Please click here to go to the Registration Form
 

TERM DATES

Spring  Jan 11 to March 19    Summer  April 12 to July 16

IMPORTANT NOTES

1.   Classes which do not maintain a minimum regular core attendance may be subject to cancellation at the discretion of the Study Group leader

2.   Your membership card should be carried T all attendances

3.   Prospective members are admitted to one session free of charge.

Thereafter it is necessary to join NW London U3A

4.   Please look out Information Bulletins provided at

locations giving programme and visits updates. 

STANMORE

Groups meet at Glebe Hall, Stanmore on both morning and afternoon on

including the "lunch period”.

For this reason members are welcome to bring food with them when attending these sessions

and may also purchase refreshments and drinks at economic prices.

Buses 142 and 340 stop nearby.

KENTON

At Harrow & Wembley Progressive Synagogue, Preston Road, Kenton

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB

Groups meet at, Fellowship House, 136a Willifield Way
(short walk from Temple Fortune)

Buses 82, 102, 460, and H3. Parking available in Willifield Way.

Buses 82, 102, 460, H3

Parking available in Willifield Way

MEMBERS HOMES

Some meetings are held in private accommodation in

Edgware, Finchley, Hendon, Kenton, Mill Hill and Stanmore.

Details are available by contacting the group leaders

at the phone numbers given in the programme.

SOME FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE U3A

(Updated 15 April 2007)

u3asites.org.uk/chardilminster/docs/U3A%20Facts.pdf

1. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE U3A?

The University of the Third Age is a world-wide network aimed at providing life-long learning and stimulating activities for retired people. It has been around for about 25 years and is particularly strong in Britain, where you will find a U3A in most large towns or districts.

2. IS IT A REAL UNIVERSITY?

It’s called a university because it offers opportunities to study, to practise new activities and to experience the pleasure of learning together with others, but there are major differences between the U3A and normal universities. For a start, we don’t have students; we have members. You join a local U3A just as you’d become a member of a local amateur dramatic society or tennis club. You pay an annual membership fee, which means you can go to meetings and get involved in activities or subjects that interest you. Another difference is that there are no entry qualifications to worry about, or exams to take at the end! In fact there isn’t any end as such; you can carry on with a subject or activity as long as it is on offer. And no one will turf you out for failing, or for not doing enough work.

3. WHAT SORT OF PEOPLE JOIN THE U3A?

The U3A is for all people who wish to keep their minds and bodies in good shape with the passing years. Your previous experiences  jobs, qualifications, achievements, etc. are irrelevant. The U3A welcomes everyone and gives all-comers the opportunity to try out exciting new things.

4. IS THERE AN AGE LIMIT?

No. There is neither an upper nor lower age limit. You don t need to be a senior citizen, though most U3A members tend to be in that category. And you don’ t need to be permanently retired either. In fact, no one will delve into your background at all if you come along and ask to be a member. An important point to note, though, is that nearly all meetings are held during the daytime rather than evenings, so the U3A isn’t really suitable for people who have a steady 9-5 type of job.

5. WOULD I BE JOINING A LOCAL OR A NATIONAL ORGANISATION?

A bit of both. When you pay your membership fee you are actually joining a particular local U3A, and can then take part in any of the subjects, activities and meetings run by that U3A. However, there is a national umbrella body, called the U3A Trust, which exists to provide advice and resources that are made available to all the local U3As and all U3A members. A part of your membership fee goes to the head office.

6. HOW DO U3As DIFFER FROM EACH OTHER?

U3As are independent bodies. They organise their own programme of activities and fix their own subscription fees. In practice, however, most U3A’s tend to be run on fairly similar lines, each offering a set of interest groups that members can join. The number of such groups  varies, as does the actual subjects on offer. These reflect the interests of the local membership. Most U3A’s also hold regular general meetings open to all their members.

7. WHAT DOES IT COST?

Very little!  It is enormously attractive compared with what you’d have to pay to go on local authority or privately-run courses. The U3A is a fantastic bargain!

8. CAN I JOIN THE U3A FOR THE MONTHLY MEETINGS ONLY?

Yes, a few of our members do just this. But you’ll get more out of the U3A if you join one or more groups.

9 .CAN I JOIN A GROUP BUT NOT BOTHER WITH THE MONTHLY MEETING?

Yes; again some of our members do this. But as well as offering some interesting talks, the monthly meeting gives us an opportunity to keep members informed of developments such as new groups starting up, and to make announcements about future events.
It’s also a nice social get-together

10. CAN I JOIN MORE THAN ONE GROUP?

Yes, as many as you like!

11 .WHERE DO THE TEACHERS COME FROM?

This is an important point. A basic principle of the U3A is that of shared learning . Nearly all the people who run groups are U3A members themselves  they volunteer to lead a group. For instance the language groups are run by U3A members who are fluent in the appropriate language. But not all groups require an expert to lead them. In many cases the group leader is simply a member who volunteers to coordinate the group’s programme of meetings, and claims no more knowledge or skill than the average group member. It’s worth mentioning that joining the U3A doesn’t mean that you will be expected to be a group leader; only a small proportion of members are group leaders.

