17th October 2012

BRIDPORT: Switch boosts U3A visitor numbers

BRIDPORT & District University of the Third Age (U3A) put itself on display on Sunday (October 14th).

U3A members and the general public took the chance to go along and find out more about the 35 special interest groups run by the local group, which serves Bridport, Beaminster and the surrounding villages.

Leaders of many of the groups were on hand at St Mary’s Church House, Bridport, to answer questions on the courses that they run, such as music appreciation, bird watching, philosophy and walking.

Pam Shearman, who leads the practical music-making group, took along a small orchestra of various kinds of recorders and was equally happy to give an impromptu demonstration or let visitors have a go and play a tune.

“Playing music is one of the best things I know for co-ordination and keeping the mind active,” she said.

The Open Day was a two-way street because the U3A, as well as explaining what it does, also wanted to listen to ideas for new groups.

Among those suggested on the day were keep fit and ceilidhs.

Twelve new members were signed up and more than 120 people put their names down as being interested in joining a group.

Such was the interest from visitors that books and play reading, which already run two groups each, are now considering setting up a third.

“We’re delighted the event was such a success,” said organiser Lois Edwards.

It was the first time that it has been staged in the afternoon instead of the evening, and the switch resulted in a big boost in the numbers attending.

She thanked the U3A members, the public and the group leaders for their support, Pam White, Val Gierth and Helen Jones for arranging the cream teas (free and very popular!), and Mick Holgate for helping out with the administration.

PICTURE 1: Janet Harrison, Lois Edwards and Pat Grafton who helped organise Bridport & District U3A’s Open Day

PICTURE 2: Pam Shearman provides an impromptu demonstration of recorder playing at the Bridport & District U3A’s Open Day