Category Archives: Notices
National u3a Newsletter – December 2023
The u3a National newsletter for ☃️December ☃️ is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
Don’t forget to enter the u3a national poetry competition, with th theme for this year: ‘What If’.
The competition opened on Wednesday 8 November 2023 and the deadline for submission is 12pm on Friday 26 January 2024. You must read the competition rules before submitting your poem. Enter the u3a national poetry competition
There are more learning initiatives on our learning pages.
WTu3a Newsletter – December 2023
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OUR MEMBERS
Our newsletter for December has now been published, and includes news of what some of the groups are planning for 2024. Read all the rest of news here.
The first General Meeting in 2024 is on the 25th January with a talk entitled The History of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane by Pete Allen.
Defibrillator Training: After a show of hands at the last meeting proved this would be something many of you would be interested in attending, a couple of sessions consisting of a talk and a defibrillator demo are currently in the planning stage. More details to follow.
Our Speaker Secretary, Carol Johnson, has booked Speakers into the new year, so click the link here to see details of Speakers planned for our General Meetings at the Rugby Club until November 2024.
The PACE Centre ‘Winter Waggle’ – Friday 16th February – sponsored dog walk
Knowing that many WTu3a members are dog owners, we thought we would share with you details of an inaugural, ‘Winter Waggle’ organised by local charity PACE. This will be a sponsored dog walk in the grounds of Waddesdon Manor Estate.
With a choice of 3k and 5k routes, registration takes place at the Welcome Pavilion, between 11.00 – 11.30 am and the walk starts at 11.30 am. Free parking available.
Thames Valley u3a Network – first event of 2024
Unless otherwise stated all the events below will be on Zoom. Detailed flyers will be available nearer the time. When available click on the links in the boxes below for the flyer with full details of costs and how to book through TicketSource or Eventbrite.
Burt Bacharach
A talk by Clive Aronson
Closing date: Saturday, 24th February
Tuesday, 27th February – Burt Bacharach
10.30am on Zoom. A talk by Clive Aronson.
Details on the flyer. The fee is £1 per device.
Closing date for applications is Saturday, 24th February
‘TICKETSOURCE’ icon immediately below the event on the TVN website. You will receive an acknowledgement immediately and the Zoom link a few days before the event. PLEASE CHECK THAT YOU ENTER YOUR DETAILS CAREFULLY WHEN YOU BOOK.
National u3a Newsletter – November 2023
The u3a National newsletter for 
November is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
Enter the u3a 2023-4 Poetry Competition
The u3a national poetry competition is back for its fourth year, and the theme for this year’s competition is: ‘What If’.
The competition opened on Wednesday 8 November 2023 and the deadline for submission is 12pm on Friday 26 January 2024. You must read the competition rules before submitting your poem. Enter the u3a national poetry competition
There are more learning initiatives on our learning pages.
News from the Groups
Image by Rosa Rugosa from Pixabay
MAHJONG
Thursday, 4th January then 18th January
At The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (unless otherwise stated. To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk
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Sunday, 14th January – 7.30pm – WITNEY, Queen of the Night – price TBA. Direct from the Royal Albert Hall the ultimate tribute to Witney Houston. 7.30pm. Price TBA. |
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Thursday, 7th March, The Elgiva, Chesham. 7.30pm – Sweet Charity – Price £TBA The Panda Players present this musical staged and choreographed by Bob Fosse based on the book by Neil Simon. |
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Saturday, 9th March, 2.30pm – The Kite Runner – Price £30.00. West End hit, engrossing and captivating, based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. |
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Wednesday, 17th April – 7.30pm – Seven Drunken Nights – The Story of the Dubliners – Price £31.50. A talented cast of musicians and singers brings this iconic group back to life. |
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Thursday, 18th April – 7.30pm – Johannes Radebe, The House of JoJo (Dance). Price £56.00. A brand-new theatrical celebration jam-packed with roof-raising music, dazzling costumes and of course, world class dance. |
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Sunday, 28th April -7.30pm – Madama Butterfly, Puccini – Price £37.75. One of the world’s most popular operas, Puccini’s Madama Butterfly tells the heart-breaking story of the beautiful young Japanese girl who falls in love with an American naval lieutenant – with dramatic results. |
To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk.
Quiz Afternoon
Friday, 26th January
Start time is 2.30pm at the Chapel Hall, Weston Turville.
Individuals and couples welcome. No need to get a team together. Questions are suitable for all levels of knowledge.
For more information contact Joy Mantell at quizzing@wtu3a.org.uk
Gardening
No Meeting in January then the next one is Monday, 26th February
The group meets at 2pm in Weston Turville Chapel Hall and meets on the fourth Monday of the month. Cost £3. For more information contact Jenny Hunt or Rosemary Williams at gardening@wtu3a.org.uk.
Science & Technology
Proposed plans for 2024.
