Meetings and Events
We have a Monthly Meeting and talk for all members on the LAST Wednesday of every month (except December) at 2 pm (doors open at 1.40pm) in the Civic Centre (Sambourne Road, Warminster, BA12 8LB) Entry is £3 for members and for visitors, which includes tea, coffee and biscuits after the talk.
The talks and presentations are entertaining, insightful and educational – not necessarily all at the same time! Do come along and meet your U3A friends, and perhaps make new friends, hear an interesting talk and ask the speaker questions.
We will also cover any new groups, or group announcments, and you will be able to meet and chat with Group Leaders and Committee members.
Please note the nearest parking is directly outside (Western Car Par) and can be paid for either by coins or via the MiPermit app. You can also pay in advance for parking online using the link on this page.
| Dates for your Diary | |
|---|---|
| Meetings | |
| Wed May 29th | Just Gems - Helen Plumb Very few British high street jewellery retailers are truly knowledgeable about gemstones. At the end of this talk you will know more about most gems than their average local jewellery retailer! This talk will explain some of the key attributes of minerals that make desirable gemstones. There are around 90 gemstone varieties of which many are far more valuable than the traditionally ‘precious’ stones, ruby, sapphire, diamond and emerald. Helen, an internationally recognised gemmologist, will outline how improvements in gem and jewellery technology have changed the styles of jewellery and the gems with which they have set and detail some interesting features of a few different varieties of gemstone with which your members may be familiar. Even if they are, they will learn new facts about gems which will intrigue and surprise them. Helen will bring a selection of loose gemstones for you to handle and will encourage questions about all aspects of gemstones and gemset jewellery. Members are welcome to bring gems in jewellery for identification. |
| Wed Jun 26th | Fairfield Farm College Trust - Vicky Dunnicliffe Fairfield College is a Specialist College for young people with additional needs. It forms part of the Fairfield Trust, a local registered charity. The college is based in Dilton Marsh, and offers a wide range of courses and residential services. The college campus features a range of vocational learning facilities. |
| Wed Jul 31st | “So Far So Good” incl. Army Life, Buckingham Palace investiture, training dogs - Malcolm Wells MBE A hugely entertaining talk covering a wide range of anecdotes: After 24 years in the Army as a musician playing cello on state occasions at Kensington and Buckingham Palace, including playing the wrong National Anthem! Malcolm worked for 16 years at Canine Partners (a charity who train assistance dogs for people with disabilities) where he was National Speaker giving presentations countrywide, worked with Sir Terry Wogan, and also explained how a dog can be trained to use a washing machine! As a medical assistant in the first Gulf war, Malcolm shares many light hearted stories of things that could have gone better… The talk finishes with the “behind the scenes” experience of receiving the MBE at Buckingham Palace including being mistaken as a member of the Royal Household. |
| Wed Aug 28th | Great Bustard Re-introduction (speaker TBC) The Great Bustard Group was created in 1998 with the aim of establishing a self-sustaining population in the wild, a target we achieved in 2019. This talk covers the work to safeguard and enlarge the Great Bustard breeding population, ensuring these magnificent birds will thrive for future generations. |
| Wed Sep 25th | TBC |
| Wed Oct 30th | Life of a Prison Governor - Anthony Robson |
| Wed Nov 27th | Mary & Kate Hardy: Salisbury, Wessex and Beyond - Anne Johns & Jenny Head |