Hello everyone, Welcome to the August Newsletter. Finally, the rain came down and oh boy didn’t it. The plants said thank you and all the gardeners were very happy. Hooray!!

I am very sorry that we had to cancel our last monthly meeting, mostly because of the disruption it caused and the fact that Paul Barwick is a very good speaker. If we get a cancellation Paul said he would try to make the date, otherwise he has been engaged for July 2026. We were only given one week’s notice by Bourne Hall who cancelled our booking. So, we had to inform all the members of the cancellation via a personal email. Some of the committee even turned up at Bourne Hall just in case and stopped 5 people from getting car park tickets. In the meantime, we had to try and get another venue. The problem was time and 200 people to be located. Can you imagine people getting to the Epsom Playhouse via buses, cars (car park extremely expensive) bikes and people who usually walk. It was not viable. It would have been chaos. I really did not want members to have the problems that would have arisen. Cancelling was the only option. I hope we did not miss anyone and if we did, please let me know.

Now for some lighter news. I would like to say a big thank you to the volunteers for refreshments. In total we had 20 people sign up and on the two days I held meetings we had 17 people put their names down on the rota. We now have a WhatsApp group and a rota filled to the end of the year. All of the group are also available to be floaters in case we need them. Two ladies have already volunteered to help Pam Buckmaster with the signing in which can get very busy. All the above is so helpful to the Committee and I thank you on their behalf especially as we have a smaller committee therefore the additional help is very welcomed.

We do actually need a general committee member who would join to make up the numbers but, if they felt inclined could help out. They don’t have to attend all the meetings which are held only 6 times a year. This could be a job for a floater if they felt they could be available. We need this member to have a vote and conform to our Constitution. This would make our committee 8 people. I would be very grateful if someone would come forward to make up the numbers.

I hope that August will be a quieter month but that’s the job, ups and downs, but as they say YOU ARE WORTH IT! See you at the meeting on 4th August, 2025 – The Art of Innovation with Laurence Scales.

Take care of each other.

Kindest regards, Sybi

Chair Epsom and Ewell u3a

Join us on Monday August 4th for this months presentation by Laurence Scales.

This months' presentation straddles the worlds or art and innovation, inspired by the 18th and 19th century archive drawings of the Royal Society for the Engagement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce founded in 1754. The RSA is best known for the Great Exhibition of 1851

We will be holding our AGM on Monday October 6th.

Nominations for committee positions will open on August 1st.

Any member can stand for committee and help to shape our u3a.

We would especially welcome any member interested in helping with our social events.

Nominations must be proposed and seconded by a current member and must be lodged with the business secretary by the end of August as voting opens on September 1st.

Our u3a committee must have a minimum of 8 members according to our constitution.

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 6th OCTOBER 2025

Click on the link for details of how our committee works.

Garden Visiting Group - Part 1

At the end of June, the group took a trip to Hever Castle for the Hever in Bloom Festival to see the rose gardens.

The grounds were dry, and the roses were flagging, but the rest of the gardens were delightful. We spent far longer wandering than expected and went home very tired!

The newly formed Wussie Wheelers Cycling Group now has 15 members and has been enjoying some of our lovely local countryside.

Wussie Wheelers

We have so far explored various mainly off-road routes, including Horton Country Park, the Hogsmill Open Space and Epsom Common. Our next ride will take us through Epsom and Ashtead Commons to Ashtead Village.

Michele and Brian Group Leaders

The group has cyclists of varied abilities, from inexperienced and those who haven't cycled in years, to proper cyclists but we all enjoy a gentle meander with a coffee stop at the end!

Epsom Hot Jazz Club -Tuesday August 12th

This months featured artist's are

David Lalljee's Doolally Tap Band.

Doors open at 12.30. Music from 1.00pm until 3.30pm

Entry £15.00 for members (non u3a £20)

The Kings Church, Longmead Road, Epsom.

Garden Visiting - Part 2

For July, the garden visitors decided to pick a really hot day to walk the City of London's pocket parks.

We had fifteen parks on the list and managed to visit nine of those from St Paul's Cathedral to Liverpool Street Station, dodging into the shade of many of London's plane trees.

We found it quite surprising how many gardens are within just a few yards of each other and how varied they were.

There may have to be a return trip to see the reopened Finsbury Circus Gardens, since they were awash with folk having a lunch break on the lawns when we arrived.

Tech Team - More volunteers needed

We have started to form a team of volunteers to help with the lighting, sound and laptop at our monthly speaker meetings but we would like some more volunteers if possible.

We have 8 on the team so far but a few more would be helpful in order that we could set up a rota so that members don't have to attend every month.

Bridge Beginners - year 1

There will be a new group for complete beginners starting on Thursday September 4th from 11.00am - 1.00pm

If interested please contact Marion Hart either via the link on the website or by phone 0208 393 0111

During our recent visit to the RAH they were laying the tables for an awards dinner when they would be serving 2500 diners.

