Registered Charity: 1070636 www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org contact: chairman@wallingfordu3a.org
Report and Review
Looking back on 2023/24 and forward to 2024/25
Chairman’s Report
This, my third and final year as chairman, saw our u3a go from strength to strength, including now having over 500 members which I think is a tremendous milestone.
We have had successful Outings to various places and some excellent Speakers yet again.
We are finding that since Covid, costs for outings are beginning to rise. Due to these increases, we are looking carefully at outings to ensure that we are still able to provide trips at good value.
There was a successful trip to Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes in October and we can look forward to another trip this coming October to Normandy.
In August last year, we held yet another successful Garden Party which again was extremely well attended, and in January this year a very successful Celebration Lunch.
We have also held a successful New Members Tea Party and a Conveners/Volunteers Thank You Evening, both well attended and appeared to be enjoyed by all.
Both last year and this coming year, we have been able to maintain the current level of subscription charges, which have not change for approximately 13 years. Due to ever rising costs, however, this may have to be reviewed for 2025/26.
Our policies on inclusivity/equality, environment and safeguarding have been reviewed by the committee and confirmed as satisfactory.
As always, the chairman could not have done any of this himself and I’ve relied heavily on my excellent committee, who have worked tremendously hard during my tenure. A big thank you, also, to all the Conveners, Tea makers, Volunteers, and to both the Speaker and Outings subcommittees. Remember though, we are all volunteers, and we always need fresh blood to invigorate us. So, please, if you feel you could contribute to your u3a, then contact any of the committee.
The monthly Newsletter continues to be well received. Both the newsletter and the website are our prime methods of communicating with you, though the few who do not have electronic access are still, and always will be, catered for.
We are open to any suggestions you have about what other things we can do; contact by email on our committee emails (found on http://www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org/contact-page).
On behalf of myself and your committee, may we offer a huge thank you to you all for your continued support.
Ken Johnstone, Chairman
Page 1 of 3
About our u3a
Thameside (Wallingford) u3a is a member of the Third Age Trust and is located in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The members are residents of the area who are no longer in full-time work but wish to remain active and continue to learn during their retirement years. Our membership, at the end of March 2024 was 505.
Regular Activities
On the first Friday of each month our u3a holds an informal Coffee Morning at Wallingford Methodist Church, in the heart of Wallingford where members can meet and chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
On the third Wednesday of each month Speaker Meetings are organised at St. Mary Le More church, Market Place, Wallingford OX10 0EG where members can enjoy talks on a wide range of fascinating subjects. Each month a Newsletter is sent to all members. This gives Committee notices and reminders about upcoming u3a meetings, outings and other events as well as providing flyers and registration forms for signing-up to u3a outings.
The Newsletter also includes an update on the u3a Special Interest Groups and a calendar of meetings for the current month. By the end of March 2024, we had 67 Groups.
Our u3a is one of the 8 u3as that make up the Thames Valley Network (TVN) which organises a programme of Study Days and Conferences. Our members are sent flyers and application forms for Study Days and updates on current TVN activities can be obtained from the TVN website and are referenced in the monthly Thameside (Wallingford) u3a Newsletter.
Administration
The activities and operation of our u3a are overseen by the u3a Committee .
The u3a Annual General Meeting is held in May each year when members of the u3a Committee are elected or re-elected. The Committee can also co-opt additional members between AGMs.
Members of the u3a Thameside (Wallingford) Committee in 2023-24 were:
| Chairman | Ken Johnstone |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chairman | Ian Shipton |
| Secretary | Hilly Bailey |
| Interest Groups Coordinator | Yvonne Griffiths |
| Treasurer | Anna Harvey / Tony Fenner |
| Newsletter Editor and Communications | Sarah Robinson |
| Outings Committee Coordinator | Ken Johnstone |
| TVN Representative | Neil Kelly |
| Membership Secretary | Anna Gordon |
| Minutes Secretary | Jane Milne |
| Database Administrator | Malcolm Brooks |
| Deputy Treasurer | Malcolm Brooks |
Bankers: Lloyds Bank plc, Market Place, Wallingford Inspector of Accounts: Kieran Moloney ~~[a]~~
Page 2 of 3
Thameside (Wallingford) u3a Activities in 2024/25
Interest Groups
Interest Groups are the raison d’etre of the u3a movement and bring together members with similar interests in specific subjects or activities to meet regularly, usually once a month, to learn, discuss or to take part in a creative pastime or sport. We owe a debt of gratitude to the group contacts who facilitate interest groups in their many and varied forms.
We now have over 60 Interest Groups, and these are described on the u3a website https://www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org/. The interests covered by the Groups are arranged under different categories:
Arts and Crafts History Music Discussion Groups Languages Science and Technology Games and Pastimes Literature Social: Luncheon Groups Walking Groups
The monthly Newsletter gives news and notices about the Interest Groups with a calendar of Group meetings for the month.
