9th December 2024

Current Newsletter

After 18 years or so, June Norris has now stepped down from her many roles, one of which was producing the newsletter twice a year.

We currently have no-one volunteer to take on the newsletter. If you are willing to give it a go, June will be happy to help get you up and running! 

Please contact any member of the committee if you are able to do so (or would like more info on what it entails). 

Click below to open the current (last?) Newsletter.  

Newsletter for Dec '24 to May '25 >

1st May 2025

MEMBERSHIP

To join as a NEW member, please click on the attachment and download the form.  All instructions are on the form 

Subscriptions for 2025/6 are £20 for full membership.  Associate membership (with proof of full membership of another U3A) costs £10 

To RENEW your membership FOR 2025/6  

1   Renewals due from 1 June 2025  There is no need to complete another membership application form.   If you have changed your phone number, address or email, please advise Barry to enable us to keep in touch with you.   

2   BANK TRANSFER:   Payee:  The Countesthorpe U3A.  Sort Code:  40-12-35    A/c no:  01402889   It is IMPORTANT that you use your U3A membership number as the reference, FOLLOWED by your name.  If you do not know your number, call Barry or June who will be able to help.     

3   CHEQUE:  payable to "COUNTESTHORPE U3A", to our Membership Secretary, Mr B Hillyard, 35 Station Rd, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5TA.  You can also use the U3A's deposit box at the Library/Parish Office.  

4   CASH:  To our Membership Secretary, Mr B Hillyard, 35 Station Rd, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5TA. 

IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP HAS LAPSED, THEN PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS AS ABOVE.  fees are as above.   If you are unsure whether your membership lapsed, then please contact Barry on 277 4187.

MEMBERSHIP CARDS will not be issued, as little use is made of them.   Proof of membership can be provided on request to Barry, if this is required.

Membership Application Form 2526 >

12th August 2025

The Second Page

Our New feature, distributed with the Printed Whats On at the Monthly Meeting.

This month we have an amusing account from one of our members about the recent holiday to Kent.

Click below to download it.

The Second Page August 2025 >

3rd October 2025

Line Dancing

11.30 am - 12.30 pm in the Village Hall.   £3.00 per session.  

Call Maud on 07941 759856 

4th October 2025

Pickleball

Every Saturday  11-12 am - Countesthorpe College Sports Hall, Winchester Rd

Age appropriate sport which combines tennis, badminton and table tennis. 

£4 per session. 

To attend or for more details call Sheila Pennington on 07703 290886

6th October 2025

French Conversation

10-11 am on the first and third Mondays.   

USUALLY in small Lounge, Village Hall, but essential to check with Dorothy.  £2.  Varied ability French speakers helping each other to improve, using a variety of means.  Details from Dorothy on 07411 163396 or Gill on 0116 284 8171

6th October 2025

Fit for Life

11.30 am - 12.30 pm in Village Hall, Countesthorpe.  £5 per session.   Open to all U3A members - just turn up with suitable shoes and loose clothing  Details from Diana on 277 9142   

6th October 2025

Ukulele Strummers

Every Monday : 2-4 pm at a Member's Home.  A Group for recent beginners to develop and improve basic ukulele skills.

Contact Sue Howard. Email: sulizhow@hotmail.com

 

6th October 2025

Cryptic Crosswords

2 pm at Ursula's home, 26 Shetland Way, Countesthorpe.  New members who are interested would be welcomed, as support is available.  Call Ursula on 277 5881.  

6th October 2025

Bridge

Friendly group seeks more members.   Cards drawn for partners.   2 - 4.30 pm weekly in Methodist Church.  £3 inc refreshments.   Why not come along?  

7th October 2025

SWANS

Bradgate Park, 10.30 am. Hallgates P&D CP.

Details from Pauline on 277 9338 or 07936 555048

7th October 2025

Classical Music

Meet at Barry's home (35 Station Rd) at 7 pm.    