Royal Albert Hall

One of our members has actually performed at the Royal Albert Hall many years ago as a member of the Boys Brigade.

When the Royal Albert Hall was first built the acoustics were a problem. There was a 6 second echo. This has largely been rectified by these 'mushrooms' that can be adjusted as required.

Interesting facts that we learnt during our visit -The Royal Albert Hall was opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria. The building has a 999 year lease and the current yearly ground rent is 1 shilling which is paid during a special ceremony each year. The building of the RAH was funded by selling the boxes for £100 each with a 999 year lease. Some of the boxes are still owned by the original purchasers families or businesses. The King attends on average 5 events per year. Eric Clapton has performed at the RAH 223 times. Below the arena there is room for two 4000 gallon water tanks, these are used for shows that flood the arena such as Madame Butterfly. The RAH hosts many diverse events and this year will be hosting Sumo wrestling for the second time in its history.

Social Event Availability

Starlight Express September 11th - 2 tickets - £40pp

Roman London Walk & Talk Tuesday September 16th - 3 places - £15pp

Paddington The Musical - February 12th 2026 - 11 tickets - £55pp

Kinky Boots April 23rd 2026 - 16 tickets - £43.25pp

COFFEE CLUB

Our Coffee Club does not meet during August as the Methodist Church Roots café is closed for the month.

Rosie and Sue hope you enjoy the summer and look forward to welcoming you all back on Wednesday September 24th, Monday October 20th, Tuesday November 25th and Monday December 8th.

Would you like to learn how to play scrabble?
A new group for beginners could start in September at a Members house in Cheam

First Friday of the month in the afternoon at 1.30pm

If interested contact Maureen via the website

Scrabble for Beginners - New Group

Garden Visiting Group - Part 3

Our second day out in July was to Sussex to Woolbeding Gardens, a stunning National Trust venue where a member of the Sainsbury family has been a tenant and invested heavily in the development of both the property and it's gardens.

Starting with a free talk and the formal gardens we then wandered the grounds looking for the most imaginative architect designed greenhouse and were not disappointed

Exploring London 13

We visited Rotherhithe for our July tour.

Starting at Surrey Quays station, we strolled past Brunswick Quays and Greenland Dock to stop at Surrey Dock Farm for refreshments.

We visited Stave Hill created in 1986, where you have scenic views of London and to look at a bronze relief map of the former docks before the area was developed.

We continued to Rotherhithe where we passed the Rotherhithe Tunnel and Brunel Museum.

The Mayflower Pub where Captain Christopher Jones and his crew drunk, before sailing 102 Puritan pilgrims to Plymouth Massachusetts in 1620.

A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM

Our July theatre visit was to the Bridge Theatre near London Bridge to see A Midsummer Nights Dream.

This is a modern theatre in the round and the modern interpretation of the play was excellent.

We had seats in the stalls but there was also a standing area where members of the audience were moved around depending on which part of the scenery was being moved.

Exploring Architecture

A small band of our members took a trip to Kings Cross this month to discuss the three buildings in the St Pancras area that butt onto each other but are varied in age and style.

Exploring Architecture cont.

We started discussing the Victorian wonder that is St Pancras Station, reviewed the footprint and surprising design of the 1990's British Library, then compared to the modern structure which is the Crick Institute.

All have their merits, all have some real oddities.

It was a very considered presentation by one of our number & despite us all knowing the buildings and area, we all learned something new.

Singing For Pleasure went back in time to the days of the Music Hall era.

Thirty seven members sang along with Sue and her ukulele group, with our Master of Ceremonies trying to keep us in good order.

Songs included Oompah-pah, Henry the Eighth , I do like to be beside the seaside, Who were you with last night?, Leaning on a lamppost and When you’re smiling.

Our rendition of My old man’s a dustman was a triumph , with Rob Gray and Mungo Chapman giving a sterling performance of Lonnie Donegan’s jokes. This was without a rehearsal , well done “ boys”.

We are now closing down till September, enabling me to organise our Autumn/ Winter sessions. Every session is filled with fun and hopefully music that we all remember from our youth and later years.

I thank all my helpers who continue to support me in a caring way, and to our members, thank you for being such a great group.
Jenny Sparrow
Group Leader

DOMINOES

We've received an enquiry from a member who would like to learn how to play Dominoes.

Are there any other members interested in playing this game?

Please contact Libby our Groups coordinator

New Ticket Only Theatre offering

Paddington the Musical - Thursday February 12th 2026 - Matinee performance

We have reserved 20 tickets for the dress circle rows H and J at a cost of £55.00 per person

Booking opens August 1st

Please book early to avoid disappointment.

Your booking will be confirmed as soon as we receive your payment.