The 2018 Stewartry U3A AGM was no ordinary Annual General meeting. This year we celebrated our 10th anniversary with the most uplifting talk from Dame Barbara Kelly, Chair of the Peter Pan Moat Brae Trust ‘Moat Brae House and Garden – A Dream becoming Reality in Dumfries’.
Moat Brae was built in 1823 as a country house and family home on the edge of Dumfries. In later years JM Barrie spent many happy years playing adventure games in the gardens with the children who lived there. This was the basis of his stories about Peter Pan and Tinkerbell and all the lost children of Neverland. Following change of ownership over the years, the house became a nursing home in the early 20th century and it is in this guise it is still remembered by many locals. Dame Barbara then explained her involvement, helping to preserve the house from demolition in 2009, supporting the campaign to raise nearly £8 million to ensure its future as a National Centre for Children’s Literature.
Dame Barbara said “I was honoured to be asked to talk at this tenth anniversary event for the Stewartry U3A. I hadn’t realised just how large the local organisation was and I was astounded at the diverse range of activities taking place. It was inspirational for me to meet many U3A members and share some of their own personal tales of Moat Brae. I hope that members will be encouraged to come and see the Moat Brae Dream for themselves.”
Chris Leamy, Chair of the Stewartry U3A said “We celebrate our 10th Anniversary by knowing that retired or semi-retired people in the Stewartry need never feel bored, lonely or isolated. We now have over 300 members enjoying over 50 different kinds of activity groups which provide learning, fun and friends for everyone no longer in full time work. All this activity is conducted by members who volunteer and give their time and knowledge generously. This Anniversary is an opportunity to thank the dedicated, group leaders and committee members both past and present who have contributed to our success.”
Over 100 members enjoyed a celebratory tea after Dame Barbara’s talk at the Cocoa Bean Factory in Twynholm on Tuesday 27 November 2018
The talk was part of the Stewartry U3A’s 2018-2019 monthly meeting programme. The next speaker in the series will be will be Dave Hook ‘The Journey of Dumfries and Galloway Blood Bikes’ on Tuesday 22 January 2019 at 14.00 at Castle Douglas Parish Church.