u3a

Thame & District

Past Meetings

This is a list of our past meetings and, where relevant, the speaker's name and topic.

2026
18 March41st AGM
1 AprilOur cross to bare: Chalk carvings in the central Chilterns - Wendy Morrison
15 AprilMy life as a micro artist - Graham Short
6 MayA day in the life of a Metropolitan Police Crime Scene Investigator - Hayley Scott
20 MayAmazing Alphorn - Frances Jones
3 JuneMy role as South East Region council member - Sally Ingledew
17 June3x10 Members Talks: Gaudi Anne with Barrington, TBC
1 JulyEmbroidery or fabrication? Hastings and the Bayeux Tapestry - Charles Boundy
15 JulyDr Livingstone I presume? - Fran Sandham
5 AugustThe role of a TV film extra - Robert Brewer
19 AugustGone groups - Rita Fidler
2 SeptemberCharles Dickens, conjuror - Ian Keable
16 SeptemberBritish Civil Wars in 8 paintings - Stephen Barker
7 OctoberThe World of Fungi - John Tyler
21 OctoberAntarctica - Nigel Webb
4 NovemberThe swinging 60’s - Graham Harrison & Bronwen (singer)
18 NovemberThame Meadows archaeology update - Chris Ellis
2 DecemberFooling the Brain - Jim Ellis
16 DecemberWalking into Grandma’s Kitchen at Christmas - Jenny Mallin
2027
6 JanuaryA life in plants - Timothy Walker
20 January3x10 Members Talks: TBC
3 FebruaryArt, Science and the Unfeathered Bird - Katrina van Grouw
17 FebruaryPoisons in medicine - Graham Harrison
3 MarchHedgerows - Jessica Bower
2025
19 Mar2025 40th AGM
2 AprThe Life of John Smythe QC, MBE (MIL), OBE - Eddy Smythe
16 AprFossils and How To Become One - Dr Jill Eyers
7 MayAnti-Corruption Practice. Professor - Robert Barrington
21 May3 x 10 Minute Talks by Members. TBA
4 JunCuriosities of The Chilterns (Part 1) - Alan Copeland
18 JunThe Miracle of Bletchley Park - Gillian Cane
2 JulWhy do we sing?
16 JulThe Glass Rainbow
6 AugA day at the beach
20 AugExciting animals from around the world
3 SepOrigin of Life on Earth
17 SepCuriosities of The Chilterns (Part 2) - Alan Copeland
1 Oct40th Anniversary Thame & District u3a Event - TBA
15 Oct40th Anniversary Thame & District u3a Event - TBA
5 NovMedical Detection Dogs
19 NovCrafts & Hobbies Show. Members
3 DecHow we remember and why we forget
17 DecChristmas Nightmares
2026
7 JanSongs from our youth
21 JanHistory of The Bodleian Library - Gillian Cane
4 FebArt on the London Underground
18 Feb3x10 Minute Talks: Carol Bradbrook-Taylor - "Looking through my window", Andy Gunn - "Furniture for the 21st century", Anne Hughes - "At what point?"
4 MarBehind the scenes at Thame Players
2024
20 Mar2024 AGM
3 AprWorking with some of the most dangerous men in the Country - Janine Kilroe
17 AprThe Oxford Botanic Garden - Timothy Walker
1 MaySix Warrior Women of the English Civil Wars 1642-51 - Stephen Barker
15 MayTop of the Greasy Pole - Mike Brook
5 JunWhere do novelists get their ideas from? - Bobbie Darbyshire
19 JunSouth Atlantic Excitement - Bob Ward
3 JulPrivate Godfrey's Real War - Peter Gill
17 JulTen Minute Talks:
Our Quirky Language - Rita Fidler, New Berry Fruits & Bohemian Crystal - Graham Watson, Oxfordshire Lass Done Good! - Anne Hughes
7 AugBeneficial Insects and Birds in the Garden - George Lockwood
21 AugKino & Kinder - A Family's Journey - Vivien Sieber
4 SepTea - the journey from bush to cup - Giles Oakley
18 SepThe Joys and Perils of being an Author - Colin Wade
2 OctA Mexican in Margate with Ann Barrington, Himalayan Diplomacy with Brian Fisher, H.J.Massingham - Eco Warrior withBernadette Tildesley
16 OctSixties Coffee Morning with Adrian Broadway and Co
6 NovMy Father's part in the D-Day Invasion with Ann Hine, War Graves with Len Davidson, Lest We Forget with Tony King
