New Members welcome -
email our Membership Secretary for details
From the Chairman
The Committee of Rayleigh Grange u3a take the ‘Care and Safety’ of members very seriously.
To that end, the Committee have reviewed and updated their policy on EVACUATION and INVACUATION – our full policy will be sent out with the Nomination Form Notes prior to the AGM in July 2026.
Summary – “just a taster”
Evacuation
In the event of: medical emergency, fire, severe weather, transport accident, other!
Each of the above have a clear safety procedure of action which will be managed by the Chairman, Committee Member or Group Leader(s).
In an emergency whilst out on a trip/at a member’s home
Interest Group Meeting the situation will be dealt as appropriate.
Rayleigh Grange Community Hall
In the very unlikely event of a fire at the Grange the following will happen:
The fire alarm will be activated.
The Chairman or a member of the committee will phone 999 to confirm the fire service are going to attend.
If a fire were to occur during the time our speaker is speaking then the Chairman will give clear instructions to use the nearest fire exit - which is the main entry door to the hall (then turn left) to the
Grange entrance door.
There are fire exit doors either side of the stage and one opposite the stage with the Assembly Point being the Netball Court to the further side of the car park.
At least one committee member will be at each fire exit door guiding members towards the assembly point.
To make committee members ‘stand out’ they will be wearing high-visibility yellow baseball hats.
Once at the Assembly Point our Membership Secretary will mark you off from the register.
I would ask members NOT to leave the Assembly Point before letting the Membership Secretary know you are safe.
In the worst-case scenario if there were to be a major fire and you had NOT been accounted for, then a firefighter could enter a blazing building searching for you not knowing you had already left.
The Chairman and Committee would ensure that all areas in the Grange were clear of members before leaving the building themselves.
The Rayleigh Grange Community Hall, fire doors and fire alarms are checked prior to each monthly meeting.
Edward Byford
Chairman
May 2026
WELCOME - Rayleigh Grange u3a
In 2009, following a launch meeting at Rayleigh Grange, organised by Rayleigh u3a, and the national office, several volunteers came forward to start a new u3a.
Those volunteers – Lillah Akerman, Ann Rawlinson, Margaret Halloran, Julia White, Sue Mahoney, Alan and Viv McKeown, June Cross, Jacqui Butcher, Irene and Stan Reynell - met up on 13 March 2009 at the Hungry Horse in London Road, to form a steering committee and Rayleigh Grange U3A was born.
Lillah became our first Chairman and the group of 11 our founder members.
The name Rayleigh Grange was chosen, as our monthly meeting is held at the Grange Community Centre, Little Wheatley Chase, Rayleigh.
The initial membership of 39 at our first monthly meeting has grown steadily and we now have about 330 members.
U3A stands for the University of the Third Age, but is not a university in the academic sense – no qualifications are required and none are given.
The U3A provides an opportunity through self-help to widen our experiences and knowledge.
There are now over 1000 local u3as, all over the UK, with over 425,000 members, and many more Worldwide.
We are a lively organisation, with members drawn from Rayleigh, and the surrounding area.
Our main activities centre around over 50 interest groups, which draw upon the knowledge and expertise of our members.
These are held in members homes and venues around Rayleigh, plus trips to other areas, and offer educational, recreational and physical activities, for those who are retired, or no longer in full-time employment.
Rayleigh Grange u3a is run by an elected committee of up to 15 members.
Each local u3a is autonomous, and develops its own distinctive features, but is able to call upon national and regional parts of the organisation, for help and advice.
Rayleigh Grange u3a is affiliated to the Third Age Trust, and upholds its aims and principles.
Subscription is currently only £13 a year or £25 for 2 people at the same address (this could change) which includes the features below:
- Entrance to our interest groups, spaces permitting, in the individual groups.
- Monthly meeting with a Guest Speaker - these are held on the first Wednesday of each month, usually, excluding August, but as you will imagine, all things are apt to change.
- Refreshments at the monthly meeting
- A monthly newsletter or bulletin
- Five copies of the national magazine “Third Age Matters”, (see next line !).
- You have to tell us if you want the magazine, email to Beacon Admin, or you won't receive it.
Interest groups normally meet in the home of the leader or a group member and 50p is payable for refreshments.
Additional costs may be payable when groups meet in a hall or if other fees are required (Hall hire, entrance fees, contribution to fuel costs).
Every member is entitled to attend our monthly meeting, where we aim to have a different speaker each time (see Events page).
They are held on the first Wednesday of each month at the Rayleigh Grange Community Centre, Little Wheatley Chase, Rayleigh.
Doors open at 1.30pm and the meeting starts at 2.00pm prompt.
Please ensure you sign in at the front door and please turn your mobile phone off!
(Anyone who can help putting out and stacking away the chairs will be very welcome).
Guests are welcome to attend our monthly meeting if spaces are available, the guest fee is £3.
Rayleigh Grange u3a is a Registered Charity Number 1165092.