Somerton

Events

Monthly meetings are held on the 4th. Friday of the month at the Edgar Community Hall, Somerton.

We are open from 9.30am for refreshments and the chance for members to meet and chat.
The refreshments will finish at 10.20 in order to clear away before the meeting.

The meeting starts at 10.30 with notices, announcements and any other business and will be followed by our guest speaker.
The meeting closes at 12 noon.

Please join us. Visitors are always welcome at our meetings for a small charge of £2 so please come along and see who we are and what we are about. If you are visiting for the first time then please just make yourself known to one of our Committee members or 'Welcomers' who will be happy to tell you a little bit about us and help you feel at home.

Dates for your Diary
Meetings
Fri Apr 26th

Michael Malaghan

"Can you hear me at the back?"

A humorous look at the highs, lows and pitfalls of public speaking.

Michael's career has covered various aspects of writing including as a children's television scriptwriter with the BBC and ITV; as a novelist; a writer of women's fiction with Best, Me, Chat, Take-a-Break, and Woman's Realm magazines, and as a journalist on a weekly newspaper.

He gives several talks on the lighter side of writing but the talk he'll be giving to Somerton U3A is called "Can You Hear Me At The Back" and is all about his adventures and experiences as a public speaker, gained at almost 400 schools and adult organisations. He focuses on the funnier side and what went wrong!

Michael will have his latest children's novel "The Song of Pompeii" to sell on the day at a reduced price of £8, but cash only.

Fri May 24th

Somerton u3a A.G.M.

An important meeting to hear a review of our year, the Treasurer's Report, and elect Committee members.

The meeting will be followed by a presentation, on our Chairman's involvement with Abbotsbury Swannery.

Wed Jun 19th

U3A COACH TRIP

TO

SS GREAT BRITAIN – BRISTOL

Total Cost £33.00 (Coach £13.00pp, Entrance Fee £17.00pp, Tour £3.00pp)

Coach Leaves
: Huish Church Car park - 9.00 am
: Bus stop opposite Gassons Lane - 9.10 am
: Market Square Somerton - 9.20 am
Return 3.30 pm to arrive back in Somerton approx. 5.15 pm

Payment
Either – Bank Transfer to Somerton U3A
Sort Code: 30-18-16 Account No: 00958442 Ref :Ship Coach Trip
(Please note that this is a different Bank Account to that used for Groups)

Or By Cheque – made payable to Somerton U3A
Please email Ruth Thomas to obtain address of where to send cheque

Will also accept cash at the Monthly Friday coffee mornings

To book – contact Ruth Thomas
Email : ruthvthomas@tiscali.co.uk Phone: 01458 251687
You need to give your name, place you are getting on coach & a contact telephone number

Fri Jun 28th

Alex Ledger

"I bet this never happened to you"

Fri Jul 26th Richard Benjamin and or Sarah Hayward from Silverline legal..
'Legacy the fortress for generations'
Fri Aug 23rd

Open Day / Enrolment Day

Date to be confirmed

Fri Sep 27th

Mr Ashley Jones

The Diken Medal for Animals

Ashley, a retired Police Officer, came to speak to our u3a a few years ago about 'Scams & scammers', a very well received presentation.

Fri Oct 25th

Fit for a King

The Symbolism of a Coronation

Danny Johnson MVO was appointed Coronation Planning Director in October 2022, working closely with the Archbishop of Canterbury, The Royal Household,
Westminster Abbey, and a host of others on every detail of the Coronation Service.
In this talk Danny discusses his journey exploring the iconography of past
Coronation Services, their symbolism and what their visual language lends to the
storytelling and understanding of a Coronation, as well as the monarchy today.
Exploring the origins, traditions and customs that govern a Coronation, and studying their significance, Danny focuses on some of the details that may not have been seen, or noticed, but each rooted in history, theology or allegory, and key to de-coding the Coronation.

‘Fit for a King’ is a celebration of shared heritage and storytelling, told by, and with, strong personal insight, anecdotes and stories as well as academic and professional experience.

Biography: Danny Johnson MVO FRSA
Danny has worked at the centre of The Church of England for nearly a decade,
currently working as an advisor and Special Representative to The Archbishop of
Canterbury at Lambeth Palace.
In the last five years, Danny has had a ‘front row seat’ to history in the making. On behalf of The Archbishop of Canterbury and The Church of England, Danny has been
the National Operational Lead, planning and delivering the Church’s role in the
funerals of The Late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and Her Late Majesty Queen
Elizabeth II, the accession and Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III, as well
advising on the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving.
Danny was appointed an Officer of The Royal Victoria Order (MVO) by HM The King
in the 2024 New Year Honours list for his ‘distinguished personal services to the
Sovereign’. Danny is also an Honorary Fellow of The Royal Society of Arts.