A big celebration will be taking place next month to mark 30 years of one charity's work in south Cumbria.

South Lakes u3a (University of the Third Age) became an officially registered charity three decades ago, bringing an international movement to the region.

To properly celebrate the occasion, an open morning is being held at the Town Hall in Kendal between 10am and noon on September 4, with deputy mayor Richard Sutton there as the guest of honour.

Samantha Ridgway, who was recently elected as Chair, said: "Beryl Caton, a member of a lifelong learning group in Kendal, met with six others to discuss the possibility of starting a u3a group in the South Lakes area - and, in 1992 they had their inaugural meeting.

"It's a shame that Beryl, who led the first walking group, is sadly no longer with us to be involved in these upcoming celebrations."

An international movement, u3a is designed to keep older people active after retirementAn international movement, u3a is designed to keep older people active after retirement (Image: Martin Douglas OBE)

The University of the Third Age began as a summer school for retired people in Toulouse, France in 1972, with the purpose to provide life-long learning and social interaction for people over retirement age.

Coming to Cambridge a decade later, there are now 400,000 members across the UK, with the South Lakes group catering for over 1,200 people.

As well as helping older residents in Kendal and the Lake District, members also travel from places such as Grange-over-Sands to be involved.

The South Lakes branch also is in regular contact with fellow groups in Cumbria, including Ulverston, Barrow, and Ambleside.

The South Lakes branch currently works with over 1,200 peopleThe South Lakes branch currently works with over 1,200 people (Image: Martin Douglas OBE)

For their 25th anniversary, a tree was planted by the group and chairperson (at the time) Mary Choiseul.

Samantha added: "With nearly 70 interest groups, we currently provide a variety of activities including art, singing, languages, cycling, pickleball, writing, walking and e-biking, to name but a few.

"Our open morning will let members of the public discover the diverse range of activities which older people may access for learning, socialising and having fun."

For more information about the group and their upcoming open day, you can visit the website here.