Countesthorpe U3A aim
The aim of Countesthorpe U3A is to enhance the lives of older persons in the locality who are not in full-time gainful employment. Our range of activity groups utilises members' own skills and knowledge to provide learning, creative, leisure and social activities in a friendly environment.
Your committee 2025/26
DOROTHY IVATT (Chairperson) is a ‘Lancashire Lass’ at heart, though has lived in West Yorkshire and Norfolk. She now lives in Blaby with her little Cockapoo dog Charlie. She took early retirement as Headteacher of a large primary school in Norfolk in 2009 and wonders where all that time has gone! Her interests include gardening, singing, reading and cooking. She joined Countesthorpe u3a in 2020 and is a member of several Countesthorpe u3a groups including co-hosting the French conversation group.
DAVID HEBBLEWHITE was born in Kingston-Upon-Hull and is proud of being a Yorkshireman. He has lived in and around the Midlands since 1981, and is now settled in Blaby with his wife Maureen. After a career in Mental Health Social work, David became an ordained minister in the Anglican Church and retired (!) from parish ministry, ultimately as Area Dean and Vicar of Countesthorpe and neighbouring villages, in 2019. He is still involved in Diocesan and National roles in the Church of England. David joined the U3A in 2019 and participates in the Ukulele, History and Outings Groups. He enjoys 1960’s music, history, current affairs, DIY, walking and gardening.
JANINE TIBBLES (Secretary) moved from Essex to Leicestershire in 1989 where she married Dave and raised two sons who are now grown up and off leading their own lives. After retiring from teaching at Cosby School 11 years ago Janine thoroughly enjoys her free time. Her interests include socialising with friends, travelling and reading. Janine loves belonging to Countesthorpe u3a and is a member of the Fit for Life, Literature and Discussion groups and also enjoys all the monthly meetings. She is also a joint group leader of the Theatre Group together with Gill Brown.
DAVID HETTERLEY (Treasurer) moved to Countesthorpe in 2017 with his wife, Marthese, and has been a U3A member since 2019. After a spell with a bank on leaving school, he moved into the sports retail business where he was a manager, area manager and buyer. After 12 years, he moved on as a buyer in a small family wholesaling business where he worked for the next 23 years. He also taught at South Leicestershire College on two evenings a week for 13 years. He semi-retired in 2013, taking a part-time job on the checkouts at Waitrose in Blaby, until its closure in 2019. Interested in photography and a qualified scuba diver, he has attended the History and Walking groups.
BARRY HILLYARD (Membership Secretary) has been a member since 2006, a year before his retirement from teaching mathematics and IT. Married to Pat, he has lived in Countesthorpe for 40 years, and has been involved with the Methodist Church and the Scouts. His hobbies include computers and photography. He runs the U3A Carpet Bowls, Computer, Nordic Walking and Beginners' Photography groups, and also participates in the Birdwatching, History and Outings groups. He also leads on the Beacon U3A management system.
BERYL LISHMAN (Groups Co-ordinator, Speaker Secretary) has lived in Countesthorpe for over 25 years. She has two, now grown-up, girls who attended the local schools and college. She is a retired primary school teacher who joined the U3A a couple of years ago when working part-time. She attends the Literature group, and the Tuesday meetings when possible and has been on several theatre trips. Apart from the U3A, she sings in the South Wigston Sing4fun choir, is a member of the Leicester Footpaths Association, and volunteers in the local library, as well as spending time caring for her grandchildren. She welcomes the opportunity for more U3A involvement by serving on the committee.
JILL CLAYTON has lived in Countesthorpe for 16 years; feeling encouraged to do so through enjoyment of U3A membership when seeking to relocate from Braunstone Town. Jill has always actively volunteered in the community, having been a Youth Club Leader and a Town Councillor (also being appointed Town Mayor) as well as 33 years with a national listening charity. She now supports Community Harvest Whetstone and is also an active member of St. Andrews Church. Jill organises the U3A Holidays group, and her greatest interests are family, travel, bridge, theatre and keeping fit.
GILLIAN BROWN was born in Kent but moved to Leicester with her husband, Neill, in 1986 to work at GEC in Whetstone. After moving to Cosby and having two boys, Kevin and Matthew, Gill became a teacher at Cosby Primary school for 15 years. She took up archery in 2014 and competes regularly in competitions, both individually and as part of the county team. Her other interests include gardening, swimming and trips to the theatre. Gill, who has been a member of U3A since 2018, enjoys the monthly meetings and day trips, and has taken on running of the Theatre group with Janine Tibbles.
NEILL BROWN (Webmaster) was born in Weston-super-Mare but moved to Leicester (and then Cosby) with his Wife, Gill, after university. He worked at BT for 30 years, mostly as a Senior Project Manager. He played cricket for many years til his knees gave up, when he took up archery and now shoots for fun and in competitions, and is a committee member of the Royal Toxophilite Society. His other interests include trips to the theatre and days out. Neill has been a member of U3A since 2018 and took over management of the website in 2025.
GILL GREANY grew up in Kent and after training to teach in Brighton worked in Sussex and then went to Papua New Guinea with her husband Jim where their eldest son was born. In 1978 they moved to Countesthorpe where Jim took up a teaching post at Leysland High School. All their three children went to school in Countesthorpe and are now grown up with children of their own. Gill has taught Textiles at schools in Wigston and Oadby for over 30 years and was on the leadership team at Beauchamp College. Since retiring in 2011 she has run occasional textile workshops in a yurt in her garden. Her hobbies include music, gardening, learning Italian, travelling , embroidery, sketching, reading and walking. Gill enjoys the Theatre group, the varied outings and Fit for Life.
ROBERT PATERSON (Rob) was born in Scotland but moved to Leicester after university in 1977 to work for Marconi at Scudamore Road and then GEC in Whetstone. He met and married Zoe and they moved to Countesthorpe with their son and daughter in 1993 and served on the local Scouts Executive Committee for over 10 years.Rob is keen on DIY and is a keen follower of many sports including American Football where he was a founder member of the Leicester Panthers supporters club. He also enjoys playing, snooker, pool and tenpin bowling and is a walk leader with Leicester Ramblers. Rob has been a member of the U3A since 2024 and joined the committee in 2025. He is part of the Kurling group and Indoor Bowls group and also enjoys our day trips.
MARGARET CRONIN
Biography coming soon...
