Witney

40th Anniversary Celebrations

From September 17th – 25th the u3a movement celebrated the 40th anniversary of its founding in 1982. in Witney our theme was one of members’ enjoyment and participation in our range of group activities; a time in which we as members, and our friends, could join in and try out something old or new. You can read what other u3a's did at: www.u3a.org.uk/events/40th-anniversary

Witney u3a Members’ & Friends’ Day:

Monday October 24, 10 a.m. – 4.00 p.m. in the Methodist Church

Click here for the full Members and Friends Day Program

Almost half our members attended the celebrations of the 40th anniversary of the u3a on October 24 (postponed from September 19). Sixteen groups put on showcase activities and displays for members to join in, listen to or look at.
.
Members and visitors could watch a film of the former Oxford -Witney railway, join in a pop quiz, listen to a play written by one of our members or a poetry recital, play table tennis, brush up their needlework skills, try their hand at drawing and many more.
.

And when they needed a break, there were u3a iced cupcakes and sandwiches to keep them going. On sale during the celebrations were copies of ’40 Years On’ a collection of writings by our Writing Groups, as well as second hand books from the Bumper Bookstall. It was a day when members learned from each other – the best way to celebrate the u3a!

-----

CONGRATULATIONS - Thursday Bridge Group
Congratulations to the Thursday Bridge group who WON! the u3a 40th Anniversary bridge competition.

The money collected from each u3a goes to national u3a, which then goes to a charity chosen by the overall winner. Our contribution was £48. They donated their entry fee to the Alzheimer’s Society.

-----

Witney u3a Tree Planting

September 23 at 11.30 in front of the Community Hospital, Witney. With Clare McKinley, Chair of Witney u3a and several Committee members and other Witney u3a members

For some time, members of Witney u3a have wanted to plant a tree to commemorate the 40th anniversary and to make even a minute contribution to the battle against climate change. But most of all, our members want to thank all the health care workers who looked after our age group in particular during the COVID pandemic.

The tree is a crab apple which has beautiful blossom in spring and small autumn fruits which we’re assured the birds will enjoy. We hope all those at the Community Hospital will enjoy the tree too.
.

-----

U3a Bench Restoration Day

Marian Hannaford reports:

The U3A 25 Years Commemorative Bench that is within the Waitrose carpark in Witney has been duly cleaned, sanded and re-painted to honour the U3A's 40th Anniversary. It was such a pleasure to learn from passers by that the bench is extremely well used, with many grateful for the fact that it is there.

Frances and I had great fun with lots of the shoppers who we tried to cajole into helping us (with tongue in cheek) but received lots and lots of comments such as 'well done ladies'. We even manged to get the help of two young men whose help we needed to open an old tin of paint, one of which must have spent 30minutes attempting it, while the second managed it in seconds; only to find that it had 'gone off'.

However, the bench is now looking fine and dandy, and waiting to give rest to many more weary shoppers.

-----

u3a 40th Anniversary Quilt

The National u3a Quilt to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the founding of the u3a was unveiled in the Great Room at the Blanket Hall in Witney on August 8. The quilt consists of 40 squares made by u3a members across UK, 3 of which were made by Witney u3a members. The ceremony was attended by the Vice Chair and CEO of the u3a as well as representatives of local u3as and several founder members of Witney u3a. The quilt will be on view at the Blanket Hall for one year from August 10. The Blanket Hall is open Wednesdays to Saturdays year round (www.blankethall.co.uk). Entrance is free and it has an attractive cafe and garden.

Please visit our own Needlework 1 webpage to read the full account of our talented contributors.

Or listen to the Radio Oxford interview at u3a Quilt: Radio Oxford Interview

Media Coverage

Press Release from u3a (July 2022) A huge, intricately detailed patchwork quilt which marks the 40th anniversary of u3a, is to be exhibited in The Blanket Hall, Witney, Oxfordshire.
u3a enables members to learn new things, laugh with friends and live life to the full once they are no longer in full time employment, and the quilt showcases the incredible creative skills of members from across the UK.
A distinguished panel of judges, including Stuart Hillard from the BBC’s Great British Sewing Bee, picked the 40 designs which truly evoked the benefits of positive ageing and u3a’s strapline, ‘Learn, Laugh, Live’.
Stuart Hillard says: “There were some really fabulous entries which seemed to me to embody the central aims of the u3a.
“A lot of creativity and effort had been put into the designs and I had a tough job deciding on the final 40!”
Once all the blocks had been created, a professional quilter stitched them together and the two metre by two metre quilt was then sent to the Whitworth gallery where it was put into a deep freeze to destroy any harmful bugs before being unveiled.
It will now go on display at the historic Blanket Hall, in Witney, Oxfordshire, for a year
from 10th August thanks to the generosity of the trustees.
Jane Clarke, from Witney u3a, explains why she chose her design: “I chose a Tree of
Knowledge to show that knowledge is something that grows. The branches represent the structure of u3a and the leaves illustrate the wide range of interest groups.”
A huge range of quilting techniques were used in the process, including embroidery, machine applique, painting, hand stitching and freehand machine embroidery.
Sam Mauger, chief executive of u3a, says it is really important to the charity that, through collaboration, a permanent record of the amazing skills of its members has been created.
She adds: “The 40th Anniversary Quilt is a lasting legacy which I know the next generation of u3a members will appreciate.
“We wanted to show, through the quilt, that age makes no difference to what you can achieve in life, what you can do, what you can contribute.
“It is a wonderful way to celebrate four decades of the u3a movement and the amazing opportunities it offers.”