9th December 2024
Current Newsletter
After 18 years or so, June Norris has now stepped down from her many roles, one of which was producing the newsletter twice a year.
We currently have no-one volunteer to take on the newsletter. If you are willing to give it a go, June will be happy to help get you up and running!
Please contact any member of the committee if you are able to do so (or would like more info on what it entails).
Click below to open the current (last?) Newsletter.
1st May 2025
MEMBERSHIP
To join as a NEW member, please click on the attachment and download the form. All instructions are on the form
Subscriptions for 2025/6 are £20 for full membership. Associate membership (with proof of full membership of another U3A) costs £10
To RENEW your membership FOR 2025/6
1 Renewals due from 1 June 2025 There is no need to complete another membership application form. If you have changed your phone number, address or email, please advise Barry to enable us to keep in touch with you.
2 BANK TRANSFER: Payee: The Countesthorpe U3A. Sort Code: 40-12-35 A/c no: 01402889 It is IMPORTANT that you use your U3A membership number as the reference, FOLLOWED by your name. If you do not know your number, call Barry or June who will be able to help.
3 CHEQUE: payable to "COUNTESTHORPE U3A", to our Membership Secretary, Mr B Hillyard, 35 Station Rd, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5TA. You can also use the U3A's deposit box at the Library/Parish Office.
4 CASH: To our Membership Secretary, Mr B Hillyard, 35 Station Rd, Countesthorpe, Leicester LE8 5TA.
IF YOUR MEMBERSHIP HAS LAPSED, THEN PLEASE FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FOR NEW MEMBERS AS ABOVE. fees are as above. If you are unsure whether your membership lapsed, then please contact Barry on 277 4187.
MEMBERSHIP CARDS will not be issued, as little use is made of them. Proof of membership can be provided on request to Barry, if this is required.
12th August 2025
The Second Page
Our New feature, distributed with the Printed Whats On at the Monthly Meeting.
This month we have an amusing account from one of our members about the recent holiday to Kent.
Click below to download it.
18th September 2025
Art
2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street. £3 inc tea/biscuits.
19th September 2025
Line Dancing
11.30 am - 12.30 pm in the Village Hall. £3.00 per session.
Call Maud on 07941 759856
22nd September 2025
Fit for Life
11.30 am - 12.30 pm in Village Hall, Countesthorpe. £5 per session. Open to all U3A members - just turn up with suitable shoes and loose clothing. Details from Diana on 277 9142
22nd September 2025
Ukulele Strummers
Every Monday : 2-4 pm at a Member's Home. A Group for recent beginners to develop and improve basic ukulele skills.
Contact Sue Howard. Email: sulizhow@hotmail.com
22nd September 2025
Bridge
Friendly group seeks more members. Cards drawn for partners. 2 - 4.30 pm weekly in Methodist Church. £3 inc refreshments. Why not come along?
23rd September 2025
Lilies on the Land
At Market Harborough at 7.30 pm. £32 payable by 12 August. Leave Cosby Nook 5.30 pm, MC, SW, Coll, VH and SQ approx 6 pm.
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
24th September 2025
Kurling
Every Wednesday 11 am - noon. Village Hall.
NEW MEMBERS WANTED
Come along and have a jolly hour being competitive as well as chatting and being sporty! Keep those steps up! You don’t need special equipment as we will provide all you need. If you have trouble bending we have an answer for that to.
Kurling is easy to learn and difficult to master (just ask us) We currently pay £5 per hour but that will reduce the more Kurlers we get.
Come and see for your self. Details from Ian Paterson on 0116 479 0945
24th September 2025
Ukelele
Small lounge at VH. 11:15 am - 12:30 pm. For details, please contact David Wild on 277 5881.
24th September 2025
Handbell Ringing
From 2- 4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street.
24th September 2025
Carpet Bowls
In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm.
25th September 2025
Walking (CARE)
Leave Village Hall car park at 9.15 am (note earlier time) in shared cars.
Walk no more than 5 miles from the Badger's Sett's at Cropston LE7 7GQ.
The contact for this walk is myself 07474 969043 or 01162773396. There will be a hill up to Old John.
General info from Jenny on 277 3396 or Malcolm on 277 2599.
