Third age opportunities at Knutsford's civic centre (From Knutsford Guardian)

Third age opportunities at Knutsford's civic centre

12:00pm Saturday 8th September 2012 in News By James Wilson

KNUTSFORD’S U3A group will be showcasing their many activities to town residents at an event to be held next week.

The U3A – University of the Third Age – was set up more than 30 years ago and targeted at those who are no longer in full term employment.

There will be demonstrations by some Knutsford group members of what takes place at their meetings and representatives from all the existing groups will be there to talk to visitors.

Rob Kenny, director of Cinema Development at Curzon Cinema will be there, as a special guest. His firm recently struck a deal to lease the Civic Centre – and the Studio Cinema – from the council.

Carole English, chair of the Knutsford U3A, said: “We have over 40 different groups that members can join which offer different activities,” she said.

“Each group has a group leader and they are wonderful in how they organise themselves.

“We had a member of the House of Lords come and speak last year and we are heading to Media City for a recording of Countdown as well.

“Curzon have brought live opera to their other cinemas so that would be amazing in Knutsford and it’ll be great to hear what they have to say.

“People say U3A and they don’t say what it is so this is to show what we can do. We hope people come in and join as a result.”

Hundreds of local residents, who are over the age of 55 or not in full time work, attain satisfaction, have fun, develop new friendships and improve their knowledge through membership of the U3A (University of the Third Age).

Groups include art and art appreciation, books, languages, writing for pleasure, play reading, music appreciation, local and family history, computing, needlecraft, various levels of walking and many others. The showcase has been arranged to improve awareness of the various activities that are available within the local organisation and this will take place at the Knutsford Civic Centre on Thursday, September 13 at 2pm.

All the existing groups will be represented and several members will provide demonstrations of what takes place when they meet.

For further information you can telephone committee members Rod Howgate on 01625 582924, Sue Hopkin on 01565 651839 or chair Carole English on 01565 625815.