Finding new interests just became easier

On the 2nd and 4th Thursday of every month, you will find a group meeting in the Memorial Hall with coffee and biscuits. Waiting for the latest speaker to start, this is all about finding new interests, skills and sharing them with new and existing friends.

Oswestry u3a is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment and is run solely by its members. Providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment, the members can all learn from each other. Twice a month the group have a guest speaker visit or they are entertained by a member.

They currently have over 20 interest groups, including Walking, Cooking and Textiles. Members with keen interests are encouraged to run their own interest groups during the year, whether it is once or more per month. This gives more opportunity for specialist topics to be explored and for members to share their knowledge with each other – also giving rise to friendships. You could definitely fill your weeks with all the options.

Certainly, one group which is always on the move is the Travel group. If you love getting out and about, this is certainly one for you. There’s potential for travel across the UK, which sometimes includes city breaks and overnight stays, entry into attractions and organised meals. Just this June, there is a trip to Nottingham with a boat trip on the River Trent and a meal, with all travel to and from included in the trip. If you fancy trying to spot ‘Nessie’ up at Loch

Ness, then consider the break to Scotland in August.

Throughout the UK there are 1,035 u3as with almost 400,000 members. It goes to show how important connection and common interests are to us. The movement was started in 1982 and is going strong today. Last year was its 40th anniversary.

As well as the local interest groups and main meetings available with Oswestry u3a, members also have access to online talks, workshops and courses for free.

So, if you are no longer working, have hobbies and wish to spend time with others with the same interests, joining u3a could be a game changer for you. We all so often find ourselves spending a lot of time alone and its easy to struggle to find people who enjoy the same things. This makes life a little easier.

If you are interested in learning for pleasure or want to pursue a new interest, you will be made very welcome. The annual membership subscription is £15 with a contribution at each meeting for coffee, tea and biscuits.

Meetings are: Every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 10am for Coffee and Biscuits, 10.30am Meeting Starts. Venue: The Memorial Hall, Oswestry. No need to book, just turn up!

For more information visit www.u3asites.org.uk/oswestry or Facebook: Oswestry U3A