Please note that notification of general events of interest and study days, seminars etc often arrive at times that do not coincide with the publishing of Newsletter and What's On Sheet. The online diary and study days pages may therefore contain events that have not yet been published in the printed Newsletter or What's On and may not be published in them if the timing is not suitable or space is limited.
(See individual Group pages for Group programmes. Other diaries available from the Diaries dropdown menu, are Group Visits for a summary of Group visits, Study Days for more information on study days, and Local non-U3A Events for more information on various local events that may be of interest to members.)
| Date | Time | Event | Where (click postcode for map) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sat, 28-Mar-20 | 10:00 - 12:00 | CANCELLED New Members Meeting : An opportunity for you to meet other new members, members of the management committee and to explore possibilities of becoming involved in helping the U3A operate. The meeting will also give you the opportunity to raise any issues or concerns you may have since joining the U3A. Refreshments will be served at 9.30am. Contact Sandie Mulcahy for further information. | Lawn Community Centre (SN3 1LA) |
| Mon, 6-Apr-20 | 02:15 | CANCELLED To Educate, Inform and Entertain A run through the history of UK radio including the use of propaganda in WW2 and some entertaining clips from radio shows | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Tue, 5-May-20 | 09:30 - 16:00 | CANCELLED The U3A IN KENNET VALLEY are holding a Special Interest Day. CLIMATE CHANGE AND SUSTAINABLE FUTURES - 1. Climate Change —is it really real? Penny Tranter - Meteorological Office 2. Fusion Power? Within our grasp? Robin Stafford Allen formerly Culham Centre for Fusion Energy 3. The Circular Carbon Economy Peter Edwards FRS Oxford University 4. Societal Perceptions of Climate Change and Support for Low Carbon Lifestyles Dr Katherine Steentjes Cardiff University. Cost £20 per person for U3A Members For more details and a registration form to attend please email sid2020@u3ainkennet.org.uk | Marlborough College Memorial Hall |
| Mon, 11-May-20 | 02:15 | CANCELLED The Early History of Penguin Books - Barry Edwards A consideration of the first 25 years of Penguin Books and the huge impact of 'the paperback revolution on reading habits. The talk is illustrated with early examples from the a speakers very large collection of Penguins.' | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Mon, 8-Jun-20 | 02:15 | How to cope with a damaged brain - Nick Gibbs Interesting and amusing talk on how to manage a brain injury day to day, life after having a stroke and coping with dementia and mental health. | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Sat, 5-Sep-20 | 10:00 - 12:30 | Come along to our Open Day and to find out about Swindon U3A and to talk to some of our Group organisers. We look forward to meeting you! | St Joseph's College (SN3 3LR) |
| Sat, 14-Nov-20 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Academic Lecture - "Mad, Bad & Dangerous to know". This is an extract from Dr Harkup's website: Scientist's sometimes get stereotyped. Why are scientists depicted as chronically shy, slightly odd and carrying out crazy experiments to try and take over the world? Of course it's only Bond villains who are plotting to take over the world and most scientists are lovely sociable people. But the stereotype came from somewhere....This talk looks at a selection of scientists who have gone the extra mile to discover incredible things. Fun, fascinating and full of facts. Sign up to hear Dr Kathryn Harkup deliver this exciting lecture. Contact Sandra Mulcahy for further information. Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Date | Time | Event | Where (click postcode for map) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fri, 14-Jun-19 to Wed, 14-Aug-19 | 11:00 - 14:00 | 2019 SUMMER SINGALONG This event will take place again this year on August 14th from 11.00am to 2.00pm. The venue will again be St.Joseph’s College. The format will be different in that we shall sing together, Karaoke Style, following musical backing and lead vocals, with lyrics displayed on the big screen. There will be a Social break for 40/45 minutes around lunch time, when tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. WHY NOT BRING YOUR OWN PACKED LUNCH ALONG WITH YOUR FAVOURITE TIPPLE- SOFT DRINKS, WINE, BEER, CIDER ETC. During the morning session and lunch break there will be the opportunity to put in requests for the second session. SPACE IS NOT UNLIMITED SO TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER; Martin Preston: 07585957617, or email; mjpreston@btinternet.com Gill McKinnon:07990507979, or email; gmckinnon15@ntlworld.com | St Joseph's College (SN3 3LR) |
