Liz Thackray visits u3as in the South East
u3as across the South East pulled out all the stops to welcome Chair Liz Thackray as she makes her way across the UK to meet u3a members.
As part of a nationwide tour of the movement, Liz visited u3as in Kent, East Sussex, West Sussex, Berkshire, Surrey, Oxford and Hampshire last week.
The u3as laid on an action-packed programme for Liz which included table tennis in Bearsted and meeting the newly formed Botley, Hedge End and District u3a which already has almost 150 members.
Liz said: ‘During last week I made a whirlwind tour of u3as in South East England, meeting u3a members playing table tennis, discussing local history, writing stories and lots more besides.
‘I drank gallons of coffee, ate far too much cake and presented certificates to u3as celebrating 25 years. I met founder members of long established u3as and a young man who I suspect is the youngest u3a member in the UK at 27.
‘Throughout it all, Susie Berry, South East Regional Trustee, ensured I moved around, spoke to as many people as possible and drove everywhere, only getting lost once.
‘Thanks to everyone who made the visits so memorable – and demonstrated the u3a ethos of learning, laughing and living in so many different ways.’
Liz Thackray became Chair of the Third Age Trust in 2021 and, like all of the Trustees, is a u3a member herself. The visit to the South East follows on from a trip to the South West last month and a trip to Northern Ireland earlier in the year.
u3a is a UK-wide collection of 1000+ charities that provide the opportunity for those no longer in work to come together and learn for fun. Find your local u3a and join us today.