Archive
1st July 2029
Pictures
Cornwall holiday - April 2011
Many thanks again to Jenny who organised a superb week for 42 members in Cornwall, based near St Austell. The weather was truly 'Jenny weather' and the sun shone on us most of the time!
12th July 2024
Group Leaders
GLs Meeting 11 July 2024
Please click below for the minutes of the meeting on 11 July 2024
24th October 2022
Group Leaders
GL Meeting 22 October 2022
Please click below to download the minutes of the meeting
21st May 2022
Newsletter
May to Dec 2022
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
12th March 2022
GROUP LEADERS
GLs' Mtg - 10 Mar 2022
Click below to download notes of the meeting.
18th February 2022
General and reference
Membership form
TO JOIN AS A NEW MEMBER please click ON THE ATTACHMENT BELOW to download the membership form. You can then complete it and either post it with your cheque as indicated, or see the Membership Secretary at the desk outside the doors to the main room in the Village Hall before monthly meetings.
Alternatively, you can now deposit this at the Countesthorpe Parish Office/Library (once it re-opens after the current lockdown). Deposit your completed form, plus cheque, plus a stamped addressed envelope all in an envelope marked "U3A Membership Secretary" and you will receive your membership and programme cards by post.
Please take careful note of the second page of the form; read it carefully before sighing both the membership application AND the seond page (which should then be retained for your information)
TO RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIP - there is NO NEED to complete another form. Simply send your cheque, plus sae as detailed above.
If you would like more details, please ring us for a chat or text on 07901 548576, or use on the 'Contact Us' facility on the website.
18th February 2022
Group Leaders
Group Leader's Handbook
Please note that this Handbook has been revised to include new sections on Finance, Data Protection and Health and Safety, to ensure compliance with the law and also HMRC and Charity Commission regulations, with advice from the Third Age Trust. It has also been revised with the Third Age Trust's new branding - using lower case letter, etc.
Any queries - please contact Groups Co-ordinator (June Hawkins on 277 6330)
10th February 2022
General and reference
Data Protection
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Data Protection Policy and Procedures. To be followed by everyone, please!
10th February 2022
General and reference
Grievance Policy
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Grievance Policy and Procedures. To be followed by everyone, please!
10th February 2022
General and reference
Safeguarding Policy
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Safeguarding Policy. To be followed by everyone, please!
10th February 2022
General and reference
Member Code of Conduct
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Member Code of Conduct. To be followed by everyone, please!
10th February 2022
General and reference
Accessibility Policy
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Accessibility Policy. To be followed by everyone, please!
10th February 2022
General and reference
Disciplinary Policy
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Disciplinary Policy and Procedures. To be followed by everyone, please!
21st December 2021
Newsletter
Dec 21 to May 22
(No Newsletters produced during the pandemic lockdown. COVID Chronicles were circulated instead)
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
31st July 2021
General and Reference
Risk Assessment Policy
Please click below to download the Risk Assessment Policy
31st July 2021
General and reference
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy
Click on the download below for Countesthorpe U3A's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy and Procedures. To be followed by everyone, please!
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 1
Please click below to open this Chronicle - March 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 2
Please click below to open this Chronicle - April 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 3
Please click below to open this Chronicle - April 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 4
Please click below to open this Chronicle - May 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 5
Please click below to open this Chronicle - June 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 6
Please click below to open this Chronicle - July 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 7
Please click below to open this Chronicle - August 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 8
Please click below to open this Chronicle - September 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 9
Please click below to open this Chronicle - October 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 10
Please click below to open this Chronicle - November 2020.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle No 11
Please click below to open this Chronicle - December 2020.
30th July 2021
Please click below to open this Chronicle - June 2021.
Info and Chronicle 12
Please click below to open this Chronicle - January 2021.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 13
Please click below to open this Chronicle - February 2021.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 14
Please click below to open this Chronicle - March 2021.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 15
Please click below to open this Chronicle - April 2021.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 16
Please click below to open this Chronicle - May 2021.
