Gerardine S.

The first meeting was held
In March 2016
The locals of Olton were clearly keen
To join and be part of
This new U3A
And so Olton and District
Was here to stay

And now 10 years on
It’s grown year by year
Its success and the progress
Is abundantly clear
10 interest groups then
More than 30 today
If you swim walk or cycle
Have a ukulele to play
For singing or scrabble
You’re in the right place - this U3A

So we’ve good reason to celebrate
And say thanks to all those
Who've worked hard for us all
As this U3A grows
As we live laugh and learn
And remembering still
That a decade has passed
Since our first daffodil

Gill W.

With thanks to the founding members
Some of whom are still with us
Their legacy grows through the years
From the first fledgeling ideas
Their ambition has come to fruition
With live, laugh and learn provision
From this seedling idea
A great tree did appear
With many branches grown

Fulfilling the dreams that were sown

Many branches now fill that tree
Each branch a learning spree
Line dancing was one of the first
Tai Chi onto the scene burst
Local History was a part
Love of Gardens at the start
Walking and Strolling at each pace
The Christmas Party enjoyed a space
Book Club saw a new beginning
A group formed for the love of singing
Bridge a play of cards to learn
Family History the ancestry search
Trips arranged to places of interest
Bletchley Park was the very first visit
The United Reform Church the Core Meeting venue
At the Friary, ten years later, these still continue
A daffodil given each anniversary
To remind us of triumph over adversity
In the ten incredible years after

That were full of joy and laughter
Ten groups blossomed into thirty
A swelling membership the beneficiary
Lifelong friendships forming
Through activity and learning
Facilitators pass on their skill
Some leaders are doing it still
Again, we thank the founding members
We all must take time to remember
The fifteen volunteers of the first committee
Who gave up their time for free
And those whose courage gave
Us The Olton and District
University of the Third Age.

Sheila R.

It was thought there’d be no interest in an Olton U3a,
But the notices went up, and on the given day.
The people kept on coming to the place where they would meet,
and soon there were more people in the room than there were seats.
A daffodil was handed, as they left, to everyone.
A flower open, warm and welcoming. A sign of things to come.
One hundred and twenty attended on that March Day in twenty sixteen,
and from those, was formed a committee. A group of fifteen.
Activities were organised to suit all talent and all taste
If you wanted to sing or garden, enjoy a meal or decorate a cake.
If you wanted to embroider, share a book, or research your history.
If you wanted to play bridge, or go for a stroll, then U3a’s the place to be
If you wanted to practise Tai Chi then there’s a fact that is quite fun.
The instructor leading you today is the original one.
The first speaker from Dorridge, gave a holiday slide show.
The first trip was a trip to Bletchley. Open to anyone who wanted to go.
United Reform Church was the venue for the Christmas party that year.
That was how our U3a started, and now we find ourselves here.
Ten years later, of the first hundred members, twenty-five are members still,
and there’s now three times the opportunity to learn a new skill.
The subscription fee today is less than it was ten years ago.
Is there anything else that is cheaper? If there is I don’t know.
So we’ll all Live, Laugh and Learn together, and friendship will abound.
Here’s to the next ten years We’re glad that Olton and District U3a is still around.