Archive

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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!



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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

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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