30th July 2021
COVID Chronicle
Info and Chronicle 17
Please click below to open this Chronicle - June 2021.
20th April 2020
Group Leaders
Expense Claim Form
If, as a Group Leader, you incur expenses which you feel should be reimbursed by the U3A, please download the form below, complete it and return (with receipts where applicable) to the Treasurer, or any Committee member.
20th April 2020
Group Leaders
Group Equipment Request Form
If you wish to request financial support for equipment/items for your Group, download the form below, complete it and hand to any committee member. Your request will be considered at the next Committee meeting, and you will be advised accordingly. It is important that you do not incur expenditure without the prior approval of the Committee!
20th April 2020
Group Leaders
Group Accounting Summary Form
Click on the attachment to download a Group Accounting Summary Form. This needs to be completed for EVERY group - even if it means a 'nil return'. Please read the notes at the bottom of the form carefully before completing.
It will be easier for you if you complete this monthly, beginning in April. If you have any difficulties, then please contact the Treasurer, Sue Wyllie on 284 9959
10th March 2020
General and reference
First Aid
Click on the download below for the Third Age Trust's Advice Sheet on First Aid. Useful for Committee and Group Leaders.
9th March 2020
General and reference
C'thorpe VH Hirer's Info on Health & Safety
Please download the PDF below if you are considering hiring Countesthorpe Village Hall for a U3A activity. This gives the latest advice, guidance and requirements in respect of health and safety.
12th December 2019
General and reference
Cyber Crime, Scams and Fraud
Click on the attachment for an outline of the key messages in Samantha Hancock's talk on 12 Feb 2019
21st November 2019
Newsletter
Dec 2019 to May 2020
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
7th November 2019
Group Leaders
GLs' Meeting - Nov 2019
Here are the notes of the meeting on 7 November. Click below to download.
29th May 2019
Newsletter
2019 June-Nov
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
12th May 2019
General and reference
Pot Pourri
Following the success of their earlier books of creative writing, members of the group decided to produce a fifth miscellany - Pot Pourri. We hope you will enjoy this one, too.
Print copies are still available from June Hawkins - call 277 6330.
Here is a simple PDF version. Click on the attachment below.
29th March 2019
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg - 21 Mar 2019
Click below for the minutes of the Group Leaders' meeting on 21 March 2019
29th December 2018
Newsletter
2018 Dec - 2019 May
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
11th October 2018
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg Minutes - Oct 2018
Click below to open the minutes.
14th July 2018
Newsletter
2018 June to Nov
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
10th July 2018
General and Reference
Starting A New Group
If you are interested in starting up a new group, there's plenty of support available. Contact the Groups Co-ordinator (details on About Us) or simply send an email via 'Contact Us' and we'll be in touch. To get you started, download these notes of guidance. See also the Group Leader's Handbook in this section for greater detail on particular aspects of a group leader's role.
1st June 2018
General and Reference
Updated Constitution May 2018
The Consititution (with a revised purposes clause, as directed by the Third Age Trust) was adopted by the membership at the 2018 AGM on 8 May, and has been accepted by the Charities Commission.
23rd April 2018
Group Leaders
Gls' Meeting - April 2018
Please click on the attachment below to see a copy of the minutes.
14th December 2017
Newsletter
2017 Dec to 2018 May
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
19th October 2017
Group Leaders
GLs' meeting - Oct 2017
Please click on attachment below to open the minutes of this meeting.
14th July 2017
Newsletter
2017 - June to Nov
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
6th April 2017
Group Leaders
GLs' Meeting - April 2017
The minutes of this meeting held on 6 April 2017 in the Village Hall can be downloaded by clicking on the attachment below.
14th December 2016
Newsletter
2016 - Dec to 2017 May
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
20th October 2016
Group Leaders
GLs' meeting - Oct 2016
The minutes of this meeting held on 20 October 2016 in the Village Hall can be downloaded by clicking on the attachment below.