| Wed, 19-Jun-19 to Wed, 19-Jun-19 | 10:30 - 15:00 | The day trip group is running a coach trip to Oakham Treasures Museum on Wednesday 19th June. A trip down memory lane, the museum is a family collection of memorabilia from farm equipment and a working model railway to a haberdashery and grocery store from the early fifties and much more. This trip is open to all Swindon U3A members. The pick up points are listed below. The journey takes just over an hour. The coach will drive directly to the venue arriving at approximately 10.30 and will leave at 3.00 pm. This will give time for a leisurely tour of all the exhibits in the museum. Coffee and home made cakes & lunch can be purchased in the large cafe. Pick up points Sainsbury car park 9.00 am West Swindon Ashington Way. 9.15 am Swindon Bus Station. 9.30. am These times are approximate and will be confirmed nearer the visit. If you are interested in this trip please contact Kathrina Fairgrieve at jgordonf@live.co.uk or telephone 01793 – 978039. Please leave your name and phone number and I will return your call. The cost of the coach including drivers trip is £12.00 per person. Entrance fee is £6.50 per person payable on the day. £12.00 non refundable bus payment to Swindon U3A by 29th May Group entrance fee is £6.50. Per person payable on the day | Oakham Treasures Museum |
| Sat, 6-Jul-19 to Sat, 6-Jul-19 | 10:00 - 12:00 | ‘A’ is for Arsenic - Lecture by Dr Kathryn Harkup This lecture is at the Coleview Community Centre starting at 10:30 and lasting for 1 hour with time for questions afterwards. Tea & coffee from 10:00 Agatha Christie used poison to kill her characters more often than any other crime fiction writer. Poison was a central part of the novel, and her choice of deadly substances was far from random. The characteristics of each poison provide vital clues to the discovery of the murderer. Christie gained her extensive chemical knowledge from working in a pharmacies during both world wars. Please sign up on the swindon u3a website as numbers are limited. More about the speaker can be found by clicking on her name. Dr Kathryn Harkup |
Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Wed, 14-Aug-19 to Wed, 14-Aug-19 | 11:00 - 14:00 | 2019 SUMMER SINGALONG This event will take place again this year on August 14th from 11.00am to 2.00pm. The venue will again be St.Joseph’s College. The format will be different in that we shall sing together, Karaoke Style, following musical backing and lead vocals, with lyrics displayed on the big screen. There will be a Social break for 40/45 minutes around lunch time, when tea, coffee and biscuits will be provided. WHY NOT BRING YOUR OWN PACKED LUNCH ALONG WITH YOUR FAVOURITE TIPPLE- SOFT DRINKS, WINE, BEER, CIDER ETC. During the morning session and lunch break there will be the opportunity to put in requests for the second session. SPACE IS NOT UNLIMITED SO TO CONFIRM YOUR PLACE, PLEASE CONTACT EITHER; Martin Preston: 07585957617, or email; mjpreston@btinternet.com Gill McKinnon:07990507979, or email; gmckinnon15@ntlworld.com | St Joseph's College (SN3 3LR) |
| Sat, 31-Aug-19 to Sat, 31-Aug-19 | 10:00 - 12:30 | Swindon U3A Open Day is an opportunity to come along and see what Swindon U3A is all about and to find out what groups are available for members to join. It is also an opportunity for members current and new to offer help in starting up and running new groups | St Joseph's College (SN3 3LR) |
| Mon, 23-Sep-19 | 14:00 - 16:00 | This will be the first Quiz of the new year. | Gorse Hill Community Centre (SN2 8DA) |
| Tue, 24-Sep-19 | 14:00 - 16:00 | Getting to Know you and finding out what you know of our hobby , and how to make better video and hints & Tips making you a better videographer. | Alexandra Room,Ellendune Community Centre , (SN4 9LL) |
| Mon, 14-Oct-19 | 14:15 | AGM followed by a talk by Bob Tabel, Safe and Well Advisor, from Swindon North Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service, entitled Safe & Well. | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Wed, 30-Oct-19 | 13:30 - 17:00 | Sing along to the Sound of Music Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Sat, 9-Nov-19 | 10:00 - 12:00 | New Members - come along and meet other new members and find out how you can get the most out of your U3A Meeting begins at 10 am, hot drinks served from 9.30. Book here | Lawn Community Centre (SN3 1LA) |
| Sat, 16-Nov-19 | 10:30 - 12:30 | Following requests from members, an Information morning about drones has been arranged which will take place on Saturday 16th November from 10.30-12.30 at the Coleview Community Centre. Refreshments will be served from 10.00. Speakers will be Philip from the Halo Drone Company based in Bradford upon Avon and Isla from Oxford University Drone Society. We look forward to seeing you at this interesting and informativo event. Book a place on the SUCAS website or contact Avril directly at avmuirhead@gmail.com Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Mon, 25-Nov-19 | 14:00 - 16:30 | The Nutcracker - Film of ballet danced by the Royal Ballet. Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Mon, 2-Dec-19 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Presentation on global warming followed by questions and discussion Guest speaker: Alan Stewart Book here | Western Community Centre (SN2 1NF) |