Speaker Meetings in 2024/25
Every third Wednesday of the month, we have our Speaker Meetings with a talk on a particular subject. The topics have been many and varied. The Speaker Meeting Committee organises the programme of speakers which, as well as regulars, includes some new speakers, providing us a great variety of presentations. August is the exception when we have our Garden Party and December when there is a programme of seasonal entertainment.
Outings in 2024/25
Another highlight of most months is the trip organised by one of the members of our Outings Committee. The trips this year have covered some excellent sites.
Our annual holiday last October was to Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes.
In January we hold our Celebration lunch which is always well attended and something to look forward to after all the “busyness” of Christmas.
Committee Support
Neither of these activities could happen without the two small teams of dedicated Sub-committee Members. They come up with ideas, do the research and make all the arrangements to ensure that the speaker or the trip will appeal to a wide variety of our members. They can always do with some extra help and welcome any members who would like to get involved. It’s a great way of meeting more people and exercising those little grey cells!
Page 3 of 3
THAMESIDE {WALLINGFORDI U3A ANNUAL ACCOUNTS PERIOD: 1ST APRIL 2023 TO 31st MARCH 2024 YEAR ENDED 3110312023 15,627.82 Oponing Balance Income 5,986.00 subscriptions 1,199.33 Gift Aid 2.744.44 Savings account 507.36 Coffee Income 13,000.50 Tickets - sales to members 0.00 Venue refund 595.00 Garden party tickets 0.00 Rent refund 2,167.50 Event5 - Celebration Lunch 7,483.65 Transfer from outings 849.00 Groups 0.00 Suspense 34,532.78 Total Income Account Name Account Number Main Savings 819147 1066533 YEAR ENDED 31103124 6,152.72 7.304.90 13.457.62 6.325.00 1,057.76 6,325.00 1,057.76 77.79 599.68 14,367.00 1,177.89 786.40 127.50 2,013.50 0.00 1,410.00 300.00 77.79 28,242.S2 77.79 599.68 14,367.00 1.177.89 786.40 127.50 2,013.50 0.00 1,410.00 300.00 28,164.73 Expenses 99.00 Subscriptions refunds 1,792.60 Speakers 0.00 Furniture, Office Equipment & maintenance 695.10 Groups 555.88 Hospitality and Gifts 61.27 Coffee Expense 655.88 Comput8r Soare licences & maintenance 0.00 Websits 496.37 Printing 269.75 Postage (Stamps & Stationery) 55.26 Office supplies 995.00 Rent & service charges 1,172.50 Third Age Direct Mail for Magazine 1,864.00 Third Age Trust Capilation 13,866.72 Tickets - purchased from venues 622.32 Hospitality - Garden Party 896.00 Tickets - refunds 7,483.65 Transfer lo main 2,390.93 Events- Celèbration lunch 2,730.75 Transfer to savings account 0.00 Suspense 36,702.98 Total out 137.50 2.364.80 27.99 1,649.26 629.85 312.00 805.40 393.14 259.67 385.54 31.19 1,091.35 1.246.74 1,940.00 11,730.80 763.05 1,753.81 137.50 2,364.80 27.99 1,649.26 629.85 312.00 805.40 393.14 259.67 385.54 31.19 1,091.35 1,246.74 1,940.00 11,730.80 763.05 1,753.81 0.00 2,181.85 0.00 300.00 0.00 28,003.94 2,181.85 0.00 300.00 28,003.94 -2,170.20 Net In or out in thè year 160.79 77.79 238.58 13,457.62 Closing Balance 6.313.51 7,382.69 13,696.20 I, Kieran Moloney, the Appointed Inspettor of Accounts. have examined the above accounts and found them to be correct. Signed.. Dated. q ly ) Signed- Treasur
Registered Charity: 1070636 www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org contact: chairman@wallingfordu3a.org
Report and Review
Looking back on 2023/24 and forward to 2024/25
Chairman’s Report
This, my third and final year as chairman, saw our u3a go from strength to strength, including now having over 500 members which I think is a tremendous milestone.
We have had successful Outings to various places and some excellent Speakers yet again.
We are finding that since Covid, costs for outings are beginning to rise. Due to these increases, we are looking carefully at outings to ensure that we are still able to provide trips at good value.
There was a successful trip to Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes in October and we can look forward to another trip this coming October to Normandy.
In August last year, we held yet another successful Garden Party which again was extremely well attended, and in January this year a very successful Celebration Lunch.
We have also held a successful New Members Tea Party and a Conveners/Volunteers Thank You Evening, both well attended and appeared to be enjoyed by all.
Both last year and this coming year, we have been able to maintain the current level of subscription charges, which have not change for approximately 13 years. Due to ever rising costs, however, this may have to be reviewed for 2025/26.
Our policies on inclusivity/equality, environment and safeguarding have been reviewed by the committee and confirmed as satisfactory.
