How the u3a movement evolved in Suffolk with branches in Bury St Edmunds, Sudbury and Newmarket – and how you can get involved
Canasta or Chaucer. Meditation or mahjong. Philosophy or poetry. Is badminton your thing? Or maybe a spot of bird watching.
Want to chat in French, German or Dutch, sing with a choir, play petanque, or enjoy your glass or red, white or rosé with a little more insight into what’s tickling your tastebuds?
Book groups, bridge, walking, snooker, science, history, photography, chess, geology, genealogy, tennis . . . all are among dozens of options in Suffolk from a movement dedicated to learning, camaraderie and staying active in later life.
And if you think, yes, but what about Mandarin Chinese, or playing the tuba, or astro-physics, then you are free to make your own suggestion. If it strikes a chord with someone else, it could be next on the list.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the start of u3a in the UK. Previously known as the University of the Third Age it brings together people no longer in full-time work to share their mutual interests.
No exams. No pressure. Just learning – or simply enjoying an activity – for fun.
The u3a was founded by three friends, Peter Lazlett, Eric Midwinter and Michael Young, all distinguished in their own field and embarking on the ‘third age’ of their lives.
France had set up its Universités du Troisieme Age in 1972, and although the UK project was loosely based on that model their aim was to be less elitist.
The three friends knew older people were capable of teaching each other and the mutual learning principle marks out the UK movement from others around the world.
So they put their reputation on the line and set up the first u3a in Cambridge.
The principles were to promote lifelong learning for pleasure through self-help interest groups covering a wide range of topics and activities chosen by the members.
It is self-funded, and makes no distinction between teachers and learners – you can lead in one group, and learn in others.
From the beginning it grew very quickly and by the early 1990s, a u3a was opening every fortnight.
Today, it has over 400,000 members in more than 1,000 u3as, and can be found in most towns and cities countrywide including numerous groups in Suffolk.
U3a started in Bury St Edmunds in 1987 where it now has more than 60 interest groups. Covid hit it badly with membership cut by more than half, but it is storming back now that they can meet in person once again.
“Pre-Covid we had over 900 members. Some people left and we went down to about 400,” said secretary Liz Barham.
“Now we’re back up to 860 with people joining all the time. It a real resurgence story.”
Next month there will be a chance to find out more when Bury u3a, whose motto is ‘learn, laugh, live’, showcases its activities with a 40th anniversary celebration at the town’s Guildhall.
On Wednesday, September 21, from 2-4pm there will be displays by the different groups who will talk about their activities, plus information on the history of the movement.
Bury’s u3a recorder consort will perform during the afternoon, and refreshments will be available.
It will enable members to meet up and exchange ideas, as well as welcoming non-members who would like to see what the organisation can offer.
Every u3a is a self-funding independent charity affiliated to a national organisation whose guidance they follow. Everything including group leading is done by volunteers.
Topics covered in Bury range from antiques to cinema, and creative writing to cribbage. Some are academic, others not at all.
One of the most popular is wine appreciation. The group, which has been running for 12 years, has a massive waiting list so they are starting another one.
Monthly talks held at the Apex, with a wide variety of speakers, are included in the £15 yearly subscription. Usually 100-120 people attend.
Committee member Jennifer Baker who runs the website.and produces the monthly newsletter, is an executive coach, but qualifies to join as she works part time.
“I was doing leadership development in the north Pennines when someone said you must get involved in u3a,” she said. “Because of the coaching I’m passionate about people continuing to learn.
“Nationally, u3a has quite an active campaign to combat ageism. A lot of assumptions are made that once you reach a certain age or retire you have nothing left to offer. There is no minimum age, you just need to not be in full-time work.
“In some areas GPs recommend the u3a to people on their own, if they are concerned about them becoming isolated.”
She is a member of the recently-started photography group. “A few of us are very experienced but most are not. The experienced ones have taken to acting as mentors. I haven’t come across any elitism.
“It’s also about meeting people and friendship. You can join as many groups as you want.”
Secretary Liz, a retired English teacher, is in the wine group, a book group, and leads an antiques group. She would also like to start an architecture group.
“The members choose the groups that they want to run. If someone comes along and says they want to start one we help them, and Jennifer will put it on the website.
“They can start really small. One example is Spanish conversation which is just about to begin.
“Some people who lead them are experts. But the whole philosophy is working together and learning together.”
Rainaldo O’Meara, who chairs Bury u3a,,stresses that all ideas are welcome. “Nothing is too niche,” he said. “There’s very likely to be someone who’s interested in what you’re interested in.
“There are some semi-academic groups, ones like history of art, philosophy, and political discussion.