14th May 2016
Newsletter
2016 June - Nov
Click on attachment below to download this Newsletter
23rd April 2016
Group Leaders
GLs' meeting - April 2016
Minutes of the meeting held on 23 April can be downloaded by clicking on the attachment below.
17th March 2016
Group Leaders
GL's Meeting Oct 2015
Minutes of the meeting held on 15 Oct 2015 can be downloaded by clicking on the attachment below.
17th February 2016
Newsletter
2016 Feb Mar
Click on attachment below to open this issue.
NB From now on Newsletters will appear just twice per year in June and December
13th January 2016
Pictures
Christmas Lunch 2015
The prize draw took place at the end of our annual Christmas Lunch held at Tastes Restaurant, Leicester College on Friday, 27 November. The lucky winners from our 98 diners were:
First prize (£20 M&S giftcard): Pat Whittaker
Second prize (£15 M&S giftcard): Jenny Mills
Third prize (£10 M&S giftcard): Valeen Blanchard
12th January 2016
General and reference
Mosaic
Following the success of their earlier books of creative writing, members of the group decided to produce a fourth miscellany - Mosaic. We hope you will enjoy this one, too.
Here is a simple PDF version. Click on the attachment below.
17th December 2015
Newsletter
2015/6 Dec Jan
Click on attachment below to open this issue
17th October 2015
Newsletter
2015 Oct Nov
Click on attachment below to open this issue
17th August 2015
Newsletter
2015 Aug Sept
Click on attachment below to open this issue
17th June 2015
Newsletter
2015 June July
Click on attachment below to open this issue
24th April 2015
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg - April 2015
Minutes of the meeting held on 23 April 2015 can be downloaded by clicking on the attachment below.
17th April 2015
Newsletter
2015 April and May
Click on attachment below to open this issue
13th February 2015
Newsletter
2015 Feb/Mar
Click below to download this Newsletter
13th January 2015
Pictures
Christmas Lunch 2014
100 people shared Christmas Lunch at Tastes Restaurant at Leicester College on 27 November 2014. Whilst some folks made their own way there, 45 went by coach. The cost included meals, transport where applicable, all tips for restaurant staff and coach driver, the prize draw and admin/copying costs.
30th October 2014
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg - 23 Oct 2014
Click below for minutes of the Group Leaders' Meeting held on 23 October 2014
9th August 2014
Newsletter
2014 June and July
Click on attachment below to open this issue
Chopard Replica Watches
Chopard Happy Sports Chrono Replica Watches
Chopard Imperiale Replica Watches
Chopard Mille Miglia GT XL Replica Watches
8th August 2014
Newsletter
2014 Apr/May
Click on attachment below to open this issue
6th August 2014
Newsletter
2014 Feb/Mar
Click on attachment below to open this issue
4th August 2014
Newsletter
2013/4 (Dec/Jan)
Click on attachment below to open this issue
12th May 2014
General and reference
Imaginings
Following the success of their earlier books of creative writing, members of the group decided to produce a third miscellany - Imaginings. We hope you will enjoy this one, too.
Here is a simple PDF version. Click on the attachment below.
27th April 2014
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg - 24 April 2014
Click on the attachment to open the minutes of the Group Leaders' meeting held on 24 April 2014 at the Village Hall.
13th January 2014
Pictures
Christmas Lunch 2013
105 people shared Christmas Lunch at Tastes Restaurant at Leicester College on 28 Nov 2013. Whilst some folks made their own way there, 55 went by coach. The cost included meals, transport where applicable, all tips for restaurant staff and coach driver, the prize draw and admin/copying costs.
2nd November 2013
Group Leaders
GLs' Mtg Minutes - 24 Oct 2013
The meeting was attended by 14 people, with apologies from 6 group leaders. For the minutes, please click on attachment below.
