Hello everyone,
Welcome to the November Newsletter. Well, I have one thing to say I certainly experienced a baptism of fire during my first AGM. It was dreadful. Now to be positive, I have organised with our Business Secretary – Annie Ralph the use of Bourne Hall for the Tech Team to familiarise themselves with all the new equipment in a calmer environment. The Tech Team will temporarily be led by our Group Co-ordinator - Libby Curzon who has considerable knowledge in IT. I want to thank Annie and Libby for taking time out of their very busy schedules to assist with this problem.
The whole dynamic of the Committee at this time could not be better. I am surrounded by hardworking people who are a joy to be around.
My dear Ladies and Gentlemen that is all I can do at this moment. Be assured the Committee are trying their utmost to rectify this situation. Some of which was caused by the October speaker not bringing her laptop as promised and her memory stick was not compatible with our equipment. We are hoping that Bourne Hall will sort out the sound issues and the lighting. Tony will be speaking to the Bourne Hall Management team about sorting out these difficulties. He has also contacted our local ward coucillor.
There you have it, fingers crossed we are aiming to give you all a better monthly meeting than was experienced last month.
Take care of yourselves.
Best wishes,
Sybi Trowsdale – Chair Epsom and Ewell u3a
Garden Visiting Group
This month was our last full day out for this year, we spent our time in Kent visiting Scotney Castle and Sissinghurst. The day was warm and sunny, glorious trees in full autumn colour greeted us and the lakeside walk reflections were beautiful.
Next month our group will be heading back to RHS Wisley to see their new exhibition and for the first of our winter walks.
u3a Beer Tasting Group
Just to prove that beer doesn't addle brains the Beer Buddies were out this month quizzing. We stormed the quiz and won by a magnificent 12 point margin.
Unfortunately the prize didn't include anything liquid!
All shows will continue to be open to all members on a first come first served basis but members on the mailing list will receive advance notification emails. Theatre tickets will now go on sale throughout the month as soon as we have secured a reservation.
Theatre Ticket Only Events
At our 2025 AGM there were some significant changes to our committee. Not least the fact that a large number of social committee members finished their term in office.
Currently we do not have any social events planned for 2026. However, Ticket Only Theatre Events will continue with a slightly different format.
We are aware that not all members want to receive details of forthcoming theatre shows therefore we have decided to make a group specifically for this type of event, Banstead u3a already operate successfully using this method.
On our groups page there is now a group titled Theatre - Ticket only If you wish to receive notification of forthcoming theatre events as they become available please click on the link and register to be added to the mailing list for the group.
Future Social events i.e. Coach outings and Walk and Talk events will remain in the previous format of opening for booking on the first of a month.
u3a Exploring Architecture Group
This month our group took a trip to Wandsworth to see the varied architecture of the borough and view a new block of flats under construction.
Our first stop was the council buildings where the 1930s decor and marble hallways has been maintained in all its original splendour.
We contrasted this with an education establishment, historic churches and a modern department store conversion. Our final stop was at a new development alongside the river Wandle where we saw the models of the luxury tower block under construction and had a short talk about and visit to the show homes.
Jazz Group - Tuesday Nov 11th
Featuring: Paula Jackman's Jazz Masters
Monthly concert of traditional jazz with live music from various bands. Doors open at 12.30 pm. Music 1.00 pm - 3.30 pm. Entry £15.00 for u3a members, £20.00 for non-members. Tea, Coffee & cake are included.
Venue: Kings Church, Epsom
u3a Exploring London 11
This month our group took a walk along the side of the waterways in Kew and Brentford.
We walked along the Thames path, and the Grand Union Canal paths and discussed the history of this ancient ford and Victorian industrial area, now being converted to smart residential areas. Much of our walk was accompanied by the sound of builders hard at work!
Welsh Speakers Club - a possible new group!
Reaching out to any Welsh speakers among our membership who might like to join a friendship group for Welsh speakers to get together. It would have an informal structure and offer general chat with discussion topics from time to time. It would not be offering teaching Welsh.
This could be fortnightly or monthly. A new member has offered to get this started in her home.
Please contact the Group Co-ordinator via the link above who will pass on your interest.
There will be a small charge of £5 each meeting to cover hall hire, speaker fees etc.
u3a Science Group
Interested in science? Together with Banstead and Sutton u3a’s we have formed a new joint group. Whether you were a scientist in your career or a keen enthusiast we will have a broad range of subjects to fascinate you. We are inviting some interesting and informed speakers on a range of relevant topics.
Our venue will be Banstead Community Hall. Further details on our website Science page
Our first talk on 7 January 2026 is “What’s in a Dram of Whisky?” given by Jim Joannou. A seasonal topic given an educational but entertaining twist by an analytical chemist!
Five of the group met on the second Monday in October at North Cheam on a very pleasant Autumn day. We used our Bus Passes and travelled to Morden Station, and then walked the short distance to Morden Hall Park, a National Trust Property (free to enter for everyone).
Our walk around the park included the wetlands, the rose garden and the banks of the river Wandle. Luckily it was a dry day and the predicted light rain did not materialise. We enjoyed the natural beauty of this lovely park and finished with tea/coffee in the stables café. We are all looking forward to more days out with this lovely group of people.
Our next meeting will be on Monday 10th November.
We still need more members to join Climate Conversation as we intend to set up 8 more u3a groups at different venues and date/times as there are u3a people who want to join but either Mondays or Ewell does not suit them.
On Monday 24 November we are opening our Climate Conversations group to people who want to join us online for a Food/Health talk by Dr Kristine Damberg the sustainability lead for Epsom Hospital.
This will be published on all the 25 Epsom and Ewell public notice boards and other places in next couple of weeks.
Exploring London 8 - For our October walk Anita and Sandra took us for a stroll around the area of St Pauls Cathedral. We hadn't realised that there were a few hidden little parks in the area, one of which has an amazing reflective pool as you can see in the picture below. We finished our walk at the WW2 exhibition in the grounds of St Pauls.
Ticket only Theatre offer
Thursday March 12th 2026 Matinee - dress circle seats row D
£42.50 per person (usual price (79.50)
The Mel Brooks Musical
Garrick Theatre London WC2N 0HF
Based on Brooks’ cult classic film, the original Broadway production won a record-breaking twelve Tony Awards, and this revival proves why. When down-on-his-luck producer Max Bialystock teams up with timid accountant Leo Bloom to stage a surefire flop, their scheme backfires with thunderous applause and unstoppable laughter.
This group meets at Stoneleigh Library from 2.00 - 4.00pm on the first Friday of the month and they have space for more members.
Recently the topic was 'The Parking Ticket' and the 7th November topic is 'The Bench'.
Let your creative juices flow.
Group leader: Will Ward
Current Affairs 3 currently has space for three new members. We meet at 2pm on the 3rd Monday of each month at the Court Farm Garden Centre, off Ewell By Pass. It's generally quiet on Mondays and has plenty of parking.
If you are interested in joining the group you can contact the group leader Maureen via the link above.