FORMER TEACHER TO LEAD FAST-GROWING UNIVERSITY OF THE THIRD AGE

Ian Searle, a 74-year-old former teacher, was last week elected the new national chairman of the University of the Third Age (U3A), which provides learning opportunities for those who no longer work full time and no longer have responsibility for children. His election comes in the year that the U3A’s income tops £1 million for the first time.

Mr Searle studied modern languages at Oriel College Oxford and in 1954-6 was one of the national servicemen who were taught Russian and trained to listen to military communications. He has also studied mathematics at the Open University.
He spent five years as a district education officer in the Solomon Islands, and has taught languages, science and drama in primary, secondary and preparatory schools, and worked in curriculum development.  He lives in Cornwall, where he is a member of the Carrick U3A. He takes over the chairmanship from Jean Goodeve of the Pembrokeshire U3A.
Mr Searle was elected chairman at the annual general meeting at Heriott Watt University, Edinburgh, on September 4. The AGM heard that the U3A’s income has exceeded £1 million for the first time in its 27 year history. Treasurer Terry Hardie said that, defying the recession, the U3A is still growing fast, with 11 per cent more members last year bringing its total membership to over 229,000.  There are now 760 local U3As affiliated to the national body, and a new U3A is formed ever week.
Mr Searle says: “I am delighted to become chairman at this crucial time in the U3A’s history.  Its success and its contribution are now being nationally recognised, and we are the leading authority on informal adult learning. I am sure we have an even greater contribution to make in the future, both to the quality of life of older people, and to the national education debate.”

NOTE FOR EDITORS
The University of the Third Age was founded in 1982 to enable older people to organise their own learning.  It works on the self-help principle, and is run democratically by its members, with officers and a national executive elected at the annual general meeting.

FURTHER INFORMATION
Francis Beckett, 020 8349 9194 or 07813 001372.
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