what is u3a Festival 2024?
The u3a movement held its first ever festival on 18 to 20 July 2024 at the University of York. This landmark event welcomed hundreds of u3a members who engaged in a diverse array of workshops, sports tournaments, talks, and musical performances, marking the largest gathering of u3a members in the organisation’s history.
Where was it?
The U3A Festival 2024 took place across the University of York campus, utilising venues such as the Exhibition Centre, Roger Kirk Centre, James College, and York Sports Centre.
This vibrant event featured a wide array of activities, including sports competitions, insightful talks, drawing sessions, creative writing workshops, and yoga and Tai Chi classes. The university’s versatile spaces created perfect settings for each engagement, effectively bringing the festival to life and fostering a sense of community.
The festival kicked off with an elegant ribbon-cutting ceremony at Greg’s Place, a picturesque outdoor space situated next to the campus lake, setting the tone for the rest of the festival.
Inside the Exhibition Centre, which features a spacious 900m² flat-floored exhibition area, several breakout rooms were set up for various workshops. On the University grounds and the Sports Centre, Participants engaged in sports events, including badminton, table tennis, croquet, and pétanque.
Additionally, the festival featured a vibrant music programme throughout the afternoon and evening at the Sir Jack Lyons Concert Hall. Attendees enjoyed performances by the Barnsley Choir, Whitby Whaler Band, Fantastic Flutes, a Ukulele Band, and the Lichfield Guitar Group, creating a truly unforgettable experience.
