Welcome to our website which provides readers with an insight into what we do, and we aim to provide you with as much information as possible to encourage you to join us.
WHERE AND WHEN DO WE MEET?
Monthly general meetings are held on the second Monday of each month at West Bromwich Community Centre, Gayton Road, West Bromwich [1.30pm for 2pm start], finish about 3.30pm. The venue is easily accessible by bus from West Bromwich town centre, Walsall and Great Barr, and free car parking is available. Our meetings give members an opportunity to get together in a pleasant social atmosphere and enjoy listening to speakers who talk on a wide range of topics. Visitors and potential new members are very welcome to come along, hopefully with a view to making new friends and enjoying good company.
OUR HISTORY
Sandwell u3a was started in 2004 when Bob Tidmarsh, and a small group of enthusiasts, set up a Steering Committee to develop a new u3a. Our first official meeting was held in 2005 and we celebrated our 20th anniversary in March 2025. We became a charity in our own right in November 2006 and are an entirely independent local group reflecting the aspirations of older people in Sandwell.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SANDWELL...
The Metropolitan Borough of Sandwell is one of seven local authorities making up the West Midlands conurbation and consists of six towns - Oldbury, Rowley Regis, Smethwick, Tipton, Wednesbury and West Bromwich. Sandwell is situated at the centre of the motorway network and local conurbation and has the highest proportion of its area given to parks and open spaces, particularly Sandwell Valley Nature Reserve and Bird Sanctuary. Sandwell is also home to West Bromwich Albion Football Club, currently in the Championship division, and it is the highest football ground above sea level of all football league clubs [168m or 551 ft].
A.G.M.
Annual General Meetings are held in February when Committee members are proposed and elected. Our next AGM will be on MONDAY 8 February 2027
COMMITTEE MEMBERS elected at the AGM on 9 February 2026 comprise:
Chair - Ann Hobson.
Vice-Chair - Ivan Wyle
Secretary - Ann Wyle
Treasurer - Brenda Evans
Membership Secretary - Mike Matthews
Speaker Secretary - Alan Hobson
Communications Officer - Sue Clothier
Group Liaison Officer - Mavis Catchpowle
Other members: Carol Green and Phil Page
To contact a member of the committee please click on this link : membership secretary who will pass on your request.
MEMBERSHIP FEES - £15.00 per person January to December 2026, and £7.50 per person if you join between 1 September and 31 December 2026. A £2 fee is payable at each monthly meeting to help with increased room hire costs. Non-members are welcome to come along to a combination of two meetings, i.e. monthly meeting, interest group meeting, after which they are asked to take out membership.
INTEREST GROUPS - currently we have 12 groups - Art, Chess, Computers, Crown Green Bowling [spring/summer only], Discussion Group, German, Holiday Greek, Italian, Latin, Music Appreciation, Swimming, Strollers. We organise visits to local theatres, outings to places of interest and have taken members on 5-day holidays.
We are always keen to hear from potential members prepared to pass on their knowledge by forming or facilitating a new group.
GENERAL DATA PROTECTION REGULATION (GDPR]
This an update to the existing Data Protection Act 1998 (DPA). GDPR applied in the UK from 25 May 2018 and replaced the DPA. In accordance with updated regulations, Sandwell u3a confirm that members’ personal details [home address, telephone numbers, email address] are held securely by our Membership Secretary and Chairman, and are not passed onto any other individual, outside organisation, or other u3a without your prior consent. This also applies to any information you give to Group Leaders – this is held securely by them. Membership Application Forms allow you to consent, or otherwise, to your photograph being published on the Sandwell u3a website. If you have any questions or concerns about GDPR, please contact one of our committee members [see details below and use the Contact page].