Member Article

North East 'Third Agers' celebrate in style

A celebration marking the 25th anniversary of an organisation which promotes informal learning for the over 50s has attracted hundreds of people to a one day event in the North East. U3A – the University of the Third Age – allows members to learn new skills and talents but without the pressure of gaining formal qualifications.

There are more than 5000 members in 35 U3A groups across the North East, covering an area from Berwick to Thirsk. Around 900 of these members will be taking part in the Learning From Each Other day at New College Durham on July 19, which will highlight the activities that U3As offer.

The event will feature a day of workshops and lectures covering subjects from medical myths and old wives’ tales to how Britain was fed during World War II. Poetry, storytelling, geology and photography sessions will also take place along with exhibitions of a variety of craft activities. Members can also participate in exercise and music sessions and even French language bingo.

U3A was set up 25 years ago as a way for people from the age of retirement to be able to continue to learn informally. Each group varies enormously in what it offers as activities are run by members for members so reflect the interests of those involved. Groups from across Wearside, Tyneside, Teesside, Durham, Northumberland and North Yorkshire are participating in the event, the first on this scale in the region.

John Lloyd, one of the regional committee who has organised the event, said: “This is a really special celebration, marking 25 years of U3A nationally, and it’s fantastic that so many members from so many groups have agreed to take part.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .