York u3a to hold Open Day in September

York u3a will be hosting an Open Day for new members at the Friends Meeting House, Friargate, York on Wednesday 25 September, from 10am until 12 noon.

Membership of York u3a is open to anybody who is retired or no longer in full-time employment. The organisation offers opportunities to enjoy educational, social, recreational and creative activities, including a wide of range of groups to join, Saturday talks, and organised travel.

Most activities are held during the week, at a variety of locations around York, and there are around 130 groups to choose from.

Groups range from birdwatching to astronomy; from languages to Tai Chi; and from table tennis to military history. There are walks around York and on the Wolds; wine appreciation; philosophy; and writing – to name just a few.

York u3a Chair Karen Sawyer explained: “We are always looking to welcome new members, and this Open Day event will be a chance to come along to an informal event and hear all about our talks and our social events, and to meet some of our group leaders. We will also be offering refreshments.

“York u3a is a great way to help people to learn and develop by whatever means suits them. It’s ideal for those who want to meet people and to get out and stimulate their minds. All our activities are informal and friendly.”

York u3a is an autonomous group with around 1700 members, and is part of an international movement, founded in Toulouse in France in 1973. Each u3a is an individual registered charity, and is non-political and non-religious. There are over 1000 u3a groups in the UK, with over 400,000 members in total.

Karen Sawyer added : “York u3a aims to encourage and enable people who are retired or not in full time employment to help each other share knowledge, skills, interests and experience, and here in York we have a thriving group doing just that! Come along on 25 September and find out more.”

Full details of York u3a, including a full list of the groups it runs, can be found online at www.york.u3asite.uk