DUMFRIES’S University of the Third Age (u3a) will be celebrating its 30th anniversary in September.
Dumfries u3a, similar to its sister organisations across the country, strive to provide learning, recreational and social opportunities for people who are no longer working full-time.
The organisation is run on a self-help basis and offers activities and classes in over 40 subject areas, ranging from practical to semi-academic topics.
Chairperson Margaret Moffat explained: “The u3a movement began in France in 1982, and Dumfries u3a, launched in 1993, is one of the oldest in Scotland.
“Currently, we have over 250 members and about 40 different subject groups, which provide a wide range of varying activities for people who find they have some time to spare after coming to the end of their formal working lives.”
Current subject areas range from writing, art and photography to discussion groups considering religion, philosophy, art appreciation, theatre and history, but also language groups like French and Italian.
There are outdoor groups visiting gardens, walking and ambling, kayaking and bird-watching, and indoor activities like table tennis and even Scrabble, with IT groups helping people get the most out of their phones and computers. There are even trips planned to historical sites.
A full list of all the groups is available on their website at https://u3asites.org.uk/dumfries/groups. Treasurer Kathleen Simpson added: “We are always pleased to welcome new members.
“Besides the different groups, for most months of the year we have a monthly meeting on the first Thursday of each month with a guest speaker, plus tea and coffee and the opportunity to catch up with members from different groups.
“As autumn arrives and the nights begin to draw in, Dumfries u3a might provide just the kind of activity or interest that some people may want. It offers the chance to make new friends – and discover new interests.”
