The University of the Third Age, or U3A, is a UK-wide movement bringing people together who are in their ‘third age’. Develop your interests and continue learning in a friendly and informal environment.
It’s a unique and exciting organisation which provides life-enhancing and life-changing opportunities. Retired and semi-retired people come together and learn together. Not for qualifications but for its own reward: the sheer joy of discovery!
U3A is a national group of like minded people who are keen to share their knowledge with others. U3A people share their experience – because life isn’t a dress rehearsal, it’s the real thing!
Fylde Coast University of the Third Age
Here on the Fylde Coast there are two University of the Third Age Groups. There’s a Lytham St Annes group and a Wyre one. Groups have a monthly get-together for everyone to attend, with the much smaller interest groups all doing their thing in between.
Wyre U3A
Wyre u3a began in early 2011 with just 74 members. There are now nearly 400 members and 30+ different interest groups covering art and crafts, sporting activities, music and languages. This branch also serves Over Wyre and Blackpool.
Monthly members meetings are held at 2.15pm on the second Thursday of the month at Christ Church, Meadows Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys FY5 2TW. Why not come along, meet new friends and find out what we are all about. Guest speakers are arranged for each meeting. New members always welcome.
Lytham St Annes U3A
There are more than 400 current members in Lytham St Annes U3A. There’s a small one-off cost to join, presently £8, plus the yearly subscription which is currently £15.
Members General Meetings are held on the second Friday of each month (except August Bank holiday). Held at St. Anne’s United Reform Church Hall, St George’s Road, St Anne’s, Lancashire, FY8 2AE. There’s usually a topical and entertaining speaker.
Members gather from 10am for coffee, then the meeting proper begins at 10.30am, usually finishing by 12 noon.
How Sarah found the University of the Third Age…
“Sitting in my lounge one afternoon not quite sure what to do I decided that as it was the second Thursday of the month I would go to the U3A (University of the Third Age) monthly meeting to see what it was all about.
I had heard of the Wyre U3A enthusiastically from a friend a few months previously but decided as I had retired and did not want to go to a ‘University’, did not want any more qualifications or studying and wanted to enjoy my life so I would not go. She assured me it was nothing like that so I decided to bite the bullet and off I went to the Thornton Little Theatre for 2pm. First plus, it was local, second plus it was an afternoon meeting, third plus there were lots of other people going into the Hall.
Intrepidly I made my way in and what a surprise I had. The Theatre was almost full with lively, chatty people, all retired I guessed, some couples, some on their own or in small groups. As my friend was not there I found myself a seat and no sooner had I sat down somebody next to me introduced herself and I felt quite at home.
Strong membership – and growing!
The Chairman started the meeting – a well spoken, friendly looking man – and I was experiencing my first U3A Meeting. I discovered that it had started here in Thornton just over a year ago with a handful of eager people and has mushroomed unbelievably into a membership of over 200 and growing! They must be doing something right!
The group divides itself into many sub groups, led usually by one of the members with a group of like-interested people. They meet at various venues, once a month and at a time to suit themselves. I was amazed to see there were at least 14 groups varying from photography to holiday Spanish, from gardening to play reading, there was absolutely something for everyone – or if you decided that was not to your liking you could join a group going to the Theatre or having a Pub Lunch out.
There was no pressure to join in or partake in anything on the program. A few weeks ago I went with a group of 8 to France to the Monet gardens, what a fun, well organised few days we had despite the weather. I would not have gone on my own but felt safe and comfortable in a group. It has whet my appetite to join in more.
You might also be interested in:
- Fylde Coast Citizen’s Advice Bureau
- Just Good Friends
- Locals Helping Locals
- Prince’s Trust
- Starting a Community Group
- University of the Third Age
While you’re here…
Go to the homepage of the Visit Fylde Coast website for the latest updates.
Love the Fylde Coast? Sign up for your email newsletter. Packed full of interesting things it arrives in your inbox all 52 weeks of the year.
Join us on Facebook at our Visit Fylde Coast Facebook Group and follow us on Twitter @visitFyldeCoast
Plus hundreds of videos to watch on our YouTube channel – from all over the Fylde Coast!
Booking a stay? Pick a safe, clean and legal place to stay, at the very best price. Book using the Visit Fylde Coast Accommodation guide.
