Dunstable u3a: *** Things To Do ***

* Things To Do *

MONTHLY MEETING

On the 3rd Monday of the month at The Square, Methodist Church the monthly meeting and Social Events are held. Remember to bring a friend - they don’t have to be a u3a member.

Doors open at 1.15 pm, and the speaker's presentation starts at 2.00 pm. Please enter via the Church Hall doors (opposite Wilkinson's) and not through the main Church doors.

This allows time to:

- Meet up with new & old friends for a cup of tea or coffee
- Browse through the books on sale for 30p each
- Visit the Social Committee and book an outing or event
- Connect with the GLO’s and discuss what group you would like to join.
– Meet the Trustees & provide them with any necessary feedback

UPCOMING SPEAKERS

18 March	Rob Brewer	The roles of a TV/Film Extra
15 April	Vince Eager	You’re never too old to rock & roll
20 May	Damien O’Dell	Adventures of a Ghost Hunter
17 June		Annual General Meeting
15 July	Simon Keable-Elliott	Utterly Immoral
19 August	Ray Rowlson	The Silk Road

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SOCIAL COMMITTEE

The Social Committee organise a day's outings most months to interesting places. See the 2024 Trips Programme for details of upcoming trips, or the events described as "Outing" in the list below, or see the links at the top right of this page for reports of past trips.

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FUTURE LIVES GROUP

Have a look at this link to find out more about the U3A Future Lives Group, an excellent u3a initiative.

Dates for your Diary
May 2024
Thu May 9th	Outing	A Day in Brighton Leader: Marie B List opens February/March 2024, final payment April 2024 We have chosen Brighton again this year for our seaside trip because it has everything (apart from a sandy beach). If you enjoy sightseeing there is an open top hop on hop off bus which takes you on a tour round the town, which includes the Marina (a good spot for lunch). There are many attractions in Brighton including the Sealife experience where visitors can get up close to sharks and other creatures of the deep. For those with a head for heights why not take a ride up 138m in the 360 degree viewing pod and look out over amazing views of Brighton and the South coast. If you prefer shopping Brighton is a busy bustling town and the famous Lanes are home to quirky unusual shops. For history lovers there is the Royal Pavilion built by King George IV at great expense, but the presence of Royalty along with the courtiers brought prosperity to the town. If you just want to relax and wonder there are countless cafes and deckchairs to take a seat and enjoy the view before catching the coach.
Mon May 20th	Meeting	Adventures of a Ghost Hunter Damien O’Dell recounts his personal experiences of ghosts and haunted houses, spanning over 40 years of paranormal investigation.
June 2024
Tue Jun 11th	Outing	Coton Manor Gardens Leader: Miriam M List opens March/April 2024, Final payment May 2024 This beautiful garden at Coton Manor occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone. The 10 acre garden has luxuriant borders that will delight the plant enthusiast while everyone will enjoy the garden’s charm and special atmosphere, with colour and interest throughout the seasons. Beyond the garden is a magical five acre bluebell wood and a wildflower meadow. The Stable Yard Café serves homemade lunches and teas when the garden is open. The extensive nursery has over a thousand varieties of plants, many of which are unusual and propagated from the garden. You will never be disappointed whatever the season, and every corner you turn will provide a different “Wow” factor.
Mon Jun 17th	Meeting	Annual General Meeting
July 2024
Mon Jul 15th	Meeting	Utterly Immoral Simon Keable-Elliott tells the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s life – from African missionary to WW1 chaplain, living in Gaugin’s house and marrying a Tahitian princess
Thu Jul 18th	Outing	London Wetlands Leader: Wendy B, List opens April/May 2024, Final payment June 2024 London Wetland Centre brings the countryside to London. Although close to the heart of the capital, it is a haven of tranquillity for both wildlife and people. The lakes, pools and gardens are home to a huge variety of wildlife including kingfishers, sand martin, wading birds and plenty more. There are six hides, perfect for watching wildlife and photography. If you are patient you can see frogs and lizards basking in the sunshine or watch dragonflies and butterflies fluttering over the wildflower meadows. If you’re lucky you’ll see one of the many water voles that live here; look out for them chomping on the reeds at the pond edges.
August 2024
Mon Aug 12th	Outing	Burghley House Leader: Peter R, List opens May/June 2024, Final payment July 2024 Burghley House is England’s greatest Elizabethan mansion near Stamford in Lincolnshire. It was built between 1555 and 1587 and is the legacy of William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer of Queen Elizabeth I. It is a leading example of the Elizabethan Prodigy house built and still lived in by the Cecil family. The exterior retains its Elizabethan appearance, but most of the interior dates from remodelling before 1800. Displays of grand and richly furnished state apartments have an awe-inspiring collection of art and priceless treasures. The gardens were laid out by Capability Brown.
Mon Aug 19th	Meeting	Take the Audience on a Trip Ray Rowlson talks about The Silk Road
September 2024
Fri Sep 13th	Outing	Black Country Museum Leader: Rosemary O, List opens June/July 2024, Final payment August 2024. The Black Country Museum is an open-air museum of rebuilt historic buildings in Dudley, West Midlands. The museum opened to the public in 1978 and has since added over 50 shops, houses and other industrial buildings from around the surrounding Black Country area, mainly in a specially built village. Most buildings were relocated from their original sites to form a base where demonstrators portray life spanning 300 years of history, with a focus on 1850 to 1950. Trolleybuses transport you from the main entrance to the village past iron houses, a 1930s fairground and canal, where you can go on a narrowboat on the Dudley Canal. Accessibility throughout the museum is very good. There are a variety of places to purchase food and drink within the museum, but you may prefer to bring a picnic.
October 2024
Fri Oct 11th	Outing	Anglesey Abbey Leader: Miriam M, List opens July/August 2024, Final payment September 2024 A passion for tradition and impressing guests inspired one man to transform a run-down country house and desolate landscape. At the age of 30 the future Lord Fairhaven began to create his first home. Wanting to inspire and surprise visitors, he created a spectacular garden with planting for all seasons and a cosy house in which to entertain. Life revolved around horse-racing and shooting and guests enjoyed 1930s luxury. Inside there are fine furnishings, books, paintings, silver and rare clocks giving a feeling of opulence. Outside the 114 acres offer vibrant colour, delicious scents and the simple pleasures of nature. Some of the highlights are the living room that features a 17th century fireplace and sofas separated by a Samarkand rug, plus the Windsor corridor, Newmarket corridor, Library corridor and the Domestic Wing was restored to how it looked in 1960’s and was last used at a private home.
November 2024
Mon Nov 11th	Outing	Strawberry Hill House Leader: Peter R, List opens August/September 2024, Final payment October 2024 Strawberry Hill House is a Gothic Revival Villa built in Twickenham by Horace Walpole from 1749 onwards. It is typical of Strawberry Hill architecture and prefigured the 19th century Gothic Revival with towers and battlements outside and elaborate decoration inside, including Walpole’s collection of antiquarian objects including a Robert Adam fireplace. The house is filled with rare paintings, sculptures and furniture.
December 2024
Wed Dec 4th	Outing	Christmas Lunch & ABBA Tribute Band, London Docklands Leader: Marie B, List opens Sept/October 2024 Final payment November 2024 Admire the fabulous views across the Thames as you tuck into Christmas lunch followed by raspberry and chocolate cheesecake, whilst enjoying the music of ABBA. Sing along to their well-loved songs or have a bop on the dancefloor. There is a bar if you would like to purchase a tipple or two! We will be arriving at the venue at approximately 11.45am and the coach will head home at 3.30pm.

