At a packed meeting in the United Reformed Church Hall recently, there was overwhelming support for setting up a new U3A group in Westbury.
About 80 people were welcomed by Carolyn Los, chairman of the steering group, and encouraged to complete a questionnaire about their interests.
Shirley Moss described the history and development of the Warminster U3A over the last 11 years. In that period, as groups coordinator, she had started 60 interest groups covering a wide range of activities.
Colin Tincknell, regional trustee of the Third Age Trust, then explained how the U3A is administered. There are currently 792 University of the Third Age groups in the UK with a quarter of a million members. He stressed that U3A is a self-help organisation for those no longer in full time employment and encouraged all to get involved. When he asked for a show of hands in favour of setting up a group in Westbury, there was overwhelming support.
There had already been several proposals for interest groups including bookworms, creative textiles and bird watching. Other offers, making a varied range of interest groups, were put forward including computing, music appreciation, Mah Jong, art appreciation, poetry, photography, amateur dramatics, archaeology, walking and painting.
It was decided to arrange a monthly general meeting on the second Tuesday of each month. The next meeting would be at 2.00pm on 12th April in the United Reformed Church Hall when interest groups would invite membership. All are welcome. In the meantime, a steering group would continue to meet to consider the formalities of establishing the new U3A. If you would like to help by joining the steering group or for more information, please contact Carolyn Los on 01373 822583.
