You don’t have to be of school-age to go to classes: ‘education’ can be for people of all and every age.
And so, we have the University of the Third Age:
Across the UK, u3a members draw upon their knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other for pleasure; learning is its own reward. It’s all voluntary; a typical u3a will be home to many activity groups covering hundreds of different subjects – from art to zoology and everything in between.
And it has a very active group in the Sid Valley:
Here in Sidmouth we have many members who are fully retired, and others who still work for some of the week. Our interest groups are spread over the whole month so there are usually groups available, for whatever free time you have.
If we are looking at the theme of ‘education for sustainability, education for hope’, then, these would be obvious groups:
There are some clear links to the Science Festival and its focus on STEM subjects:
Monthly talks, mostly given by members, on various aspects of science, engineering and technology. In many of them this leads to some interesting discussions.
There is gardening – and there is learning about organic gardening:
Members take turns to introduce a topic for discussion. In year to March 2020 these have included greenhouses, favourite tool, plant classification, poisonous plants… A local expert guided the group around some of the trees of the Knowle and visits were made to the Edible Garden Nursery and South Wood Farm (a private garden near Honiton)
Sidmouth U3A: Organic Gardening
And there are walks spotting things – with the Sid Valley Biodiversity Group taking members out:
Meet at a Sidmouth location such as the Byes for a short accessible stroll aiming to spot and identify as many aspects of Sidmouth’s wildlife as possible. Also have a Flickr account where members can upload photographs for identification.
Sidmouth U3A: Sidmouth Nature Explorers
Here’s a photo recently taken of the Explorers, entitled ‘something interesting’:
Sidmouth: Something interesting?
Please contact the Groups’ Co-Ordinator via our contact e-mail form on this website for further information about any group:
To finish, a piece in the Nub News from a year or so ago: