One of Horsham’s beginner groups. From the left: Maureen Honour, Betty Passow, Penny Connold, Thelma Carpenter (from Group 2 helping with instruction) and Peggy Killick. From an article published in U3A News.

I lead an advanced and 2 beginnner bead groups for Horsham U3A (University of the Third Age) and submitted an article to U3A NEWS in April 2009. The rest of the article is below.

Horsham members learn new skills

Two beading groups and 3 beginner classes run within Horsham U3A. Anne Davies and Jennifer Airs, group leaders, split the classes between themselves. Costs are kept to a minimum by meeting in each other’s homes and by informal bead swaps. Beading improves dexterity, concentration and spatial awareness. Members find the classes mentally stretching and enjoyable. Most members make additional pieces at home: both for themselves and for friends.

Jennifer, a retired Statistician and prolific beadwork designer with many patterns published within the UK and worldwide, finds her postgraduate mathematics background invaluable in developing designs. She usually teaches her own designs, thus avoiding copyright problems. Jennifer can be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it