25th September 2025
Luncheon Club
The Shires (under new management) on 25 September at 12.30.
I thought it would be interesting to see the refurbishment. The menu is on their website and we do need to make a pre-order.
Please let me know your choices before 18 September as they require a pre-order will be in the lounge on Tuesday.
25th September 2025
Art
2.00 - 4.00 pm every Thursday in the Methodist church room, Wigston Street. £3 includes refreshments.
26th September 2025
Discussion
10 am - noon at Brook Court, Countesthorpe - residents' lounge.
Topic: "What is the impact of strikes in essential services".
Details from David Fagg on 07775 730378 or Janine Tibbles on 07970 648979
29th September 2025
Fit for Life
11.30 am - 12.30 pm in Village Hall, Countesthorpe. £5 per session. Open to all U3A members - just turn up with suitable shoes and loose clothing. Details from Diana on 277 9142
29th September 2025
Cryptic Crosswords
2 pm at Ursula's home, 26 Shetland Way, Countesthorpe. New members who are interested would be welcomed, as support is available. Call Ursula on 277 5881.
29th September 2025
Bridge
Friendly group seeks more members. Cards drawn for partners. 2 - 4.30 pm weekly in Methodist Church. £3 inc refreshments. Why not come along?
29th September 2025
Ukulele Strummers
Every Monday : 2-4 pm at a Member's Home. A Group for recent beginners to develop and improve basic ukulele skills.
Contact Sue Howard. Email: sulizhow@hotmail.com
29th September 2025
Ukulele Pop Up (Beginners Short Course)
4 sessions for absolute beginners with advice beforehand on everything you need. Max 3 people in group
Monday mornings, 10am for approx 1½-2 hrs at Sue's home in Wigston.
1 Sept 2025
15 Sept 2025
29 Sept 2025
20 Oct 2025
No musical knowledge required and with practice you'll be able to play songs such as Whiskey in the Jar.
We have an Improvers group (Strummers) for you to move on to, or the main group (Ukulele)
Contact Sue Howard for more information:
29th September 2025
Jazz Appreciation
Meet between 3 and 5 pm at Malcolm's home, 17 Linden Avenue. Details from Joan on 277 5369.
30th September 2025
Liverpool
Start off the day at Royal Albert Dock, home to fantastic museums including The Museum of Liverpool, TATE Liverpool and Merseyside Maritime Museum. Visit The Beatles Story, dedicated to the history of the Fab Four, and maybe walk on to Mathew Street and find the Cavern Club. Find a bit of peace at the Anglican and Roman Catholic Cathedrals and maybe take in a bit of shopping along the way.
Cost £30. Pay by 9th September.
Leave VH at 8.00 am, then SQ, Coll, SW and MC by 8.15 am. Arrive back home by 7.30 pm.
Book/pay at desk in small lounge or contact David on 0116 479 0945 / email: davidheb@talktalk.net
1st October 2025
Kurling
Every Wednesday 11 am - noon. Village Hall.
You don’t need special equipment as we will provide all you need. If you have trouble bending we have an answer for that to. Small charge to cover the cost of the venue.
Details from Ian Paterson on 0116 479 0945
1st October 2025
Ukulele
11:15 am - 12:30 pm in small lounge. £1. Details from David Wild on 277 5881
1st October 2025
Carpet Bowls
In the Scout Hut, as usual 2-4 pm.
1st October 2025
Scrabble
2-4.30 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court. Call Carol for details on 277 8999
1st October 2025
Handbells
2-4 pm at Methodist Church, Wigston Street. Each Wednesday
2nd October 2025
Birdwatching
Brandon Marsh 9.30am at V.H. Shared cars, lunch at The Bull's Head.
Details from Janet Easey on 277 2544.
2nd October 2025
Group Leaders' Meeting
10-11 am in Small Lounge, Village Hall. Agenda items to Beryl Lishman, please, or call her on 277 0405.
6th October 2025
French Conversation
10-11 am on the first and third Mondays.
USUALLY in small Lounge, Village Hall, but essential to check with Dorothy. £2. Varied ability French speakers helping each other to improve, using a variety of means. Details from Dorothy on 07411 163396 or Gill on 0116 284 8171
7th October 2025
SWANS
Bradgate Park, 10.30 am. Hallgates P&D CP.
