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.
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.
1st June 2025
Member's Survey
Your chance to let us know how we are doing and what you would like us to do!
Download the survey, fill it in and return it by email or hand it in to a comittee member, bring it to the monthly meeting, or put it in the u3a box at the library reception desk.
If you would like an editable Word version to fill in on a computer/tablet, email us at info.cu3a@gmail.com and request a copy.
We need your views by the August Monthly meeting (12th August).
25th July 2025
Discussion
10 am - noon at Brook Court, Countesthorpe - residents' lounge.
Topic: "What Advice Would You Give Your Younger Self".
Details from David Fagg on 07775 730378 or Janine Tibbles on 07970 648979
25th July 2025
Line Dancing
11.30 am - 12.30 pm in the Village Hall. £4.00 per session.
Call Maud on 07941 759856
28th July 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
28th July 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?
28th July 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
28th July 2025
Jazz Appreciation
Meet between 3 and 5 pm at Malcolm's home, 17 Linden Avenue. Details from Joan on 277 5369.
30th July 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
30th July 2025
Ukelele
Small lounge at VH. 11 am - 12 noon. For details, please contact David Wild on 277 5881.
30th July 2025
Handbell Ringing
From 2- 4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street.
30th July 2025
Carpet Bowls
In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm.
31st July 2025
Walking (CARE)
Leave Village Hall car park at 9.30 am in shared cars.
Walk under 5 miles from The Bull Broughton Astley. Contact for this walk is Barbara Oldham on 07967 427901.
New walkers are always welcome! General info from Jenny on 277 3396 or Malcolm on 277 2599.
1st August 2025
Line Dancing
11.30 am - 12.30 pm in the Village Hall. £3.00 per session.
Call Maud on 07941 759856
4th August 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
4th August 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
4th August 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
4th August 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.
4th August 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?
5th August 2025
SWANS
Grace Road to the Newarke. 10.30 am CP access opp. Grace Rd, or 9.30 bus from Countesthorpe
Details from Pauline on 277 9338 or 07936 555048
5th August 2025
Classical Music
Meet at Barry's home (35 Station Rd) at 7 pm.
6th August 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
6th August 2025
Ukulele
11 am - 12 noon in small lounge. £1. Details from David Wild on 277 5881
6th August 2025
Carpet Bowls
In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm.
6th August 2025
Scrabble
2-4.30 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court. Call Carol for details on 277 8999
6th August 2025
Handbells
2-4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street. Each Wednesday
7th August 2025
Birdwatching
Stanwick Lakes Leave Village Hall in shared cars at 9.30 am. Lunch at Visitor’s Centre.
August - No Visit
Details from Janet Easey on 277 2544.
12th August 2025
Monthly Meeting
Doors open at 1.30 pm, so come along and book your outings and socialise with friends.
"" (Speaker : ) before usual refreshments.
13th August 2025
Flower Arranging
2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall. £3
14th August 2025
Art
2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street. £3 includes refreshments.
17th August 2025
Solo Sunday Lunch
The Bull, Broughton Astley.
12.00 for 12.30pm.
Call Hilary on 277 1176 or Carol on 277 8999.
18th August 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
18th August 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.
21st August 2025
Chester
A Day Trip to the historic city of Chester, with its Roman City Walls and Amphitheatre, the 700 year old Rows Shopping Galleries, magnificent Cathedral, and scores of historic buildings. Take a boat ride along the river Dee for a view of the city from the river. Walk along historic streets and take in the City's unique atmosphere.
Cost £30. Pay by 12th August.
Leave VH at 8.00 am, then SQ, Coll, SW and MC by 8.15 am. Arrive back home by 7.30 pm.
Book/pay at desk in small lounge or contact David on 0116 479 0945 / email: davidheb@talktalk.net
21st August 2025
Art
2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street. £3 inc tea/biscuits.
28th August 2025
Creative Writing
2 pm at Brook Court. Theme: "A/The pile of letters/cards"
50p for refreshments and 50p for room.
Details from Mikki on 277 5509
28th August 2025
Literature
2 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court. 50p for room, 50p for refreshments.
Orbital by Samantha Harvey
Details from Barbara on 0116 398 5327 or 07939 106 449
For reading list, see the Activity Group page.
1st September 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:
10th September 2025
Flower Arranging
2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall. £3
23rd September 2025
Lilies on the Land
At Market Harborough at 7.30 pm. £32 payable by 12 August. Leave Cosby Nook 5.30 pm, MC, SW, Coll, VH and SQ approx 6 pm.
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
30th September 2025
Liverpool
Start off the day at Royal Albert Dock, home to fantastic museums including The Museum of Liverpool, TATE Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum. Visit The Beatles Story, dedicated to the history of the Fab Four, and maybe walk on to Mathew Street and find the Cavern Club. Find a bit of peace at the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and maybe take in a bit of shopping along the way.
Cost £30. Pay by 9th September.
Leave VH at 8.00 am, then SQ, Coll, SW and MC by 8.15 am. Arrive back home by 7.30 pm.
Book/pay at desk in small lounge or contact David on 0116 479 0945 / email: davidheb@talktalk.net
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
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
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.