MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN –
Inga Martin
Happy Springtime!
Well, at the time of writing, it feels more like autumn, with howling winds and
blustery showers. But, even if it’s cold outside, the atmosphere at our Monday
meetings is always warm and friendly. The meetings are usually well attended,
but, no matter how large the audience, our unflappable Refreshment Team keep
the supply of tea going, and never run out of milk - or biscuits. Our talks have been well
received. We started the year with a visit from Yvonne Crane of Guide Dogs, who
told us about the charity and her own role as a dog breeder. She was
accompanied by her husband and her two “Mum-dogs”, Velvet and Flo. They
demonstrated a remarkable degree of discipline and obedience, but when they
were given some “free time”, they showed that they could be both friendly and
boisterous; quite adorable.
At the end of last
year, there were concerns over falling membership numbers and our Treasurer was
worried about the consequent reduction in subscription income; he feared that
it might be necessary to increase the subscription rate. So, we embarked on a
recruitment campaign, with help from local magazine editors and others, and I
am pleased to tell you that this has been successful: our membership now stands
at 172. In February we welcomed 23 of our new members at a ‘getting-to-know
you’ sandwich lunch. As a result of the increase in membership income, coupled
with careful fund management, it now seems likely that, at our forthcoming AGM,
the Treasurer will be able to recommend that the subscription rate is kept at
its current level. Good news, indeed!
Kindest regards,
Inga
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SOME SAD EVENTS
We were saddened to lose two members recently:
Andrew Putman had
been a member of our Group for many years. He was a great supporter of the u3a
and never missed a Monday meeting.
Mary Chait was a very active
member of WOu3a, and a much-loved leader of both the Cinema and Walking Groups.
She was funny and bright, and very caring.
We will miss them.
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ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Our 2026 AGM will be held at Dean Court on Monday 18th
May, starting at 2.15 PM. Notice of the meeting and other relevant documents
will be circulated to members in due course. The AGM will be followed by a talk
from Rob Brewer, entitled "The Work of a TV/Film Extra and How Anyone Can do
It”
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OUTINGS AND EVENTS –
A NEW VENTURE
We have
set up a new ‘Outings & Events’ Group to arrange and manage such activities
which, we hope, will prove popular with members. The Group consists of Beverley
Birmingham, Mary Gregory and Pauline Simpson. Their first venture is a visit to
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People at Princes Risborough on 12th May.
This will include a tour of the site; a demonstration
of what the dogs do; meeting some dogs in training; and learning how they can
change a deaf person’s life.
·
The
tour starts at 1.30 PM;
·
It
lasts for around 2 hours;
·
The
cost is £10 per person;
·
There
is a restaurant on site, serving lunches, sandwiches and light bites; (Must be
booked in advance)
Transport will be by self-drive / car-sharing.
The
organisers point out that although the site is not large, the tour does involve
walking around it, some steps, and standing for periods of time; certain parts
may be uneven.
Cancellations with less than 48 hours’ notice before
the tour, will result in forfeiture of the ticket price. For more information
and to book a place, please contact:
outingsandevents@westoxfordu3a.org.uk
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MONDAY TALKS IN DEAN COURT COMMUNITY CENTRE,
PINNOCKS WAY, BOTLEY Meetings are normally
held on the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month, starting at
2.15 pm. The talks last around
an hour and then we serve tea and biscuits. This provides an opportunity for
members to chat with old friends and meet new ones. All are welcome, and we
extend an open invitation to any visitors who would like to come along. They
are asked to make a small contribution of £3.
A Brief Review of the Season so far In addition to the
delightful visit from the Guide Dogs, we received talks on Double Portraiture;
Historical Murders; How We Remember and Why We Forget; and the Life of a CSI. At one of our
February meetings, Dr Anna Beer gave a
fascinating talk about her favourite composer, Fanny Mendelssohn, whom she
described as thoughtful, intellectual and intensely emotional. The theme of the presentation was gender
inequality in arts, of which Fanny was a prime example. She was immensely
talented but her career was restricted by societal expectations, as well as the
attitude of her own family.
 Anna Beer signing copies of her book about Fanny
Mendelssohn, as well as her first published crime novel “Death of an
Englishman”
FORTHCOMING MEETINGS
13th April: “Buying
and Selling at Auction: Tales from the Auction Room” by Steven B Bruce
What
can it be like to discover that the oddity/piece of old junk from Uncle
Ebenezer’s garden shed is actually a rare and interesting artifact and worth
serious money? Or that Aunt Sophia’s treasured jewellery is just funfair tack
or even a hoax?
Steven Bruce has spent 50 years as an auctioneer and
valuer, dealing with antiques, fine art and collectibles, often working with
the charity sector. For this talk he draws on his rich fund of experiences in a
trade which throws up dramatic surprises, elation and disappointments in
abundance. Join us for what promises to be a lively, fascinating and perhaps
even eye-watering talk.
