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History of U3A (University Of The Third Age)
Some people might find the word university in our title misleading or perhaps a little daunting. However, it is based on the mediaeval Latin word 'universitas', implying a group of people getting together to learn for pleasure. Internationally, U3A started in Toulouse, France in 1972. Its object is to provide learning opportunities for seniors in an informal and unstructured environment. This is quite different from that provided by professional educational organisations. The concept became so popular that U3As began to develop in many European countries and are now found throughout the world.
History of Perth U3A
In 2007 Perth U3A celebrated its 21st year. It was founded by a handful of members in 1985 and at that time consisted of only a few house groups. Perth U3A has now grown to a membership in excess of 360 and provides a selection of interest group topics that reflects very diverse areas of interest.
Entry Requirements
There are no entry qualifications and no examinations or diplomas are given. People who have never had the opportunity to continue their studies discover latent talents both as students and as course leaders. U3A is a voluntary organisation and its success depends on the willing participation of members at all levels, whether it be in helping to run a course, helping with the administration of the organisation, as an occasional speaker to groups or simply by taking part in what is offered. The success of U3A at any given time depends entirely on what its members are able and willing to do. Individual members are both learners and teachers and give their services freely. At present the annual subscription covers the cost of hired accommodation and the use of educational or cultural facilities.
Want to know a little about us before making contact?
Firstly, we are all enjoying that delightful period called 'The Third Age', which is to say we are all retired or semi-retired, determined to make the most of what life with a bit more freedom has to offer. Most members of Perth U3A live in Perth or its surrounding area.
U3A is a self-help learning organisation. Those of us who are already members joined because it offers the opportunity to make new friends and to do things that we have always wanted to do but never before had the time.
At present, there are over thirty self-help groups covering a wide range of activities. Some of us are trying to learn a language, others to keep themselves fit by Ceilidh dancing or walking in the countryside and yet others are learning new skills such as craftwork, computing or digital photography. Whatever the activity, the emphasis is on doing things together, with one member of the group volunteering to take the lead.
If you want to do something that is not on our list, we have a group coordinator through whom you can contact those of a like mind in order to propose the formation of a new group.
Our open meetings, held every four weeks, provide up to the minute information about the activities of the groups, including outings and field visits. Open meetings are an opportunity for members to come together socially and for potential new members to find out what is on offer. The meetings are normally held on Monday mornings in the Church Hall, Letham St Mark’s, Rannoch Road, Letham, Perth. Refreshments are available at 10:00 in time for the meeting, which starts at 10.30 and finishes by 12.00 noon.
Coffee mornings (Coffee & Chat group) are held every four weeks in the Red Rooms, Perth Theatre from 10:00 to12 noon. These meetings are open to all members and there is no need to book a place. Come along and meet different members. Most other activities happen in home study groups, or in hired accommodation for larger groups, and are led by a volunteer group leader. Meetings usually take place at 10:30 or at 2.30 pm and are arranged on a weekly, fortnightly or four-weekly cycle. The annual session takes place between approximately the end of August and the end of March each year, and so includes seven of our four-weekly cycles.