Our Logo shows The Avenues which were the first houses built in Forest Town and are still evident today.
The houses were built between 1903 and 1909 for the first miners and their families, families that were the foundation stones of this mining village which has expanded and grown ever since.
In October 2015 new foundations were laid when people congregated in St.Albans Church and established the Forest Town & District U3A, already this is growing and providing new opportunities for people, just as the village did all those years ago.
(Our logo was created by Pauline & Malcolm Marples – revised by Helen Riby May 2020).
HOW WE BEGAN:
The Launch meeting of Forest Town and District U3A took place in St. Albans Church Forest Town on Thursday the 3rd of September 2015.
The meeting heard from Michaela Moody, (the then U3A National Vice Chairman - formerly the East Midlands Regional Trustee), outline the workings of the U3A at local, county, regional and national levels.
A representative of Sherwood U3A explained the development of her branch of the U3A and others locally and about the benefits to be had as a member of the U3A.
The Button on the right will take you to photographs of the launch meeting of the Forest Town u3a held in St.Albans Church.
There were approximately 130 people in attendance at the launch meeting which far exceeded expectations and there was a buzz of excitement as the meeting voted, by a show of hands, in favour of creating Forest Town and District U3A.
After the presentations volunteers came forward to form a Steering Committee to plan the activities of Forest Town and District U3A for the first year.
The inaugural meeting of the Forest Town and District U3A took place in St.Albans Church , Forest Town on Thursday the 1st of October 2015. We became a registered charity on 18th November 2019.
The inaugural meeting was addressed by the Chairman of the Steering Committee Mike King:
"The purpose of this inaugural meeting of the Forest Town and District U3A is to enrol members and to give them the opportunity to sign up for the first series of interest groups."
"For those of you who may be unfamiliar with the U3A, it has been said that we are “A Youth Club for Retired and Semi-retired People".
"The U3A provides educational opportunities for retired and semi-retired people to pursue their interests in a wide variety of activities as well as organising a monthly meeting and other events for all members.
No qualifications are required to join the U3A.
At this first meeting, l encourage you to join in order for you to sign-up to the interest groups of your choice and to come to the monthly meetings. These meetings will be held in St Albans Church on the 1st Thursday of the month.
Some interest groups are available to be joined today and more will be available as we progress.
The interest groups, from my personal observations as a very new member of U3A, is that they are the life blood of the organisation and are greatly enjoyed by members.
There is no requirement for you to have any qualifications to join the U3A or any of the groups nor do we hand out qualifications or diplomas. We all have experience of the school of life. You would be surprised by what you have learned over the years which can then be passed on to others, as indeed you will learn from them. That is what U3A is all about and you can use your experiences and knowledge to lead or help in the leading of interest groups ~ quite possibly you have an interest or hobby you would like to share with other people. Please let us know if there is any group you would like to see running and it is possible other people are interested in the same thing.
All interest groups have to be self-financing so you may have to contribute a small amount towards the cost of room hire and anything else associated with the costs of that group.
Whatever you do, enjoy the U3A ~ being a “Third-Ager" will change your life for the better".
Mike King, Chairman of the Steering Committee.
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