u3a

Fife

Central and West Fife

What the Papers Say

Status:Active, open to new members
When: On Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30
Last Wed of each month
Venue: Pitbauchlie House Hotel, Dunfermline

Group Contact: Lynn Somerville

The group meets on the last Wednesday of the month with the option of a light lunch afterwards at the hotel.

The whole group considers a range of possible topics put forward by those present and selects those it wishes to discuss. The format of these sessions has evolved by general consensus. After splitting into manageable groups the previous arrangement was that each group would take away three separate topics to discuss so that when groups merged again after about 75 minutes the number of topics reviewed would be 3 X Number of groups.

Current system has whole group decide on two topics for discussion from the total put forward. Then the two or three groups of 6-8 people for that day get together to discuss those two topics until noon whereupon groups merge and the sub-leaders summarise their group’s findings. This ensures that each topic is thoroughly reviewed.

Attendance varies between 14-24 people therefore it is necessary to split up into either two or three groups. Group Leader will take one of those groups and ask for one or two volunteers to be other sub-group leaders as appropriate. Quite often 4-8 members will stay for lunch, having confirmed actual number to staff at the outset.

newspapers on a table

To provide some idea of the range of subjects covered, some previous topics discussed since Spring 2025 are listed below:

  • Should the UK follow President Trump’s US lead and move away from Equality, Diversity & Inclusion? Essentially he claims it’s quite simple!
  • North Sea Oil still has 30 years’ worth of reserves. Should we make most of these reserves while transitioning fully to renewables & nuclear, being mindful of the impacts on environment of doing so?
  • Noting a pre-election worsening of attainment gap in Scotland, should it not now be a government priority to improve the situation?
  • Chocolate is now being stolen to order by shoplifters. Discuss.
  • Are there any benefits to having Artificial Intelligence virtual friends?
  • Discuss reaction to Wes Streeting’s recent upbeat NHS statement.
  • National concern re water pollution problems not being addressed. How is Scotland affected? Does Scottish Environmental Agency cope?
  • Should UK increase investment in AI to catch up with US and China?
  • Should places like Dunfermline’s Kingsgate be re-imagined as community & cultural hubs rather than remain mere retail outlets?

Groups listed alphabetically

  • A Walk in the park
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings 11:00
  • AI Explorers
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Fridays 14:15
    Second Friday of month
  • Art Appreciation
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    3rd Thursday as advised
  • Backgammon and Cribbage
    Status: Active
    Monthly mornings 10:00-12:00
    1st Friday and 3rd Monday of the month
  • Boccia
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 14:00-15:00
    First Wednesday of the Month
  • Craft 'n' a Cuppa
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Tuesday mornings 11:00-12:30
    1st Tuesday of each month
  • Creative Writing Workshop
    Status: Waiting list
    On Wednesday mornings 10:00-13:00
    normally 1st 2nd and 3rd Wednesdays of each month. May change in July and August.
  • Current Affairs
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday mornings 10:30
    3rd Wednesday of each month
  • Film, Theatre and Concert
    Status: Active
    Mainly daytime events
  • French Conversation
    Status: Waiting list
    On Tuesday afternoons 14:00
    2nd and 4th Tues of the month
  • Games
    Status: Active
    On Friday afternoons 14:00-16:00
    normally the third Friday of the month.
  • Garden Visits
    Status: Active
    As arranged
  • Introduction to Creative Writing
    Status: Full
    On Tuesdays 10:30
    Second & last Tuesday of the month.
  • Local History
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons 14:00-15:45
    2nd Mon of the month
  • Lunch Club
    Status: Active
    On Thursday afternoons
    1st Thursday of the month. Normally 12:30 for 1pm.
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
    Status: Active
    Twice-monthly on Monday mornings 11:00-12:30
    1st and 3rd Monday of the month
  • Out and About
    Status: Active
    As arranged
  • Park Golf
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Friday mornings 10:30
    4th Friday of the Month
  • Qi Gong
    Status: Active
    Twice-monthly on Monday mornings 11:00
    2nd and 4th fourth Monday of the month unless advised otherwise.
  • Quiz Group
    Status: Waiting list
    On Thursday afternoons 14:00
    4th Thursday of the Month
  • Reading Group
    Status: Waiting list
    On Monday afternoons 14:00
    3rd Mon of the month
  • Scottish Heritage
    Status: Waiting list
    On Wednesday afternoons
    3rd Wednesday
  • Scottish Heritage 2
    Status: Waiting list
    On Tuesdays
    Third Tuesday of the month
  • Scottish History
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    1st Monday of the month
  • Short Walks
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:30
  • Spanish Conversation
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings 10:30-12:00
    Normally the first and third Thursday mornings
  • Tenpin Bowling
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday afternoons 13:30
    First Wednesday of the month
  • Travel Group
    Status: Active
    On Thursdays
    2nd Thurs of the month as arranged
  • Walking
    Status: Active
    On Wednesdays
    2nd Wednesday of the month
  • What the Papers Say
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30
    Last Wed of each month
  • Writing for Fun
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:30-12:30
    Fourth Wednesday in the month.