8th October 2025

Kurling

Every Wednesday 11 am - noon.   Village Hall.

NEW MEMBERS WANTED 
Come along and have a jolly hour being competitive as well as chatting and being sporty! Keep those steps up! You don’t need special equipment as we will provide all you need. If you have trouble bending we have an answer for that to.

Kurling is easy to learn and difficult to master (just ask us) We currently pay £5 per hour but that will reduce the more Kurlers we get.

Come and see for your self. Details from Ian Paterson on 0116 479 0945

 

8th October 2025

Ukelele

Small lounge at VH.   11:15 am - 12:30 pm.  For details, please contact David Wild on 277 5881. 

8th October 2025

Carpet Bowls

In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm.   

8th October 2025

Flower Arranging

2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall.  £3

9th October 2025

Art

2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street.  £3 includes refreshments.  

11th October 2025

Monthly Meeting

Doors open at 1.30 pm, so come along and book your outings and socialise with friends. 
"Tax Care and the New Man" (Speaker: Ria Hambride)  before usual refreshments.

13th October 2025

Fit for Life

11.30 am - 12.30 pm in Village Hall, Countesthorpe.  £5 per session.   Open to all U3A members - just turn up with suitable shoes and loose clothing.     Details from Diana on 277 9142   

13th October 2025

Bridge

Friendly group seeks more members.   Cards drawn for partners.   2 - 4.30 pm weekly in Methodist Church.  £3 inc refreshments.   Why not come along?  

13th October 2025

Ukulele Strummers

Every Monday : 2-4 pm at a Member's Home. A Group for recent beginners to develop and improve basic ukulele skills.

Contact Sue Howard.  Email: sulizhow@hotmail.com

15th October 2025

Kurling

Every Wednesday 11 am - noon.   Village Hall.

You don’t need special equipment as we will provide all you need. If you have trouble bending we have an answer for that to. Small charge to cover the cost of the venue.

Details from Ian Paterson on 0116 479 0945

15th October 2025

Ukulele

11:15 am - 12:30 pm in small lounge.   £1.  Details from David Wild on 277 5881  

15th October 2025

Carpet Bowls

In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm. 

15th October 2025

Literature

2 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court.  50p for room, 50p for refreshments.

Reading choice TBA

Details from Barbara on 0116 398 5327 or 07939 106 449

For reading list, see the Activity Group page.

 

15th October 2025

Handbells

2-4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street.   Each Wednesday

16th October 2025

Art

2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street.    £3 inc tea/biscuits.  

20th October 2025

French Conversation

10-11 am on the first and third Mondays.   USUALLY in small Lounge, Village Hall, but essential to check with Dorothy.  £2.  Varied ability French speakers helping each other to improve, using a variety of means.  Details from Dorothy on 07411 163396 or Gill on 0116 284 8171

20th October 2025

Creative Writing

2 pm at Brook Court.   Theme:  Procrastination

50p for refreshments and 50p for room.  

Details from Mikki on 277 5509

20th October 2025

Cryptic Crosswords

2 pm at at Ursula's home, 26 Shetland Way, Countesthorpe.

New members who are interested would be welcomed, as support is available.  Call Ursula on 277 5881.  

20th October 2025

Ukulele Pop Up (Beginners Short Course)

4 sessions for absolute beginners with advice beforehand on everything you need. Max 3 people in group

Monday mornings, 10am for approx 1½-2 hrs at Sue's home in Wigston.

  1 Sept 2025
15 Sept 2025
29 Sept 2025
20 Oct   2025

No musical knowledge required and with practice you'll be able to play songs such as Whiskey in the Jar.
We have an Improvers group (Strummers) for you to move on to, or the main group (Ukulele)

Contact Sue Howard for more information:

Email: sulizhow@hotmail.com

 

23rd October 2025

Luncheon Club

Dog and Gun, Kilby, at the usual time of 12.30pm.

