Would you like to make new friends and learn something new? Elgin u3a could be the answer

MAKING new friends and learning new skills or hobbies; does that sound appealing?

Elgin and District u3a encourages older people, not in full-time employment, to keep their minds active by discovering the pleasures of learning in friendly surroundings, away from the pressures of formal academic structures.

It is one of the fastest growing organisations in the UK, there being more than 1000 u3as and over 400,000 members.

Local member Roz Beck said: "We offer a variety of interest groups, each led by one or more of our members. The groups and locations change from time to time but they include study-based, sporting and recreational activities such as languages, computing, learning a musical instrument, poetry, walking, dance, crafts and board games."

The indoor groups meet in members’ homes, or at a public venue where group members contribute to the room hire costs.

For a nominal annual fee, members may join as many groups as they wish.

Members are spread over a wide area with at least one interest group currently meeting in Lossiemouth, Fochabers, Hopeman, Burghead, Lhanbryde, Cummingston, Dufftown and Archiestown, as well as Elgin.

General members’ meetings are held about every two months in Elgin Town Hall, usually featuring a guest speaker, refreshments and the opportunity to meet with other members, group leaders and members of the committee.

If you would like to find out more about the group, email membersecretary@u3a-elgin.org.uk or phone 01340 871491.

You can also find out more at www.u3asites.org.uk/elgin

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