch groups.

I am involved in several volunteering roles including Neighbourhood Watch for my area,  Volunteer Driver for Crewkerne Community Transport and have been Membership Secretary for Crewkerne U3a for nearly 2 years.

As a combined family we have 2 daughters and 2 sons along with 10 grandchildren & 3 great grandchildren, all living in various parts of the country.

My background has always been in technology having worked for BT for nearly 37 years, from humble Apprentice to International Bid Manager, before finishing my time with Lincolnshire Police implementing service desks.

 Hobbies include Woodwork and fulfilling the ‘Grand Dad will fix it’ role for our family.