“Learn, laugh, live” is the strapline of the Settle District u3a which was founded over 20 years ago and remains among the most active and vibrant organisations in the town. When I moved here from Kent in 2022, one of the first things I did was to join the u3a both because I wanted to make the most of the opportunities that it had to offer and because it seemed to be an excellent way of getting to know people and to understand the local community. Becoming chair just 12 months later was definitely not on the agenda but then the u3a has a habit of pulling you in and persuading you to do things that you had never envisaged undertaking before. For me the underlying principles of the u3a have never been more relevant than they are today. They reflect the desire that we all have to try something new and to challenge ourselves long after we have left school, combined with the belief that learning anything is both more effective and more enjoyable if undertaken with others.
Going to my art class on a Thursday gets me out of the house, especially on those cold, wet days when it is all too easy to stay inside watching the rain come down and wondering if it will ever end. It gives me the chance to compare my own work with others in the group and to pick up ideas about how I can improve. Above all it offers me the opportunity to chat to friends both about art and about what’s going on in the town. And all this for only 50p! Even Trevor’s Market Shop would struggle to offer value like that. Of course, it will be a while before my paintings appear in the auction houses of London but that’s not the point. The pleasure I get comes from the process not from the finished product. Talk to anybody about the u3a and they will tell you the same thing.
As we begin a new year, many of us will be making resolutions designed to improve our lives; eating and drinking less, exercising more and so on. However, research has shown that two of the more common but less well publicised resolutions involve learning something new and doing more for other people. If this is you then checking out what the u3a has to offer might well be the best way forward. To help here are some frequently asked questions with answers that may surprise you.
Who can join the u3a?
Contrary to popular belief, you don’t have to be old to join the u3a. Anybody can join who is no longer in full time work or raising a family. The third age is just that time in your life when you can undertake learning for its own sake.
What qualifications do you need?
In spite of the name, you don’t need any qualifications to join or to take any exams at the end. You just need to be enthusiastic and interested in learning something new.
What things can you learn?
Courses at the u3a cover a whole range of subjects. They include sport and exercise groups and practical subjects, as well as more traditional classroom-based activities. The range is as wide as the interests of our members and if the topic you want to study doesn’t appear, then we will help you to set up a group of your own.
Where and when do groups meet?
Groups meet throughout the week at different venues in Settle and the immediate area. Some happen weekly, others every fortnight or every month. In addition, there is a talk on the second Thursday of each month at St John’s Methodist church hall which everybody is welcome to attend. Recent subjects have included the life of Richard III, the evolution of the American musical and the dangers of fraud in the modern world.
How much does it cost?
It only costs £15 a year to join the Settle District u3a and this is reduced to £7.50 after Christmas to cover the period through until the summer when all memberships are renewed. Beyond this, members make a donation (normally 50p a session) towards the running costs of each group. You can join online or in person by contacting the membership secretary Kathy Parker – email: sdu3a.membership@gmail.com
Who is in charge?
The u3a is run by its members for its members. Groups are led by volunteers who have a particular interest in the subject and there is a committee of people elected to manage the organisation on a day-to-day basis. New members with new ideas are always welcome. As I have found it is easy to get involved and is very rewarding. If you think you might be interested why not come along to a committee meeting and see what we do?
How do I find out more?
More information is available on the webpage www.settledistrictu3a.org or through our Facebook page. You can find details of how to join and contact information for the members of the committee, any of whom will be happy to help you. Alternatively come along to a monthly meeting and see for yourself what goes on. As a non-member you’d be more than welcome. At January’s meeting, John Dawson of Bleak Bank Farm, Clapham talked about his life as a farmer and on Thursday 8th February Peter Mathers will explore the royal gardens of Europe.
We really hope to see you at some of the u3a activities soon. It really could be a new year resolution that you manage to keep and it will certainly be one that you don’t regret!
by Robert Jackson
