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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 22nd September Dr David T Jones gave a fascinating talk entitled How Tropical Rainforests Work; quite an eye-opener.
 

Rainforests

 
 
 
                                                   

At our next meeting on 13 October Christine Green will talk about working for the BBC for 13 Years as a Graphic Designer.                            

 
 
OXFORD’S OLDER PEOPLE’S DAY 2025

This major annual event was held in Oxford’s beautiful Town Hall on 1st October this year, under the banner “Full of Life”. It is organised by Oxford 50+ Network and provides an opportunity for those who offer services and support to older people, to showcase their work.

The event, which is free both to exhibitors and visitors, was a lively affair, with a friendly atmosphere and a real ’buzz’. Over 70 organisations – both public and  private – were represented and the number of visitors exceeded 500.   

 

West Oxford, along with the two other Oxford u3a branches, were there to give information about us and our activities. We had a nice time, chatting to potential new members and were, as always, on the lookout for suitable speakers for future meetings.  

 

We were delighted to receive a visit from our u3a branch member Margaret Simpson MBE, who for many years organised this event and is still very much involved. We were also pleased to meet Mandy of Age UK, one of our future speakers on the subject of ‘avoiding scams’.
 
OP_Oxford
 
                                             Full of Life: With Margaret Simpson at our stand

OP_Oxford

                                                     Happy to meet Mandy from Age UK
 

Seventeen members of the Churches & Pubs Group visited the Church of St Denys, Northmoor on 3rd October. Our guide, Churchwarden Henry Herford, took us on an interesting tour of the Church, which is very old: In 2010/11 the congregation held a Pageant to celebrate 750 years since its inception.
 
 
St Denys
 
                                                 Visitors and Guide by the Pulpit of St Denys
 

We finished the visit with lunch at The Red Lion in the village.

 

The next Group visit will be to the Church of St Nicholas at Fyfield on 7th November.

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

The Lunch Group made a return visit to a favourite eatery, The Greyhound at Besselsleigh, on 6th 0ctober. 

 

Greyhound


                                                      Ten hungry visitors at The Greyhound


 
 
The next lunch meeting will be on Monday 3rd November; Venue to be confirmed.
 
Contact Person: Beverley Birmingham – beverleyu3a@gmail.com
 


The Gardening Group had a useful and enjoyable event in Mary Gregory’s beautiful garden. She writes: “With summer giving way to autumn, Group members are sorting out their borders for winter, and for next season. Clearly the right moment for a plant swap. The weather was kind, giving a warm and sunny afternoon for 14 members to enjoy tea, cake and much conversation. And several dozen plants were dispersed to new homes. Thanks to all who came and contributed”.
                                             

 

Mary's Garden

 

                                                          A lovely afternoon: plant swap...               

                                                   

 

Mary's Garden

 
                                                                       .... and tea

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

Mary Chait reports that the Walking Group has had some lovely autumn walks,  including one around Burgess Nature Reserve, which is situated off Port Meadow on the Jericho side. Members much enjoyed their post-walk lunch at The Trout.

The animals which can just about be discerned at the back of the photo are the cows in Port Meadow. 
 

Port Meadow
 
                                                     
 
Contact Person: Mary Chait – smchait@gmail.com
 

 
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: 09 Oct 2025


 

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