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Who are we?

Christchurch University of the Third Age (U3A) offers a programme of educational and leisure activities for those not in full-time employment, and is part of a worldwide movement. Members with similar interests meet during the day in small groups, usually weekly or fortnightly and at various venues. The main aim is to advance the education of retired & semi-retired people and assist them in pursuing their interests within a social environment.

Around and about - singing thursday 1

International Folk Dancing Group - Christchurch Day of Dance

Around and about - walking group Thursday am

Around and about - MOTOR BIKE CLUB

Around and about - badminton - thursday

Around and about - bridge group 4 Tue

U3A Singers - U3A Singers

Around and about - table tennis - group

Around and about - indoor bowls on Wednesday

Gardening Group - Making Christmas decorations Wreath

Around and about - Tuesday evening snooker

Updates for 2018 - u3a at shake and stir

Lets Dance Group Christmas Tea Dance - dance practice

Third Age Films - On location in Boscombe 1

Lets Dance Group Christmas Tea Dance - Eric giving some tuition

International Folk Dancing Group - Thursday morning action

Plaform Performances - platform group

Third Age Films - Discussing the next shot

Vintage Brass - Baritones and Horns

International Folk Dancing Group - Quay day of dance 2

Gardening Group - Making Christmas decorations7

Longer Walks - IMG_20200206_121756

Annual Group Leaders Meeting - Chris, our Webmaster, answering questions

Gardening Group - Making Christmas decorations4

Annual Group Leaders Meeting - welcoming group

International Folk Dancing Group - Wimborne Folk Festival

Coming events

(for next 3 months. See What's on page for full details.)

Chairman’s New Year Message (revised 3rd Jan '21)

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all the best for 2021. Hopefully we will soon be able to put 2020 behind us and start our groups again.
While we are in Tier 4 all physical groups have to be suspended. We are encouraging Group Leaders to keep in touch with members temporarily by virtual means if possible. Many of us have had to up our game on the use of technology this year in order to keep in touch with friends and family, so maybe more of us will be able to join in this way.
I would like to encourage you to subscribe to the u3a National newsletter if you don’t already do so.
Both this and the national website have ideas to keep us inspired and interested. Here is a link to some online activities you can join in with.

John Wingfield Chairman

EPICENTRE WILL REMAIN CLOSED WHILE WE ARE IN TIER 4.
Please email any enquiries to the Epicentre Manager

Dear Members

We are pleased to be able to announce a limited programme for Autumn 2020.

MEMBERSHIP
Membership subscriptions are now open on the website and the membership form will be in Active News and also downloadable from the menu page of online membership.  If enrolling online please make your payment by Bank transfer or by cheque in the post. Remember to use your name and membership number as the reference and include a SAE with your application.
The membership secretary will be available to take cash or cheque memberships between 10.30 and 12.30 in the Epicentre on:
Mondays 7th, 14th and 21st September
Wednesday 9th September
Fridays 11th, 18th and 25th September.
Don’t forget your mask if you are coming into the Epicentre on one of these dates. Hand sanitizer will be available and we will have Perspex screens and a one-way system in operation, access via the office and the exit is via the fire door in the meeting room. In consideration of the “missed term” subscriptions have been set at a reduced rate:
Three terms: £35.00
Two terms (from January): £25.00
One term (from April): £19.00

MONTHLY MEETINGS
Please note that monthly meetings are suspended until January.

GROUPS IN SEPTEMBER
NB: THIS IS STILL SUBJECT TO CHANGE, PLEASE CHECK WITH GL AND WEBSITE
Some venues are not reopening just yet, so a few groups will have moved venue, and some are still TBC. Some groups are operating via email or ZOOM. The latest information will always be on the OUR GROUPS page on the website.
Each venue has its own guidelines for COVID safety and these must be adhered to at all times. Group Leaders (GLs)/Christchurch U3A will have undertaken a risk assessment and will have worked out with the venue a maximum number for the group and safety arrangements. Please make sure you follow these. In some venues cleaning will be provided as will hand sanitizer. However please bring your own mask and hand sanitizer and in some venues the group will be required to clean surfaces and remove rubbish after they finish. In most venues you will be required to wear a mask at least in common parts. You will also be required to undertake a personal risk assessment when you enter the venue, this does not need to be written down but you need to satisfy yourself that you are aware of and comfortable with the safety steps that are being taken.
Please call the Group Leader as usual before re-enrolling to ensure there is space on the group, bearing in mind these may be running at reduced capacity and there may be a waiting list. Some groups will also be operating shorter split groups or at different intervals in order to accommodate the whole group safely. Your GL will advise you of any such arrangements. Please be patient and bear with these changes which are trying for all of us but we have no option if we want to run a programme this Autumn.
Please also bear in mind that this programme is provisional and subject to change at any time. The most up to date version of the groups list will always be available on the Christchurch U3A website. New groups may be added later in the Autumn term or some of these may decide not to continue. Where possible we will notify such changes on the Epicentre noticeboard as well as online. Please note that until the Information Centre is open at the Regent the Epicentre will not be opened on a regular basis. Epicentre opening times after that may not be the same as usual and members will be notified accordingly.