Gosport's 'life-saving' U3A group aim for 'biggest year yet' after successful open day
![Jan Almond, craft group leader
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjIxNTE1NTQ5LWMxZTQtNDg4My1iZmFkLTZhMzU1NmQyMDE2NzpiMjJlMjQyYS0yZWY0LTQzYWQtOWUwMS1jM2U3NjdkNjg5M2M=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65&enable=upscale)
![Jan Almond, craft group leader
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](/img/placeholder.png)
Members of Gosport U3A showcased the vast network of interest groups during an open day event on Saturday.
Held at the Gosport Gallery and Search building in Walpole Road, the event attracted more than 200 visitors, including the town’s MP, Caroline Dinenage.
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Hide AdThe action is all part of a concerted effort to make 2020 the organisation’s ‘biggest year yet’, as it approaches its 25th anniversary this summer.
![Councillor Kathy Jones Mayor of Gosport joins members of the Gosport U3A Dance group in a performance
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmMwZWY4YTVjLWY5MTYtNDQ3ZC04ZjYxLTYyNjk0ZjNkOTliZTpkYzFlY2QzZS1jODIyLTQyZDktYWEyNC0yNDhjYmQ1Yzk5MjI=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Councillor Kathy Jones Mayor of Gosport joins members of the Gosport U3A Dance group in a performance
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](/img/placeholder.png)
Pat Humphries, chairman of the U3A, said the weekend’s event had defied all her expectations.
The 64-year-old told The News: ‘It’s been absolutely brilliant. We’re really pleased with how things have gone. We have more than 200 people come through the doors today which has been amazing.’
The University of the Third Age is for anyone retired or semi-retired who would like to get out, make some friends and take part in activities which they enjoy.
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Hide AdGosport has almost 60 organisations, with activities including ukelele, a swing band, dancing, fine dining, science and technology and games.
![Geoff Piper, leader of the 50s and 60s Music group
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjYxN2RhNTZjLTk0NGUtNGQ4Ny1hYzcwLTViNGY0Yjc4NjI0Mjo2YjM0NjBjMy0yYmFkLTQ5N2UtOWIxMi02OTEzMjNiM2U1ZjY=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Geoff Piper, leader of the 50s and 60s Music group
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](/img/placeholder.png)
Saturday kicked-off with a display by one of the U3A’s dancing groups, with the town’s mayor, Councillor Kathy Jones getting involved.
Kathy Parker, the U3A’s group co-ordinator, said it was fantastic to have so much interest on the day.
She added the group was a huge part of hundreds of people’s lives in the town.
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Hide Ad‘This group is a lifeline for so many people, it’s an extremely important thing,’ Kathy said.
![Performance by members of the dance group during the Gosport U3A open day on Saturday
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](https://www.portsmouth.co.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOjJlZDkyZDM2LTBmZmItNDUzMi05NThiLTMzYTVhMjZjMjIwYjpkOWFkNzFjNi1iNzM2LTQ4OGEtYTg4Yi0xZTRmMzViYTdhOWM=.jpg?crop=3:2,smart&width=640&quality=65)
![Performance by members of the dance group during the Gosport U3A open day on Saturday
Picture: Duncan Shepherd](/img/placeholder.png)
‘The U3A is a wonderful, international organisation. We’re trying to keep the U3A alive and vibrant and attract more people.
‘So today has been a celebration of our diversity and what we do.’
Set up by three friends in their homes in 1995, the group has gone from strength to strength over the years and Pat has booked a special treat for the anniversary: a four-hour cruise on the Gosport Ferry in July.
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Hide AdEach interest group will be planning their own special celebration to mark the organisation’s 25th birthday, including the gardening group which is planning a garden party and the walking group which is spending a weekend away in Swanage.
Pat added: ‘We’re looking to make 2020 our biggest year yet.’
Anyone interested in joining can visit u3asites.org.uk/gosport/home for more information.
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