u3a members attend the first ever u3a Festival in York
Hundreds of u3a members are attending u3a Festival 24. The event runs between Thursday 18 July - Saturday 20 July at the University of York. With over 1,500 members booked to attend over the three day event, it is set to be the largest meeting of u3a members in the movement's history.
As a largely member-led event with members volunteering their time to organise the programme, lead workshops and share their skills, the Festival is an embodiment of the member-led skill sharing ethos that is at the heart of u3a. It has been led by a team of u3a volunteers and especially Margaret Fiddes, the current Trustee for Yorkshire and the Humber, and Allan Walmsley, the current Vice-Chair, with the support of u3a office staff.
There is a programme of over 80 events - from life drawing and star gazing to guided history walks of York and talks about Plato. Each of these workshops and talks are being led by u3a members who are volunteering their time to make the Festival a success.
The official opening for the Festival is taking place on Friday 19 July. The ribbon will be cut by Diana Moran, better known as The Green Goddess, who became famous for her exercise routines on BBC Breakfast Time in the 1980s. Diana has been a member of Elmbridge u3a since 2000. Talking about what she enjoys the u3a movement, she replies, "Meeting likeminded people, making new friends, learning new skills and absorbing new information. We really do learn, laugh and live!!!"
When asked how she feels about opening the Festival, she replies "Excited... but somewhat nervous if the truth be known."
The opening will also be attended by the Lord Mayor of York, the CEO of the u3a movement Sam Mauger, and Chair of the u3a movement Liz Thackray.
Find out about other upcoming events on the u3a events page.