A NEW Tavistock district branch of the University of the Third Age will be launched at an introductory meeting next week.

There was an enthusiastic response to a public meeting held last month, to investigate the possibility of setting up a new Tavistock group because the original Tavistock U3A branch was oversubscribed.

The U3A is designed for people over 50 who want to join in daytime creative, educational and leisure activities. Acting chairman of the new steering committee Barry Hodge said people should come along if they have ?time on their hands, enthusiasm and a thirst for knowledge.

?We must not forget the social aspect as well,? added Mr Hodge. He said there had already been a lot of interest from people who wanted to join the group.

Founder members of the new branch have drawn up a list of exciting start-up leisure groups which will be set up.

These leisure groups will include crafts, creative writing, drama, bridge, a walking group, discussion group, genealogy, computing and choral singing.

Leisure groups are initiated by members, and their meetings are then advertised at a monthly get-together of the whole U3A.

The organisation promotes learning for its own sake.

Mr Hodge is hoping the group?s organisation will be bolstered at the meeting by more people volunteering to join the steering committee, which currently comprises five people. ?If it is to be really successful we need more committee members,? he said.

Between 25 and 30 people attended the first meeting held last month, and Mr Hodge is hoping more people will attend the launch to get the group off to a flying start.

The Tavy District U3A launch meeting takes place next Wednesday, November 6, at 2pm, at Kingdom House, Tavistock.

There will be two speakers at the event to offer some guidance, one from the first Tavistock U3A branch and a regional representative of the U3A organisation.

l PHILOSOPHY, history, scrabble and pub lunches are just a few of the huge range of educational and social activities being enjoyed by members of the University of the Third Age in Gunnislake this autumn.

The Gunnislake U3A is aimed at retired people and provides more than 20 fulfilling and interesting educational and social activity groups.

The branch has about 90 members.

Jill Lane, spokesperson for Gunnislake U3A, said: ?Each group has a co-ordinator, who does not have to be an expert, but keeps in touch with group members and organises the meetings.

?Each group runs itself and decides its own programme ? anyone can start a group, if there is enough interest.?

Meetings are held on the fourth Monday of every month.

Occasionally there are joint study days or conferences with other U3A groups within the South West.

Although the Gunnislake U3A is thriving, it is felt that many more people in the East Cornwall area could benefit from learning and making new friends.

Jill said: ?Our members get enormous satisfaction and enjoyment from their activities within the U3A ? and we would like other members to be able to share with us.?

The annual subscription to Gunnislake U3A is just £6.

To learn more about the U3A in Gunnislake call 01822 832556, 01822 834274 or 01822 833613.