U3A - The University of the Third Age

Calling All Seniors

to the University of the Third Age

Time for a champagne toast to the Queen by the canasta group Botley War graves

“After two years of lockdown it is lovely to be able to travel further afield. In June we took a coach tour to the National Memorial Arboretum in Leicestershire.”

Like many other clubs, U3A has a main meeting once a month with a guest speaker to entertain us. But that is not its main activity. Our aim is to enable older people to live life to the full, laughing, learning and enjoying ourselves in the company of like-minded people. We find new friends through the many special interest groups we offer. The choice is wide, the decision yours alone.

Summer is here, and we have been out and about, enjoying the great outdoors as much as possible. We had a lovely talk from an ex-royal gardener on Great British gardens, then the Gardening Group followed that up with visits to gardens at Upton Wold near Evesham; the Coach House at Ampney Crucis, Friars Court at Clanfield and the Wildlife garden at Burford. Most of our outings also feature tea and cakes. We share cars and petrol money, so non-drivers have no problems with transport.

The History Group has been out to the Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery at Botley – immaculately tended gardens there; to Bampton’s old grammar school and church, which featured regularly in the Downton Abbey series; to the surprisingly ancient village of Ascott-under-Wychwood, and to Cirencester, a wonderful example of the former wealth based on the Cotswold woollen industry. We are also looking forward to a private tour at Coombe steam mill in September, with cream tea included - of course!

You might notice, food often features as part of our outings. In September we plan a picnic in the park to celebrate U3A’s fortieth birthday. We also have a regular Sunday lunch club once a month, at various restaurants around the area. Our evening fish and chip suppers with team quiz are always very popular. And in August we had an outing to Tewkesbury, cream team included, with a ride on a GWR steam train to end with.

After two years of lockdown it is lovely to be able to travel further afield. In June we took a coach tour to the National Memorial Arboretum in Leicestershire. That was very special. In normal years we also have several outings to places of interest or theatre trips to London. These trips are open to all our members.

This is just a small section of the things we do. No time to get bored. There is just so much to do.