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Ponteland U3A was formed in 1994 and currently has over 300 members and over 30 activity groups. Membership costs £8 from January for the calendar year. Ponteland is an historic village at the southern edge of Northumberland County, situated some ten miles north-west of Newcastle-upon-Tyne. It also includes the Darras Hall Estate which began life in the early Twentieth Century intended to provide market garden produce for Newcastle, but has now developed into a pleasant semi-rural estate.

Ponteland U3A is part of the international U3A movement. The aim is to provide a 'learning for life' structure, specifically for those in the third age and no longer in full-time employment. Despite the use of the term "university" in the title there are no degrees or diplomas involved. You are invited to join a group of like-minded people, to make new friends, and to engage in interesting and enjoyable activities. We hope you will participate in groups, have some fun, and maybe learn a thing or two along the way!

The U3A is a world-wide movement, which started in France in 1971 at the University of Toulouse. It became international by 1979 and was introduced to the UK in 1982. The original French system was integrated with universities which provided both tutors and venues. In the UK the national movement has been given the general name of the Third Age Trust. Each U3A, however, is an independent body and members organise and run their own activities, while still benefiting from the resources, experience and backup of the national organisation. There are currently more than 800 separate U3As in the UK and over a quarter of a million members.