IT is the largest voluntary provider of adult education in Scotland... but you might never have heard of it.

Glasgow’s branch of the Worker’s Educational Association (WEA) has just celebrated its centenary.

For exactly 100 years the charity has been providing the chance for adults to broaden their horizons and use education to enhance their lives.

But members say it is one of the city’s best kept secrets - and they want more people to find out about it and get involved.

Marc Sherland, convenor of WEA Scotland, said: “In Glasgow we have a busy programme of events from lectures to ESOL classes for refugees.

"The WEA is for all groups of people but it's far more difficult to draw people together. Older people and the younger clientele don't really engage any more, the young people tend to engage more with things like Facebook.

"So we have to think, 'How do we respond to that?'"

Just in the last year, the WEA in Scotland has arranged 6000 classes; 500 one-day courses; 300 residential weekend courses; and 90 summer school weeks at home and abroad.

But the organisation has changed and evolved during its 100 year history.

The WEA was founded by working man Albert Mansbridge in London in 1903 to open up education to the working classes.

The first WEA branch in Scotland opened in Springburn in 1905 but closed in 1909.

In 1916 the Glasgow branch was founded and eight years later, in 1924, the group joined with Glasgow University to form the first WEA University Joint Committee.

In 1931 the Glasgow branch published its first magazine, the Adult Student.

By 1946 the organisation had grown so much that it was reorganised into three districts: North of Scotland; South East of Scotland; and West of Scotland, governed by WEA Scottish Council.

The first WEA schools for young people were set up in 1958, following on from the first annual Scottish Education Department Grant, which was given to the west of Scotland WEA in 1955.

For years the WEA summer schools in Newbattle Abbey, in Midlothian, attracted working people who wanted to broaden their horizons.

Before they stopped in the 1970s, the events would see the politicians and academics of the day turn out to share their knowledge.

In the 1990s WEA started working with refugees and this continues today.

The Glasgow WEA runs ESOL classes for refugees and has a creative writing project running in Robroyston.

It also puts on lunchtime lectures each month that anyone is welcome to come along to.

Marc said: “In those days, when the WEA was set up, working people left school at a very early age, around 12 or 13. Education was really lacking for working class people.

"Now, our learning projects can be useful for people who, for example, have had a difficult learning experience at school.

“They will speak to a volunteer who will look at that person and find out what their need is.

"We also work with refugees and speakers of other languages.

“Our monthly talks revolve around understanding the world we live in, from technology or religion.

“As a committee we sit down and talk about what we would like to learn. We have any number of projects on the go at any given time."

The WEA was linked with Glasgow University but is not any longer and funding from Glasgow City Council was cut.

The organisation has one full time member of staff and three part time. As with any small organisation, funding is always an issue.

Marc added: “The main thing that has changed over the years is how the organisation is funded. We were previously funded by local councils but now are self funded.

“It leads to us relying on a quiltwork of funding, which can be a real challenge."

In historic records from the height of the WEA in Glasgow you can see lists of the jobs of the people who were involved: teacher,s, engineers, draughtsmen, bus drivers, civil servants, steel workers, shop assistants and house wives.

In 1928 the Evening Times ran an essay competition with the WEA asking readers to describe in 400 what they believed the importance of adult education to be.

The winner was announced on September 27 that year.

First prize, of £5, went to William V Thomson, of Westerton Avenue in Busby. Miss Doris Mabon of St George’s Road won £2 for taking second prize and John Roy of Gala Street, in Riddrie, took third prize, winning £1.

A report of the competition praises the high level of entries received by judges and says: “The essayists were were of all descriptions - boys and girls from 11 to 15 right up to married men and women well past their prime.”

Jean Lickrish, WEA's treasurer, said: "Members would learn new facts and new information and the value of that is something that can't be underestimated.

"It was a wonderful thing for women as well. In those days you were expected to be a housewife.

"It gives the chance to go and see places you wouldn't otherwise and learn about things you wouldn't otherwise have learned.

"Without WEA that opportunity just wouldn't have been there.

"Now, it is amazing the people who meet up in Glasgow and say they haven't been to visit certain places, like a church or museum, people who have lived in Glasgow their whole life.

"So you are opening up the door to them. It was opening the whole world for them."

Committee member Catherine Wallach describes herself as a lifelong mature student.

Catherine grew up in the Gorbals and, like many teenagers at the time, was expected to leave school and go straight to work to help boost the household income.

However, her parents instilled the value of education in her and Catherine studies as a mature student for the Highers that would allow her to gain a place at the Glasgow School of Art.

She later went back to university to study for a second degree and became a social worker.

Catherine said: "Like so many of us at the time, I was expected to leave school and help put food on the table.

"But my parents valued education and we were never away from Gorbals Library.

"I have been a life long learner and I see education as a means of survival.

"It's so vital to keep learning, which is why I am involved with the WEA."

Now, having marked it's centenary, the organisation is looking to the future - and hoping more people will develop a thirst for learning.

Marc added: "We definitely do need to have more young people involved. Our lectures are at 1pm and I can't remember the last time we saw a young face or a working face.

"We really welcome new members and the WEA is something we definitely don't want to keep a secret."