January – No meeting
Thursday, 1st February – Talk – Chapel Hall. Details to follow.
Thursday, 7th March – Visit – Pitt Rivers Museum, Oxford. Entrance free. Details to follow.
Thursday, 11th April – Visit (tbc) The Museum of Water and Steam in Brentford. Details to follow.
To express your interest, book your place on any of the above, or if you have any thoughts about future visits, please contact the group leader John Beer for more details at science@wtu3a.org.uk.
Rummikub
Tuesday, 16th January
The game of Rummikub is based loosely on Rummy (but with a twist). The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 2pm at The Five Bells, Weston Turville. Contact the group leader Deborah Brown for more details at rummikub@wtu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Morning
Thursday, 18th January, then 15th February.
The group (in conjunction with Aston Clinton u3a) meets for tea, coffee or a drink and a chat at The Five Bells, Weston Turville, at 10.30am on the third Thursday of the month.
Please contact Marie Jones for any more information. coffee@wtu3a.org.uk.
Walking Group
Tuesday, 9th January
Further details from Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
2024 Walking Holiday
Friday, 26th April – Monday, 29th April 2024
Based at the Longmynd Hotel in Church Stretton, Shropshire. Walks range from 6 to 12 miles, so this is for Walkers only.
For more information please contact Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
CHESS
The Chess Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at Chandos Arms, Weston Turville. We meet for any combination of chess, chat, lunch and/or a convivial glass on Fridays (next one is Friday, 15th December and then Friday 12th January).
We welcome newcomers of any (or no!) ability. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, either email Geoffrey Howell at chess@wtu3a.org.uk or phone him on 07916 328202
Pétanque (weather permitting)
Details for pétanque group sessions:
- They will be every Monday afternoon.
- Timing 2pm to 4pm
- Venue is the new terrain behind Weston Turville village hall
- Parking is available
If you need more information, contact Ken Shaw at petanque@wtu3a.org.uk.
Handbell Ringers (Beginners)
The group meets every two weeks on a Friday morning at 10am at the group leader’s home. For more details and further dates of meetings, contact John Beer at handbells@wtu3a.org.uk
National u3a Newsletter – 🍂October 🍂2023
The u3a National newsletter for October is available HERE. As usual there is plenty to read, take part in and enjoy. Including:
Enter the u3a 2023-4 Poetry Competition
The u3a national poetry competition is back for its fourth year, and the theme for this year’s competition is: ‘What If’.
The competition opened on Wednesday 8 November 2023 and the deadline for submission is 12pm on Friday 26 January 2024. You must read the competition rules before submitting your poem. Enter the u3a national poetry competition
u3a Festival 24 is taking place 18-20 July 2024 in York, where we will be running a wide variety of activities – talks, sporting events, musical entertainment and workshops which will make this first u3a national festival something to remember. Find out more about the festival on the u3a website.
We’re keen to strengthen our musical offering so if your u3a has singers or musicians who would like to come please get in touch by emailing festival@u3a.org.uk.
October’s u3a Radio Podcast – Episode 33 – Maths for fun, Give it a go, Theatre
Members can listen to it, and all previous Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, Google Podcasts – and it is still available in captioned video form on YouTube.
You can find lots of events on our online events page. Here is a sample:
Theatre Visits 2024
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Sunday, January 14th, WITNEY, Queen of the Night. Direct from the Royal Albert Hall the ultimate tribute to Witney Houston. Aylesbury Waterside, 7.30pm. |
| Thursday, March 7th | Sweet Charity. The Elgiva, Chesham, 7.30pm.The Panda Players present this musical staged and choreographed by Bob Fosse based on the book by Neil Simon. |
| Saturday, March 9th | The Kite Runner, West End hit, engrossing and captivating based on the book by Khaled Hosseini. Aylesbury Waterside, 2.30pm matinee. £30.00 |
| Wednesday, April 17th | The Story of the Dubliners. Aylesbury Waterside, 7.30pm. £31.50 |
| Thursday, April 18th | Johannes Radebe, The House of JoJo, (Dance). Aylesbury Waterside, 7.30pm. £56.00 |
| Sunday, April 28th | Madama Butterfly, Puccini, Aylesbury Waterside, 7.30pm, £37.75 |
| To book your place contact: | Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk |
Wendover u3a – Ireland Holiday – open to WTu3a members
Thursday, 6th June to Wednesday, 12th June
Travelling with Crusader via Holyhead/Dublin. Staying at the Carrickdate Hotel and Spa ****, Dundalk.
Six nights half board, all room types available. Cost: Approx £879.00. For more details on the provisional itinerary, click here, or visit the Wendover u3a website here. Or contact: Belinda Horn – details on the attached flyer.
News from the Groups and Events
QUIZ NIGHT
Saturday, 25th November at 6.30pm
Following the success of one of last year’s 10-2 Anniversary celebrations, the very popular Quiz Night returns!
