ALTON University of the Third Age (U3A ) has been busy this year celebrating 25 years of providing a wide variety of courses and activities for its retired and semi-retired members.

Launched in 1993 with less than 100 members, Alton U3A has grown over time and now has a membership of more than 500 people enjoying the huge health and well-being benefits of having fun and pursuing their interests in the company of like-minded people.

Courses range from Scottish dancing, rambling, choral pursuits and a lunch club to bridge Latin, history, computers and art appreciation – in all about 40 such courses will be running from September, mostly led by the members themselves, which helps keep the cost at an affordable level.

In addition, trips to places of interest are organised throughout the year, with visits to Portsmouth, Westminster Abbey, Highclere Castle and The Calendar Girls Musical among this year’s offerings. There are also regular visits to concerts at Basingstoke’s Anvil Theatre and an annual holiday.

To celebrate the anniversary, three special events have been held.

In May, the U3A choir gave a concert which featured a wide range of music and light poetry.

A special cream tea followed the annual meeting in June and certificates were awarded to 17 founder members who still take part in U3A activities – indeed, four are still involved in running courses and a fifth has only just given up after leading a course since 1993.

And in July, a boat trip on the Thames, with tea served on board, was enjoyed by more than 80 members. The weather was perfect for the occasion and the only point of debate was whether jam or cream should be spread first on the scones!

Alton U3A chairman Rob Smith said: “We cater for every taste. Our programme starts again in September and it is not too late to enrol. Being part of U3A is an ideal way of keeping healthy while having fun.”

For course details, visit u3asites.org.uk/alton. Application forms are available at Alton Community Centre.