Welcome to the Market Drayton U3A website.

At u3a Market Drayton, our mission is simple: To provide opportunities for learning, social connection, and personal growth in a friendly, inclusive environment. We believe that learning never stops and that curiosity, creativity, and companionship are the keys to a fulfilling life.

As you may or may not know, the u3a is a national organisation founded in 1974 by Prof. Pierre Vellas in France. There are now over 430,000 people around the UK who are enjoying what u3a has to offering over 950 individual branches.

The ethos of u3a fundamentally says "of the people, for the people", meaning that all Interest Groups are provided by members who are willing to share their knowledge and experience of the particular subjects, hobbies and interests for the benefit of u3a members who wish to join. Membership is open to anyone who has 'time on their hands' and would like to take part in the various Interest Groups being offered: to enjoy new social activities, meetings and events, meet new people and perhaps make new friends.

The national u3a website also offers learning opportunities online through events and work groups as well.

Members are encouraged, if they are able, to set up new groups and there are no restrictions on subjects (help is always 'on hand' for anyone taking that first step to begin a new group). Basically it entails organising a venue for a group of u3a paid up members and you can learn along with them).

No qualifications are required for beginning a new group, and none are given. All u3as exist to provide social interaction with like-minded people either sharing a common interest or 'giving it a try' to something new and perhaps entirely outside their comfort zone.

Market Drayton u3a branch has approximately 200 members enjoying a variety of different groups which meet regularly; sometimes monthly, sometimes weekly and they can last for a few weeks, months or even years. Its all up to the members. Groups meet in member's homes or in bigger venues and new members always very welcome.

On the 3rd Thursday of every month (except August and December) we run a public speakers talk in the Festival Drayton Centre starting at 2:00pm with a different speaker each time. These talks cover wide and diverse topics and are usually and hour long, followed by refreshments (a donation towards would be so gratefully accepted !) in the Festival Drayton Centre cafe; stay and have a chat!

Our current Membership is £16 per person per year, which enables members to enjoy all that is on offer; every group you wish to join and every monthly speakers meeting.

All the groups information can be found using the tabs on the navigation bar above . There is also a Facebook page called "u3a Market Drayton". There is also a link to the FB page in the navigation bar under news.