Our Committee
Princes Risborough & District U3A is run by a committee elected from and by our members. The committee sets the policy of our U3A and is responsible for its financial arrangements.
Committee members and their contact details can be found in the information pack given to all new members.
Click on the ‘Send an email’ link to send the member a message. If this does not work (it depends on whether you have a configured email application on your device), you can also use the Contact Us page which has a form in it which will work with any device.
Minutes of committee meetings
Towards the end of 2002 it was decided to make the minutes of all committee meetings available for all to view, download and print. You can access them here.
Committee Members
Mary Garbett – Chair
I moved to Bledlow Ridge in 2015. I worked for BT for 33 years doing a wide range of jobs from international through to, most recently, managing the Openreach website. I love gardening and am passionate about conservation and digital inclusion. I found the u3a when I retired knew I’d found my tribe. The u3a has allowed me to follow my interests, find some new ones and make some wonderful friends.
Send an email to the Chair
Joe Needham – Treasurer
I moved to Risborough with my wife and family in the autumn of 1986 from Barnet. At the time I was working for Xerox and the European HQ was being moved from central London to Marlow. After 25 yrs with Xerox in a variety of financial roles, I left and started my own accountancy practice which is now being wound up as it’s time to fully retire and spend more time on my role as grandad!
During my time in Risborough I have been an active member of the Methodist Church, and joined U3A in 2019 – regularly attending the History, Travel and Science & Technology groups.
Send an email to the Treasurer.
Stephen Cooper – Secretary and Communications Officer
Recently retired my time is divided between walking football, golf, badminton, cycling, the occasional foray into London for theatre, grandchildren and abroad for holidays. (not necessarily in that order)
I am hoping to inspire / arm-twist others to help run an organisation that benefits us all.
Send an email to the Secretary
Send an email to the Communications Officer
Maggie Forbes – Social Secretary
I was born in Gloucestershire, moved to Oxford to work as a nurse and then trained as an EEG technician. There I met my first husband and with him initially moved to Milton Keynes. I worked in a probation office and The Open University in MK, and subsequently ran Home-Start East Herts, a charity supporting vulnerable families. Subsequently I became Chief Executive of City and Hackney Carers Centre in London. After training as a psychotherapist I opened my own practice in Canary Wharf and then in Shoreditch but have now completely retired.
I married my second husband, Colin, in 2006 and we lived in Wapping in London until in 2020 we moved to Great Kimble. I have 3 sons, 3 step children and 5 grandchildren and big family gatherings are one of my greatest pleasures in life. I joined U3A in the summer of 2021 and have enjoyed badminton, jive and walking.
Send an email to the Social Secretary
Elspeth Banks – Membership Secretary
Born and brought up in Edinburgh, my (English!) husband, Ian and I came south, due to his then job in the RAF. After various moves, we eventually settled in Naphill in 1993. I was a primary teacher, retiring in 2018. Our daughter and her family live in Aylesbury and our 3 grandchildren keep us very well entertained. Joining the u3a, I enjoyed the Aspects of Psychology, Rummikub and German Groups and now, along with attending the Gardening Group, I look forward to exploring new interests. Walking, croquet, reading and our own garden all help to keep me busy.
Send an email to the Membership Secretary
Mike Fowler – Group Leaders’ Co-ordinator
I have lived in Princes Risborough for over 36 years – we moved here when I started work with Target Life (now no more) in Aylesbury. My career has been in IT, project management and consultancy, mostly in insurance. I have a son and daughter and three grandchildren, who live near Oxford.
I enjoy travel, walking, and listening to classical music; I am also interested in astrophotography.
I currently edit the monthly diary sheet, and I am looking forward to playing a greater role in this thriving organisation.
Send an email to the Group Leaders’ Co-ordinator.
Jill Spencer – Speaker Secretary
Soon after moving to Princes Risborough in 2009 I retired from a long career in Nursing.
I then started volunteering for the National Trust also for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People .
I enjoy keeping as active as possible and enjoy walking and cycling . When not active I like to read .
If anyone has any requests of particular talks they would like to hear, or recommendations for good speakers, please let me know .
Send an email to the Speaker Secretary.
Peggy Peckham – Ordinary Member
I lived in High Wycombe from 1978 until moving to Princes Risborough in March 2021.
I trained as a RGN in Hastings and worked as a Health Visitor in Aylesbury from 1990 until 2006.
Malcolm and I have 4 daughters and 12 grandchildren, who keep us busy.
I volunteer at the One Can Trust Food Bank and Wycombe Child Contact Centre.
I enjoy keeping fit, walking and reading.
Newsletters
The Newsletters editor is Jackie Huntingford. The Newsletter editor is not a committee member. You can contact Jackie through this email address: preview@risboroughu3a.org.uk