History of Monmouth U3A
Memories of Monmouth U3A's first six months by Vera and Geoffrey Easton
In the summer of 1988 we abandoned our hectic London lifestyle and came to live permanently in the Monmouth area that we already knew and loved. Almost immediately we saw a small notice in The Beacon saying that an inaugural meeting would be held at the Leisure Centre on July 19th to consider forming a branch of U3A. At the time the University of the Third Age, which had its origins in Cambridge, was only just beginning to operate nationwide but there were branches nearby in Abergavenny, Chepstow and Gloucester. Sixteen people turned up at the meeting. I suppose you might say we were a motley crew. A few from St Briavels knew each other, one or two had come from Chepstow to give support, and one or two were never seen again. Little did we know then that some of us were to become firm friends with a common purpose.
In the summer of 1988 we abandoned our hectic London lifestyle and came to live permanently in the Monmouth area that we already knew and loved. Almost immediately we saw a small notice in The Beacon saying that an inaugural meeting would be held at the Leisure Centre on July 19th to consider forming a branch of U3A. At the time the University of the Third Age, which had its origins in Cambridge, was only just beginning to operate nationwide but there were branches nearby in Abergavenny, Chepstow and Gloucester. Sixteen people turned up at the meeting. I suppose you might say we were a motley crew. A few from St Briavels knew each other, one or two had come from Chepstow to give support, and one or two were never seen again. Little did we know then that some of us were to become firm friends with a common purpose.
Hugh Dearlove
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The meeting had been called by Hugh Dearlove, (such a lovely name), then in his late sixties. Hugh had heard of the concept of U3A in the national press and on the radio and had visited the branch in Chepstow. Hugh cut a curious figure in his brown suit and rubber clogees. A native of Bristol he had the unmistakable Bristol burr. It was clear from the outset that he had an unquenchable enthusiasm for getting things done. It was typical of his positive thinking that he had already booked the room for the monthly meetings up to the end of the year. To Hugh nothing was impossible, give him a problem and he would solve it. For him life was to be enjoyed and he had the gift of being able to communicate this philosophy to everyone who knew him. Fired by his enthusiasm the meeting there and then decided to set up a Monmouth Branch.
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It was agreed to print some flyers publishing the formation of the Society and each person present was asked to help by distributing these and encouraging their friends to come along to meetings. Speakers were discussed and there was talk of a Theatre Group and of a Music in the Home Group, and within a few days a Walking Group began under the aegis of Ken Winter. At this stage before formal arrangements were made it was vital to keep up the momentum so in August Hugh arranged a visit to a concert at Great Witley and in September we went to music in Stroud. There was also a visit to the ballet in Bristol. Hugh would sometimes drive us to outings in the Community minibus. He hated driving on main roads so each journey became a mystery tour through the back streets of Bristol or the lanes of Worcestershire, and somehow he always managed to find a parking place, be it in town or country, only a few yards from our destination.
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1st flyer Monmouth U3A
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The first monthly speakers were drawn from the membership. In August Hugh gave humorous readings from Victorian Prose, including his beloved Kilvert. In September we had a talk on "Paradoxical Statistics" and in October and November our first outside visitors spoke on, ‘The Diaries of Pepys’ and ‘Fungi’. For our first Christmas meeting in December there was an American tea party and the Eastons gave an entertainment of Christmas prose and poetry. Planning had already begun in October/November for an in-house Poetry Reading Group at the Easton's house to begin in the New Year, and an outdoor Architectural Interest Group would start with the warmer weather to view buildings of local interest and benefit from Geoffrey's professional knowledge.
Hugh was a great cinema buff and he was already floating the idea of a U3A Cinema Club to show foreign, art-house and low budget films. This was daring indeed but with typical determination and the help of a grant from the South West Arts Association it was eventually to come to pass in late 1989 using the facilities at the Studio Cinema, Coleford where the then independent owners were immensely supportive. By the end of 1988 the Society was well launched with membership increasing steadily and it was felt that it needed to be formalised with a Committee, properly run accounts etc. All agreed however that the atmosphere should remain informal, and above all friendly to new members. A steering committee of five members was formed.
Hugh was a great cinema buff and he was already floating the idea of a U3A Cinema Club to show foreign, art-house and low budget films. This was daring indeed but with typical determination and the help of a grant from the South West Arts Association it was eventually to come to pass in late 1989 using the facilities at the Studio Cinema, Coleford where the then independent owners were immensely supportive. By the end of 1988 the Society was well launched with membership increasing steadily and it was felt that it needed to be formalised with a Committee, properly run accounts etc. All agreed however that the atmosphere should remain informal, and above all friendly to new members. A steering committee of five members was formed.
The Beacon August 2008 The opening ceremony of celebrations for the 20th anniversary of Monmouth U3A showing guest of honour Major General Lennox Napier on the right, with Mrs. Napier in the centre, while from the left are the Chairman, Shirley Vaughan, together with founder members Ken Winter and Vera Easton.
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Hugh, who was never one to seek the limelight, indicated that he wished to take a back seat and so served as an ordinary committee member. He also undertook to supply The Beacon with regular reports, which he did in his own inimitable style. Thus began the hard-working succession of Committee members and office-holders that have steered Monmouth U3A from small beginnings to a membership of over 400 and to be one of the largest organisations in Monmouth.
Sadly Hugh was not to enjoy its progress for long. He died in 1996 after a short illness, at the relatively young age of 76. He was much mourned and will never be forgotten by those who knew him. We all owe him so much. Geofrey and Vera Easton |
Monmouth U3A
Monmouth U3A has around 450 members who meet through subject groups and also at a general meeting with a speaker on the third Tuesday of every month in the Bridges Community Centre. The U3A is an organisation to promote the sharing of the educational, creative and leisure pursuits of its members, with a view to enhancing their mutual enjoyment of life. It is a university in the original sense of the word, being a gathering of people devoted to learning. It draws members from those in the Third Age of their life, this being loosely described as that time after both the first age of childhood and the second age of employment and perhaps parental responsibility. Anyone in his or her Third Age can join. All you need is interest and enthusiasm.
Although called a University, U3A has members, not students, as no formal qualifications are required and there are no examinations, certificates or diplomas offered or given. Our members organise their own activities to suit their interests by drawing on their skills, knowledge and experience, and by sharing, and encouraging personal development. All of the over 950 U3A groups in the UK, with a total membership of over 350,000, have a similar outlook, but each develops in its own particular way in response to the needs of its members.
Monmouth U3A has around 450 members who meet through subject groups and also at a general meeting with a speaker on the third Tuesday of every month in the Bridges Community Centre. The U3A is an organisation to promote the sharing of the educational, creative and leisure pursuits of its members, with a view to enhancing their mutual enjoyment of life. It is a university in the original sense of the word, being a gathering of people devoted to learning. It draws members from those in the Third Age of their life, this being loosely described as that time after both the first age of childhood and the second age of employment and perhaps parental responsibility. Anyone in his or her Third Age can join. All you need is interest and enthusiasm.
Although called a University, U3A has members, not students, as no formal qualifications are required and there are no examinations, certificates or diplomas offered or given. Our members organise their own activities to suit their interests by drawing on their skills, knowledge and experience, and by sharing, and encouraging personal development. All of the over 950 U3A groups in the UK, with a total membership of over 350,000, have a similar outlook, but each develops in its own particular way in response to the needs of its members.
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