THE Petersfield U3A Current Affairs Group describes itself as “good-humoured, with an interest in the world around us and its doings”.

Spokesperson Colin Smith said: “A typical meeting of eight to ten members has well over 600 years of life experience in the room, and we like to think we can put it to good use to comment on how the world is going wrong or right.

“We typically begin with a previously agreed moderately heavyweight topic, for example sex, gender and identity or climate change predictions.

“Then discussion typically segues into spontaneous topics ranging from trivial to serious – past examples include wearing white poppies, mental health, extended family living, Spanish flu, folic acid and fluoride in food, legalising cannabis, faith schools, taxation, the nanny state, parenting, flu jabs, immigration, freedom of speech, diet and health.

“We don’t do party politics but we do political issues because they are very much part of life.

“We disagree with each other, but in a civilised way. One member said it is useful to sit next to someone whose views you disagree with, so you don’t have to look them in the eye.

“There is no goal that we should reach fixed conclusions, and we don’t.

“Brexit and Donald Trump frequently arise, but we have been known to meet without any mention of them.

“We meet monthly on Thursday mornings for one-and-a-half hours, under the benevolent guidance of a leader, in a home with coffee or tea and biscuits.”

To join or get further information about U3A groups, visit the U3A website at https://u3asites.org.uk/petersfield/home