10th October 2013
Newsletter
2013 Oct-Nov
Click on attachment below to open this issue
2nd September 2013
Newsletter
2013 Aug/Sept
Click below for the August/September 2013 Newsletter
1st July 2013
Newsletter
2013 June/July
Click below to download
26th April 2013
Newsletter
2013 Feb/March
Click below to download the 2013 February and March Newsletter.
1st April 2013
Newsletter
2013 April/May
Click below to download
25th February 2013
Newsletter
2012 (Dec) & 2013 (Jan)
Click to download Dec 2012/Jan 2013 Newsletter
14th February 2013
Newsletter
2012 Oct/Nov
Click to download Oct/Nov 2012 Newsletter
6th December 2012
Pictures
U3A Christmas Lunch 2012
Seventy-seven people shared Christmas Lunch at Tastes Restaurant at Leicester College on 6 December 2012. Whilst some folks made their own way there, 45 went by coach. The cost included meals, transport where applicable, all tips for restaurant staff and coach driver, the prize draw and admin/copying costs.
First Prize (£20 M&S tokens) went to Margaret Darlaston, Second Prize (£15 M&S tokens) to Jenny Barradell and Third Prize (£10 M&S tokens) to Maureen Townsend. We hope they enjoy spending them!
17th October 2012
Newsletter
2012 (Aug & Sept)
Click below to open
10th August 2012
Newsletter
2012 (June & July)
Click below to open
1st July 2012
Pictures
Paris Trip Report & Pics
The U3A visit to Paris (1-5 May) organised by Jenny was a huge success, in spite of a last-minute hiccup when East Midlands trains decided to hold a strike on the day of our departure! So Jenny organised for Robinson's coaches to take us down to St Pancras International, instead of dropping us at London Road station. We arrived in good time for a bite to eat before boarding the Eurostar service direct to Gare du Nord in Paris. After an excellent journey we made our way to the Ibis hotel, conveniently situated close to the Gare de l'Est, and settled into our rooms.
On the first morning, we enjoyed a guided coach tour of the main tourist sites of Paris, which enabled us to get our bearings, as well as an insight into the sheer volume of traffic in the city! This was followed by a one-hour river cruise, leaving the rest of our time to spend according to our own preferences.
Among the many places enjoyed by group members were l'Arc de Triomphe and the Champs Elysées, the Eiffel tower and the Trocadero, Notre Dame cathedral, Saint Chappelle, the Tuileries gardens and Place de la Concorde, the Pigalle and Montmartre districts and Sacré Cœur, as well as several of the various museums and galleries. We enjoyed sampling the local wines and food at the various local restaurants for our evening meals - and then spent a lot of time walking off those calories!
Before departure, Barry had provided a mine of information on the local travel tickets and he also led a small party to the extravagant Palace of Versailles on Friday. The weather that day was mixed, but the rain generally held off long enough for us to enjoy the elegant gardens as well as a tour of the sumptuous inside of the Palace before making our way back to Paris.
Our return journey went without a hitch and we returned safely to Countesthorpe, many of us feeling rather exhausted but with lots of wonderful Parisian memories and pictures. Many thanks to Jenny for organising it all, and to Barry for his support as well.
1st July 2012
Pictures
Jubilee Tea -3 June 2012
On 3rd June, we celebrated Queen Elizabeth II's diamond jubilee with a tea in Countesthorpe Village Hall. Gaily decorated with bunting the hall held 10 round tables, each with a lovely red/white/blue floral decoration produced by the Flower Arranging group.
Proceedings began with all three verses of the National Anthem - words thoughtfully provided by Barry! Afterwards around 70 people enjoyed open bridge rolls, scones with jam and cream, and a wide variety of cakes. Kitchen helpers were kept busy supplying tea and coffee to wash it all down. Lots of lovely U3A chatter and friendship was in evidence!
Around £200 was raised from ticket sales, and this has been divided between LOROS and Rainbows local charities.