20 NovPlants for Christmas - Timothy Walker
4 DecA Christmas Miscellany - Mike Brook
18 DecMan on the Spot - Bill Hamilton
2025
1 Janno meeting
15 JanTales of 1920's Tahiti - Simon Keable-Elliott
5 FebGrumpy Old Men - Steve Dimmer
19 FebOur Banner with Rita Fidler, The History of Bathing with Lesley Charnock, Lorca-a tenuousity with Bernadette Tildesley
5 Mar"The Publication of my Latest Book" - Charles Boundy
2023
15 Mar2023 AGM
5 AprThe Subtle Science & Exact Art in English Garden Design - Timothy Walker
19 AprCapability Brown - Hero or Hooligan? - Michael Brown
3 MayFrom Barrow to Baghdad and back again - Philip Caine
17 MayThe Sky at Night - with a laugh - Gordon Rogers
7 JunWelcome to my World - Butler to the Royal Family - William French
21 JunWartime & Romance - from Boaters to Anti-bac. - Andy Smith
5 JulGrowing up in the 1960's - a follow on - Lesley Charnock
19 JulClarkson Rose Intoduces 50 Years of Seaside Entertainment - Brian Freeland
2 AugSolo Walk Across Africa - Fran Sandham
16 AugFriends of Chrissie's Owls - Rescue and Conservation Work - Chrissie Gaines
6 SepShelf Life: My Glamorous Life in Libraries - Mike Brook
20 SepBritish Piers - Their Past & Their Future - Janine Kilroe
4 OctBaja California and the Sea of Cortez - Sara Frost
18 OctCraft & Hobbies Show
26 OctScams Talk – Shelley Edwards, Oxfordshire County Council
1 NovThe Green Fields of France - Lesley Charnock
15 NovBulbs in a Royal Garden (Highgrove) - George Lockwood
6 DecThe Creation of Dickens Christmas Carol - Steve Dimmer
20 DecDefying Logic - Steve Wilkinson
2024
3 JanA Lighthearted Look at Life - Rita Fidler
17 JanUtterly Immoral - Simon Keable-Elliott
7 FebRemembering Shoah - Anne Hughes
21 FebGrace Darling & the Fine Art of Saving Lives at Sea - James Taylor
6 MarThe Questionable History of the TV Quiz Show - Jeff Evans
2022
2 Feb2022 AGM
16 FebThe Russell-Cotes Gallery & Museum - 100th Anniversary - James Taylor
2 MarThe River Thame - focusing on water management & restoration - Doug Kennedy
16 MarOpals - Helen Plumb
6 AprHow to make the most of your memories and possessions in the home - Jane Fletcher
20 AprThe Mysterious Death of MI6 Spy & Code-Breaker Gareth Williams - Paul Barwick
4 MayTen Minute Talks:
A ghost in the family - Ann Barrington, Cyprus before tourism - Joan Bellingham, Poetry is Marmite....or is it? - Anne Hughes
18 MayTreasures beneath our feet - Discovering the Watlington Hoard - James Mather
1 JunFighting Bladder Cancer UK - Susan Mullerworth
15 JunThe Life and Crimes of Agatha Christie - Steve Dimmer
6 JulWinston Churchill's Toy Shop - Gordon Rogers
20 JulWorking for Auntie - Christine Green
3 AugSpecial Envoy to the Matabele People - Jill Elford
17 AugPop on the Box - Jeff Evans
7 SepRichard III - Hero or Villain? - Steve Dimmer
21 SepMorris Minors in the Media - Ann Ford
5 OctSt. Kilda - Sailing to the edge of the World - Sara Frost
19 OctCrafts & Hobbies Show
2 NovPlants to encourage wildlife - George Lockwood
16 NovThe Heritage of Gilbert & Sullivan - Bernard Lockett
7 DecMusings From the Amateur Stage - Part 2 - Mike Brook
21 DecYule Be Surprised Why Christmas is Christmas - Steve Dimmer
2023
4 JanCareless Talk Costs Lives - Art & Design in WWII - James Taylor
18 JanGrowing up in the 1950's - Lesley Charnock
1 FebAs Thame Goes By - a reprise - Len Davidson
15 FebFive RAF Indian Pilots of the Great War - Stephen Barker
1 MarTen Minute Talks:
Why do you want to go to Rugen?” - Bernadette Tildesley, My Time In I.T. - Rita Fidler, The Social Importance of a Town Bench - John Sutton
2021
03 Feb2021 AGM (Zoom meeting)
