Thames Valley Network

For a number of years there was an informal grouping of U3As in the Thames Valley known as the Thames Valley Region. There were meetings four times a year, usually in Wokingham, where the Chairmen of these U3As met to discuss mutual interests. Three to four years ago there was a movement to turn this into a formal arrangement with a committee and constitution and I have to confess I was against it as I feared it would be an extra layer of bureaucracy. A couple of years ago the name of “Regions” was appropriated by the Third Age Trust to ally themselves with government regions of the country, so the organisation in the Thames Valley called itself a Network.

Having joined the committee of the Network, I am pleased to report that the aims are to be supportive of the U3As in the area, not to be interposed between the U3As and the Third Age Trust. To quote from the Thames Valley Network website http://www.u3atvnetwork.org.uk/ , The Objects of Thames Valley U3A Network are to advance the education of members of U3As in the network. Also to encourage the provision of leisure activities for their social welfare by facilitating cooperation between U3As in the network. It also defines its role as to (i) organise and run conferences, lectures, seminars, courses; (ii) publish books, pamphlets, reports, leaflets, journals, instructional matter and to produce films and videos; (iii) participate in and assist in the development of neighbourhood and networked groupings of U3As.

The Network does organise an Events Programme for each year putting on events which may not be practical for individual U3As to handle and there have been very successful training and Arts and Music events as well as an annual Network Conference, Wokingham is hosting the 2010 Conference. There was year arranged what is hoped to be an annual Network Lunch to enable members of the U3As in the Network to meet in informal surroundings to network with each other.

The following page shows the programme of events for 2010. This is displayed on the website and is subject to revision from time to time, so I would encourage a look at it from time to time. I do try to keep the Wokingham U3A website reflecting what’s going on in the Network.

The next significant event is a training day for Group Leaders to meet and exchange experiences to be held at the John Mason School, Abingdon, 17th February 2010. There will be no charge for attendance at this event, except for lunches, costs will be met from Network funds.

Len Smith

NETWORK EVENTS FOR 2010

Rev 10 : 3 November  2009

NETWORK  CONFERENCE

The Thames Valley Network Conference will be hosted by Wokingham U3A on a theme of “Old dogs and new tricks” and will take place on 2 June 2010. Prelim Brochure here 

STUDY DAYS

A programme of Study Days will provide the main element of the 2010 programme for the Thames Valley U3A Network:

NETWORK TRAINING DAY

A Sharing Experience : A day dedicated to study/activity groups and Group Leaders. This will be held on Wednesday 17 February 2010 at John Mason School, Abingdon. Read both Flyer and Application Form for full details 

NETWORK FORUM

Discussion Forum on “U3A in the community” to address the role of U3A could and, perhaps, should play in the wider community. To be held in April 2010 at Rewley House, Oxford.

THAMES VALLEY NETWORK RIVERSIDE PROJECT

Throughout 2010 and 2011 U3As combine to walk and study the Thames Footpath and its environs. 

 SUMMER SCHOOLS

A Summer School on ‘The History and Architecture of Oxford’ to be held in September 2010 in Jesus College, Oxford. Flyer and Application Form