1st July 2012
General and reference
Kaleidoscope
Following the success of their first book of creative writing, members of the group decided to produce a second miscellany - Kaleidoscope. We hope you will enjoy this one, too.
Here is a simple PDF version. Click on the attachment below.
11th June 2012
Newsletter
2012 (April & May)
Click below to download April/May 2012 Newsletter
9th April 2012
Newsletter
2012 (Feb & Mar)
Click below for Feb - March 2012 Newsletter
17th February 2012
Newsletter
2011 (Dec) & 2012 (Jan)
Click on attachment to open Newsletter for December 2011 and January 2012
7th December 2011
Newsletter
2011 (Oct & Nov)
Click below to open
11th October 2011
Newsletter
2011 (Aug & Sept)
Click on attachment to open
11th August 2011
Newsletter
2011 (May/June/July)
Click to open May-June-July Newsletter
17th May 2011
General and reference
Shirley stands down as GL for Archaeology
Following the formalities of the AGM in 2011, Ursula Wild (Chairperson) presented Shirley Taylor with a card, some garden vouchers and a framed certificate with our sincere thanks and in recognition of all her hard work since 1998. Not only has Shirley been Group Leader for Archaeology since that time, but she and husband Michael were founder members of our U3A.
Many thanks, Shirley, for all the wonderful trips, and no doubt you will be organising the odd one or two in the future as well - once you've had a well-deserved break.
10th May 2011
Newsletter
2011 (Mar & Apr)
Click on attachment under the picture
17th April 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
Ruth Westley's Recollections
"There's something called the University of the Third Age, and John Slipper at the College has put a piece in The Herald asking if anyone is interested. There's a meeting." Thus spoke Dorothy Elgar to me one day in the summer of 1998, or was it '99. Dorothy was keen to go but I, newly retired from . . .
Now click on the attachment to read the rest of Ruth's story
22nd March 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
Remembering the Beginnings of Countesthorpe U3A by Vicky Armstrong
After the initial, very exclusive, meeting a few more people were drawn into the fold, myself included. This second cohort organised a general meeting at the beginning of November 1999. 40 people attended and . . .
To read Vicky's full story, click on the attachment
20th March 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
Beginnings of the Travel Group - Jenny Mills
In August 2000, after 25 years at the Wigston College (now South Leicestershire) I retired from my 'day job' - Section Manager with responsibility for secretarial courses. This was a very demanding and time-consuming position which took most of my time and energy. It seemed as if I could not appear anywhere without staff or sometimes students, requiring answers or views on a myriad of questions. I must admit I had not thought much about retirement and . . .
Click the attachment to read all of Jenny's story
17th March 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
"My" Groups by John Armstrong
I started a few of the early groups myself which, oddly enough, seem to have attracted mainly men. Also oddly enough, they seem to have a lot to do with . . .
Now click on the attachment to read John's piece in full
17th March 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
The Creation of Countesthorpe U3A by John Armstrong
I recall an advert that appeared in the Herald in late summer 1999, seeking people interested in forming a U3A in Countesthorpe. The idea of the U3A as a learning organisation, aimed at daytime activities for the more senior folk in the village, appealed to me greatly. At the start it seemed to me to be a blank canvas . . .
Click on the attachment to read John's recollections in full
17th March 2011
Early Days of Our U3A
Dorothy Elgar's Archive Entry
When John Slipper, Vice-Principal at Countesthorpe College, put a notice in The Herald about forming a U3A in Countesthorpe I was very interested. I had already heard about it from . . .
Now click on the attachment to read the rest of Dorothy's reflection
11th May 2010
General and Reference
Flights of Fancy
To ccelebrate our tenth anniversary in 2010, each member of the Creative Writing Group contributed a piece of work which was published as a miscellany, entitled 'Flights of Fancy'. A copy of this booklet was distributed to every member in 2010. A few spare copies may be available - ask June