“Motivation to start a group is sometimes very different. Some want to learn, others just have an interest, others want to share knowledge.
“We say it doesn’t really matter about the level of your knowledge if you have enthusiasm that’s enough.
“It’s about what interests people, not necessarily about studying or learning but about experiencing something together.
“Those that go out to the theatre are hugely popular. There is a travel group who go away on an annual holiday, and a gardening group that visits gardens.
“One volunteer organises day coach trips – they have been to places like Burleigh House, Peterborough Cathedral and a nuclear bunker.”
Fellow u3a members will rally round to support people who are alone, or widowed. “It’s part of the community, showing that we care.” he said.
Liz added: “It’s contributing to the mental health of older people. A lot of people are on their own in that age group.
“I have heard that from so many people – it has been a lifeline. It’s also good if you move into an area needing a way to meet people.
Bury has members from a wide area but most are within a 10 mile radius of the town. You can join as many area u3as as you want.
For more information about Bury u3a, and a full list of activities, go online to u3aburystedmunds.co.uk.
Retired accountant David Soanes is vice-chair of Newmarket u3a. He was a relatively late entrant, and became involved in his 80s after being invited to give a talk by the Wings, Wheels and Water interest group.
“Our U3A formed in 1987 and get together for social events, outings, games, music, learning, and just enjoying meeting other people,” said David.
“We are a very friendly group of like-minded people and new members are always welcome.”
Newmarket currently has 21 interest groups including antiques,gardening, Rummikub, history of science, craft, cookery and coffee, and discussion. “You can join all or any of the groups that interest you,” David explained.
“Covid did not prevent continuing contact through technology and it even led to a new group being formed. MOTO stands for Members On Their Own and organises visits, boat trips, gardens, and afternoon teas.”
To find out more about Newmarket u3a, including a full list of groups, go to u3asites.org.uk/newmarket.
Sudbury u3a was founded in 1989 with around 30 members. It now has about 800 from the town and surrounding villages, and with around 80 interest groups also attracts people from further afield.
On offer are a huge variety of topics ranging from Latin to real ale appreciation, cribbage to cycling, and wood carving to writing. There are also monthly meetings with a speaker.
Bruce Clegg, who does their publicity and edits their newsletter, said the u3a strap line “learn, laugh, live” sums up what the organisation is about.
“The idea of individual groups is to learn something about the subject, whether ‘highbrow’ such as economy and finance, or something like circle dancing.
“It isn’t to gain accreditation but is about having fun - the ‘laugh’ part. Putting those two together you get the ‘live’ part.
Live means getting together with a group of friends, some existing and some new, sharing a common interest and enjoying their lives.
To find out more about Sudbury u3a and see a full list of interest groups visit u3asites.org.uk/sudbury.
Haverhill u3a was set up in 1993, with the help of the group already established in Bury.
It now has more than 50 widely-varied interest groups available to members.
The full list is on their website but they range from painting to gardening, cribbage to cycling, jazz appreciation to badminton, and science and technology to short tennis,
For more information go to haverhillu3a.com.
Stowmarket u3a offers a choice of groups that includes book club, canasta, computing and technology, French conversation, geology, classical music, poetry and tennis. For full details go to u3astowmarket.org.uk.
Formed in 1997 and celebrating its 25th anniversary next Spring, Diss u3a welcomes all those not in full-time work.”Members meet regularly in a relaxed atmosphere without pressure or exams, to enjoy socialising while learning new subjects,” says its press officer June Shepherd.
There are 34 interest groups,with a diverse range to suit most tastes from languages to lunching, art to armchair travel, medieval history to mahjong, walking to talking, and metal detecting to MOTO (aimed at members on their wwn). Members are also encouraged to set up their own group if they have an interest not already catered for.
“Its committee looks enthusiastically to the future, including an open day in Diss next April 2023, planned as a “shop window” of what the organisation has to offer Diss and its surrounding community.”
For full details go to dissu3a.org.uk.
U3a in East Suffolk covers the south-eastern area of Suffolk including Ipswich, Felixstowe, Woodbridge, Saxmundham, Adleburgh, Framlingham, and surrounding towns and villages. It is one of the larger u3as in the country.
It has around 150 interest groups with topics as diverse as ukelele for beginners, astronomy, black history, current affairs, local flora and fauna and cycling (but not in lycra). For full details go to u3aeastsuffolk.org.uk
Lowestoft u3a has groups including mixed crafts, Spanish, social history, bridge, short mat bowls and a computer clinic. Details at u3asites.org.uk/lowestoft.
To find your nearest u3a search online for u3a and the name of your town.
