Tower and Town, August 2023 (view the full edition)‘Learn, Laugh, Live’ - u3a in Kennet'Learn, Laugh, Live' is the motto of the u3a and the hundreds of members here in u3a in Kennet enjoy these qualities in abundance. Nationally, the organisation decided to stop using the full title of University of the Third Age some years ago as it was thought not to be sufficiently accurate for our modern activities. To begin with, prospective members may have wrongly thought that it was another university and all about study and degrees. Then, what is the Third Age? Certainly, Shakespeare referred to the seven ages of man and it was not so long ago that young, middle age followed by old age was a common acceptance. Not so today! Biological age has nothing to do with u3a. It does not even require an age to be given; the only requirement is that members are no longer working full time. u3a is a self-selecting and self-managing number of interest groups that pleases its members. Take our Petanque groups. Whilst they offer gentle fitness involvement, hand/eye coordination and competition, it has been said that not a session passes without a great deal of laughing, joy and congratulations - all followed by refreshments. As age increases, so often do the common ailments that can inhibit our way of life. In u3a we recognise this and, much like a family, do what can be done to help members. For example, travelling to venues without a car anymore can be difficult so travel-sharing is done. The two groups of Theatre and Day Trips are greatly appreciated as members only have to get to central Marlborough to be carried by coach to a show or other interesting venue and back again. u3a in Kennet offers friendship and satisfaction to anyone and everyone who has the inclination and spare time to live, learn and laugh on a weekly or monthly basis, making new friends or joining in with old friends whatever their age.  Jeff Hide, Vice-Chair |