Welcome
DOWNHAM MARKET AND DISTRICT u3a
For those new to the Downham Market area, welcome to our u3a website. If you are an existing member, we aim to keep you informed about all our activities through this website, the monthly Newsletter and for the u3a nationwide via the quarterly Third Age Matters magazine. We encourage members to contribute articles, photos, thoughts and musings for the monthly Newsletter and they can be sent to u3adownhammarket@gmail.com or the editor jillcornforth11@googlemail.com
The University of the Third Age(u3a) has recently celebrated its 40th Anniversary and is a national movement for retired and semi-retired people who are keen to carry on learning and sharing knowledge through group activity, as well as socialising and making new friends.
Our u3a which was founded in 2009 is very popular, with membership of up to 250. At the moment we have over 25 learning/activity/social groups, all led voluntarily by members. Where possible these meet in members' home. For those groups requiring a larger space (e.g. Table Tennis or Singing for Pleasure) the group members share the cost of hiring a suitable hall or room. Leaders of outdoor activity groups such as Walking and Gardening keep members informed about meeting venues and outings with annual or half-yearly programmes. All learning/activity/social groups take place during the day. Some groups may organise coach trips in which case spare seats will be offered to the wider membership.
Our Annual Subscription, due at the April monthly meeting each year, is currently £15.00. New members joining after November will pay £7.50 until the April meeting. Members of other u3a’s can join as associate members for a reduced fee of £11.50.
Monthly meetings are held at Downham Town Hall. We meet at 2-00pm on the second Monday of each month, (except August), with guest speakers and free refreshments. Whilst the meetings are free to members, we ask visitors to pay £2.00 which will be redeemed if they enrol.
We hope that members that didn't renew membership because of Covid constraints will come back and we are always happy to welcome new members! If you have recently moved to Downham or nearby villages, joining Downham u3a is a good way to make new friends and familiarise yourself with the area.
John Cowin
Chairman
Downham & District u3a
January 2024
