South East U3A Forum

Summer School

South East u3a Forum Summer School 2nd - 5th September 2024

If you are looking forward to Summer School well wait no longer; the following information will help you get ready for the booking date and time of Thursday 11th April 2024 @ 10.00am, when access to the Booking Information and the Booking Form will be available.

Here is the latest *Flyer for Summer School 2024, please download and circulate in your own u3a, or amongst your friends; really anyone you think might be interested.

To help you answer those questions that come to mind, please see *FAQs, as the answer maybe there. If not, please get in touch, ways to do this are at the end of this update.

Please note: All links can be downloaded

This is primarily a 4-day residential Summer School held at the University of Chichester, although, participants do have the option to be non-residential. Details about the choice of accommodation, costings and payment along with other relevant information can be found on the *General Information sheet.

Just click on *General for full details

The participants register on the Monday afternoon and they are with their tutors by 4.30pm for a short introductory session. Then, there is full programme with their chosen subject on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday morning. The summer school finishes after lunch on Thursday – home time!!

This year we have some course favourites returning:

The new subjects are:

Just click on the subject for full details

There is a programme of events each evening:

  • Monday – Quiz night – getting to know each other and having fun
  • Tuesday – Film night on campus – a recent film OR
  • TuesdayTheatre visit Chichester Festival Theatre – “Oliver” production
  • WednesdaySpeaker – Alan Kingshott: “The Tower of London”

Just click on *Theatre and/or *Speaker for full details of event

Theatre visit, extra information:
A visit to the Festival Theatre’s production of “Oliver”, will take place on Tuesday evening, the evening meal will be at an earlier time for the theatre goers to accommodate the performance start time of 7.30pm, so please check our theatre link above for the synopsis.

Information regarding cost will be available on the Booking Information sheet and further information will be sent out, in due course, to those who have expressed an interest. Please note: To book the Theatre visit - see Booking Form in April.

Please note: All links can be downloaded

If you do not have internet access, please contact Martin on 07749 023766 and the relevant information will be posted to you.

For all enquiries, please select the Contacts page on this website.

Please read carefully the Booking Information sheet on how to book, before filling in the Booking Form, available on Thursday 11 April 2024 @10.00am.

We look forward to seeing you all in September.

The South East u3a Forum Summer School Team

The South East u3a Forum’s Summer School – September 2023

Well, this really was a SUMMER School with temperatures hovering around the 30° mark, a bit too hot for some - but only summer attire was needed throughout!

The last-minute cancellation of Manuscripts on Sunday and re-organisation of Cycling from the previous Wednesday, due to one tutor unable to travel, the other returning from holiday with Covid, caused some challenges, especially as some members were already travelling!

Maths group - intent on learning ... Cycling group - Ready for the off ... Walking group- Itching to get away ...

We are grateful to those members who accepted the option of transfer to their second or third option - and tutors who accepted another member/s - at short notice, and to one member particularly who stepped up to run the Cycling Group!

Archaeology group - Totally engrossed .. Poetry group - Eyes down ... Fizzics group - In learning mode ...

The Cycling and Walking group leaders took the heat into consideration and adapted as needed. The Yoga and Mindfulness group found a grassy, shaded area away from the hot studio, which suited them perfectly, with bursts of happy laughter from the Creative Writing group as they utilised shaded, seated areas outside in the afternoon. The trip to Bignor Roman Villa by the Archaeology group on Wednesday was enjoyed by all, as was the input from a Detectorist the day before! The other six groups whose subjects were more ‘house-bound’ were in airy rooms shaded by blinds, enjoying their chosen course.

Creative Writing group - Enjoyment for a Yoga/ Mindfulness group - Warming up ... Mahjong group - Deep in thought ...

During the morning break on the last day the members were given a 10-minute recital by the Ukulele group, with a sing-a-long, very uplifting - and excellent.

The evening entertainment helped bring members together, with a Quiz on Monday evening, when a couple of members helped overcome the sound problems! On Tuesday there was a choice of a talk on Tangmere Museum or a film – ‘Where the Crawdads Sing’. On Wednesday, Jane Glennie, the actor, gave a performance on Violet Jessop’s life aboard the Britannic and the Titanic, and the sinking at sea with Violet on board. Performance received by an appreciative audience, with Jane answering questions on her research. The talk, film and performance were well received by all.

Chapel - Central venue & Courtyard Chapel interior - Talk venue ... Jane Glennie

The restaurant looked spectacular for the last dinner, where course members and tutor sit together for their last evening meal. The food, as in other years, was plentiful and delicious, with welcoming staff – nothing was too much trouble! This was mirrored by the staff in the accommodation area.

Walking group - No high seas but restful Restaurant - Impressive; all laid up ... French group - Bonjour

Thank you to the University for the brilliant organisation on all aspects of our stay!

Testimonials from 2023 Summer School
Testimonial 1 – Hilary H, Harborough Welland u3a
Testimonial 2 – Gelhi J, Dorking u3a
Testimonial 3 – Liz F, West Oxford u3a
Testimonial 4 – Andrew M, Meopham u3a