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© John Weale 2008 |
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BLACKWATER VALLEY U3A |
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NEWSLETTERS
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From ‘The News” 28 December 2007
LIFE begins at 40 — or so the saying goes. But thousands of people across the News area are saying life actually begins at 60. The University of the Third Age (U3A) has been offering retired people a new lease of life for 25 years. The organisation, which is run entirely by volunteers, provides a diverse range of activities and subjects for the older generation to get stuck into. Each branch draws on its own members to set up interest groups that people want to take part in. And there are no limits — with activities from Scrabble to Spanish and French to fine wine, the U3A has something for everyone. Sheila Farmer joined the Blackwater Valley branch three years ago because she wanted to learn t'ai chi. Since then she has taken part in many other groups, including line dancing, and become a committee member. "I saw that they did t'ai chi, which is what I wanted to do, so I joined up," she said. "I returned because I like belonging to things and I have got to know many people. "It gives people companionship and a wide range of things to get out and do. "It encourages people to go out instead of sitting at home. "It offers stimulating surroundings and it helps older people to have exercise. It is very important to keep active and keep your mind ticking over." The U3A started life in France in 1972, when it was closely linked with universities. However, when it arrived in Britain in 1982 it became more of a self-help society. Mrs Farmer, of Mill Lane, Yateley, said: "Volunteers from within the organisation run the different groups so we have all sorts of subjects and activities going on. "Most branches will have things like book clubs but some have more adventurous groups like t'ai chi and line dancing. "We want to tell people we exist. Some people out there may not know we are here and they are missing out. "The groups are a big help to a lot of people, especially during the day. "Most of our activities tend to be in the daytime when people have not got a lot to do. We find that helps people the best, especially men. "Men have awful trouble when they retire because they lose the contact with work and their colleagues and they find that very difficult." The Blackwater Valley branch meets on the third Thursday of every month at Hawley Memorial Hall. Like other branches, every monthly meeting has a speaker who talks about a specific topic they have experience in, and it also arranges trips to% local places of interest. The group is now affiliated with the Fleet and Yateley groups, meaning members can attend clubs of both branches. "There is a real want and need for the U3A. The Fleet group alone has about 1,400 people going to it," Mrs Farmer said. "The groups give people the opportunity to do things they have not done before. There is a wide range of subjects so there is definitely something for everyone. "It would be nice to get more clubs going within our branch in the New Year. "If we have more members, more groups teaching new skills would be able to be established."
Last updated 17 November 2008 |
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