This very popular organisation  is continually expanding.   There is no lower age limit, but its members are mainly to be found among those who have retired from full-time paid employment – the only criterion for membership.   The education it provides is completely informal;  there are no entry requirements, no examinations are taken (unless members of a group wish to do so) and no certificates or diplomas are awarded.    Extending your education or taking up a new interest (perhaps something you had always wanted to do, but never had the time) can be really enjoyable and brings the likelihood of new friendships – in itself a good reason for becoming a member.   Someone who is a “tutor” in one subject group is very likely to be a “student” in another.   There are no demarcation lines.

 

Here in Blandford, with over 200 enthusiastic members, we can offer a wide range of interest groups, from languages and computing to walking, singing and needlecraft, the majority taking place during the day.  The List of Groups that follows will show you how diverse we are and we hope to add new groups from time to time. In addition, all members can have access to the archives and resources available at our National Office.    Most groups meet in each other’s homes, thus maintaining the friendly contact inherent in this organisation.

 

We also enjoy Quarterly Meetings with Invited Speakers on a variety of subjects and a Book Exchange, coffee mornings twice a month and parties at Christmas and in the summer, all of which are splendid opportunities for socialising and meeting members from other groups.  There are no awkward silences when U3A members get together!   There is also a Quarterly Newsletter to keep you up to date with what the U3A is doing in Blandford  and, again on a quarterly basis, National Office sends out its magazine “U3A News” to all members.   All this for a small subscription each year!

 

Most of our members have retired from full time work and, with time to look around and see what else life has to offer, have discovered that, with the U3A, there is quite a lot!  We have a number of members who have recently moved to this area and found that joining the U3A is a great way of meeting new people.   Whatever your circumstances, you will be made to feel most welcome.  So why not get in touch and see what we can offer?

          

Don Herring