Chair
Welcome to Croydon u3a
We have two anniversaries to celebrate this year. Croydon u3a is 37 years old (or young depending on your approach!) DOB - 15.04.1987, and our Face Book page will be 6 in June.
We have gone from strength to strength, introducing new ideas and Interest Groups, coping admirably with the pandemic and lockdown, developing digital skills and supporting those members who need a little bit more.
For the last few months of the u3a financial year we are offering a 50% discount to new members, from 1st April. The new application forms to join for individual and joint membership are on the Join/Renew page and if someone is already a member of another u3a, there is even a discount for Associate Membership.
The Spring issue of our in-house magazine has now been published (see the Welcome page). It contains some very interesting articles and is a very worthy read. The new look Trust magazine, renamed as u3amatters, has arrived, with news from u3as all around the UK.
With the Trust's task to widen the public's knowledge about the national u3a movement, they have engaged BOOM RADIO to spread the news. There will be interviews featuring members and Sam Mauger, CEO. Boom Radio is an independent, commercial, UK station with over 600,000 regular listeners. The music is good - ideal for 'baby boomers'! https://www.boomradiouk.com
We have so much to offer - over 65 Interest Groups with new ideas sprouting all the time, lunches, outings and short breaks. Apart from being part of Croydon u3a, members can join the London Region talks and summer walks and activities (separately charged but all within the Freedom Pass area), national on-line events (no charge) and become a member of Interest Groups On-Line (about 80 groups) for an annual subscription of £12.
Late last year I asked members to give me a word or two that represent Croydon u3a for them. This was unprepared and here's just a sample of what members said about us :-
- gives structure to my week; friendship; different cultures; extremely good value for money;
- learning & socialising; having a good retirement; seeing new places; new lease of life;
- non-judgemental; specialist groups; new things to try; fun ......
This gives you a flavour - there was no shortage of ideas!
Current research says having a purpose, striving to learn stuff, engaging in social events and being as active as possible all come together to make for a good life and to help us LIVE LONGER BETTER. The u3a can go a long way to ticking all these boxes. I regularly hear from members about how being a member is soooo good.
So if you are not yet a member of Croydon u3a, what's stopping you? We are a lively and friendly bunch of people, interested in all sorts of stuff and actively recruiting new members. It's money well spent. Visit the Contact page without delay.
Very best wishes to you - come to a General Meeting (See the Diary page) and say hello.
Jenny Wilson
Chair