Ian Funnell, International representative for the UK Third Age Trust.
Name and location of my U3A: Fetcham U3A started in 2002. I was on the founding committee and chairman for three years. Fetcham is 30km South-West of London; about 45 minutes by train. The North Downs start about 700 metres from St Mary's church hall where we hold our monthly meeting.

How many members? We had 534 members in July 2010 and our annual membership subscription is £12. There are seven other U3As within 10km and they are all of a similar size to us.

Range of activities: We have about eighty interest groups and they range alphabetically from Alpine Gardening to World Civilisations. Half our groups currently have vacancies so new members have plenty of choice. We have an excellent social programme with a Quiz Night, a themed dance, a Summer Social and a Christmas Party each year. The photo shows a talk by Black Rod, a Christmas Party, our Japanese visitors and quilts produced for a local charity.

What I like best about my U3A: We keep looking for new opportunities and have a small team on the committee developing new interest groups; our latest outdoor activity is croquet . Last year we hosted a visit from seven Japanese who were interested in starting U3As in the Tokyo area. We enjoyed their explanations and demonstrations of their own culture and four members made a return visit. We participate in activities organised by the Surrey Network of U3As including study days at the Menuhin Concert Hall.

My personal message: I have enjoyed all the many opportunities offered by U3A, including lectures at the Royal Institution, projects at the National Maritime Museum and the Imperial War Museum and attending national and international conferences, most recently at Chitrakoot, India. Make the most of your own opportunities. http://www.fetchamu3a.org.uk/