Many of us attend various classes during the autumn and spring but over many years the structure of the classes has become more formal and examination or assessment orientated. Classes for people to pursue their interests and creativity in a relaxed atmosphere has been severely eroded. Many classes are geared to qualifications with the ensuing administration, course work, course portfolios etc. It appears that the senior citizens are all lumped into the same category as young ambitious students seeking to improve their career prospects. Don't get me wrong I'm not suggesting that senior citizens are ommited from such classes, many enjoy the challenge and are quite happy to participate. However many find that the demands of formal course work and examinations very off putting and consequently they drop out from the classes.Education Institutions get their funding based on student numbers attending vocational courses and as a result non-vocational courses often have to be self financing. This means that the cost of such classes is prohibitive and very difficult to obtain the numbers necessary to make them viable. Then there is the progressive requirement where there is a required progression making it necessary to move on to the next academic strata. This means that the student is directed towards a higher level beyond that provided by the local Community College. It is in this scenario that our little club plays a significant role. It provides an opportunity for like minded people to come together and enjoy themselves doing their own thing without pressure to conform to a curriculum imposed from some examination board or some government grant awarding authority.