The committee and members of the “University of the Third Age” (u3a) are happily back offering many interest groups run by co-ordinators. On Monday, February 21 they held their regular monthly meeting in person. The talk was by Andrew Ashton, “A Tonic to the Nation”, a look at the 1951 Festival of Britain, which intended to lift the post war spirits of a war-weary nation. Andrew provided slides which were a fascinating look into the past. The Festival was a national exhibition and fair which attracted more than eight million visitors throughout the summer of 1951.
The main festival site was on London’s South Bank. Several structures were erected for many different events, of which only the Royal Festival Hall survives. Abram Games, a graphic designer at the time, created some of the powerful designs on posters, leaflets and the brochure. The angular geometry of his designs became the emblem for advertising the festival. It would not be out of place today. It was a very informative and interesting talk followed by coffee and tea. It was alleged at the time that Churchill (then leader of the opposition) opposed the venture and regarded it as “three dimensional socialist propaganda”.
U3a meets once a month, the next meeting is March 21 at 2pm at the Community Centre on Conduit Hill. The speaker will be Pete Allen on “Watching the Detectives” – a history of British TV crime fighters. The following meeting will be on April 11. To make people feel comfortable following Covid the centre will retain some ventilation so wrap up if the weather is bad.
Some of the special interest groups available to join are book, quiz, travel, language, discussion groups, outings and more. The u3a would welcome new members and suggestions for other subjects. It has grown over the years across England and is reaching its 40th birthday.
Image Credits: Festival of Britain images .