The University of the Third Age (U3A) is planning to set up a local branch, to cover Alderley Edge Wilmslow and Handforth.
U3A is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. It consists of local U3As all over the UK, which are charities in their own right and are run entirely by volunteers.
Local U3As are learning cooperatives which draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership. There are currently over 700 U3As in the UK with about a quarter of a million individual members. There are already U3As in Macclesfield, Knutsford, Bramhall and Cheadle Hulme.
John Ellison, the NW U3A Trustee, said "U3As offer a vast range of subjects in such diverse fields as: art, foreign languages, music, history, gardening, crafts, archaeology, astronomy and computing, walking, luncheon clubs, bridge, scrabble, singing and line dancing. The possibilities are endless! "
"Most activities in U3As take place on weekdays during mornings and afternoons. There are no age limits although most members are over 50. No qualifications are required and none are given. Individual U3As are operationally autonomous charitiable organisations. Costs are low because individual U3As do not have employees. They are organised by the members for the members."
There will be a free public meeting at the URC Church Hall, Chapel Lane in Wilmslow on 20th October at 2.00 pm to launch the new U3A for the Alderley Edge Wilmslow and Handforth area. Both national and local members of U3A will be attending to introduce the movement and answer any questions. Refreshments will also be served.
John added "Alderley Edge is currently missing out on this marvellous movement. Please come along to on the 20th October to help to rectify this! By joining a U3A you will become a member of a growing, dynamic outward looking organisation which has a positive and creative approach to life after full-time work."
For further information visit the The Third Age Trust website, which is the National Advisory Body for U3A. If you cannot make the meeting but are interested please email John Ellison, the NW U3A Trustee.
