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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 2^nd and 4^th 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 first meeting for the new season, on Monday 9th September, retired air traffic controller Phil Holt made a welcome return, this time speaking on the subject of British speed  record breaker Donald Campbell and the amazing boat Bluebird.

The talk covered Campbell’s background and career, which ended with his death on Coniston Water in 1967, but also the major task of lifting Bluebird from the lake and bringing Campbell home, 35 years after the accident. Phil completed his presentation by explaining his own role in the Bluebird Project, which resulted in the successful reconstruction of the boat and confirmation that it could still ‘fly’.

At our next meeting, on 23^rd September, Julie Ann Godson will tell the story of ‘The Water Gypsy’, a poor girl who became a Viscountess.

Twenty-two members of the Churches & Pubs Group visited St Mary the Virgin, at Ewelme on 6th September. This 15th century church has a distinguished history and many interesting features. It is well known for a magnificent alabaster tomb and memorial to Alyce de la Pole, Geoffrey Chaucer's granddaughter, who became Duchess of Suffolk. The Church is linked to a row of medieval alms houses - very interesting. 

                                           Some of the visitors in front of Princess Alyce’s tomb

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: 11 Sep 2024