Friday September 19th 2025 – Vulcan & Concorde: Iconic Aircraft
Presented by Guy Bartlett, Aviation Historian

Friday October 17th 2025 – Guiding, Ghosts & Gossip at Royal Palaces
Presented by Sarah Slater, White Badge Guide Lecturer, Hampton Court Palace & Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Windsor Castle

Friday November 21st 2025 – The History of British Industry: Iron & Rivets, to Electronics & Jets, to Robots & A I   Presented by Dr Richard Marks

 U3A Kingston Group Climate Action – Meeting with Ed Davey MP

In early June a few of us from our Climate Action Group co-ordinated by Christine Thompson, joined forces with some members of Kingston United Reform Church (KURC) to meet with Sir Ed Davey MP. Our purpose was to discuss climate change,

The meeting was held at the Lib Dem Constituency office in Surbiton. Our meeting lasted well over the scheduled hour.

Prior to the meeting, we had planned to focus our discussions on the Climate and Nature Bill (the CAN Bill), which had been introduced to Parliament by Lib Dem MP Dr Roz Savage.

Having been Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change during the coalition years, Ed was very well informed and could answer all our questions with clarity and understanding. He expressed a view that, UK voters are concerned about the cost of living, care/NHS and immigration. [ When asked specifically about climate change, they are concerned about it] Ed regrets that the topic of climate change has dropped out of public discourse and made the point that, amongst other things, immigration is linked to climate change. Ed was very approachable and pleasant.

Ed commented that we should support the use of renewable energy sources e.g. tidal, water, wind and solar and that we should be using use less gas and oil.

Ed is clearly very familiar with his constituency and referred to his involvement with the local project called the Hogsmill Heat Network whereby waste heat from the sewage works could be used to heat buildings. Our colleagues from KURC thought this may be worth investigating when planning a new heating system for their Church.

On a global level we talked about how important it is for debt-laden countries to have their debts cancelled on condition they invest in renewables. This development has already begun in some countries.  Ed thanked Christine for raising this matter.

The meeting demonstrated the importance of addressing big challenges like climate change, economic inequality and how anyone can become involved in these subjects. We felt that we have a shared responsibility to tackle these issues, and hopefully, we have laid the foundation for future collaboration between community groups and their MP.

Bill Higgins, Kingston U3A Climate Action Group Member

LATE SUMMER/AUTUMN WALKS and VISITS FOR u3a MEMBERS PROGRAMME SEPTEMBER & OCTOBER 2025

Continuing the London Region’s 2025 successful series of guided Walks and Visits to Museums and Galleries we are delighted to give you the opportunity to participate in more trips during the months of September and October 2025. Each event is organised and led by qualified guides.

Walks and visits are usually of 1.5/2 hours duration.

Each event is bookable separately and costs £10.00 with usually a maximum of 20 participants.

No refunds.

To book : please click on the link for the event that you are interested in (Links are located below the description for each event in this document).

Please apply and pay online in advance – it’s quick and easy, saves paper and helps with administration.

BACs payment : If you do not wish to pay through the online booking system you may pay by bank transfer to London Region’s bank account – details provided by email upon request. Note: this is slower than paying online.

Place confirmed only upon receipt of payment.

Booking/Payment Confirmation: Your booking and payment confirmations will be sent to you by email on receipt of payment. If you think that you have not received the Booking Confirmation, please check your spam/junk folder before emailing the contact below.

Please remember that the booking is not secured until the payment confirmation (from PayPal) is received. This is NOT the same as the booking confirmation

Please bring your Booking Confirmation with you (paper or ‘phone) on the day/s you attend, as this will act as your ticket. Contact for enquiries: Bookings.lru3a@gmail.com

2nd Tues Sept    11.00-12.45 appr. Walk Inns of Court 3

8th Mon Sept     11.00-13.00 appr. Walk Magical Marylebone

4 Mon & 15th Sept 11.00-13.00 Gallery Visit Faith and Female Image at the Victoria & Albert Museum

5 Fri 19th Sept11.00-13.00 appr. Walk Hampstead Village – So Exclusive, it’s twinned with itself!

6 Fri 19th Sept 14.00-16.00 appr. Walk Hampstead Village – So Exclusive, it’s twinned with itself! REPEAT OF MORNING WALK

7 Sun= 28th Sept 10.45 for 11.00 –12.30 Visit V & A Museum Gallery Visit

8 Sun 28th Sept 13.45 for 14.00 – 15.30 Visit V & A Museum Gallery Visit REPEAT OF MORNING VISIT

9 Tue 30th Septr 11.00-12.30/13.00 appr. Walk War and the City 10 Thur 9th Oct 11.00-13.00 Visit National Portrait Gallery

11 Thur 9th Oct 14.00-16.00 Visit National Portrait Gallery REPEAT OF THE MORNING VISIT

12 Thur 9th Oct 11.00-1230 Walk Black History Month walk in Westminster

13 Thur 9th Oct 14.30-1600 Walk Black History Month walk in Westminster REPEAT OF MORNING WALK BUT IN REVERSE

14 Tues 14th Oct 11.00-12.30 Walk/visit Black History walk and Guildhall visit

15 Thur 23rd Oct 11.00-12.30/1300 Walk Fitzrovia 16

Notes Our experienced Guides have noted any significant points for their own walk in the Programme description.

