Swindon u3a held a special gathering to thank its volunteers for their work.
Swindon u3a chair Gill Brain
It was also a celebration of u3a's 40th anniversary.
The group, part of a national organisation formerly known as the University of the Third Age, has about 1,300 members who take part in around 135 interest groups.
These cover interests as diverse as Tai Chi, table tennis, history, walking, orienteering, various types of dance, upholstery, card games, current affairs, languages, technology, art appreciation and patchwork.
The volunteers' gathering was held at Coleview Community Centre.
Swindon u3a chair Gill Brain said: "Today we're having a meeting to thank all our volunteers, but also because this is the 40th year of u3a throughout the whole country.
"All around the country, u3as are doing something to celebrate."
Speakers at the gathering covered the history of the group, the diversity of the interests served and the various volunteer roles available.
Many of the volunteers said they joined because they wanted new friends and new activities to try, or because they had been new to the area, and all were impressed by what they found.
U3A was founded in 1982 in Cambridge by three academics who thought the education system was letting down mature people who had brought up families and perhaps retired.
Further information about Swindon u3a can be found at www.swindonu3a.org.uk
The group, part of a national organisation formerly known as the University of the Third Age, has about 1,300 members who take part in around 135 interest groups.
These cover interests as diverse as Tai Chi, table tennis, history, walking, orienteering, various types of dance, upholstery, card games, current affairs, languages, technology, art appreciation and patchwork.
The volunteers' gathering was held at Coleview Community Centre.
Swindon u3a chair Gill Brain said: "Today we're having a meeting to thank all our volunteers, but also because this is the 40th year of u3a throughout the whole country.
"All around the country, u3as are doing something to celebrate."
Speakers at the gathering covered the history of the group, the diversity of the interests served and the various volunteer roles available.
Many of the volunteers said they joined because they wanted new friends and new activities to try, or because they had been new to the area, and all were impressed by what they found.
U3A was founded in 1982 in Cambridge by three academics who thought the education system was letting down mature people who had brought up families and perhaps retired.
Further information about Swindon u3a can be found at www.swindonu3a.org.uk
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