Dronfield Eye Issue 213 September 2023

Dronfield & District
Getting the most out of life is about people.
Retiring can mean losing contact with others and
perhaps feeling isolated - however it doesn’t have to be
like that.
Dronfield & District u3a is part of a UK-wide collection of
more than 1,000 autonomous groups that provide the
opportunity for those who are no longer working to come
together and learn for fun.
With the motto ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’, the aim is to help
people stay active mentally, physically, or both.
Dronfield & District u3a has offers covering a wide range
of interests, including Arts, Crafts, Languages, History,
Science, Photography, Current Affairs, Walking, Cycling
and more.
Monthly meetings feature entertaining guest speakers,
and there is free coffee and biscuits.
June Christopher, a retired community nurse carer,
joined the walking group ten years ago with the aim of
meeting friendly people.
June said: “Since then, I have retired from work and
joined a further five groups as well as becoming a
trustee.
“As I am on my own, the u3a is very important to me and
has kept me active, both socially and physically.
“I’ve got a get up and go attitude, and I think that
matches perfectly with the u3a. I encourage anyone
who’s interested to join.”
Retired human resources director, Mike Baker, agreed:
“My wife and I weren't looking for something to do in our
‘twilight’ years; in fact, quite the opposite. We'd recently
moved into the
area and
wanted to make
new friends.”
Mike was soon
starting a drystone
walling
group which
quickly took
over his life!
“Ten years later we are still working in the National Park,
benefitting from free fresh air, free exercise and most
importantly great camaraderie doing something we all
love,” he said.
Kate Ollerenshaw, a retired
doctors’ receptionist, joined
the organisation after its
inaugural meeting and she
too hasn’t looked back.
She commented: “I was
surprised how many other
like-minded people were
interested in discovering
what was available for
people no longer in full time
employment. This was nothing at all to do with ‘studying’,
it was about meeting people who had the same shared
interests.
“I have enjoyed the wide range of memorable speakers
at the monthly meetings and the trips and visits that
have been arranged,” she added.
Ramsey Hertzog, a former
police officer and his wife
Jean, a retired teacher, have
been members of u3a for
more than eight years and
are currently part of its
History, Geography and Art
Appreciations groups.
Ramsey said: “All offer such
a variety of interesting topics with talks by many
members of each group. Recently we presented talks to
each of these groups about our trip to South Africa,
concentrating on the different interest area each time.
“Garden visits is another of my groups, visiting different
gardens within 50-miles of Dronfield. u3a has given us
valuable experiences and continues to enrich our lives,”
Ramsey added.
You cannot put a price on friendship or laughter.
But when you experience it, the feeling is magical.
To join or find out more,
call 01246 900201 or visit
www.dronfieldu3a.org.uk
Annual membership costs £15.