As a celebration for its 20th anniversary, Mansfield U3A held a Tea Party at the John Fretwell Sporting Complex, Sookholme, where 170 members and guests enjoyed an afternoon’s entertainment, raffle and food.

Guests arrived to find the room filled with yellow and blue balloons and a large orchid on every table, together with copies of a souvenir edition of the group’s newsletter.

John Sellers provided a musical interlude until the party started. Later, Karl Howard sang songs of the 160s and 1970s.
Mansfield MP Ben Bradley was the guest of honour.

Chairman Jacqui Hampshire thanked the organisers and guests.

Mansfield U3A is part of the national movement of Universities of the Third Age, which has 1,043 branches all over the country and 425,000 members, making it the largest and fastest growing organisation for retired people.

A spokesman said: “(We re) not a university, but universal; no exams, just many groups to join, learn new things, enjoy and have fun. Contact us via the website if you are retired and lively-minded.”

Go to www.u3a.org.uk