27th April: “Felicia Skene: A Local Saint”
by Liz Woolley
Liz Woolley is a well-known and highly respected local historian, who
specialises in many aspects of the history of Oxford and Oxfordshire. She tends
to focus on the lives of “ordinary” people, Town rather than Gown.
Liz is an experienced speaker, researcher and writer, as well as a popular
leader of local walks. This time she will tell us about a Victorian lady who
was considered by many to be a local saint.
Felicia Skene (1821 – 1899) devoted herself to improving the lives of the
poor, particularly in St Thomas’s, one of the most deprived areas in the city.
She rescued tramps and vagrants from
their miserable existence, and girls from prostitution. She was a tireless
advocate for prison reform and became the first woman in England to be
officially appointed as a prison visitor. Please come along and learn more
about this remarkable lady.
11th May:
“Novel Crime Scenes: Twenty Deadly Fictional Landscapes” by Christina Hardyment
For this talk we welcome
back popular local author Christina Hardyment. She comes fresh from her
appearance at the 2026 Oxford Literary Festival which featured her latest book,
‘Novel Crime Scenes: Twenty Deadly Fictional Landscapes’, hot off the press in
April this year.
Christina says she is ‘fascinated by literary geography’, and
in her latest book she follows in the footsteps of some of Britain’s best-known
crime writers to find out what exactly motivated them to choose the particular
landscape settings that they did for their tales of mystery and murder. As she
explores the landscapes of 20 crime novels she explains what these settings
meant to authors such as Agatha Christie, John Buchan and Colin Dexter.
18th May: “The Work
of a TV/Film Extra and How Anyone Can Do It” by Rob Brewer Preceded by our 2026 AGM
Rob will tell us
about his experiences as a film and TV Extra. He will talk about some of the
productions that he has appeared in, explain how he became involved in the
industry, and how anyone can do it. There will be a certain amount of audience
participation, but not too much!
8th June: “1066:
Oxfordshire and the Norman Conquest” by Julie Ann Godson
However
sketchy our ‘potted mystery’ knowledge of history we are all aware of the date
1066 and of the Norman Conquest as an epoch-defining event in British history.
For this talk Julie Ann suggests we ‘saddle up for a bracing gallop through the
events leading up to the Norman Conquest of England in 1066’.
She will point out how many of the developments surrounding
this momentous clash took place in our very own county.
Julie Ann says she
lives in a converted piggery in rural West Oxfordshire, and loves it. She will
bring and sign copies of her book on the day (£10 cash).
22nd June:
“The Commonwealth War Graves Commission” by Dick Richards
As the
world seems to become inexorably more fractured and dangerous awareness of the
destruction and human tragedies that war brings is ever more relevant. Dick Richards
has for many years been a volunteer with the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
In this talk he describes their work to commemorate those who gave
their
lives and to ensure their sacrifice is not forgotten. As well as maintaining memorials
and cemeteries – including the one in Botley – they research and record individual
lives, gathering stories, diaries and images, and helping later generations trace
the wartime contribution of family members. CWGC volunteers carry out an extensive
programme of talks and visits to war sites for young and old…..lest we forget.
This is a change from
the originally published programme. John Tyler has been invited to give his
talk about the Ridgeway next season.
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DETAILS OF SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS (SIG)
MEETINGS
Our twice-monthly meetings are an important part of what we do, but so
are our SIGs, which members with an interest in particular subjects or
activities can join. These Groups are led and run by their members. More information about
the SIGs, including recent activities and photographs, is available in the
'Groups' section on this website.
BRIDGE
Contact: Liz Jones (01865 202227)
This is a long
established group of Bridge players of intermediate level. There are 8 or 9
regular players, within a total membership of 11. Their meetings are held on
the second and fourth Wednesday of each
month.
Learning and developing their bidding and playing skills are important to the
members, but there is also a valuable social aspect. Members take turns to host
meetings in their homes and there is always a pause for tea. The Group would be
pleased to welcome potential new members. CHURCHES
AND PUBS
Contact Lis Froggatt (01865 249828)
Lis writes: “Churches
and Pubs (Pews and Brews) A monthly outing for a guided tour of a church and a
friendly pub lunch afterwards.” The first Friday of the month is our time slot.
CINEMA
GROUP
Contact:
Inga Martin (07785 955238)
We meet at 12 noon at
Tumbling Bay Café (at the back of WOCA) in Botley Road. Our normal meeting date
is the second Tuesday of the month, but that is subject to change. At the
moment we decide what topic we would like to watch, e.g. favourite male actor
or favourite female actress. Recent
themes have been colours and natural phenomena. We chat about the movies we have seen over a
lovely lunch. If you would like to join
us, please contact me.
DISCOVERING
MUSIC
Contact: John Grimshaw (01865
861949)
John writes: “This
friendly and sociable group meets in members’ homes during the third week of
each month at 2.15pm. The host
introduces and plays recordings of their own choice, of broadly classical
music, usually on CD or DVD. Thus, we
have made many delightful musical discoveries, have learnt much, and we freely
express our reactions. We often finish
with something of lighter mood”. The Group is currently full.