17 FebRiver Thame - Birding desert or just underwatched and undervalued? - Nick Marriner (Zoom meeting)
03 MarCliveden - Power, Politics & Scandal - Peter Hague (Zoom meeting)
17 MarPotted History - The history of Houseplants - Catherine Horwood (Zoom meeting)
07 AprPorridge - Truth or Fiction? - Ian Gunn (Zoom meeting)
21 Apr2 bars of chocolate a day can help prevent stroke and heart disease - true or false? - Dr. Lynda Ware (Zoom meeting)
05 MayIndonesia - Sailing from Bali to Komodo - Sara Frost (Zoom meeting)
19 MayLife in a Nutshell - John Tyler (Zoom meeting)
02 JunThe Bow Street Runners - Steve & Eve Bacon (Zoom meeting)
16 JunRiver at War - Bill King (Zoom meeting)
07 JulProsthetic Perils – Adventures at home and abroad - Andy Smith (Zoom meeting)
21 JulDaisy's Story - John Caldicott (Zoom meeting)
28 JuyA social gathering to celebrate the lifting of lock-down restrictions. (Zoom meeting)
04 AugPaul Nash & the Wittenham Clumps - Christopher Baines (Zoom meeting)
18 AugA Schoolgirl's War - Mary Smith (Zoom meeting)
01 SepA Grandmother's Legacy: Full Steam Ahead - Jenny Mallin
15 SepForgotten Art of the Picture Postcard 1840-1950 - James Taylor
06 OctBecoming a famous author - Martin Lloyd
20 OctThe Rothchilds of the Thames Valley - Catherine Taylor
03 NovHistory of Coaches and Coach Horns - Colin Pawson
17 NovThe Wit of Winston - Part 2 - Jeff Rozelaar
01 DecLiving Green in Thame – Hazel Boundy
15 DecThe History of Cunard and Glamorous Stars - Steve Herra
2022
05 JanCrystal Palace & the Great Exhibition - John Ansell
19 JanTravel - Ron & Gill Bellis
2020
05 Feb2020 AGM
19 FebMaking space for wildlife - John Tyler
04 Mar10 minute talks:
The sack - Warren Ford, Roy - Rita Fidler, The bottom school - Pat Ruxton
01 JulEva Braun – victim or contriver? - Melanie Gibson-Barton (Zoom meeting)
15 JulLondon - An illustrated history - Simon Gregor (Zoom meeting)
05 AugThe most heroic failure of modern times - Shackleton's Antarctic expedition - Jeremy Holmes (Zoom meeting)
19 AugThe Mitford Sisters - Gillian Cane (Zoom meeting)
02 SepA courageous and skilled shot - Montenegro's photographer Princess, Ksenia Petrovic-Njegos - Elizabeth Gowing (Zoom meeting)
16 SepWildlife on your doorstep - Tom Way (Zoom meeting)
07 OctThe history of cartoons - Ian Keable (Zoom meeting)
21 OctFive generations of a British Raj family seen through the eyes of their granddaughter - Jenny Mallin (Zoom meeting)
04 NovThe wit of Winston - part 1 - Jeff Roselaar (Zoom meeting)
18 NovGlorious Coloured Gemstones - Helen Plumb (Zoom meeting)
02 DecA Christmas Miscellany - Mike Brook (Zoom meeting)
16 DecChristmas Entertainment - Graham Harrison (Zoom meeting)
2021
06 JanA Virtual Tour of Cambridge - Murray Jacobs (Zoom meeting)
20 JanKing Arthur - Myth or reality? - Rupert Matthews (Zoom meeting)
2019
06 Feb2019 AGM
20 Feb40 years Bomb Disposal and still 10 Fingers - Ian Jones
06 Mar10 Minute Talks:
Ripping yarns - Sue Jenkins, Roy - Rita Fidler, Tying the knot in Thailand - Julie West
20 MarVolunteering with Orangutans in Borneo - Anthea Mearns
03 AprSkye of the beaten track - John Rogers (Meeting held in the Spread Eagle)
17 AprThe complete Thame Remembers - David Bretherton
01 MayFrom rags to riches - The story of Andrew Carnegie - Jeremy Holmes
15 MayThe life and career of Lord Williams - Brian Lowe
05 JunTed Heath: A reputation revisited - Dr. Martin Holmes
19 JunThe history of the National Gardens Scheme - Priscilla Frost
03 JulThe history of the Foundling Hospital - John Caldicott
17 JulBagel and bacon - Jeff Rozelaar
07 AugThe sex lives of Kings - Tony Stafford
21 AugMelodies and the memories – Linda Watts
04 SepBless 'em all - Adrian Broadway
