POOLE U3A PROMOTES LEARNING FOR SENIORS IN BROADSTONE

This is the 11th year that Poole U3A has run its courses in Broadstone. It all started in 1993 when, on my retirement from Siemens, I set up Poole U3A. It provides daytime learning and leisure facilities for retired people in our area to study subjects in a friendly and communal atmosphere. I chose the Broadstone Methodist Church to house our first groups, as they were keen to see their premises used for community purposes.

Although its full title is The University of the Third Age it is stressed that the title relates to the original concept of Universities, i.e. coming together to share knowledge, something that should well apply to those with the life long experiences of our age group. The Third Age is the period when we have retired from full time employment and the responsibilities of raising a family, giving time to pursue hobbies and find new interests.

Ten groups were set up in Broadstone in the first year covering subjects as varied as English Literature, French, German, Art, Crafts, Current Affairs, Yoga, Bridge, Chess and Birds & Wildflowers.

We run as a Registered Charity, with a constitution and local management committee. Leaders and co-ordinators of all our groups are volunteers, happy to devote their time to support the aims of the organisation.

We currently have 20 groups held in the Broadstone Methodist Church attended by 300 members who pay a modest annual subscription, enabling them to join up to 3 courses for each year and attend other U3A events held in Poole. Expansion to 10 other locations in Poole has led to a current total membership of over 1000 with over 90 courses. This is a true indication of the interest from people that have retired in keeping active in both mind and body.

Leisure activity e.g. Table Tennis, Badminton, Short Tennis, Tai Chi, Music Appreciation, Walks and our Singing Group are very popular. Social events e.g. Coffee Mornings and Talks, Excursions, Theatre Visits and Holidays are also arranged for members.

If you are interested in getting further details of U3A you can contact us by telephone on 01202 380113 or ask for a copy of our course programme from the public library. We are keen to find new group leaders to help run courses on any subject of their choosing. They do not have to be an expert or trained to teach just wanting to share knowledge and to continue learning with others.

We hope that Poole U3A can continue to promote learning in our area open to all, no qualifications are required or given! Broadstone certainly is not a cultural desert for our senior citizens.

Dennis Cooper, President Poole U3A

Archive Summer 2004 | next

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