People in their 60s should go to university or do an Open University  degree at home says David Willetts, the Higher Education Minister for the Conservatives and Liberal coalition government.  He recommends that older people should take courses to keep their skills up-to-date.  Wow!

For anyone over the age of 50, who is not in full-time employment there is a ready-made alternative to his proposals.

 Instead of attending a university for three years or burning the midnight oil doing an Open University degree, they could join the local branch of the Forest of Dean U3A (University of the Third Age).  This is a completely voluntary organisation which holds its monthly general meeting at 1.30pm on the third Thursday in the month at the Viney Hill Sports and Social club.

Throughout each month we provide voluntary activities organised by the members themselves, like photography, cycling, three walking groups, arts and crafts, computers, skittles, nature study, whist, play-reading, luncheon club, history heritage, gardening, sing-a-long, jigsaw swap shop, book stall, visits, mahjong.  Only recently we started two new groups – kurling and French conversation.

I am the convenor for the well-supported Amblers walking group.  Since joining the Forest of Dean U3A in 2006 I have taken part in various activities and made lots of friends and acquaintances.

It's a fun, inexpensive, enjoyable and friendly way to meet new people, learn new and useful skills and get out of the house.

For more information the website is Forest of Dean U3A. Why not come and join us?

– Stuart Payne, Stanford Road, Lydney.