A roundup of u3a week 2024

u3a week 2024 came to end on Sunday. Events organised by individual u3as were held up and down the country to celebrate the u3a movement and showcase the benefits of u3as to potential new members. Here, u3as share some of the amazing celebrations they've enjoyed across the week.

Havant u3a

This week, Havant u3a opened its doors to the public to showcase some of its most popular activities. It offered free access to talks, learning events, a bus trip, and walks that highlighted the joy of lifelong learning.

Here are some photos of some of the events, including a bridge taster session, a Learning by Art taster session, and a talk and musical recital by Col. Chris Davies, former Principal Director of Music in the Royal Marines (left to right).

Dundee u3a

For two days, Dundee u3a held an information stand in the Overgate Shopping Centre to raise awareness of their organisation. They succeeded in interesting lots of people who stopped to listen to the members share the fitness, facts, fun and friendship they offer. They also embraced the great outdoors with an event they called ‘Buns in the Botanics’, an afternoon picnic at their local botanic gardens. With glorious sunshine, a delicious picnic, and classic games like tug of war and egg and spoon races, the event embodied the fun, laughter and friendship of the u3a movement.

Ravenshead u3a

Ravenshead u3a held its u3a Week celebration on Friday at Ravenshead village hall. 42 interest and activity groups presented information on display boards and outside, the Mölkky (Finnish Skittles) group let members and guests have a go at the game.

They had over 40 non-members join the day as guests, with 15 signing up immediately and many more taking home forms to complete. Members of the community heard about the event through the many posters and signs dotted around the village, as well as their efforts on social media.

Buxton u3a

To celebrate u3a week this year, Buxton u3a organised a walk for 20 members around Pavilion Gardens. Decked out in navy and yellow, the colours of the u3a, they enjoyed mild and dry weather on their walk. Only once enjoying a well deserved coffee in the safety of a local cafe did the heavens open.

It was a great atmosphere and opportunity for members from different groups to get to know each other and become friends.

Basingstoke Old Basing u3a

Basingstoke Old Basing u3a launched a fantastic video to celebrate u3a week. The video goes back to basics, sharing how u3a can help you set up an interest group. They showcase a range of interests from learning, eating out, dancing and sport.

Entirely produced within Basingstoke Old Basing u3a (the poem written by Christine and Guy, and original tune produced by Gordon), they are rightly very proud of the end result, which hopes to attract new members.

Watch their video on their YouTube channel. 

Thorpe Bay u3a

Last week, Thorpe Bay celebrated with a delicious afternoon tea at Saxon Hall. The event brought many members together to eat, sing and dance, with live music provided by one of the members.

During the week, Thorpe Bay London Walking Group braved the rain to explore Surrey Docks.

Shenfield, Warley and Hutton u3as (Bretnet)

For u3a week, three u3a’s, Shenfield, Warley and Hutton, formed a group called Bretnet to create an awareness day in the town centre of Brentwood.  They showed a video of the activities and events of the three u3as and different interest groups represented their work through displays and active demonstrations.

Exeter u3a

Exeter u3a, whose 30^th anniversary coincided with u3a week, held a week-long series of activities for members and the general public. They decided to embark on a public awareness campaign to highlight the health and wellbeing benefits of being an active u3a member. Their week concluded with a celebratory cream tea at Rougemont Hotel. The Lord Mayor of Exeter attended and presented Chairman Terry Ancell with a special 30^th anniversary certificate.

Bromley, Orpington and Beckenham u3a network

Bromley, Orpington and Beckenham u3as (or ‘BOB’), celebrated together to socialise and play games at a Fun & Games afternoon. This network works together to share ideas and interest groups that might not get enough members from one u3a alone in a great example of collaboration and connection.

Baddow and Galleywood u3a

Baddow and Galleywood u3a Music performing group celebrated u3a week with a fantastic musical performance. Local composer and u3a member Eric Withams composed a 5 minute march using notes related to the letters and numbers u-3-a. It was performed by 20 players on instruments ranging from descant recorders to bass clarinet, strings, woodwind and saxophones.

Cynon Valley u3a

Cynon Valley u3a organised a tree planting project in Aberdare Park, encouraging members to donate trees in memory of a loved one. Their first meeting at the new ‘u3a Tree Garden’ kicked off during u3a week, and a second will be held in November once the trees have been planted - watch this space!

Cheshunt u3a

Cheshunt u3a held their u3a day on Wednesday at their local Tesco superstore, one of Tesco’s flagship stores. Taking advantage of a temporary space in the middle of the store, the u3a displayed a rolling PowerPoint presentation to engage with shoppers, many of whom stopped to learn more. Along with potential members, they were happy to chat to younger people interested on behalf of retired parents.

This was a great success and supported by the newly elected MP for Broxbourne, Lewis Cocking, who spent a lot of time at the presentation supporting their efforts.

This is just a snapshot – many more members have enjoyed activities throughout the week. From talks and walks to promotional events and trying out new activities, u3a members have spent the week embodying the core values of the u3a movement: sharing skills, learning, connecting with others and building friendships.

Find out if your local u3a offers something that would interest you on the u3a website. And if it doesn’t yet, why not join and start a new group?