About us
The current committee consists of:
STEVE BOWYER
I have lived in Kibworth since 2018 and my house conveniently backs onto to the Kibworth golf course.
I spend my time between chasing a small white ball, walking, photography and looking after our Beacon membership management system.
JILL CARTER
I moved to the area in 2007 and have been a member of the U3A for about 4 years.
I have always had a keen interest in photography. I wanted to join a nice friendly photographic club which I luckily found in the U3A Photography Group. I decided it was time to give something back so have recently become a committee member. It is fun to share ideas, explore new initiatives and keep the brain cells working!
KAREN SPENCER
When we moved to Kibworth in 1986 it was only for three years but I’m still here, in the same house.
Having said that, I do like travelling (a lot). I also have a few other interests - photography, theatre, reading, making glass art, pottery.
I’ll have a go at most things except knitting.
JOHN FREELAND
I worked at Daresbury Nuclear Physics Laboratory and Harwell before joining Hewlett Packard's NonStop Computer Division. I retired in 2009.
My interest in family history since arriving in Kibworth in 2016 was prompted by my family’s presence in the village from 1884 to 1968.
I am a member of the photography group, run local wine tasting sessions, and select the speakers for the u3a monthly meetings.
JILL LOWE
I moved to Kibworth 3 years ago. New to the area, being a member of the U3a has enabled me to meet people and to enjoy my hobbies of photography and gardening with others. I have also appreciated the opportunity to explore new interests.
I joined the friendly Committee to ‘pay back’ a little of the benefit which being a member of the U3a has afforded me.
The current committee contact details:
CHAIRMAN Chris Bradburn chrisburn@rectory-cottage.co.ukVICE CHAIRMAN John Freeland speakerbooker.kibworthu3a@gmail.comTREASURER David Holtum treasurer.kibworthu3a@gmail.comSECRETARY Jill Carter MEMBERSHIP SECRETARY Jill Lowe membershipsec.kibworthu3a@gmail.comGROUPS COORDINATOR Karen Spencer groups.kibworthu3a@gmail.comSPEAKER SEEKER John Freeland speakerbooker.kibworthu3a@gmail.comBEACON ADMINISTRATOR Steve Bowyer steve.bowyer@me.comCOMMITTEE MEMBER Linda ChambersCOMMITTEE MEMBER Brigette TaylorNon committee member:
PUBLICITY Michael Rodber publicity.kibworthu3a@gmail.comHow Kibworth & District u3a started
Soon after retirement, Clive Huntley realised that his world of work had left him not knowing many people in his local community. He also needed to continue an active and engaging life so he joined the South Leics u3a where he played table tennis and learned how to play bridge.
Frank Griffiths came to table tennis and was keen to set up a Kibworth u3a branch. Frank kept pressing them but they were not that keen - the South Leics branch was keeping them busy, but one day they got an invitation to a meeting in Kibworth that included a u3a head office representative who promoted startups.
About a dozen people were there. The meeting went on and people kept getting up, saying sorry “gotta go now”, “gotta go now” until there were 6 of left.
The head office rep was asked as to the minimum number of people needed to set up a group steering committee. The answer was 6! Their fate was sealed… they were the steering group committee: Frank Griffiths, Clive and Joyce Huntley, Ros Holmes, Val and Martin Crofts.
They threw themselves into their new task and an introductory meeting was held 26 September 2006 when 84 people turned up. They described what u3a could do for Kibworth and as there was more than adequate interest, they proceeded to set up their u3a.
The early days
There was much to do - find venues, organise group leaders and get groups going; write the constitution, find speakers for the monthly meetings, create a membership database, organise a bank account and collect subscriptions.
Rightly or wrongly they decided that groups should be autonomous. They must survive on their own merits.
Activities continued and they were officially recognised and included in the National u3a organisation in February 2007. Frank Griffiths was chair. Joyce was treasurer and Val was secretary. Frank stood down as chair around a month later and Clive took over his position in March 2007.
The first newsletter recorded that they had 105 members and 19 active groups.
In 2007 they heard that there was Section 106 money available so they formed a 106 committee. Thanks to the experience of Carol Townend and her expertise in grant making, she was able to submit a successful application. K&D u3a was awarded £16,621. This gave them stability and the option to buy needed equipment from which they have benefitted for many years.
Chairmen
Frank Griffiths - 2007
Clive Huntley - 2007 - 2011
Martin Crofts - 2011 - 2012
Anne Bailey - 2012
Keith Holyoake - 2012 - 2015
Ron Spinks - 2015 - 2018
John Freeland - 2018 - 2021
Chris Bradburn - 2022-