On the day, Guides will brief their groups in more detail about the route and any specific instructions. However, the following general points apply to all walks:  A back-marker will be nominated by the Guide to keep an eye on those at the back of the group.  Guides may be equipped with voice amplification equipment.

 All Guides are qualified and full members of Guiding associations with third party insurance but if Applicants have any issues that the Guide needs to know about, please indicate this in your application form

 Please wear suitable footwear and clothing; bring drinking water and other essential personal items; coins (50p recommended) for public toilets.

Contact for enquiries:Bookings.lru3a@gmail.com 

Friday September 19th 2025 – Vulcan & Concorde: Iconic Aircraft
Presented by Guy Bartlett, Aviation Historian

Friday October 17th 2025 – Guiding, Ghosts & Gossip at Royal Palaces
Presented by Sarah Slater, White Badge Guide Lecturer, Hampton Court Palace & Blue Badge Tourist Guide, Windsor Castle

Friday November 21st 2025 – The History of British Industry: Iron & Rivets, to Electronics & Jets, to Robots & AI
Presented by Dr Richard Marks

Friday February 20th 2026 – Study day on National Gardens Scheme planned

Friday March 20th 2026 – Study day on Climate Change planned

Friday April 17th 2026 – Study day on Medieval History planned

Friday May 15th 2026 – Study day on Lies & Statistics planned

Friday June 19th 2026 – Study day on Theatre planned

Are you over 70, still working, self-employed, or still taking part in interesting sports or pass-times? If so, I’d really like to hear from you and include you in my study, which initially will be for possible publication in the Royal Photographic Society’s Documentary Journal, but hopefully also an exhibition. We constantly hear about the value of all sections of the community, but somehow we wrinklies seem to get forgotten and undervalued.

I’d like to do something about that. Plumbers, electricians, brain surgeons, volunteers, rock musicians, or simply people taking part in sports and pass-times at an age perhaps many might not expect. We all contribute, so please drop me a line and let me photograph you doing whatever it is you do. Over 80s and 90s especially welcome! I’m 77, based in the Epsom area and, if you’ve still got it, I look forward to hearing from you!

Mike Longhurst mlonghurst@hotmail.co.uk

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?tab=rm&ogbl#search/joy?projector=1

10.00-16.00 (Registration from 10.00 -10.50)
Venue: Lift Islington, 45 White Lion Street,
London N1 9PW
Closest Station – Angel Underground 5 minute walk

BOOKING FROM 28TH FEBRUARY 2025
TICKET PRICE £26.00 NO REFUNDS

AI has been around since the 1950’s, but has recently leapt into prominence in the news with comments ranging from praise for its astonishing benefits to alarming stories of the end of humanity. With the UK government’s recent announcement about a national AI initiative we need more than ever to understand what AI means for the world, for organisations and for us as individuals.
If you have tried AI and found the results underwhelming, this workshop will explain why and how you may choose to make AI your assistant.

We will explore what AI is and how it works, provide case studies of its application, discuss the issues and challenges, and offer demonstrations of AI tools that are available to all u3a members. The event is hosted by London Region of U3As, but led by members of the Third Age Trust’s ‘AI for Everyone Team’.

For details including directions and link to application form, CLICK HERE  as soon as possible after 28th February 2025. The Events Team cannot make bookings on your behalf.

 For assistance please email bookings.lru3a@gmail.com

Women’s History Month
Launch of Bookings 18th February 

We are delighted to announce a programme of walks and gallery visits to highlight Women’s History Month in March 2025. All events are £10 no refunds

The detailed Programme will be available on 18th February from the London Region website. Click on this link, after that date, to the Events page

Wednesday 12th March- Gallery Visit – Morning
The Women who Broke Barriers – National Portrait Gallery
11.00-13.00  capacity 10
Guided by Dr Paul Waddams
This will be repeated at 14.00

Wednesday 12th March- Gallery Visit – Afternoon
The Women who Broke Barriers – National Portrait Gallery
14.00-16.00 capacity 10
Guided by Dr Paul Waddams
This is a repeat of the 11.00 tour

Friday 14th March – Walk  
Warring, Worthy and Wise: the Wonderful Women of Westminster
11.00-12.30 capacity 20
Guided by Caroline Mongan

Friday 14th March – Gallery Visit
Wonderful Women in Art at the National Gallery.
14.00-15.30 capacity 20
Guided by Caroline Mongan

Wednesday 19th March – Gallery visit
This tour will be repeated on 22th March
Women in the Wallace Collection
11.00-12.30 capacity 20
Guided by Richard Cohen,

Thursday 20th March – Walk
The Women who Broke Barriers walk
11.00-13.00 capacity 20
Guided by Dr Paul Waddams

