Tonbridge U3A was formed in 2000 with 160 members and 16 groups. It has now grown to the stage where in its nineth year it has over 800 members with more than 70 groups. New groups are constantly encouraged, especially for topics not yet covered and new members are most welcome.

We are a "self help" organisation of people no longer in full time employment and are run by a Management Committee but with each of the groups having a leader and acting autonomously for the benefit and enjoyment of their members. Many organise visits to places of interest specific to their particular activity and a very active travel group, open to all members, not only organises monthly visits of general interest but also one overseas and one national tour each year(Click onto Travel Group News).

With the obvious exception of groups such as travel, theatre visits, walking or dancing, meetings are normally held in members homes during the day. Groups are therefore usually limited to 10 or 12 members, though some leaders can accommodate more. If a group is full, contact needs to be made with the Groups Co-ordinator who will try to resolve the situation, possibly by forming a new group. The amount of work in each group and the frequency with which they meet varies but the whole concept of U3A is that it is voluntary and that each member contributes - and it should be fun. Some groups meet with no advance preparation: in others, books may be read or projects undertaken between meetings.

On the first Wednesday of every month (except August and September) there is a meeting at the Medway Hall in the Angel Centre, Tonbridge (start 2pm) at which guest speakers talk on a variety of topics. The year begins in September with an Open Day which is an opportunity for all the Group leaders to show prospective new members what their groups can offer. In December the meeting takes the form of a Christmas lunch - click onto News and Special Events.

Each month a newsletter is distributed to every member giving details the activities of all the Groups for the coming month

Details of lectures for the current 2009/10 year are as follows: