Chiltern U3A

Chiltern u3a was formed at a meeting organised by Chiltern District Council in November 1999 and attended by 125 prospective members.

Our first general meeting was held in April 2000 at which Chiltern u3a was formally constituted and our first Chair, Ivan Hirsh, was elected. Our membership by that time had reached about 300, and we had seventeen activity groups.

Initially, we needed funding, mainly for equipment to be used at General Meetings and by some activity groups. Chiltern District Council helped at the start, but our main support was from Rewards for All – effectively lottery money. We received a generous award of £5,000 in 2001 and more later. 

When our u3a started, Chiltern District Council helped in a number of ways. More recently, we have benefited greatly from the facilities provided by Amersham Community Centre. It’s great to have use of the different-sized halls at the Community Centre. The Pottery Room in particular has been a wonderful asset. 

More recently, we were pleased to be instrumental in helping to start our neighbouring Chess Valley u3a in the true spirit of the u3a movement.

Many of our meetings are now held in the Community Association area of the Chiltern Lifestyle Centre.