None of us knows what will happen over the next few weeks, but at U3A we are planning events to keep our members busy and entertained almost every day of the week. We may be online and different from the norm at the moment, and we would all prefer face to face meetings, but we are making the best of it.

Just now the people who make up our membership are a little bit older, and have been trapped at home for such a long time. There is a chink of light at the end of the tunnel, but none of us knows for definite when we will be free to meet up again. Even so, U3A is determined to overcome the loneliness and isolation that lockdown can bring by providing hours of fun and happiness. Members are busy engaging in social and learning groups on Zoom, YouTube, Facebook, and WhatsApp and however else they can manage it.

Busting the myth that once you reach a certain age technology is a barrier, we estimate that more than 50% of our usual activities are still taking place. They might be virtual for the time being, but with over 400,000 members UK wide, that is a lot of activity.

Neil Gordon, Chairman of Norton Radstock U3A said: “Our members really appreciate being able to get together online. We regularly get good numbers of members at our guest speaker meetings via Zoom.

“Current virtual meetings include Guitar, Ukulele, Wine Tasting, Book and French Conversation groups. There is also a Zoom weekly coffee morning! Membership is still open, so please do come and join us.”

For more information, please do get in touch. Contact Neil Gordon: 01761 752893, email: [email protected] or Bob Piper: 01749 938650, email: [email protected]

David Pearson