A SPECIAL coffee morning was held on Thursday to celebrate 20 years since the University of the Third Age was founded in Minehead – and members now number over 400. 

An international organisation, U3A offers people in their ’third age’, when retiring from full time work and/or raising a family, the chance to spend time developing interests or taking up new ones. 

There are about 40 interest groups to choose from, a monthly coffee morning and newsletter and a national magazine five times a year. No qualifications are necessary, no exams, but a friendly and fun way to continue learning and enjoy life.  

A packed Baptist church hall then listened to a presentation by Jim Parkyn, senior model maker with Aardman Animations, based in Bristol but globally renowned for its award-winning stop-motion clay animation films.

Since 2000, Jim has worked on productions including Chicken Run, Wallace and Gromit, Shaun the Sheep and, his personal favourite, Creature Comforts. 

The morning ended with lunch at Foxes Academy for invited guests.