As always, the chairman could not have done any of this himself and I’ve relied heavily on my excellent committee, who have worked tremendously hard during my tenure. A big thank you, also, to all the Conveners, Tea makers, Volunteers, and to both the Speaker and Outings subcommittees. Remember though, we are all volunteers, and we always need fresh blood to invigorate us. So, please, if you feel you could contribute to your u3a, then contact any of the committee.
The monthly Newsletter continues to be well received. Both the newsletter and the website are our prime methods of communicating with you, though the few who do not have electronic access are still, and always will be, catered for.
We are open to any suggestions you have about what other things we can do; contact by email on our committee emails (found on http://www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org/contact-page).
On behalf of myself and your committee, may we offer a huge thank you to you all for your continued support.
Ken Johnstone, Chairman
Page 1 of 3
About our u3a
Thameside (Wallingford) u3a is a member of the Third Age Trust and is located in Wallingford, Oxfordshire. The members are residents of the area who are no longer in full-time work but wish to remain active and continue to learn during their retirement years. Our membership, at the end of March 2024 was 505.
Regular Activities
On the first Friday of each month our u3a holds an informal Coffee Morning at Wallingford Methodist Church, in the heart of Wallingford where members can meet and chat over a cup of tea or coffee.
On the third Wednesday of each month Speaker Meetings are organised at St. Mary Le More church, Market Place, Wallingford OX10 0EG where members can enjoy talks on a wide range of fascinating subjects. Each month a Newsletter is sent to all members. This gives Committee notices and reminders about upcoming u3a meetings, outings and other events as well as providing flyers and registration forms for signing-up to u3a outings.
The Newsletter also includes an update on the u3a Special Interest Groups and a calendar of meetings for the current month. By the end of March 2024, we had 67 Groups.
Our u3a is one of the 8 u3as that make up the Thames Valley Network (TVN) which organises a programme of Study Days and Conferences. Our members are sent flyers and application forms for Study Days and updates on current TVN activities can be obtained from the TVN website and are referenced in the monthly Thameside (Wallingford) u3a Newsletter.
Administration
The activities and operation of our u3a are overseen by the u3a Committee .
The u3a Annual General Meeting is held in May each year when members of the u3a Committee are elected or re-elected. The Committee can also co-opt additional members between AGMs.
Members of the u3a Thameside (Wallingford) Committee in 2023-24 were:
| Chairman | Ken Johnstone |
|---|---|
| Deputy Chairman | Ian Shipton |
| Secretary | Hilly Bailey |
| Interest Groups Coordinator | Yvonne Griffiths |
| Treasurer | Anna Harvey / Tony Fenner |
| Newsletter Editor and Communications | Sarah Robinson |
| Outings Committee Coordinator | Ken Johnstone |
| TVN Representative | Neil Kelly |
| Membership Secretary | Anna Gordon |
| Minutes Secretary | Jane Milne |
| Database Administrator | Malcolm Brooks |
| Deputy Treasurer | Malcolm Brooks |
Bankers: Lloyds Bank plc, Market Place, Wallingford Inspector of Accounts: Kieran Moloney ~~[a]~~
Page 2 of 3
Thameside (Wallingford) u3a Activities in 2024/25
Interest Groups
Interest Groups are the raison d’etre of the u3a movement and bring together members with similar interests in specific subjects or activities to meet regularly, usually once a month, to learn, discuss or to take part in a creative pastime or sport. We owe a debt of gratitude to the group contacts who facilitate interest groups in their many and varied forms.
We now have over 60 Interest Groups, and these are described on the u3a website https://www.thamesidewallingfordu3a.org/. The interests covered by the Groups are arranged under different categories:
Arts and Crafts History Music Discussion Groups Languages Science and Technology Games and Pastimes Literature Social: Luncheon Groups Walking Groups
The monthly Newsletter gives news and notices about the Interest Groups with a calendar of Group meetings for the month.
Speaker Meetings in 2024/25
Every third Wednesday of the month, we have our Speaker Meetings with a talk on a particular subject. The topics have been many and varied. The Speaker Meeting Committee organises the programme of speakers which, as well as regulars, includes some new speakers, providing us a great variety of presentations. August is the exception when we have our Garden Party and December when there is a programme of seasonal entertainment.
Outings in 2024/25
Another highlight of most months is the trip organised by one of the members of our Outings Committee. The trips this year have covered some excellent sites.
Our annual holiday last October was to Salzburg and the Austrian Lakes.
In January we hold our Celebration lunch which is always well attended and something to look forward to after all the “busyness” of Christmas.
Committee Support
Neither of these activities could happen without the two small teams of dedicated Sub-committee Members. They come up with ideas, do the research and make all the arrangements to ensure that the speaker or the trip will appeal to a wide variety of our members. They can always do with some extra help and welcome any members who would like to get involved. It’s a great way of meeting more people and exercising those little grey cells!
Page 3 of 3