WELCOME TO MARKET DRAYTON u3a WEBSITE
Market Drayton u3a welcomes you to our website. The aim of the site is to give easy and up to date information about the many group activities that are available.
As you may know, the u3a is a national organization, founded in 1974 by Professor Pierre Vellas in France. There are now over 430,000 people around the UK who are enjoying what the u3a has to offer in over 950 individual branches.
The Ethos of the u3a fundamentally says "of the people, for the people", meaning all Interest Groups are provided by members who are willing to share their knowledge and experience of their particular subjects, hobbies and interests for the benefit of u3a members who wish to join.
Membership of the u3a is open to anyone who has time 'on their hands' ie not in full-time work 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.
u3a branches and their groups cover a broad range of topics, some recreational, some academic, all organised and provided by members who are willing to share their knowledge with others. The National u3a website also offers learning opportunities online through events and work groups as well.
Members of u3as are encouraged, if they are willing and 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!).
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 230 members who are enjoying a variety of different groups which meet regularly; sometimes monthly, sometimes weekly. Groups meet either in members’ homes or in outside venues and new members are always very welcome.
On the third Thursday of every month (bar August and December) we have talks in the Festival Drayton Centre starting at 2.0 pm with a different speaker each time. The talks cover wide and diverse topics and are usually an hour long, followed by refreshments (a donation towards which would be so gratefully accepted!) in the Festival Drayton Centre café; stay and have a chat!
Membership of the u3a is currently £16.00 per person, per year, which enables members to enjoy all that is on offer; every group you might wish to join, every monthly meeting.
Information about groups and their venues - the who, what, where and when - can be found using the tabs on the navigation bar above. We also have a fairly new Facebook page called 'u3a Market Drayton'. There is a link to the FB page in the menu - option Facebook M/D.
Why not join the u3a. You just might enjoy it!
Judy Cowdale 'Chair' Market Drayton u3a