u3as celebrate anniversaries in 2025

2025 is a big year for many u3as who are celebrating milestone anniversaries. Here, some of them share how they've been marking the occasion.

Southport u3a

Southport u3a celebrated its 40th anniversary at their monthly meeting. We had specially made cup cakes for all to share and a beautiful anniversary sponge cake which was cut by David Blanchflower, the Council Representative for the North West.

It certainly was a significant occasion for our u3a, enjoyed by all - and to top it all our Chair, Chris, announced that we have just passed the landmark of two thousand members.

Our u3a continues to grow from strength to strength with a steady stream of new Groups being started this year to fulfil the needs of members, and the establishment of a small group of co-ordinators who will mentor and help existing Group Leaders and new ones coming along, under the expert leadership of former Chair, Brenda Jones.

We are building a reputation as one of the u3a's most enterprising and forward looking organisations in the country, working also with the broader Southport community on a range of projects, which helps the community, and the feedback we are getting from both existing and new members has been very positive.

Here's to the next 40 years!!!

Portsmouth u3a 

On Friday 19 September, Portsmouth u3a literally put out the bunting and gathered our talented members to put on a memorable event to show the best of what we provide to celebrate 40 years.

In the presence of the Lord and Lady Mayoress of Portsmouth and our two local MPs we produced displays of work from the classes we offer. There were songs in French , Spanish and English, recitations of poetry from such diverse areas as the events of 1066 and 'The Tempest' and musings on Germany amongst other contributions. Our various art and craft groups showed their talents in painting, drawing, knitting and needle craft. Armchair travel showed the many places our members have physically travelled, some near and some very far. The writing group shared some of their work on themes such as the seasons and using objects as stimuli. Thanks to Art Appreciation we enjoyed, or should that be groaned, through a number of jokes with puns as their tagline.

Members contributed food and drink to the event and by their presence made it an occasion to remember. It was a great honour to host this anniversary event and now a lie down in a darkened room is called for!

Mandy, Chair of Portsmouth u3a

Pictured: Portsmouth u3a members socialising at their Ruby anniversary event.

Thame & District u3a

We were delighted to have Iain Cassidy, CEO of Third Age Trust and Andy Gilbert join us for the 40th anniversary celebration of Thame & District u3a.

This organisation started about 3 years after the u3a arrived from France.  The original name was the Thame Branch of Association of Students of the Third Age. The organisation is fairly well known in the town - even more so with the installation of a beautiful blue and yellow bench made by the local blacksmith and installed outside Thame Museum.

We have several events happening throughout the year including a tea party, a lunch, a concert, an exhibition in the museum, and a trip to Gilbert White’s House in Sussex in commemoration of the first outing 39 years ago.

Carol, Thame & District u3a

Pictured: CEO Iain with Thame & District u3a member Rita with their Groups Banner, Iain Cassidy and Andy Gilbert on the anniversary bench.

Guildford Area u3a

On 8 May Guildford Area u3a celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1985 with an afternoon tea and barn dance. Members came and danced to the D’Arcy Spice band and as part of the afternoon tea there was a cake specially made for the occasion. We were lucky enough to have with us Allan Walmsley, Chair of the Third Age Trust (pictured below) and Sally Ingledew, Council Representative for the South East. The event was very successful and members are now looking forward to the 50th! 

Julie Beattie, Guildford Area u3a

Up Holland u3a

Up Holland u3a began celebrations to mark its 20th anniversary in May. An afternoon tea was held in a local hall and guests were entertained throughout the afternoon by local guitarist and singer, Richard Hart. The hall was dressed for the occasion in u3a blue and yellow, including the cake, which had been baked and decorated by one of the members. 

The second event to mark the occasion was a presentation entitled, Past, Present and Future. Neil Stevenson, past chair of Up Holland u3a and a former Regional Trustee, opened the event with a fascinating talk about how Up Holland u3a started and the changes that have occurred during the years since then. A slideshow, depicting members participating in various activities was shown and attendees were given a chance to say, via a questionnaire, what they would like to see happen next in their u3a. To round off the morning, the Singing for Fun group gave a rousing rendition of “There’ll Always Be A u3a”, (to the tune of, There’ll Always be an England) written by two of their members.

Celebrations continued with an evening of Mamma Mania at a local venue, Holland Hall and the following week the Variety Theatre group staged their own show, Still A-Live Aid!

Cowbridge u3a

Cowbridge u3a, founded in 1995, celebrated its 30th anniversary in September. With over 250 members, the group is proud to have seven original members from 1995 who remain active today. The celebrations commenced at the AGM with a fantastic chocolate cake, wine and prosecco.

Entertainment was provided by the Shantyjacs, a band based in Porthcawl who perform sea shanties in aid of the RNLI.

Certificates honoring the dedication and long-standing involvement of these founder members were presented by the mayor of Cowbridge, Cllr Geraint Baty, recognizing their invaluable contributions to the group's growth and community spirit over three decades. We will hold an open day on 15 November with the aim of attracting new members ready for the next 30 years.

Patricia, Cowbridge u3a

Pictured: Entertainment from the Shantyjacs and the delicious 30th anniversary cake.