18 SepFrom guns and roses to hearts and flowers - Catherine Jones
02 OctThe remarkable story of our national chair - the Windsor - Stuart Linford
16 OctCraft and Hobbies Show
06 NovFrom Cylinder to CD - and beyond - Ian Brearley
20 NovA virtual safari to Africa - Bob Brind-Surch
04 DecChristmas - A celebratory history - Andy Thomas
2020
15 JanJapan at Cherry Blossom time - Edward Bray & Mary-Ann Evans
2018
07 Feb2018 AGM
21 FebPandemonium in Thame! - Pandemonium Band
07 MarA year behind the scenes at Waterperry - Rob Jacobs
21 MarWhat do the Groups do? - Group Leaders
04 AprAn Inspector recalls - Derek Turner
18 AprHistory minus the boring bits - Susan Howe
02 MayPassports, Assassins, Traitors & Spies - Martin Lloyd
16 MayA Passion for Pearls - Frances Benton
06 JunThe Problems with recording Mammals in the UK - Derek Crawley
20 JunSuffragettes: Freedom Fighters or Terrorists? - Colin Oakes
04 JulFrom Page to Stage - Jennifer Cowling
18 JulMembers' antique/collectable valuations - Stephen Hearn
01 Augno meeting
15 AugThe history of golf - Stefan White
05 SepThe Oxford of Inspector Morse - Alistair Lack
19 Sep101 things you never knew about garden birds - Chris Ward
03 OctMemoirs of a Royal Footman - Ian Scott-Hunter
17 Oct10 minute talks:
Civil Defence - Peter Hewitt, The Fuzz - Gill Read, Stealing Music - Eric Crouch
07 NovThe Tudor Wall Painting at Thame Museum - Lindsey Weimers
21 NovBrain Gremlins - Living positively with Alzheimers - Valerie Blumenthal
05 DecGilbert & Sullivan and the Savoy Operas - Roger Askew
2019
02 JanBumbling around the Baltic - Anne Fisher
16 JanMy Work in Burma - Sherry Scott
2017
1 Feb2017 AGM
15 FebThe Life of a Civil War Soldier - Tony Cullen
1 MarTen Minute Talks:
Being Santa - Keith Broadey, Not quite what I expected - Joan Boughton, And dysentery sealed my fate - Hilary Cope
15 MarBirds, Tigers & Taj - Arthur Ball
5 AprHarold Wilson - a reputation revised - Martin Holmes
19 AprHuman Impact on Wildlife including Climate Change - Nigel Griffiths
3 MayImpressionists v. Pre-Raphaelites - Colin Lomas
17 MayAn English History of Freedom - Andy Thomas
7 Jun40 years of Catching Smugglers Pt II - Malcolm Nelson
21 JunThame U3A has talent - Members
5 JulArchaeological Excavations in Thame 2015 - Chris Ellis
19 JulThe Works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh - Bob Kendall
2 AugSecret London - Mike Beech
16 AugPre-history through Archaeology - Meg Latham
6 SepFacing the Camera - Zena Skinner
20 SepFilming Life on Earth - Martin Saunders
4 OctThe Geology of the Chilterns - Jill Eye
18 OctHeroes of Bomber Command - The Veterans' Stories - Steve Darlow
1 NovSkye – Off the beaten track - John Rogers
15 NovArt, Science and the Un-feathered Bird - Katarina van Grouw
6 DecChristmas Entertainment - Poetry & Singing Groups
2018
3 JanNepal - Anne Fisher
17 JanA mad way to earn a living - Doug Watkinson
2016
3 Feb2016 AGM
17 FebThe Art of Faith - Nicholas Mynheer
2 MarThe Restoration of the Wilts & Bucks Canal - Martin Buckland
16 MarThe Unnatural History of the National Trust - David Bullock
6 AprThe Ridgeway: Europe’s Oldest Track? - John Tyler
20 Apr10 Minute Talks: My Part in the Wall Street Crash - Brian Fisher, I've started so I'll finish - Sue Jenkins, Medical Research Part 2 - Ross Dyke
4 MayThe Palace of Knightsbridge - _Richard Furnival-Jones
18 MayThe Music of Jerome Kern - Ken Fitt
1 JunUp in the Clouds (with some fluffy bits) - Alan Brewer
15 JunBishops, Sex and Money - Tony Stafford
6 JulMusic Hall and WW1 Show - Adrian Broadway
20 JulLondon Oddities part III - Sally Botwright
3 AugLocation, Location, Location - Linda Warren
