u3a is a national organisation and it is different from most other adult learning providers – rather than paying people to teach, we encourage members to share their knowledge and talents with other members and get involved in the running of the organisation. It’s this self-help ethos that makes us special.
We ask you to play an active part in any way you can and, in return, we offer fun, friendship and lifelong learning. The U3A provides Stimulation, Education and Recreation for mature people who no longer work full time but nevertheless don’t want to vegetate.
West Wilts U3A was launched in Trowbridge in June 1989 with just a few members and now has about 600 members who participate in over 50 group activities. The groups meet in various locations depending on their numbers sometimes in a member’s home or in community halls.
West Wilts U3A covers the 3 towns of Melksham, Trowbridge and Frome. There are also other U3As in Bath, Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes, North Wilts, Westbury and Warminster. It is permitted to belong to more than one U3A.
There is a monthly meeting every third Wednesday held at 2.00pm in the St James Church Hall, Union Street, Trowbridge, with an invited speaker, to which all members are invited at no charge. Guests are welcome to attend up to two meetings for the modest fee of £2.00 per meeting, after which U3A membership is mandatory in order to attend further monthly meetings or join group activities. These meetings and all group meetings are enjoyable events giving members the opportunity to socialize and talk over a cup of tea. The objective is a good blend of learning and leisure.
WestWilts U3A holds its Annual General Meeting on the third Wednesday in March each year and the Annual Subscription fee is due then. Membership of those joining from 1st December onwards lasts until their 2nd AGM.
The annual Subscription fee is £15.00, this includes the capitation fee payable to the Third Age Trust but for those who are members of another U3A we waive this fee and there is a reduced subscription (noted on the membership form).
Group members may also pay an additional small fee per session depending upon the particular group venue in order to cover the cost of room hire and/or refreshments etc.
Members receive by post a quarterly WestWilts U3A Newsletter in March, June, September and December. Also, a National U3A News magazine “Third Age Matters”, which we provide free to our members, is published five times a year and posted direct to a member’s home address. If you are already receiving Third Age Matters as a member of another U3A, then we do not provide a second copy.
If you wish to join the WestWilts U3A, you can download an application form from here (Membership Form) print, complete and send it to the address shown on it.
You can obtain further details from the West Wilts U3A Membership Secretary
Members receive by post a quarterly West Wilts U3A Magazine in Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter
At this point it has not been decided to make the magazine accessible online, but you can request the magazine by contacting the editor on Magazine