Saturday 22nd March – Gallery Visit repeat of visit on 19th March
Women in the Wallace Collection
11.00-12.30 capacity 20
Guided by Richard Cohen,

Tuesday 25th March – Walk- Morning
Trailblazing Women of Bloomsbury
11.00-13.00 capacity 20
Guided by Chris Wilkins Molloy
This will be repeated at 14.00

Tuesday 25th March – Walk- Afternoon
Trailblazing Women of Bloomsbury
14.00-16.00 capacity 20
Guided by Chris Wilkins Molloy
This is a repeat of the 11.00 walk

1. Kingston u3a Singers Following our successful summer concert in June, it would be nice to see you all for our seasonal programme, again with a varied selection of songs and carols. Our Christmas concert will take place at 7.30pm on Saturday, 7 December at the Richard Mayo Centre in the United Reformed Church, where the monthly Kingston u3a meetings take place. Tickets (£10) will be available closer to the time or on the day.

2. Singing for Fun Here’s another date for your diaries. The Singing for Fun choir will hold its Christmas concert at 11am-12 noon on Friday, 6 December, also at the United Reform Church in Kingston. We’ll be performing a.                         programme of winter/ seasonal songs. Entrance is free.

Surrey Network: Study Days Study days have been arranged in the coming months. Time: 10am-4pm (registration and login begin at 9.30am) Dates: See programme details below. Place: You can attend in person at the Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon or join online via Zoom. Cost (including tea/coffee biscuits): £12 for members and £15 for guests attending in person. Attendees should bring their own packed lunch. £5 for those attending via Zoom.

Surrey Network: Study Days

Study days have been arranged in the coming months.

Time: 10am-4pm (registration and login begin at 9.30am)

Dates: See programme details below.

Place: You can attend in person at the Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon or join online via Zoom.

Cost (including tea/coffee biscuits): £12 for members and £15 for guests attending in person. Attendees should bring their own packed lunch. £12 for those attending via Zoom.

Programme

u3a Festival 2024: 18-20 July u3a’s first national festival will run over three days at the University of York. There’ll be a wide variety of activities, talks, sporting events, musical entertainment and workshops. The organisers are keen to strengthen their musical offering so, if any of Kingston u3a’s singers or musicians would like to participate, please email festival@u3a.org.uk. You can find more details about events, accommodation (Airbnb, guest houses and hotels), costs and regular updates about this on the national festival’s website.

u3a members can join a wide range of online talks, workshops and courses for free with their membership!

Most of these opportunities are presented by members themselves; sharing their knowledge or skills with others across the movement. We also have a wide range of talks on offer from well-known speakers and organisations, plus in-person events at venues like the Royal Institution.

All of these events can be booked below via Eventbrite. At the time of booking, please ensure that you can attend and if you later find that you’re unable to, please cancel your place through Eventbrite to avoid others missing out unnecessarily. All events are for u3a members only.

If you are considering offering a talk or workshop please get in touch at learning@u3a.org.uk – we’d love to hear from you.

Our online events are hosted on Zoom. We have some ‘How to Guides‘ for using Zoom if you are unfamiliar with the platform. Don’t forget u3a also runs many projects, initiatives and competitions available for all members to get involved in too

March/April

Link to these events   https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/educational-events

Be prepared to scroll down as they are trying to get you to subscribe before showing you details of all events but they are there!

Our first Monthly meeting was on January 8th and as tradition dictates was a Quiz!  Lots of you did join us and serious competition began.  Dingbats with an Animal Theme,   Whose eyes are these?  Name this building in Kingston Borough from an interesting photo(?) embarrassing how many you nearly knew but couldn’t quite name. There was close competition not to win as usual but we have crowned the winners and await their version of a quiz for next year.

P.S. many thanks to this years organisers who were a cross section of keen quizzers previously unknown to each other who provided us all with lots of fun in a very well organised event.

Surrey Network: Study Days

Study days have been arranged in the coming months.

Time: 10am-4pm (registration and login begin at 9.30am)

Dates: See programme details below.

Place: You can attend in person at the Menuhin Hall, Stoke d’Abernon or join online via Zoom.

Cost (including tea/coffee biscuits): £12 for members and £15 for guests attending in person. Attendees should bring their own packed lunch. £5 for those attending via Zoom.

Programme

2024

•        A Day on the Train: A Railway Journey, Railway Adventures and Cultural History of Railways – Fri, 16 Feb
•        Europe at War: Putin’s War in Ukraine and the British Commitment – Fri, 15 Mar
•        Earth’s Atmosphere: Our Life Support System – Fri, 19 Apr
•     The Jazz Age and Beyond with Talks, Film, Demonstrations and Musical Finale – Fri, 17 May

Christmas Day Lunch At Hawkers Brasserie

The Double Tree by Hilton

Skerne Rd

Kingston upon Thames KT2 5FJ

Cost £89.95

Drinks fro  1.15 p.m. Eat 2.00 p.m

Contact Lesley Hodges lesleyhodge12@gmail.com  or 07768643663

Lifts will be arranged if required!