| Mon, 9-Dec-19 to Mon, 9-Dec-19 | 02:15 - 04:30 | We are delighted to announce that before the choir at our Christmas Monday meeting on Monday 9th December, we are having a seasonal playreading by Swindon U3A's very own play reading group led by Gillian Jeffries. Please come along to enjoy this festive experience and support Gillian and her group. | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Fri, 20-Dec-19 | 19:30 - 22:30 | Line Dance Charity Social. Bring a prize for the raffle. | Liden Community Centre (SN3 6HF) |
| Mon, 13-Jan-20 | 14:15 - 15:30 | “Across the Tropic of Capricorn” by Pam and Eddy Lane. A voyage across the Pacific Ocean featuring the Wildlife of the beautiful South Sea Islands from Norfolk Island to Papua New Guinea. | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Thu, 30-Jan-20 | 14:00 - 17:00 | Film for January ‘A Song for Marion’. Arthur Harris is the grumpy husband of Marion, who is terminally ill yet continues to participate with enthusiasm at her local seniors' choir, The OAP'Z. The choirmaster is a young teacher, Elizabeth who is preparing the choir to enter a local musical choir competition called "Shadow Song". Marion's health deteriorates over time until one night when she dies in her sleep. Arthur initially takes this loss severely and cuts himself from his family and the choir. Eventually he agrees to take Marion's place in the choir. ... Ring Margaret Goldie on 790546 or Contact Martin Preston for further information. Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Sat, 1-Feb-20 | 10:00 - 12:00 | Woodland Trust : Standing up for Trees Content: The presentation starts with a look at the state of our woods today and the current threats and issues that we face in maintaining or increasing woodland cover in the UK. The main threats include tree diseases and land use. Then there is a quick overview of the history and aims of the Woodland Trust (which is now the UK’s largest woodland charity). Its talks about the protection of existing woodlands, the creation of new woodland and the restoration of ancient woodland. Towards the end of the presentation we take look a deeper loo into ancient woodland and the Charter for Trees. Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |
| Mon, 10-Feb-20 | 02:15 | Handwriting and Forgeries - John Jameson-Davis A fascinating look at what handwriting can tell you about the writer and how an expert identifies forged signatures | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Fri, 28-Feb-20 | 14:00 - 16:30 | February’s film is The Mikado, one of the most famous and best-loved of Gilbert and Sullivan‘s operettas. It tells the story of Nanki-Poo, who loves Yum-Yum, but she’s betrothed to Ko-Ko, the new Lord High Executioner. When the Mikado orders a beheading, Nanki-Poo and Ko-Ko try to come to an arrangement that doesn’t involve anyone losing their head! Probably the most-often performed of Gilbert and Sullivan’s work, we’re sure you’ll know many of the songs, which include ‘A wandering minstrel I’; ‘They’ll none of them be missed’; ‘Three Little girls from School are we’. We will be showing the D’Oyly Carte Opera Company production of this, filmed in 2011. To book use the link below, ring Margaret Goldie on (01793) 790546 or Contact Martin Preston for further information. Book here | Western Community Centre (SN2 1NF) |
| Mon, 9-Mar-20 | 02:15 | Gloucester Docks - Then and Now Gloucester Docks were linked to the sea by the widest and deepest waterway the world had ever seen. A financial disaster, it was a triumph for Gloucester and now adds considerable tourist interest to a midlands city. | Ellendune Community Centre (SN4 9LW) |
| Tue, 24-Mar-20 | 14:00 - 17:00 | CANCELLED 'Mamma Mia 2: Here we go again', is set five years after the events of Mamma Mia. Sophie prepares for the grand reopening of the Hotel Bella Donna as she learns more about her mother's past. In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduated from Oxford University -- leaving Donna free to embark on a series of adventures throughout Europe. On her journeys, she makes the acquaintances of Harry, Bill and Sam. She falls in love with Sam, but he's also the man who breaks her heart. In the present day, Donna's pregnant daughter, Sophie, dreams of renovating a taverna while reuniting with her mother's old friends and boyfriends on the Greek island of Kalokairi. To book use the link below, ring Margaret Goldie on (01793) 790546 or Contact Martin Preston for further information. Book here | Coleview Community Centre (SN3 4AS) |