Welcome
The primary role of the U3A is to provide opportunities for learning for retired people over 50, either to gain knowledge and insights or to expand on what they already have. In doing so, new interest, companionship and entertainment are enjoyed and members are offered a chance to contribute to something for the benefit of fellow members.
The organisation is a self help one. Teachers and leaders come from within their own group. External teachers may be sought but, understandably, may require to be paid. The aim is to keep expenses to a minimum and the money should never be a bar to joining. The subscription for our club is currently £10.00 per annum and must be paid in full by 30th November. This subscription includes membership of the Mount Charles Social Club, Clifden Road, Mount Charles, St.Austell PL25 4NX.
The Club meets as a whole on the first Thursday of each month except for January when the club meets on the third Thursday for a New Year lunch only. The meetings last for approximately one and a half hours. At these meetings there is usualy a speaker, as you can see from the Events page, who will be of general interest to all. At present our membership is about 160 with around 89 or more attending monthly meetings on a regular basis.
The smaller interest groups meet as required at a variety of venues, often in members` homes. Any member with a particuar or specialist skill will usually emerge to lead these smaller groups and assist in teaching and involving others. However, you do not have to belong to any of the interest groups.
The U3A International and the U.K. National Office in Bromley issues a periodic magazine and also has wide and increasing range of learning aids available on a variety of subjects to facilitate self-learning. Much of this is Open University material and is well-presented. Details can be obtained from the Group notice board and other material exhibited at the monthly meetings.
At present the St.Austell group has 25 interest groups devoted to a wide variety of hobbies and educational subjects (see the Group Page). However, new interest groups may be formed at any time by two or three members having a common interest.
Some Groups meet at Mount Charles Social Club itself, others are at various venues. Alison Edkins, our Group Co-ordinator will advise.
We meet at Mount Charles Social Club on the first Thursday of the month at 10.00 until 12.00 noon, when we have a general get-together, often have a speaker and hear reports of what the groups are doing.
These meetings will also enable new members to meet Group Leaders.
New members are always welcome. Just come along to one of our general meetings on a Thursday morning to meet us, where you will be under no pressure to join until you are ready. However, you will not be able to join any Group activities until you do become a member.