Celebrating the legacy of Eric Midwinter

Eric Midwinter, one of the visionary co-founders of the u3a movement, passed away in August. Eric, alongside Peter Laslett and Michael Young, established u3a in 1982 with the belief that later life should be a time of continued learning, connection, and contribution. Eric's commitment to challenging negative stereotypes of ageing, and to creating spaces for older adults to share skills, knowledge, and friendship, has shaped the lives of hundreds of thousands of u3a members over four decades. His influence can be felt across the u3a movement - in this article, members share their memories and gratitute to Eric.

Francis Beckett, former editor of our membership magazine under previous title, Third Age Matters

Eric Midwinter had many sides. The u3a movement is currently celebrating Eric Midwinter as a visionary. He had the imagination to see what third age learning could be, at a time when most people thought learning was something you did in school, and he had the charisma and organising ability to make it happen.

But there was also Eric the polymath, the storehouse of good jokes, the author of no less than fifty books on a bewildering variety of topics, from cricket and comedians to education and ageing. The term “renaissance man” could have been coined for him.

And there was the thoughtful, witty and entertaining companion. When I retired from editing Third Age Matters in 2019, one thing I really did not want to give up was my occasional lunches with Eric. Luckily for me, Eric didn’t want to give them up either, and I kept my exposure to his wit and erudition until his health no longer permitted it.

'Forget youth', Eric would say, 'it’s old age that’s the coming thing.' The counter-intuitive nature of this idea appealed to him, but he believed it with all his heart, and never stopped caring about u3a and its future.

Next to u3a in his heart came humour, and the great comedians of the post-war era. The two came together whenever he was called upon to deliver a speech to u3a, which was a regular occurrence.

He always had a point to make about the future of the movement but he always opened with a really good joke, told in his gentle Mancunian accent with the comic timing that being a youth hanging about music halls had given him. It never failed: after that, the crowd listened to him, took his views and his knowledge on board, and hoped for another laugh-out-loud moment. They were never disappointed.

Iain Cassidy, CEO of the Third Age Trust

I only spoke to Eric once following a kind email he sent me to welcome me as CEO. His passion for the u3a movement and the role the Trust could play in promoting a positive approach to later life came through clearly in our call. We have exchanged a few emails since then and I am grateful for the support the support he offered me. He has made an amazing contribution to the u3a movement and we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

Allan Walsmley, Chair of the Third Age Trust

I never met Eric myself but his legacy can be felt in my role, and in the lives of many u3a members across the movement. Eric, along with Peter Laslett and Michael Young, established u3a in the 1980s. While u3a has changed and developed in the forty years since then, Eric's vision of a community where people can learn and share skills is still at the core of today's u3a movement. Eric always continued to be a huge personality within u3a and he will be missed.

Liz Thackray, former Chair of the Third Age Trust

During the Third Age Trust 40th anniversary year, I was privileged  to host a lunch celebrating Eric's part in creating the u3a movement in the UK. Prior to the lunch, Eric and I had a conversation, part of which has been captured on film. Eric was the youngest of our three founders. He had previously been leader of the Education Priority Area in Liverpool and used his community development skills in enabling a vision of education which was based on shared learning and experience, and which recognised we are all both learners and teachers. His influence was largely responsible for u3a developing into the organisation it has become today. Eric was a remarkable man. He will be missed, but his life and influence on so many lives is to be celebrated. I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity not only to meet Eric, but to benefit from that conversation with him. 

Messages from members across the movement

Rose, Foyle u3a and Northern Ireland Volunteer

It is with great sadness that I read the news that the u3a movement has lost Eric Midwinter. So many members, like myself, have found friendship, encouragement and support in the u3a through participating in so many events, activities and learning opportunities.

Left to right: Mavis Turner, Joyce Gibson, Rose Marie Bradley, Eric Midwinter, Ann Hayes and Stuart Pollard.

This is a photo taken at an event to celebrate 1,000 u3as in 2016.

It includes myself, Rose Marie Bradley when I was Trustee for Northern Ireland, and the four previous Northern Ireland Trustees. We captioned it ' Five Regional Trustees and a Founder Member.'

My condolences to Eric’s family and the entire u3a family that he created.

Denise, Salford u3a

I'm sure that Eric’s contribution and dedication to creating a positive image of later life, has opened many a negative mind and created openings to us which would not have otherwise been possible. My thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Margaret, Stafford u3a

I will be forever grateful to Eric and the others for the vision they had about u3a. I am now 91 and have been a member for a long time. u3a has filled my life with purpose and enjoyment since my husband died over 30 years ago. May it continue to do so for other people for many years. Rest in peace Eric.

Ann, Burton Joyce & District u3a and Carlton Gedling & District u3a

Very, very sad. I joined when it started, inspired by Eric's vision - and still am. One of the greats.

Lin, Halstead & District u3a

What a legacy, to have left such a brilliant organisation for so many of us to enjoy. 

Margaret, Hitchin u3a

We all certainly owe Eric a lot for introducing us to u3a and may it continue for ever in his memory. I think I have been a member for about thirty years and it has been and continues to be a great source of friendship and knowledge for me.

Margo and John, Stroud u3a

Eric Midwinter, one of the visionary co-founders of the u3a movement, passed away in August. Members remember Eric and the incredible influence he has had in promoting lifelong learning and helping to create u3a.

Mal, South East London u3a

What a wonderful legacy Eric has given the country. I consider myself very fortunate to have discovered the amazing resources embedded in u3a and am thankful for people like Eric who see the value in those of us of a certain age. Eric has created a real legacy for future generations. Eric's family are so blessed to have a member like him, and I send my condolences and wish the family all the best in the future.

In 2022, Eric Midwinter was part of a filmed conversation with then-Chair of the Third Age Trust, Liz Thackray, about u3a. You can watch that on our YouTube channel.