The readers of this website may find this piece from Mr Geoff Gwyther of the local branch of the U3A quite useful. He recently visited the Bolton Over 50s Federation open meeting to talk about it. The information supplied by him will be very informative towards living a fulfilling retired life.
Learning is for life and it's never too late to expand your horizons. No body has to stop learning just because the've stopped 'working'. The University of Third Age ( U3A) offers the opportunity to share your knowledge,experience and talents with others and learn from them in friendly surroundings. It is for people who may be retired or semi-retired wanting to remain active in mind and body and are no longer in full time employment.
There's first age learning- at school, college , university . There's second age learning -ie the skills learnt at work. And there is third age learning, when people learn whatever they want. That's what happens in U3A groups - who come together to study a subject they all find interesting.
There are 700 U3A s throughout the UK and over a quarter of a million have decided to keep on learning and are enjoying benefita from their local U3A. Members are typically busy individuals leading at least as full and satisfying lives as when they were working full-time. They all have a continuing sense of achievement with something to look forward to every day.
There is no fixed curriculum or exam and there are no entry requirements. A desire to lean is all that is needed. There is a U3A branch in Bolton. On 4th Friday of each month, a General Meeting is held between 2 and 4 PM at the church hall of St Andrews & St George on St George Road usually with a talk from a guest speaker
Most of the ''groups'' meet once a month and a wide range of topics is covered eg Art Appreciation, Philosophy, History , Languages , Various musical topics , Film forum etc. Currently about 25 different topics are offered /available. One can attend any of the monthly meetings just as a 'tester' and also to pick up one of their Newsletters showing the full range of topics currently available. The Membership Secretary can provide further details - annual subscription is a mere £20 for such a vast opportunity for learning without travelling far. If you want to know more please contact
Ann Waring - ann.waring@hotmail.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article