THE University of the Third Age in Tavistock has become such a first-class success that a second branch could be set up to cope with the demand from people wanting to join the organisation.

The present Tavistock U3A, set up more than ten years ago with 50 recruits, now has nearly 200 members including 50 people on a waiting list to join.

The U3A is designed for older people who are no longer in full-time gainful employment, but who are devoted to learning for its own sake.

Esme Wheeler, a founder member of the original Tavistock branch, said: 'The U3A enables members to share educational, creative and leisure activities.'

Anyone over 50 who is enthusiastic about learning new ideas and skills is welcome to join.

No qualifications are required or are given, returning to the original concept of a university

The key to the U3A are the leisure groups, where members with a particular skill pass it on to other group members.

Among the leisure groups which Tavistock U3A has run in the past are model boat-building, watercolours, pottery, computing, foreign language lessons, play-reading, music classes and travel groups.

The leisure groups are initiated by members, and at present, there are around 30 different groups, whose meetings are advertised at a monthly meeting of the whole U3A.

However, the second branch would set up its own committee and leisure groups, covering the particular interests of its membership.

Group leaders normally hold daytime meetings in members' homes.

'That is where the brilliance of the organisation lies — you all have a common interest, and as the leisure groups are small and sociable, friendships develop,' said Mrs Wheeler.

She said one elderly lady who joined the U3A completely transformed her social life, as she quickly began meeting many new friends and learning new skills.

'The family said they were not ringing her anymore because she was always out,' said Mrs Wheeler.

Mrs Wheele said a second U3A Tavistock group would decide for itself the way it ran.

She said although the first Tavistock branch could offer some support — much as the national U3A organisation did when the first branch was being set up — the new group would follow its own path.

The U3A is an international organisation, first established in France more than 25 years ago.

There are now more than 400 branches of the U3A, making it the most rapidly growing voluntary organisation in the country.

A public meeting will be held to which anyone interested in joining or finding out more about the new branch of the U3A is invited to attend.

The meeting takes place on Wednesday, September 25, between 2-4pm at Kingdom House, Tavistock.

Volunteers for a steering group will be sought, which will launch the town's new U3A branch.