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                                       Welcome to West Oxford U3A 

The West Oxford branch of the U3A, (the University of the Third Age), was created in 1995. The U3A exists for a group of people to get together to do things with everyone taking equal responsibility.

We meet on the 2nd and 4th Mondays except for July, August and December.  Our year begins in September and ends in June, with the AGM being held at the second meeting in May.  Once the membership fee is paid there is no further charge, although visitors make a donation.  Membership of West Oxford U3A does not cover membership of Oxford U3A or Headington U3A.

 

The meetings take place at Dean Court Community Centre, Pinnocks Way, Botley.   The proceedings start at 2.15 pm and (fairly short) notices are given before or after a talk as set out on your programme.  Tea and biscuits are always served after the talk. Please stay and use this time to get to know new people and meet friends.

  

What’s happening?  Recent & Upcoming events.

 

At our meeting on 28th April our speaker was Steve Dimmer, who told us about the ‘Carry On’ Films. Some of us were amazed to learn that 30 films in the series were made from 1958 to 1978, with one ‘revival film’ released in1992.  Steve admits that these films are among his special favourites, though it is clear from his presentation that they were not all of the same quality. 
   
Carry_on

 

        Steve’s presentation was based on his vast library of still photographs and film recordings  

 

Our next meeting is scheduled for Monday 12th May, when Bill Hamilton will make a welcome return, to tell us more about his long career with the BBC.

  

Sixteen members of the Churches & Pubs Group visited the Church of St Laurence in Appleton on 2nd May. This is a lovely church, which was built and developed over seven Centuries going back to the 12th. The oldest part is the nave which dates to ca 1180.

Our guide was Roger Mitty, who gave us a fascinating talk about the history of the Church and the Village; his own family connections with the area; and the involvement of the Blackwell family, who were and are still, benefactors of the Church. A beautiful stain-glass window in the south wall depicting St Laurence, is dedicated to  Sir Basil (“The Gaffer”) and Lady Blackwell.

 

Appleton


                                                     Some of the visitors and our guide

 

The next group visit, on 6th June, will be to St Mary the Virgin’s Church in Charlbury.

Contact Person: Lis Froggatt – l.froggatt66@gmail.com

   


The Gardening Group has started its activities for the new season. Mary writes:

“The Group began the season with a delightful walk through Tubney Woods. Bluebells carpeted the ground, alongside great spreads of white wood anemones. Their presence indicates an ancient woodland, as these appear in force only after centuries undisturbed. Yellow celandine and pink campion added to the tapestry. The abundance of oaks and ash trees confirmed it as a traditional English wood while an area of soaring conifers served as reminder of its brief life as an arboretum.”
 
Lunch

               

                                                      A delightful walk through Tubney Woods   

                                                               

Contact Person: Mary Gregory – Mary@nandmg.me.uk

 


 
SIGs

A list of the Special Interest Groups (SIGs) is on your programme and they are open to anyone who would like to join.  Just contact the person referred to as arranging the meetings.  If there is a group you would like to start then, if you think the Committee can give you some help, please ask. For information about each SIG, please see the Groups section.

 

Newsletter

 

The membership fee entitles you to the West Oxford U3A Newsletter which is sent out three times per year, by email or (for those without an email connection) by post. The Newsletter is also published on this website under the 'News' section. It is full of information about forthcoming events, both those arranged by this branch and also those organised by Thames Valley Network.  Please be certain to look at the notice board at the back of the meeting room for additional details of outings and study days and also on www.u3atvnetwork.org.uk as well as this website.

 

u3a National 

 

A membership subscription is paid annually to the National U3A office.

You are entitled to attend the Summer Schools and other events. Details and costs are on the National U3A website.

 

Queries

 

Do raise any queries when attending the meetings or contact the appropriate person in the 'Contact Us' section.

 

 

To join West Oxford U3A or to renew your membership:

 

The current annual subscription is £20 and subscriptions are due in September each year.

We recommend that you use our online membership facility which can be found in the Membership section.  


However, you may prefer to complete a paper membership application form which can be obtained by email or post or will be available at meetings. If you do not have a form please contact the membership secretary listed in the 'Contact Us' section.

 

Each year new members are invited to a 'welcome lunch', which gives them a chance to meet each other, the leaders of the Special Interest Groups, and other volunteers.

 

Gift Aid on Membership Subscriptions

Maximising our net income, for the benefit of members, is a consideration in everything we do.

One way a member can help us achieve this is by Gift Aiding their membership subscription. This enables WOu3a to reclaim the tax portion of the payment (25p for every £1 donated) from HMRC. To be eligible for Gift Aid, the member must:

· be a UK tax payer; and

· have paid an amount of tax (income and/or capital gains) in the current tax year which is not less than the Gift Aid claimed on this and any other such donations.

 The relevant declaration and consent box is included in the online Application Form which can be found in the Membership Section.

 

To send an email to West Oxford U3A - please select the appropriate contact from the 'Contact Us' section on this website.

 

 

More information about how the U3A started, its benefits and services, and other useful links can be found in the 'Links' section on this website.

 

 

 

 


 



 Site last updated: 05 May 2025


 

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