20th Anniversary. Extract from our newsletter October 2020
F ollowing an exploratory meeting in the Digby Hall that attracted an attendance of some 200 people, a small but enthusiastic group met in February 2000 to consider setting up a local branch of the University of the Third Age. The main protagonists, Katherine Barker, Julie Hall, Gloria Kerr, Ray Lawrence, Tony Rouse, Mike Smith, Gill Tiddy, and Gwen Ward, were to meet again as a Steering Committee twice that month and several times in the following weeks.
Originally a French concept, dating from the 1970s, the University of the Third Age had spread to the UK the following decade and went on to become a world-wide phenomenon. Aimed at anyone aged 50+ and not in full-time employment, by 2000 Dorset already had eight branches. There was some local concern initially that the many existing societies and groups which Sherborne then had (and still has) would make a branch superfluous.
Our pioneers need not have worried; the new enterprise established itself quickly and successfully. Katherine Barker, chairman till June that year, stated early on that ‘no previous level of education or ability was required’, a point with which Gloria Kerr and Gwen Ward recently agreed. ‘To belong to the u3a is a wonderful way to learn things,’ they say, ‘not necessarily in a strictly academic sense, plus a great way to make contacts. It was a very good thing that we started.’
The name originally suggested for the new organisation, The Sherborne Third Age Trust, was said at the time to avoid ‘the rather meaningless and off-putting u3a’. (Anyone for reverting to The Sherborne Third Age Trust?)
It was decided that the first full term would run from September 2000 to August 2001, with a membership fee set at £15, which has remained unchanged over the past two decades.
u3a Certificate of Membership
The first (curiously named) Newsletter
However, rather than delay starting till the autumn, a first, abbreviated term was introduced, running just ten weeks from May to September, with a reduced sub of £6.
Under the rubric ‘Words, Land, Skills, Ideas, Games’, the initial five sets of groups comprised Advanced French, Architectural Drawing, Astronomy, Bridge, Chess/Scrabble, Creative Writing, Genealogy, Geology, German, Italian, Literature, Mahjong, Painting, Philosophy, Short Tennis (which proved unviable), Theatre/Drama and Walks.
Thanks to publicity generated by the Blackmore Vale Magazine and the Western Gazette, the first registration meeting was held on 27 April in the Small Room of the Digby Hall. 172 members were enrolled, with an eventual total of 206 on the books by the time of the first AGM on 18 October.
Official recognition of the branch came in July 2000 with a Certificate of Membership from the Third Age Trust, though actually presented only in October 2001.
By the spring of 2001 the local branch had its own newsletter, edited by Marjorie Snowden, the first couple of editions of which were entitled The Erudite Gossip. By Autumn 2001 this had morphed into SHERBORNE u3a. News, views and erudite gossip, before becoming SHERBORNE u3a Newsletter in April 2003.
The most important point in the Sherborne u3a calendar is Enrolment Day, always held in September. It’s not only when members hope to match their interests with a suitable class but a social occasion when they renew old friendships or make new ones.
‘We still remember the day in early September 2005,’ say Monica and Arwel Roberts, ‘when we joined the queue to register for a class or two. We were fortunate in being able to sign up for Geology with Chris Wilson, Walking with the Newcombes, Botanical Illustration with Gillian Constable and Photography with David Haynes. Like the couple standing behind us, with whom we became friends, we realised that we had all moved to Sherborne the previous month.’
From the outset a number of topics clearly satisfied an appetite among members that has not diminished after 20 years. Botanical Illustration, Creative Writing, Mahjong, and Modern Languages (French, German, Italian),
Cont...
are examples of groups that have enriched members’ lives and continue to do so. But inevitably not all have survived for quite as long, though many were highly popular while they lasted. To name just a handful: Ancient Greece, Astronomy, Geology, Historical Dance, Physics is Fun, and Wine Appreciation.
Of all the groups under the Sherborne u3a umbrella, Walking and Hiking deserve a special mention. For the past 20 years they have been the most popular of all, frequently producing offshoots to cope with demand. At present there are seven walking, one strolling and three hiking groups, plus hiking weekends that take place three times a year as far afield as the Peak District, while Treasure Hunts provide variety every January. u3a members are generally a fit bunch, which such regular outdoor exercise simply reinforces. But the popularity of these activities also owes much to the glorious countryside and splendid pubs of the West Country, especially those in Dorset and Somerset.
Some of the activities that have become regular features in the Sherborne u3a calendar had their origins in the first year or so of the branch’s existence. The twice-yearly lunches or teas and the annual quiz started life early on and have continued to be well supported ever since. To mark the 10th anniversary of the local branch in 2010, a grand celebratory lunch was held in a large marquee in the grounds of the Girls’ School.
An integral part of these events has always been the displays provided by many local groups. Most of these have taken the form of stands exhibiting everything from photographs, paintings and drawings to needlework and even beer! Other groups display their wares in live performances, whether in song (both the u3a choir and madrigal group) or dance (Tap, Pot-Pourri, or Historical).
Additional concerts are also regularly staged in the Methodist Church and, in 2018, in the Great Tithe Barn at Haselbury Mill.
It may come as a surprise to some to realise that our monthly coffee mornings in the Methodist Church Hall only started as recently as in October 2016, so established a part of Sherborne u3a have they become. Chris Holdstock and Liz Lawton and teams of volunteers ensure that these popular occasions provide a chance for members to relax, chat and enjoy good coffee and home baking. In view of such support it was decided in 2017 to move the AGM from the Digby Hall to the October coffee morning in the Methodist Church Hall, where it has been held ever since.
Botanical Illustration Group’s
Making Our Mark, 2011
Over the years as the number of groups has grown so too have the number of venues. Larger groups meet, for example, in the Digby Memorial Hall; the Raleigh Hall; the Catholic Church Hall; Tinneys Youth Club; the West End Hall, Littlefields; and the Village Hall, Milborne Port. But for smaller groups the intimacy of members’
own homes and the generous hospitality of hosts continue to provide the perfect location. And the Art Appreciation group has been treated to several trips to exhibitions in London, Amsterdam and elsewhere.
The new look Newsletter 2017
None of all this, of course, would have been possible without the dedicated work of the original committee members, their successors and all group leaders over the past twenty years. Every one of them deserves our thanks.
So the final word goes to one of them, Stephen Whitaker, our current membership secretary: ‘It has, of course, been disappointing to set back so many planned events during this year, and to stop newcomers joining for a while. Our membership numbers have nevertheless held up well, with 827 at the last year-end (31 August 2020). Enquiries received from many who are keen to join and make a contribution give confidence for a bright future.’
Peter Meech October 2020
Acknowledgements: I would like to thank all those who generously gave of their time and background knowledge and those who shared photographs, including David Haynes, Joe Dunstan and other photographers who remain anonymous. PM
Another Anniversary Coming Up!
Yes, next year is our 25th. Watch this space