Events
Members enjoy various congenial activities including lunches, coffee mornings, walks and talks on diverse topics.
Coffee Mornings
These provide an opportunity to meet socially and informally to welcome new and potential members, guests and friends. They are held from 10:30am on the 4th Tuesday of each month except December at the café of Toad Hall Garden Centre, Marlow Road, Henley RG9 3AG. Plenty of parking available. The 800 and 850 buses stop opposite the entrance to the drive.
No need to book, but just turn up, order a drink and join one of our u3a tables. If you do not know anyone, or cannot find a seat, speak to Roger or to any Committee Member.
Monthly Talks
A variety of talks are held at 2:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday in the month, followed by refreshments. Non-members and guests are also welcome. The charge for members is £2 and for others £4.
These talks are held at Sacred Heart Church Hall, Walton Ave., off Vicarage Road, Henley RG9 1LA. Parking is available.
10 January 2024 Becoming a Published Author by Susanna Beard
Susanna will highlight the trials and tribulations of becoming a novelist from an early stage through to the stages necessary for a successful publication. This includes the process of inspiration, where stories come from and how they develop into full-length novels. Learn about the highs and lows of an author’s life and what it takes to become successful - want to give it a go?
14 February Dying to be Beautiful by Dr Kathryn Harkup
Kathryn is an author and a former chemist who uses her specialist knowledge in her publications. She completed a doctorate on her favourite chemicals, phosphines, and went on to further postdoctoral research before realising that her interest was in highlighting (through both talks and publications) the disgusting and dark side of science. Her talk examines the extreme risks that were taken in the past to look glamorous.
13 March The Heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan by Bernard Lockhart
What is the heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan operas? Bernard will help us to answer this question by giving us an historical background and overview of Gilbert and Sullivan, their theatrical genre and the vast amount of social and political satire within the shows. We’ll look at modern production values and at the reasons for the world-wide popularity of Gilbert and Sullivan in the 21st century.
10 April The Rhythm of Life using Poetry by Jean Hill.
Poetry is becoming increasingly important for people’s well-being. In this amusing presentation we’ll realise that poetry has a role in removing us from day to day issues and problems.
8 May The Mau Mau and the Fall of Empire by Anthony Benn.
Anthony will take us through a critical time in this country’s history. The Mau Mau were a significant and controversial rebel force at a time of re-shaping Britain’s role in the world.
12 June Harold MacMillan by Dr Martin Holmes.
Martin is a historian with a wealth of knowledge about former Prime Ministers. He will talk about Harold MacMillan’s years as Prime Minister, 1957 to 1963, which included his famous “never had it so good” reference to the UK economic outlook with its low unemployment growth in the post war years.
11 September Where do Novelists get their ideas from? by Bobbie Derbyshire.
Bobbie is a prize-winning author who will throw light on how it is that characters, locations, plots and sub-plots may arrive in a novelist’s mind.
9 October Life and Death in the Thames Valley by Chris Whitehead.
Chris has lived for many years in South Oxfordshire. His talk will cover the implications of the English Civil War in this rural part of England and the personal repercussions on families.
13 November The Murder of Alexander Litvinenko by Paul Barwick.
Paul’s talk will cover the possible motivation of the Russian President in approving the murder, by two Russian agents, of Litvinenko, using the radio-active nerve agent, Polonium-210.
Walks: for details see under Groups on this website.
Science: A number of u3a members attend Café Scientifique. Monthly talks are held on topics of general scientific interest. Visit the website - http://cafescientifique.org/uk/henley-on-thames.
Ballet, Opera, Art and Theatre: Information on future screenings of ballet, opera, art and theatre is available at the Regal Cinema, Henley, and on-line. U3a members and groups may wish to attend these as an additional social activity.