17 Aug20th Century Poets - John Waterer
7 SepAn Inspector Falls - Derek Turner
21 SepFrom 4 legs that move to 4 legs that don't - Stephen Hearn
5 OctThe Gardens at Giverny - Susan Brooke
19 OctSkye off the Beaten Track - John Rogers
02 NovWhat do the Groups do? - Group Leaders
16 NovThe Story of the Mary Rose - Bob Foster
7 DecChristmas Music - Anything Goes
2017
4 JanImperial Cities and Beyond - Anne Fisher
18 JanAmnesty International - Bob Fieldsend
2015
4 Feb2015 AGM
18 FebThe Art of Turner & Constable - Serena Quatermaine
4 MarBuckinghamshire Market Towns - Julian Hunt
18 MarVaccine Research at Oxford - Christopher Green
1 Apr40 Years Catching Smugglers - Malcolm Nelson
15 Apr10 Minute Talks - Members
6 MayGM Crops - Do We Need Them? - Dr. Brenda Harold
20 MayElizabethan Lindon - Early Modern Capital - Colin Oakes
3 JunThe Story of the Mary Rose - Bob Foster
17 JunA Tour of the Universe - Valerie Calderbank
1 JulThame Remembers - David Bretherton
15 JulThe Music of Jerome Kern - Ken Fitt
5 AugLife as Speaker - John Bercow
19 AugWildlife of Oxfordshire - Dudley Iles
2 SepMeet Mrs Emmeline Pankhurst - Louise Reed
16 SepThe Gardens of Claude Monet at Giverny - Susan Brooke
7 OctImpressions of Japan - Margaret Deakin
21 OctCraft Show - Members
4 NovEccentrics in Dickens Novels - Ann Severn
18 NovOrigins and Secret Meanings of Nursery Rhymes - Terry Penny
2 DecThe History of Christmas - Lesley Charnock
2016
6 JanEthiopia - Anne Fisher
20 JanThe Green Man, Who, what and why - Jo Blenkinsop
2014
5 Feb2014 AGM
19 FebHumour is a Tonic - Betty Page
5 MarEnergy for Life - Alex Paterson
19 MarMusic of the Stones - Zachary Taylor
2 Apr10 minute talks:
Mevagissey - Len Chapman, An Entertaining Speech - Julie West, Medical Research - Ross Dike
16 AprThe Streets of India - Ed & Jenny Bullimore
7 MayNature's Signals - John Tyler
21 MayWhitehall Revisited - Len Davidson
4 JunLondon Oddities 2 - Sally Botwright
18 JunThe History of Pinewood Studios - Mike Payne
2 JulLife in a Library - Peter Mussett
16 JulChild labour in 19th-century Oxfordshire - Liz Woolley
6 AugThe Great War: music, memorials and memories - Lesley Charnock
20 AugThe Great Train Robbery - John Woolley
3 SepThe Shaky Islands - Jill Carey
17 SepOxford Eccentrics - Richard Smith
1 OctHedgehogs - Hugh Warwick
15 OctMemories - TBA
5 NovRichard III - Rita Fidler
19 NovCanine Partners - Malcolm Welles
3 DecChristmas meeting - TBA
2015
7 JanNew Year on the Mekong - Anne Fisher
21 JanTreasures of the Oxford Museums - Susan Griffiths & Nicola Bird
2013
6 Feb2013 AGM
20 FebPicking a Winner. 20 Paintings in the Ashmolean - Susanne Carr
6 MarThe Energy Crisis & Nuclear Fusion Research - Robin Stafford-Allen
20 MarWorking with Police Dogs - James Cumming
3 AprThe Performance between the Ears - Karen O'Connor
17 AprLondon Oddities - Sally Botwright
1 MayA History of Pop - Mike Hurst
15 MayThe Chilterns from the Middle Ages - Simon Townley
5 JunMembers Ten Minute Talks:
Spread Eagle; Kings Cross; Marlow Donkey
19 JunOpen All Hours - John Mutton
3 JulIt's a Girl's Life in the Army - Gillian Cane
17 JulHow to Paint a Picture while your Buns are in the Oven - Beryl Maile
7 AugCanterbury Tales - Anne Fisher
21 AugCourt Entertainment to Ceildh - Mike Ruff
4 SepCentre for Buckinghamshire Studies - Sally Mason
18 SepStory of the Radcliffe Infirmary - Andrew Moss
2 OctThe Incredible World of the Honey Bee - Steve Moll
16 OctCraft & Art Show
6 NovMagical Madagascar - Barry Oxley
20 NovAylesbury Waterside Theatre & History of Panto - Cath Campbell
4 DecChristmas Celebration - Sarah Goss & Jane Coulcher
2014
15 JanRound the Horn - Gill & Ron Bellis