Topic 4
Warrington U3A Celebrates its’ Twentieth Anniversary.
On February 15th 1994, Rae Pennack answered a telephone call.
The caller said “You won’t know me, my name is Don Parsons. I’ve been told that you are a member of the University of the Third Age and I’d be grateful if you can give me some information about it.” In fact she did know him, through his connection with the Methodist Church in Warrington, where he was the Minister.
She told him that she had been a member of Salford U3A for four years, as there wasn’t a U3A in Warrington. His answer, “I know that and as my colleague Ian Sellers and I are retired, we would like to start one.”
So with as much information as she could pass on, through both Salford and national contacts, Warrington U3A was conceived. It was born later that year with a launch meeting at the Town Hall on 7th September with the Mayor and Mayoress present.
From those early beginnings the Warrington U3A has grown over the past twenty years and is now a thriving organisation with 900 members and over forty activity groups. Members are either retired, or working part time with age ranging from 50 upwards.
To celebrate twenty years a very successful barn dance and social was held at Alford Hall on 5th July. Guest of Honour was Jenny Carley U3A Regional Trustee who made a presentation to the members. Members celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Warrington U3A at their summer social on Saturday night by ‘dosey doe ing’ and ‘stripping the willow’ to the accompaniment and with the directions of the Union Street Band. Many didn’t know their left from their right and some found themselves dancing with the wrong partner but we all survived.
Jenny Carley, Trustee of the NW Region U3A joined in the celebrations, congratulating the members on their achievement in reaching 20 years and reminding members that the more you put into the U3A the more you will get out of it. Jenny presented Committee Member Roger Coasby with a card of congratulations to the members from the NW Regional team and Roger then invited Jenny to cut the celebration cake which had been made by Sheila MacGregor. A very big thank you to all the Social Committee for another excellent evening.
This event was preceded by an art and photographic exhibition hosted by the Art for All and Photographic Group on 3rd July, at Fairfield and Howley Neighbourhood Project Hall.