NEWS A
packed programme of day time classes is due to start this month
in SE9.
Greenwich University, assisted by husband John, a retired engineer, who between them attend 10 of the 85 courses which run in their area. They have formed a partnership in SE9 with St Mary’s, which hosts many of the groups, which are run by people who want to share their expertise.
Jean said: “It’s not like school; the people who come along all like to contribute their knowledge. Groups are driven by the members, their particular interests and what they would like to fi nd out about.”
SEnine
Although members are mainly retired, the Morgans are fi nding that there are many younger members, swelled by the ranks of those stopping work early and those aff ected by the recession. Offi cially, entrance is for those ‘no longer in full-time employment’.
The University of the Third Age, U3A, has been growing in recent years and is now off ering a wide range of educational and recreational classes for all tastes and interests. The group, which holds its meetings in St Mary’s Community Centre in Eltham High Street, and the centre’s satellite halls across SE9, is devoted to encouraging people who are no longer in full-time employment to pursue their interests in a variety of academic and leisure activities.
Unlike most ‘hobby’ classes,
participants need only pay one annual membership fee, £15, to be able to attend any or all of the courses on the curriculum.
The organisation runs on a ‘self help’ basis with teachers and course co- ordinators giving their time for free which enables them to make the entrance fee aff ordable for all.
Starting nationally in the 1980s, the U3A has been active in south east London since 1990, gradually building a structure of courses across the region.
It is now co-ordinated by Jean Morgan, a retired librarian from
16
“People are obviously at our classes because they want to be there, they want to learn and enjoy the social interaction”, said Jean. “The more that come, the more lively the courses become.”
Some of the groups, for example, theatre, gardening and architecture, involve visits and fi eld trips. Others meet weekly or fortnightly.
Of the 85 groups in the area, those meeting in SE9 are:
MONDAY Discussion Group
Country Dancing (Eng & Scot) Painting for Pleasure Painting and Craft Theatre Club
TUESDAY Architecture Bridge
History/social sciences Science
Book Club German Conversation Stamp Club
THURSDAY French (Intermediate) Italian Conversation Looking at Art Bridge
St Mary’s
Progress Hall St Mary’s St Mary’s
FRIDAY Greenfi ngers gardening group Lionel Rd CC
Lionel Rd CC AnstridgeRd New Eltham New Eltham
St Mary’s St Mary’s St Mary’s St Mary’s
Examples of topics covered by the groups include:
History: The autumn term will look at the history of health services and professions in England from 1750 – 1950. The six meetings will cover the development of the medical and nursing professions, medicine and war, the rise of the modern hospital, women’s health and the origins of the NHS
Science: The will be on the scientifi c history of medicine, from before 1750 to the present day.
More information is available at www.
u3asites.org.uk/london-se or from Janet Gould, secretary 020 8857 5225 at email address u3aselsec@btinternet. com
Also at St Mary's, Marjorie Punnett's ever-popular 'Exploring Britain' course will be starting in September for another year. The course deals with social history and landscapes of the country. Anyone interested in joining should contact the community centre on 020 8850 2040.
Take a walk in the Tarn
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