The Hagley branch of the U3A was formed in 2000 and now boasts over 100 members and 18 active interest groups. Although the group is centred in Hagley, members are from a wider area, including Blakedown, Churchill, Pedmore and Stourbridge. It is open to all, the only qualification being an inquiring mind!
U3A is aimed at those with time to devote to learning new skills or pursuing activities they had always said they would follow up "when they had more time". It also provides an opportunity to socialise and meet others with similar interests and provides a means of getting more involved in the local community.
Activities are as varied as the members wish them to be. Indeed they draw on the pool of expertise from within the local membership and new groups will be formed as new members bring in new experience and knowledge. So, group leaders are generally members with a strength in a particular field.
Venues for group meetings vary and can be someone's house, the Computer Room in the local High School or a church hall. For the Walking and Gardening groups the venues are, naturally, outdoors.
Annual membership fee is £20.00. In addition, there is a small charge for some group activities. There is a General Meeting on the first Wednesday of each month at the St Saviours Church Hall (at traffic lights at the top of the High Street) starting at 2.00. After a quick review of forthcoming group activities there is usually a short talk by a guest speaker followed by a sociable chat over coffee/tea.