Richmond upon Thames

ARE YOU RETIRED

BUT HAVE NO INTENTION OF WITHDRAWING FROM LIFE?

WOULD LIKE TO SHARE SOME SORT OF STUDY

WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE?

WANT TO CONTINUE WITH CLASSES, BUT CAN’T AFFORD THE FEES?

PREFER DAY-TIME CLASSES TO EVENING COURSES?

THEN THE RICHMOND UPON THAMES U3A IS FOR YOU

SO COME AND JOIN US

U3A stands for University of the Third Age. Originally ‘university’ implied a coming together. The Third Age follows after the First of youth and school, and the Second of work and family. We aim to make the THIRD AGE a time of fulfilment and of personal development in companionship with other ‘Third-Agers’. One-fifth of the UK population now belongs to the Third Age and, for many, this may be the longest and most stable phase of their lives, possibly lasting 30 years. So you can see that our ‘university’ is a co-operative of mature people who come together to enjoy shared learning and activities.

The first Universite du Troisieme Age was founded in Toulouse in 1972. In the UK, it was started in Cambridge in 1982. Since then, in Britain, over 670 U3As have sprung up with over 188,000 members altogether. Each branch works autonomously under the umbrella of the Third Age Trust, which exists to provide support and resources for the local branches. It acts as a national representative body for U3As in the UK. For instance it has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Open University.

The U3A movement is truly international with branches in about 30 countries. There are even plans for a Virtual U3A which will enable housebound members to participate. Already there are on-line courses, both tutored and untutored, in operation.

To quote from The Times of 9th January, 2008 – “If you haven’t joined the U3A ……. Check what your local group is doing. This great organization can open so many new doors…..”

THE UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE – RICHMOND upon THAMES BRANCH

The Richmond upon Thames U3A was launched in 1991, and now has over 500 members with more than fifty groups. Its administration is conducted through a committee of members who endeavour to maintain and extend its activities. Being a self-help organization we are dependent on our members’ interest and participation.

The main activity of the U3A is centred in its Groups, which provide an opportunity for members to follow an interest as detailed in the enclosed prospectus. The Groups are quite informal, are held during the daytime and mostly meet in members’ homes, although some larger groups need to rent a venue. There are no exams or formal qualifications involved – the teachers learn and the learners teach.

Groups are lead by someone who is enthusiastic about a particular subject or activity and whose function is to direct the study of the Group, and encourage members to contribute from their own experience. Prior to joining a group it is essential to contact the Group Leader as we cannot guarantee vacancies. But some Groups operate waiting lists and sometimes, if there is enough interest, we are able to start a second group.

So that members can get to know each other and be informed about what’s going on, we hold a monthly meeting with a speaker at 2.30 p.m. on the last Tuesday of each month at St Stephen’s Church Hall (also known as Crossways Hall) East Twickenham. After the May meeting this will take place at the Clarendon Hall, which is part of York House in Twickenham. There is a charge of £1 for members and £2 for non-members, which includes refreshments. If you would like to try us out before committing yourself, please do come along and I shall look forward to welcoming you.

MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY: Sue Wood Tel.No: 020 8744 9364

OUR OFFICERS
Ron Salmons	President	8979 6580
David Jervis	Chairman	8892 9825
Pat Havron	Secretary	8892 9637
Jim Davidson	Treasurer	8994 1650
Sue Wood	Membership Secretary	8744 9364