Now about to enter their tenth year, the Retford branch of the U3A has a membership of over 600 people. There are around 45 interest groups and new members often go to the U3A specifically to join just one group; this is really encouraged, so if you have a friend who is thinking of joining or you might be looking for something to do, maybe this is the organisation for you to join.
They have now had their AGM and the new committee will endeavour to continue the good work carried on from before. The makeup of the new committee looks exciting and it is one of their intensions to liaise more with our neighbouring U3As in Worksop and Dukeries.
The full General U3A Meeting is held once a month, at the Well Baptist Church, Retford, on the fourth Thursday of the month, starting around 1.15pm.
They have a truly exciting speaker coming this month; some would even say a real hero. Emma Sheardown was born with Cerebral Palsy but from the age of two discovered her love for horses and started riding. She rode for the Disabled Association throughout her childhood and at the age of 18 she was selected to join the World Class Para Dressage Programme. In 2009, Emma won an individual gold medal and a silver medal in the European Championships and a year later won an individual gold and bronze medal in the World Championships. She was short-listed for the London Paralympic Games and hopes to compete in the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games next year.
There are many interest groups within Retford U3A. If you have a computer, Google ‘Retford U3A’, and have a look at their ‘Interest Group’ page. If you do not have a computer, call the Membership Secretary and he will give you any information you need to become a member.
The ethos of the U3A, which stands for The University of the Third Age is very simple. Members try to keep themselves active in body and mind, learning from each other, with shared knowledge and experiences. If you want to know more about the Retford U3A, have a look at the comprehensive website, or contact the Membership Secretary, Paul Bacon at membership@retford-u3a.org.uk. or by telephone on 01427 880502 for more details.