Causeway U3A

History

How We Started

The very large and successful Causeway U3A began through a combination of chance and hard work. It all started in 1995 when Mrs. Rae Morrison of Portstewart met Tim Connolly of Foyle U3A and noticed he was wearing a distinctive tie. She asked what it was and was told U3A, so she said what’s that? From small beginnings, and if Tim had worn a different tie that day…..The first meeting was held in a room provided at the former Coleraine Council Offices in Cloonavin with about 8 people present. Two visitors from Foyle & District U3A addressed the group, offering encouragement and advice.

Causeway U3A was officially opened as the 2nd U3A in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 4th October 1995 in Coleraine Leisure Centre. Dr Brian Caul presided and introduced representatives from the First Trust Bank to speak about “The Risks and Rewards of Investment”. Financial topics, along with local history, travel and health, have been a regular feature at monthly meetings ever since. Other early activities included bridge, swimming and keep-fit. For a time there were also successful links with other groups in Malahide and Letterkenny.

Membership Growth

The earliest available record of membership numbers shows that in April 1998 there were 82 members. Subsequent years have shown a rapid growth:

Year	Members	Year	Members	Year	Members
1999	103	2004	485	2009	760
2000	132	2005	593	2010	809
2001	240	2006	650	2011	853
2002	320	2007	710
2003	398	2008	721

On 29th January 1996, the committee was elected. Our thanks go to the first Chair, Rae Morrison, for her initiative and hard work to start the group and raise funds. Subsequent holders of the Chairman position have been:

