Oldham & District

Members Page

Members of the Oldham & District u3a Committee 2023/24

To direct message an individual Committee member please click on name below

Campbell Montgomery Chair

Campbell Montgomery I have been a member of Oldham u3a for about 6 years and have really enjoyed taking part in quite a lot of groups. This also led to a couple of really interesting holidays. To give something back I was Secretary of our u3a for 4 years during which time I enjoyed finding out a lot about how the u3a works across the UK. I was elected as Chair at the recent AGM. Amongst the groups I currently enjoy are British History, Dance and the Art groups.

Vera Rigby Vice Chair and Membership Secretary

Vera Rigby I first became a member of U3A in 2006 when I joined Furness U3A while living in Cumbria. I joined Oldham and District U3A in 2011 when I moved to Saddleworth. I have been a Group Leader for many years and became Membership Secretary in July 2021.

Graeme Horn Vice Chair and Group Leaders Co-ordinator

Graeme Horn I joined the Committee in 2021, after 10 years in our u3a. I am a keen member of the Quiz, Birdwatching and Family History groups. I have been our u3a’s Group Leaders’ Co-ordinator for the last 2 years. My role is to support Group Leaders and represent their interests on our Committee. I am also now one of two Vice-Chairs. My other interests include travel, watching sport and enjoying real ale. Before taking early retirement, I had a career in local government.

Val Thomas Treasurer

Val Thomas My responsibility as the Treasurer for our u3a means that I keep the financial records for both our General Account and the Social Accounts for all our u3a Groups. At the end of the financial year I prepare all our accounts for Audit in line with National recommendations and the requirements of the Charities Commission; and subsequently, once approved by the Committee, I prepare the finances for our Annual Report & Accounts for the AGM In addition I deal with our Gift Aid claims, keep all our details up to date with the Charities Commission for our Committee / Trustees according to their rules and requirements to maintain our Charity status. I have been a member of Oldham u3a since 2015 when I joined the dancing group. Currently I am the Group Leader of this group. I was Co-Opted as Committee Member in January 2020 in preparation to take on the role of Treasurer. I took up this post in November 2021 after the AGM during Covid. I am happy to help the organisation using the financial skills I have developed from both my professional career and over 20 years in voluntary work.

Fiona Bannister Secretary

Fiona Bannister I joined the u3a in 2017 and joined the Acoustic Guitar and Creative Writing groups. I enjoy the social outings with MOTO’s, and the Gardening and Art Appreciation Groups. Now I am Group Facilitator for Creative Writing and I run the Jigsaw Exchange Group. In 2022 I joined the committee and later became Secretary.

Maureen Quinn

Maureen Quinn I am a member of the Reading Group and the Italian group. I would like to join the theatre group in the future - U3A is a great organisation with something for everyone. I am glad to have joined the committee.

Karen Bartlett

Karen Bartlett I am a member of the U3A Oldham and have been since 2019. I am on the Welcomer's team and can often be seen at the top of the steps directing traffic to the monthly meetings. I was co-opted onto the Committee in 2022 and we meet by Zoom meetings every month. I am a member of the Art Appreciation group which goes on some very exciting trips; and MOTOS, which is also trip led with fantastic meal options. I am a “flexi-time” member of the Poetry and Creative Writing groups but am not always able to attend meetings. There is so much to do with the u3a all at a reasonable cost for yearly membership and the company I receive is priceless!

Rose Hanley

Rose Hanley I have been a member of the u3a for a couple of years now since I retired from teaching. I was invited to become a welcomer and really enjoyed greeting people at our monthly meetings. More recently I was asked if I would like to be on the committee. I look forward to the challenges this might bring. Currently I attend monthly Create and Chat sessions but am hoping to sample other groups in the near future.

Pete Mellor

Pete Mellor Oldham born and a long term Saddleworth resident, I am now a septuagenarian. Ex Merchant Navy ship's officer and Merchant Navy officer's training college lecturer, I joined u3a 2022 and am a member of Acoustic Guitar, Birdwatching and Jigsaw Exchange groups. I made a presentation about the J F Kennedy assassination at the Oldham & district u3a monthly meeting.

Jane Lawton

Jane Lawton I joined the Oldham & District u3A in 2018 specifically to become a member of the Bird Watching group and have now taken over as co-leader of this group which I find very rewarding. Following my retirement in October 2022 I have also joined the Keep Fit, Transport & Industrial Heritage, Walking and Striders groups, and I also take advantage of the Jigsaw Exchange. I believe the u3a to be an excellent organisation providing many opportunities for semi- or fully-retired people.

Barrie Thompson

Barrie Thompson I have been a member of U3A for about 5 years. I am married with 3 children and 5 grandchildren and formerly I was a photocopier engineer. Currently I am group leader for Acoustic Guitar group and am also a member of the Table Tennis and Mindfulness groups. I would love to join other groups but since retiring I don’t seem to have any more spare time! I have only recently become a member of the committee.

Chris Drabble Beacon Administrator

Beacon is the u3a movement's integrated membership, groups, and mailing system. Please click on Chris's name above should you wish to contact him.

It has been suggested that some groups could meet in the evening. If you feel that this would be viable and useful to you as a member of Oldham & District u3a would you contact one of the Committee members above by clicking on their name and sending a message.

Help and support will be offered to any member who would be happy to share their particular skill, hobby or pastime by initiating a new group. Maybe you have knowledge or experience you could share with other members by way of a short course? Please send a message to Graeme Horn by clicking on his name for further information.

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Do you know of any suitable venues in the Oldham area that could be used for group activities? We are constantly on the look out for low cost rooms to accommodate our groups. If you are aware of any, please send a message to a Committee member by clicking a name listed above. Thank you.