Dates for your Diary
Meetings
Mon May 20th	Adventures of a Ghost Hunter Damien O’Dell recounts his personal experiences of ghosts and haunted houses, spanning over 40 years of paranormal investigation.
Mon Jun 17th	Annual General Meeting
Mon Jul 15th	Utterly Immoral Simon Keable-Elliott tells the extraordinary story of his grandfather’s life – from African missionary to WW1 chaplain, living in Gaugin’s house and marrying a Tahitian princess
Mon Aug 19th	Take the Audience on a Trip Ray Rowlson talks about The Silk Road
Outings
Thu May 9th	A Day in Brighton Leader: Marie B List opens February/March 2024, final payment April 2024 We have chosen Brighton again this year for our seaside trip because it has everything (apart from a sandy beach). If you enjoy sightseeing there is an open top hop on hop off bus which takes you on a tour round the town, which includes the Marina (a good spot for lunch). There are many attractions in Brighton including the Sealife experience where visitors can get up close to sharks and other creatures of the deep. For those with a head for heights why not take a ride up 138m in the 360 degree viewing pod and look out over amazing views of Brighton and the South coast. If you prefer shopping Brighton is a busy bustling town and the famous Lanes are home to quirky unusual shops. For history lovers there is the Royal Pavilion built by King George IV at great expense, but the presence of Royalty along with the courtiers brought prosperity to the town. If you just want to relax and wonder there are countless cafes and deckchairs to take a seat and enjoy the view before catching the coach.
Tue Jun 11th	Coton Manor Gardens Leader: Miriam M List opens March/April 2024, Final payment May 2024 This beautiful garden at Coton Manor occupies a hillside position extending down from the 17th century manor house constructed of mellow Northamptonshire stone. The 10 acre garden has luxuriant borders that will delight the plant enthusiast while everyone will enjoy the garden’s charm and special atmosphere, with colour and interest throughout the seasons. Beyond the garden is a magical five acre bluebell wood and a wildflower meadow. The Stable Yard Café serves homemade lunches and teas when the garden is open. The extensive nursery has over a thousand varieties of plants, many of which are unusual and propagated from the garden. You will never be disappointed whatever the season, and every corner you turn will provide a different “Wow” factor.
Thu Jul 18th	London Wetlands Leader: Wendy B, List opens April/May 2024, Final payment June 2024 London Wetland Centre brings the countryside to London. Although close to the heart of the capital, it is a haven of tranquillity for both wildlife and people. The lakes, pools and gardens are home to a huge variety of wildlife including kingfishers, sand martin, wading birds and plenty more. There are six hides, perfect for watching wildlife and photography. If you are patient you can see frogs and lizards basking in the sunshine or watch dragonflies and butterflies fluttering over the wildflower meadows. If you’re lucky you’ll see one of the many water voles that live here; look out for them chomping on the reeds at the pond edges.
Mon Aug 12th	Burghley House Leader: Peter R, List opens May/June 2024, Final payment July 2024 Burghley House is England’s greatest Elizabethan mansion near Stamford in Lincolnshire. It was built between 1555 and 1587 and is the legacy of William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer of Queen Elizabeth I. It is a leading example of the Elizabethan Prodigy house built and still lived in by the Cecil family. The exterior retains its Elizabethan appearance, but most of the interior dates from remodelling before 1800. Displays of grand and richly furnished state apartments have an awe-inspiring collection of art and priceless treasures. The gardens were laid out by Capability Brown.
Fri Sep 13th	Black Country Museum Leader: Rosemary O, List opens June/July 2024, Final payment August 2024. The Black Country Museum is an open-air museum of rebuilt historic buildings in Dudley, West Midlands. The museum opened to the public in 1978 and has since added over 50 shops, houses and other industrial buildings from around the surrounding Black Country area, mainly in a specially built village. Most buildings were relocated from their original sites to form a base where demonstrators portray life spanning 300 years of history, with a focus on 1850 to 1950. Trolleybuses transport you from the main entrance to the village past iron houses, a 1930s fairground and canal, where you can go on a narrowboat on the Dudley Canal. Accessibility throughout the museum is very good. There are a variety of places to purchase food and drink within the museum, but you may prefer to bring a picnic.
Fri Oct 11th	Anglesey Abbey Leader: Miriam M, List opens July/August 2024, Final payment September 2024 A passion for tradition and impressing guests inspired one man to transform a run-down country house and desolate landscape. At the age of 30 the future Lord Fairhaven began to create his first home. Wanting to inspire and surprise visitors, he created a spectacular garden with planting for all seasons and a cosy house in which to entertain. Life revolved around horse-racing and shooting and guests enjoyed 1930s luxury. Inside there are fine furnishings, books, paintings, silver and rare clocks giving a feeling of opulence. Outside the 114 acres offer vibrant colour, delicious scents and the simple pleasures of nature. Some of the highlights are the living room that features a 17th century fireplace and sofas separated by a Samarkand rug, plus the Windsor corridor, Newmarket corridor, Library corridor and the Domestic Wing was restored to how it looked in 1960’s and was last used at a private home.
Mon Nov 11th	Strawberry Hill House Leader: Peter R, List opens August/September 2024, Final payment October 2024 Strawberry Hill House is a Gothic Revival Villa built in Twickenham by Horace Walpole from 1749 onwards. It is typical of Strawberry Hill architecture and prefigured the 19th century Gothic Revival with towers and battlements outside and elaborate decoration inside, including Walpole’s collection of antiquarian objects including a Robert Adam fireplace. The house is filled with rare paintings, sculptures and furniture.
Wed Dec 4th	Christmas Lunch & ABBA Tribute Band, London Docklands Leader: Marie B, List opens Sept/October 2024 Final payment November 2024 Admire the fabulous views across the Thames as you tuck into Christmas lunch followed by raspberry and chocolate cheesecake, whilst enjoying the music of ABBA. Sing along to their well-loved songs or have a bop on the dancefloor. There is a bar if you would like to purchase a tipple or two! We will be arriving at the venue at approximately 11.45am and the coach will head home at 3.30pm.