12.WHO DECIDES WHICH GROUPS ARE ON OFFER?

The members themselves. Our U3A has a committee that endeavours to ensure that our affairs run smoothly, and one of the committee members is our  Groups Coordinator , with the job of providing help in setting up groups, finding suitable locations, and so on. But the committee doesn t decide which groups will be offered  all groups come about as a result of members expressing an interest in a particular subject.

13.IF I JOIN A GROUP, WILL I BE EXPECTED TO DO WORK BETWEEN GROUP MEETINGS?

You will never be forced to do anything. Whether you do things between meetings depends on the type of group, and the time that you are able to give to it. For instance, if you join a foreign language group it makes sense to practise what has been covered in the group meeting. The group leader may in fact suggest some ‘homework’ and obviously you will learn more quickly if you find the time to do it. Other groups such as a Reading Group involve doing some private reading and bringing your opinions to a discussion at the next meeting. Still other groups may involve members being advised to do some background exploration of a subject in advance of a talk or discussion to be held later. And in some groups the members take turns to give a presentation  for instance the History Group sometimes works this way. But such presentations are always voluntary, and you certainly won’t be pressurised into giving one if you don t feel able to.

14.WHAT IF MEMBERS OF A GROUP HAVE WIDELY VARYING
ABILITIES OR KNOWLEDGE?

It depends on the subject. In some cases this does not matter at all (those with knowledge share it with those who haven t), but in other cases this can be relevant. The Group Leader and/or Groups Coordinator can give advice on whether the group is suitable for you, given your existing knowledge. Sometimes a group can be split into two or more sub-groups according to the expertise of group members. This can apply to practical subjects as well as knowledge-based ones. For instance we ve heard that one U3A (not ours) has subdivided its rambling group into separate  ramblers and  amblers !

15.WHERE ARE THE GROUP MEETINGS HELD?

In a variety of places. Small groups often hold their meetings in houses  sometimes the home of the group leader, sometimes the homes of group members on a rotational basis. Bigger groups often use a hired hall in Chard, Ilminster or elsewhere. Much depends on the resources needed. A large group may require special facilities and this will limit the range of suitable locations. But there s usually no trouble getting to meetings; members often share transport, and those without a car will nearly always be able to get a lift with another member.

16.HOW DO I JOIN A GROUP?

It is best first of all to have a word with the relevant Group Leader. She or he will explain how the group operates, such as confirming when and where the group meets, how the meetings are organised, and what the current programme of meetings involves. You should be able to assess whether the group in question seems to fit the bill.

17.WHAT IF I M NOT SURE WHETHER A GROUP IS FOR ME?

You will be more than welcome to attend a group session a couple of times, to see if it is suitable for you.

18.WHAT IF THERE ISN T A GROUP THAT CATERS FOR MY SPECIAL INTEREST?

We are always on the look-out to start up new groups, and it s possible that your interest is shared by others. The first step is to contact the Groups Coordinator to find out if the subject or activity has already been suggested by others. Usually the next step is to put out feelers at a monthly meeting, or to phone people who might be interested in joining you. If sufficient people express an interest, it is a short step to getting the new group off the ground. The Groups Coordinator will advise on suitable times and places to hold your meetings, and there is also some start-up money available if resources are needed. Putting forward an idea for a new group doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to be the group leader; someone else may be willing to do this. Another possibility when numbers are modest is for the members of two nearby U3As to get together to form a viable group.

19.WHAT IF THE GROUP I WANT TO JOIN IS FULL?

This can happen. Some groups are very popular. But there is often a way round the problem.

Sometimes a group splits into two, with each sub-group meeting at a different time. Or maybe two groups are formed with slightly different aims or skills, e.g. a beginners group and a more advanced group. In some cases the problem is solved simply by moving to a more spacious location. But in a few cases it s possible that a waiting list will have to be formed.

20.WHAT DOES THE NATIONAL ORGANISATION HAVE TO OFFER?

Quite a lot. To start with, there s a large range of physical resources available for groups to borrow.

These include DVDs, videos and 35mm slides. They are invaluable for subjects such as music, art history, architecture, history, religion and philosophy. Then there are human resources in the shape of national coordinators for many subjects; their advice can be sought on ways to run particular interest groups. National experts are also available at an annual summer school, where members can choose from a set of interesting short lecture or practical courses. All U3A members receive a regular magazine

 U3A News , and optionally they can be sent an excellent free publication called  Sources . For those with internet facilities, there is a national website, which is a mine of useful information; and members can join national on-line courses in a growing list of subjects. Finally there is the U3A Travel Network, which offers dozens of special-interest holidays in the UK, Europe and world-wide  all at very reasonable prices. Several of our members have been on these holidays and they speak very highly of them.