Details at the U3A meeting on October 14th or contact

Sue Wyllie on 0116 284 9959 or susanvwyllie@hotmail.com.  

24th October 2025

Discussion

10 am - noon at Brook Court, Countesthorpe - residents' lounge.   

Topic: "The Pros and Cons of Observing Seasonality".

Details from David Fagg on 07775 730378 or Janine Tibbles on 07970 648979

24th October 2025

Handbell Ringing

From 2- 4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street.  

 

27th October 2025

Jazz Appreciation

Meet between 3 and 5 pm at Malcolm's home, 17 Linden Avenue.   Details from Joan on 277 5369.

30th October 2025

To Kill a Mockingbird

At Curve, Leicester Thursday 30th October 2025, 7:30. £45 payable by 19th September 2025. Leave Cosby Nook 5:55 then VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approximately 6:15. 

Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025

30th October 2025

Walking (CARE)

Leave Village Hall car park at 9.30am in shared cars.  

Walk about 5 miles from the Black Horse Aylestone LE2 8NA. Pleasant , gentle walk no hills this time! Contact for this walk is Jenny Barradell on 07474 969043 or 01162 773396.

General info from Jenny on 277 3396 or Malcolm on 277 2599. 

 

5th November 2025

Scrabble

2-4.30 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court.   Call Carol for details on 277 8999  

6th November 2025

Birdwatching

Egleton. 9.30am at V.H. Shared cars, lunch at Gates.

Details from Janet Easey on 277 2544.  

12th November 2025

Flower Arranging

2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall.  £3

18th November 2025

SWANS

Millennium Mile, Mkt Harborough

Outside Sainsbury's, Market Harborough, P&D CP

Details from Pauline on 277 9338 or 07936 555048

 

5th December 2025

Christmas Lunch

At Taste Restaurant, Leicester College (Aylestone Campus).   Forms available at monthly meetings, or here on the website.  Please complete IN FULL, and return WITH PAYMENT asap, and not later than 1 November to secure your place.   
£26 meal only (make your own way) or £35 to include coach travel (53 seats only).  Cost includes prize draw ticket and gratuities.  Coach will leave Mulberry Court, at 11.20 am, followed by Winchester Rd (near Southway), College, Village Hall, the Square, Social Centre (Blaby) and Carver's Corner.

CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD FORM

Christmas Lunch 2025 Booking Form >

11th December 2025

The Sound of Music

At Curve, Leicester Thursday 11th December 2025, 7:15. £45 payable by 26th September 2025. Leave Cosby Nook 5:40 then VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approximately 6:00

Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025

29th January 2026

Pantomime - Dick Whittington

at Concordia, Hinckley

£35, Pay by 11th November 2025

Cosby (The Nook) at 5:45 pm, VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approx 6:05 pm.

Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025

24th March 2026

Mamma Mia

At Curve, Leicester.  £60 payable by 13th January 2025.  Leave Cosby Nook 5.55, then VH, SQ, Coll, SW, then MC approx 6:15pm.

Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025

23rd April 2026

Sunny Afternoon

2:15 Matinee at Curve, Leicester.  £47, payable by 12 Feb 2026.  Leave Cosby Nook 12.45 pm, then VH, SQ, Coll, SW, then MC approx 1.05 pm.  Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025

27th April 2026

Isle of Wight

SOLD OUT

Warner Bembridge Coastal Resort, Isle of Wight.

Monday April 27th - Friday May 1st, 2026. 

Holiday includes travel from Countesthorpe, return ferry crossing, buffet breakfast and evening dinner.
Warners entertainment and activity programme.
Excursions include a visit to Whippingham Church & Osborne House (plus other excursions t.b.a.)
£530pp. Deposit of £50 p.p. to secure asap. £10 non-refundable. Balance by 10th Feb. 2026

More details on the Booking Form below, which will be available in the small lounge at the Monthly Meetings.

Bembridge 2026 Booking Form >