GARDENING GROUP
New Members always
welcome Contact:
Mary Gregory (01865 865887)
After a busy summer of garden visits and a late summer plant swap with
tea and chat, the Gardening Group members are joining their gardens and plants in
taking a winter breather, before the cycle bursts into action again in spring.
There may be a social event to keep us in touch into the New Year. Meantime new
members are welcome to contact me. Happy memories from summer garden visits:
mary@nandmg.me.uk
LUNCH
CLUB
Contact:
Beverley Birmingham 07799 413110
Beverley writes: “Having had
a break over the Christmas period, February found eight of us at The Longwall,
Beefeater. A small but select group we had a nice meal and were able to catch
up with all the news. March saw a bigger group at The Turnpike where again food
and chatter were in abundance and we were able to welcome two new members from
the waiting list.
Due to Easter and the May bank holiday, there will be
no meeting until June 2nd when I hope to be able to book the Victoria Arms,
Marston. Details/reminders will go out in May”.
READING
GROUP
Contact:
Lis Froggatt (01865 249828) We meet on the third
Monday of the month at 2 pm in Botley Library. We discuss the book supplied by
the Library Service so there is no need to buy a copy. The subjects are varied
and introduce new authors. It is also an opportunity to discuss books generally
and to exchange them. New members welcome! SCRABBLE
Contact:
Margery
Dent (01865 862534)
Margery writes: “The
Scrabble Group meet locally on the third Monday of each month, from 2 to 5 pm.
For further information, please contact me”.
WALKING
GROUP
Contact: Alex Brown (07581 538518)
Alex
writes: Inga asked me to take over organising our walks while our leader, Mary
Chait, was unwell at the beginning of the year.
Sadly, we lost Mary at the end of January, so I have now taken over as
leader.
I am
trying to come up with ideas for walks because the sad circumstances meant we
did not have a handover. So far this
year we have completed some fairly short walks. We had two in February, the
first was around Oxford’s Medieval Walls and the second around Farmoor
Reservoir. It was lovely to have one of
our new u3a members join us in March for a very enjoyable walk around the
Hinksey Heights Nature trail, followed by lunch at the Hinksey Heights Golf
Club. We were delighted to see a pair of red kites displaying in one of the
trees as we walked back towards Harcourt Hill after lunch.
By the time you read this we should have had our
second March walk around Woodstock and Blenheim – it was a beautiful day when
David and I did a recce so we are keeping our fingers crossed for good weather.
I am planning further walks next month to Iffley Meadows, when the fritillaries
are flowering, and possibly to the Bluebell Wood near Boars Hill, if the mud
has fully dried up in time, or round Witney Lakes.
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Thames Valley Network
Contact:
Alex Brown (07581 538518)
TVN
organises some meetings, mainly online, that are open to any local u3a members.
This is a list of the Zoom events scheduled for the next few months:
13th April at 10.30 AM: “Pandemics” by Dr.
Jeff Almond **
5th May at 2.00 PM: “Women in Intelligence” by
Helen Fry
5th June at 2.30 PM: “Air Raids during WWI” by Mike
Cooper
The TVN website is www.u3atvnetwork.org.uk. It can be
accessed through ’links’ on our own website
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SUMMER SCHOOLS
Some u3as around the UK run summer schools, offering the opportunity to
members from anywhere in the country to visit different surroundings, learn
something new or explore a topic in greater detail.
Details for 2026 are:
|
South
East
The
University of Chichester
Monday
7th to Thursday 10th September
|
North
West
Manchester
Metropolitan University
Tuesday
11th to Friday 14th August
|
|
Yorkshire
& Humber
The
Hawkhills, Easingwold
Monday
24th to Thursday 27th August
|
Scotland
Stirling
Court Hotel, University of Stirling
Monday
24th to Wednesday 26th August
|
Further information
is available from: https://www.u3a.org.uk/members-area/summer-schools
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Staying connected
with u3a Friends In our most recent
Update we reminded members that, in addition to the Zoom talks put on by TVN,
there are lectures arranged by u3a National, which are available to members of
all u3a Groups. They have now highlighted another feature, writing: “Are your members
signed up to u3a Friends? Our monthly newsletter is the best way for your
members to keep up to date about u3a news, events and opportunities. u3a
Friends get access to Friends Extra, our exclusive scheme that offers
discounts on travel, shopping, electronics and much more. Please encourage
members of your u3a to sign up on the u3a website“ Sounds like a really
good resource.
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OUR NEXT NEWSLETTER
The next edition will be published at the beginning of September 2026, and cover the
period September to November. Please send all contributions, notices etc, by the
end of August, to newsletter@westoxfordu3a.org.uk
This Newsletter is posted on our website
simultaneously with the printing. If any material relating to any individual
should not be so posted, please contact newsletter@westoxfordu3a.org.uk
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