Year	Chair	Year	Chair	Year	Chair
1995	Rae Morrison	2001	Joe Austin	2007	Judith Hegan
1996	Rae Morrison	2002 2002 Causeway U3A was officially opened as the 2nd U3A in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 4th October 1995 in Coleraine Leisure Centre. Dr Brian Rewards of Investment”. Financial topics, along with local history, travel and health, have been a regular feature at monthly meetings ever since. Other early activities included bridge, swimming and keep-fit. For a time there were also successful links with other groups in Malahide and Letterkenny. The earliest available record of membership numbers shows that in April 1998 there were 82 members. Subsequent years have shown a rapid growth: Apr 1999 103 members Apr 2000 132 Dec 2006 650 Dec 2001 240 Dec 2007 710 Dec 2002 320 Dec 2008 721 Dec 2003 398 Dec 2009 760 Dec 2004 485 Apr 2010 787 Dec 2005 593 Early meetings of the group took place in a room hired from Coleraine Leisure Centre. The Portstewart Golf Club venue for meetings was established at the beginning of the 1999-2000 session. On 29th January 1996, the first committee was elected. Our thanks go to the first Chair, Rae Morrison for her initiative and hard work to start the group and raise funds. Subsequent Chairman have been : 1995 Chair - Rae Morrison 1996 Chair - Rae Morrison 1997 Chair - Harry Downham 1998 Chair - Francis McAllister 1999 Chair - Gill Michael 2000 Chair - Gill Michael 2001 Chair - Joe Austin 2002 Chair - Joe Austin 2003 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2004 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2005 Chair - Gordon Ward 2006 Chair - Gordon Ward 2007 Chair - Judith Hegan 2008 Chair - Judith Hegan 2009 Chair - Stuart Pollard 2010 Chair - Stuart Pollard The very large and successful Causeway U3A began through a combination of chance and hard work. It all started in 1995 when Mrs. Rae Morrison of Portstewart met Tim Connolly of Foyle U3A and noticed he was wearing a distinctive tie. She asked what it was and was told U3A, so she said what’s that? From small beginnings, and if Tim had worn a different tie that day…..The first meeting was held in a room provided at the former Coleraine Council Offices in Cloonavin with about 8 people present. Two visitors from Foyle & District U3A addressed the group, offering encouragement and advice. Causeway U3A was officially opened as the 2nd U3A in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 4th October 1995 in Coleraine Leisure Centre. Dr Brian Caul presided and introduced representatives from the First Trust Bank to speak about “The Risks and Rewards of Investment”. Financial topics, along with local history, travel and health, have been a regular feature at monthly meetings ever since. Other early activities included bridge, swimming and keep-fit. For a time there were also successful links with other groups in Malahide and Letterkenny. The earliest available record of membership numbers shows that in April 1998 there were 82 members. Subsequent years have shown a rapid growth: Apr 1999 103 members Apr 2000 132 Dec 2006 650 Dec 2001 240 Dec 2007 710 Dec 2002 320 Dec 2008 721 Dec 2003 398 Dec 2009 760 Dec 2004 485 Apr 2010 787 Dec 2005 593 Early meetings of the group took place in a room hired from Coleraine Leisure Centre. The Portstewart Golf Club venue for meetings was established at the beginning of the 1999-2000 session. On 29th January 1996, the first committee was elected. Our thanks go to the first Chair, Rae Morrison for her initiative and hard work to start the group and raise funds. Subsequent Chairman have been : 1995 Chair - Rae Morrison 1996 Chair - Rae Morrison 1997 Chair - Harry Downham 1998 Chair - Francis McAllister 1999 Chair - Gill Michael 2000 Chair - Gill Michael 2001 Chair - Joe Austin 2002 Chair - Joe Austin 2003 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2004 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2005 Chair - Gordon Ward 2006 Chair - Gordon Ward 2007 Chair - Judith Hegan 2008 Chair - Judith Hegan 2009 Chair - Stuart Pollard 2010 Chair - Stuart Pollard The very large and successful Causeway U3A began through a combination of chance and hard work. It all started in 1995 when Mrs. Rae Morrison of Portstewart met Tim Connolly of Foyle U3A and noticed he was wearing a distinctive tie. She asked what it was and was told U3A, so she said what’s that? From small beginnings, and if Tim had worn a different tie that day…..The first meeting was held in a room provided at the former Coleraine Council Offices in Cloonavin with about 8 people present. Two visitors from Foyle & District U3A addressed the group, offering encouragement and advice. Causeway U3A was officially opened as the 2nd U3A in Northern Ireland on Wednesday 4th October 1995 in Coleraine Leisure Centre. Dr Brian Caul presided and introduced representatives from the First Trust Bank to speak about “The Risks and Rewards of Investment”. Financial topics, along with local history, travel and health, have been a regular feature at monthly meetings ever since. Other early activities included bridge, swimming and keep-fit. For a time there were also successful links with other groups in Malahide and Letterkenny. The earliest available record of membership numbers shows that in April 1998 there were 82 members. Subsequent years have shown a rapid growth: Apr 1999 103 members Apr 2000 132 Dec 2006 650 Dec 2001 240 Dec 2007 710 Dec 2002 320 Dec 2008 721 Dec 2003 398 Dec 2009 760 Dec 2004 485 Apr 2010 787 Dec 2005 593 Early meetings of the group took place in a room hired from Coleraine Leisure Centre. The Portstewart Golf Club venue for meetings was established at the beginning of the 1999-2000 session. On 29th January 1996, the first committee was elected. Our thanks go to the first Chair, Rae Morrison for her initiative and hard work to start the group and raise funds. Subsequent Chairman have been : 1995 Chair - Rae Morrison 1996 Chair - Rae Morrison 1997 Chair - Harry Downham 1998 Chair - Francis McAllister 1999 Chair - Gill Michael 2000 Chair - Gill Michael 2001 Chair - Joe Austin 2002 Chair - Joe Austin 2003 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2004 Chair - Gwen Appleby 2005 Chair - Gordon Ward 2006 Chair - Gordon Ward 2007 Chair - Judith Hegan 2008 Chair - Judith Hegan 2009 Chair - Stuart Pollard 2010 Chair - Stuart Pollard	Joe Austin	2008	Judith Hegan
1997	Harry Downham	2003	Gwen Appleby	2009	Stuart Pollard
1998	Francis McAllister	2004	Gwen Appleby	2010	Stuart Pollard
1999	Gill Michael	2005	Gordon Ward	2011	Cliodhna Rae
2000	Gill Michael	2006	Gordon Ward