York 50+ Festival, u3a York Open Day and Festival Parade (September 2025)
u3a York Open Day
On 25th September, and as part of the York 50+ Festival, u3a York welcomed more than 150 people to the Priory Street Centre for our annual Open Day. Attendees were a mix of existing members, including many who turned out to volunteer to make the event a success, and non-members interested in finding out more about what u3a has to offer.
The day was split into similar sessions running in the morning and afternoon to allow for the widest possible opportunity for people to attend. This was the first time we have tried using the Priory Street Centre as a venue and it offered ample space for talks, “taster” sessions, and, importantly, the opportunity to mingle with Group Leaders and the Travel and Membership Teams to hear in detail more about the range of activities available to members.
Talks included topics such as the history and background of u3a (Karen Sawyer, Chair), astronomy (Quinn Smith), local history walks (Richard Taylor) and military history (Martin Cooper). Attendees could be seen trying out Dao Yin, an ancient Chinese mind-body exercise, and a meditation workshop, as well as learning to play Go (definitely a Chinese theme here!), and taking part in discussions on Folk and Fairy Tales and Current Affairs.
More than 30 Groups displayed information about their topics with opportunities for attendees to find out more details about what was on offer and how to get started.
York 50+ Festival Parade
On Saturday 27th September u3a York members joined a range of organisations and individuals to celebrate International Day of Older People by taking part in a Grand Parade of Elders and Friends. We gathered at York Theatre Royal for a quick coffee and then donned our bright blue u3a sashes and beautifully crocheted autumn leaves ready for the walk.
The Town Crier met us outside and started us off with a cheerful proclamation, and then, accompanied by the York City Football Team mascot and our dedicated student stewards, we paraded through the Museum Gardens and down into the city centre, with passers-by stopping to watch and wish us well. We entered St Helen’s Square to the choir’s rendition of “Dancing Queen” where we were welcomed by the Sheriff of York. After more music and a little gentle dancing, we retired to St Sampson’s for a well-deserved cup of tea and delicious cakes.
New Members' Meeting (16th September 2025)
About 20 new members turned out for the September “New Members” meeting, where our Chair (Karen) provided a potted history of the u3a in general, and u3a York in particular, followed by a general piece on groups and events by Beryl. Lorrae then gave the low-down on the Travel Groups (both UK and Abroad), and Martin took us through the equipment that is available for group leaders to use in support of their groups. Tea, coffee and biscuits were preceded by Paul walking those present through the website. There was plenty of discussion during the drinking of tea, with new ideas for groups popping up as well as general social chit-chat.
