WEA could be wound up due to lack of interest
WEA Guernsey looks set to be dissolved.
The education association provided a variety of educational classes for adults in Guernsey, covering topics such as local history, politics and practical courses for a fee.
It had been running since the 1980s.
Chairman Chris Meinke said they were looking to wind it up due to a lack of interest.
‘Things have changed in recent years, numbers are dwindling,’ he said.
‘I think there is a reluctance now, particularly as the economy takes a nosedive, for people to go out and spend money.’
He said demand in the courses was no longer there. The most popular course, ‘Economic viewpoints of Guernsey’, included politicians and senior civil servants talking about what is happening in Guernsey and the economy.
Most years the course attracted about 50 people, but this year only eight attended.
‘One of my theories is that behaviour has changed completely post-Covid,’ said Mr Meinke.
‘People are not going out so much, their attitudes and habits have somehow changed.’
The association also struggled to attract volunteers to form a committee and generate ideas for courses.
It also faced competition from an organisation called the University of the Third Age, which provides courses and talks for free.
‘We have to charge, because we do things, at say, Les Cotils, and we pay for a professional speaker,’ said Mr Meinke.
‘It is a shame but we don’t feel that we are any longer fulfilling a demand, so we deciding to wind up the association on 26 July.’
A meeting to confirm the dissolution is set to take place on Tuesday at Les Cotils. Anyone who has attended a WEA meeting in the last five years is considered a member and is welcome to attend.