Details from Pauline on 277 9338 or 07936 555048
7th October 2025
Classical Music
Meet at Barry's home (35 Station Rd) at 7 pm.
8th October 2025
Flower Arranging
2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall. £3
11th October 2025
Monthly Meeting
Doors open at 1.30 pm, so come along and book your outings and socialise with friends.
"Tax Care and the New Man" (Speaker: Ria Hambride) before usual refreshments.
15th October 2025
Literature
2 pm in Residents' Lounge, Brook Court. 50p for room, 50p for refreshments.
Reading choice TBA
Details from Barbara on 0116 398 5327 or 07939 106 449
For reading list, see the Activity Group page.
20th October 2025
French Conversation
10-11 am on the first and third Mondays. USUALLY in small Lounge, Village Hall, but essential to check with Dorothy. £2. Varied ability French speakers helping each other to improve, using a variety of means. Details from Dorothy on 07411 163396 or Gill on 0116 284 8171
20th October 2025
Creative Writing
2 pm at Brook Court. Theme: TBA
50p for refreshments and 50p for room.
Details from Mikki on 277 5509
20th October 2025
Cryptic Crosswords
2 pm at at Ursula's home, 26 Shetland Way, Countesthorpe.
New members who are interested would be welcomed, as support is available. Call Ursula on 277 5881.
30th October 2025
To Kill a Mockingbird
At Curve, Leicester Thursday 30th October 2025, 7:30. £45 payable by 19th September 2025. Leave Cosby Nook 5:55 then VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approximately 6:15.
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
12th November 2025
Flower Arranging
2.00 - 4.00 pm in small lounge, Countesthorpe Village Hall. £3
18th November 2025
SWANS
Millennium Mile, Mkt Harborough
Outside Sainsbury's, Market Harborough, P&D CP
Details from Pauline on 277 9338 or 07936 555048
5th December 2025
Christmas Lunch
At Taste Restaurant, Leicester College (Aylestone Campus). Forms available at monthly meetings, or here on the website. Please complete IN FULL, and return WITH PAYMENT asap, and not later than 1 November to secure your place.
£26 meal only (make your own way) or £35 to include coach travel (53 seats only). Cost includes prize draw ticket and gratuities. Coach will leave Mulberry Court, at 11.20 am, followed by Winchester Rd (near Southway), College, Village Hall, the Square, Social Centre (Blaby) and Carver's Corner.
CLICK BELOW TO DOWNLOAD FORM
11th December 2025
The Sound of Music
At Curve, Leicester Thursday 11th December 2025, 7:15. £45 payable by 26th September 2025. Leave Cosby Nook 5:40 then VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approximately 6:00
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
29th January 2026
Pantomime - Dick Whittington
at Concordia, Hinckley
£35, Pay by 11th November 2025
Cosby (The Nook) at 5:45 pm, VH, SQ, Coll, SW then MC approx 6:05 pm.
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
24th March 2026
Mamma Mia
At Curve, Leicester. £60 payable by 13th January 2025. Leave Cosby Nook 5.55, then VH, SQ, Coll, SW, then MC approx 6:15pm.
Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
23rd April 2026
Sunny Afternoon
2:15 Matinee at Curve, Leicester. £47, payable by 12 Feb 2026. Leave Cosby Nook 12.45 pm, then VH, SQ, Coll, SW, then MC approx 1.05 pm. Book/pay at theatre desk in small lounge or call Janine on 07970 648979 or Gill on 07757 007025
27th April 2026
Isle of Wight
SOLD OUT
Warner Bembridge Coastal Resort, Isle of Wight.
Monday April 27th - Friday May 1st, 2026.
Holiday includes travel from Countesthorpe, return ferry crossing, buffet breakfast and evening dinner.
Warners entertainment and activity programme.
Excursions include a visit to Whippingham Church & Osborne House (plus other excursions t.b.a.)
£530pp. Deposit of £50 p.p. to secure asap. £10 non-refundable. Balance by 10th Feb. 2026
More details on the Booking Form below, which will be available in the small lounge at the Monthly Meetings.