Cost is £15 per person and includes a ‘Fish and Chip’ Supper (other are options available though), see all the details on the flyer here. Preferably tables of 6 will be organised or you can sign up as a Team.
To sign up or get more information contact Juli Whitehead on wtu3aquiz@gmail.com
Food Appreciation
Wednesday, 25th October
The Barracuda Restaurant
21 High St, Tring HP23 5AH
To book your place or for more information please Pam Wilson at foodappreciation@wtu3a.org.uk.
Christmas Lunch 2023
Wednesday, 6th December
Yes it’s that time of year again!
The WTu3a 🎄Christmas Lunch 2023🎄 is once again at The Chiltern Forest Golf Club, Aston Hill, Halton, Aylesbury, Bucks HP22 5NQ.
This is a three course meal including tea/coffee and mince pies, raffle and gratuities. Cost £36. View the full menu here.
Contact Carol Williams at xmaslunch@wtu3a.org.uk to book your place.
Walking Group
Tuesday, 14th November
Details from Sylv Elliot walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
2024 Walking Holiday
Friday, 26th April – Monday, 29th April 2024
Based at the Longmynd Hotel in Church Stretton, Shropshire. Walks range from 6 to 12 miles, so this is for Walkers only.
For more information please contact Sylv Elliott at walkers@wtu3a.org.uk
Science & Technology
Thursday, 26th October another opportunity to see a collection of old buses in Aylesbury and ride on a Routemaster bus.
Tuesday, 31st October the rearranged visit to the London Transport Museum, Acton. The fee for the coach and the two tours (Depot and Poster tour) is £40 (subject to change if coach costs rise). Full details on the flyer. There are a couple of places available. .
Thursday, 7th December is a talk on ‘The latest development in Fusion Technology‘ in The Chapel Hall at 10.30am. Cost. £2.
To book your place on any of the above, or if you have any thoughts about future visits, please contact the group leader John Beer for more details at science@wtu3a.org.uk.
Quiz Afternoon
Friday, 27th October
The first gathering in September got off to a great start, so put the above date in your diary. Time is 2.30pm at the Chapel Hall, Weston Turville.
Individuals and couples welcome. No need to get a team together. Questions are suitable for all levels of knowledge.
For more information contact Joy Mantell at quizzing@wtu3a.org.uk
Gardening
Monday, 30th October
The second meeting for this new group will at 2pm in Weston Turville Chapel Hall, and is a week later than planned, but thereafter the group will meet on the fourth Monday of the month. Cost £2. For more information contact Jenny Hunt at gardening@wtu3a.org.uk.
Trips
Winchester Christmas Market – Friday, 17th November
Coach only. Visit Winchester’s Christmas Market with five hours free time to visit the market, Cathedral or shops. Cost £15pp.
To book your place and for more information please contact Mandi or Jayne at trips@wtu3a.org.uk.
At The Waterside Theatre, Aylesbury (unless otherwise stated):
Wednesday, 8th November, 2.30pm – Greatest Days – £32.50
The musical follows five boy band obsessed best friends in the 1990s, who reunite over 20 years later to see their heartthrobs one last time in what could be the Greatest Days of their life. Featuring more than 15 record-breaking Take That songs.
Thursday, 23rd November, 2.30pm – The Full Monty – £28.00
As in the 1997 smash hit film, this brand-new production is a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs, laughs and heartbreak. Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of the film.
To book or for further details, please contact Melanie Evans at theatre@wtu3a.org.uk.
Rummikub
Tuesday, 21st November 2pm
The game of Rummikub is based loosely on Rummy (but with a twist). The group meets the third Tuesday of the month at 14:00 at The Five Bells, Weston Turville. Contact the group leader Deborah Brown for more details at rummikub@wtu3a.org.uk.
Coffee Morning
Thursday, 19th October then 16th November 10.30am
The group (in conjunction with Aston Clinton u3a) meets for tea, coffee or a drink and a chat at The Five Bells, Weston Turville, at 10.30am on the third Thursday of the month.
Please contact Marie Jones for any more information. coffee@wtu3a.org.uk.
CHESS
The Chess Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month at Chandos Arms, Weston Turville. We meet for any combination of chess, chat, lunch and/or a convivial glass on Fridays (next one is Friday, 27th October).
We welcome newcomers of any (or no!) ability. If you are interested in joining or would like more information, either email Geoffrey Howell at chess@wtu3a.org.uk or phone him on 07916 328202
Pétanque (weather permitting)
Details for pétanque group sessions:
- They will be every Monday afternoon.
- Timing 2pm to 4pm
- Venue is the new terrain behind Weston Turville village hall
- Parking is available
If you need more information, contact Ken Shaw at petanque@wtu3a.org.uk.
Handbell Ringers (Beginners)
The group meets every two weeks on a Friday morning at 10am at the group leader’s home. For more details and further dates of meetings, contact John Beer at handbells@wtu3a.org.uk
