Hello everyone,
Where has this year gone? I am just finishing my first year as Chair and preparing for my first AGM. I have to say I have really enjoyed every minute, thank you for all your kind thoughts and suggestions which are always useful. As you will know I write my segment for the newsletter normally before our monthly meeting, in this case before the AGM. This is a gentle reminder to allow extra time for parking. The meeting will start at 10.30 and the AGM will finish at 10.50 all being well. There will be 10 minutes allowing for a comfort break and then the speaker will start at 11.00 and finish her presentation by 12.00. The speaker is Lucy Allen who has changed her subject matter to The Highs and Lows of a stuntwoman’s life. Sounds really good.
I feel I should give you all a brief explanation of why the equipment at Bourne Hall seems to be breaking down constantly. The simple answer is the Council are not taking care of repairs, and general wear and tear has taken its toll. After the AGM I will be addressing this problem with the Bourne Hall Management. We cannot go on like this. It seems every monthly meeting is plagued with mishaps. I will keep you all appraised of what is going on. Thank you in advance for your patience, we will not be sitting back and doing nothing. Several instances have already been brought to the attention of the staff at Bourne Hall, let us hope this situation can be resolved to everybody’s satisfaction.
I hope that you all voted for the current committee which is made up of 9 members (1 non-voting). They are all very able, hardworking and a joy to be around. I feel extremely lucky to have them on board. I look forward to seeing you all at the AGM.
Take care of yourselves,
Sybi Trowsdale - Chair
AGM Voting Results 2025
Our constitution requires us to have at least 10% of our members to record a vote in order for our AGM to be quorate.
As we currently have 1162 members we would like to thank the 261 members who voted using the online voting form and the 2 members who submitted a postal vote. We have recorded votes to the value of just over 22% of our membership which ensures that our AGM is quorate.
| Category | For | Against | Abstain |
| To adopt the minutes of the AGM held on 7th October 2024 | 253 | 0 | 10 |
| To adopt the Chair's report | 253 | 1 | 9 |
| To adopt the Trustees Annual Report and Financial Statements for year ending 31st July 2025 | 254 | 1 | 8 |
| Business Secretary: Annie Ralph | 255 | 1 | 7 |
| Treasurer: Bob Knight | 258 | 0 | 5 |
| General Committee Member: Barbara Moore | 254 | 0 | 9 |
| Website Admin & Publicity: Sue Skelton | 257 | 0 | 6 |
| President: Tony Skelton | 254 | 0 | 9 |
| Independent Examiner: Graham Penman | 259 | 0 | 4 |
Questions and comments submitted by members on their voting forms were as follows:
Jenny P - Comment: Many thanks to the committee for all their hard work.
Jenny S - Comment: No questions but would like to thank Sybi and all committee for all their hard work and determination to provide members with an opportunity to make new friends, to learn and have fun.
David L - Question: Why has my name not appeared in the list of candidates for ordinary committee members? - Response: The committee were not aware of your application but would welcome you as a co-opted committee member after the AGM in preparation to stand for election in October 2026.
Sarah C - Comment: Thanks to all the committee members. I am afraid I do not know any of them, but I am sure they are doing a great job - which is hugely appreciated by all the membership.
Tracey - Question: Can you give more information about the ‘independent examiner’ - Response: Our independent examiner is a full member of our u3a who offers his services each year to examine our full accounts file and verify that all transactions are recorded accurately. Our u3a have three committee members who are authorised signatories and for every payment that is made from our accounts any two from three need to approve each payment.
Roger B - Comment: Please accept my apologies as I cannot attend this AGM.
Sally A - Question: Please can we have a way of voting for each speaker after monthly talks. - Response: This has previously been requested and a form was on the speaker events page of the previous website. The form was on the website from April 2022 until September 2024 and generated 10 responses during that time. Most responses just congratulated the speakers on a talk well delivered. Also requests were made for a talk on the RNLI during their centenary year which was arranged and there was a request for a Nonsuch Palace talk which we have booked for Jan 2026. The form has been reinstated on the new website on the Monthly Speaker page.
Jenny H - Question: Why are day trips non-existent please? - Response: Our 2024 season of coach outings was very successful but unfortunately there was insufficient interest in some trips this year which caused us to cancel a couple of days out and run two coach trips at a loss using some of the social surplus. Ticket only theatre trips and walk and talk trips require less take up i.e. between 10-20 people and are therefore the type of events we are currently favouring. There is locally a lot of competition from Epsom Explore and Magic Moments, both of which are excellent companies and a large number of our members already use them regularly. A lot of members also belong to the WI, the Arts Society, other local u3a's and there are numerous other organisations and individuals in the area who offer social events.
Jean M - Comment: Just to thank you all for the work you do.
William W - Comment: Only to thank you all for giving us this wonderful organisation and your excellent communication and continually improving.
Terry R - Question: In your annual report you stated that our u3a has purchased a sound system for use at Bourne Hall. I attended the talk at the hall this morning. It was excellent. However the sound was very poor. I could hardly hear what the chair was saying. When it came to questions at the end there was nobody with a roaming microphone. It was impossible to hear the two questions raised. At this point the audience gave up and walked out. This was very disappointing. I hope that this was a 'one off'. I would appreciate your comments. Thank you for all the work that you do for our u3a. - Response: This matter was discussed at our committee meeting on September 4th. The reason for the purchase was due to the fact that the Bourne Hall inhouse system is in need of replacement and the council are currently not planning that to the best of our knowledge. This was only the second time that the tech team had used the new equipment. The chairs' microphone does require some adjustment and the tech team are working hard but there are problems with the lighting on the Bourne Hall stage which is somewhat problematic at times when trying to view controls on the new system. We realise that a roaming microphone would be a benefit but we have limited numbers of volunteers available to cover all requirements. We would also point out that some members leave the hall quite promptly due to car park tickets expiring and buses that they need to catch, this happens on a regular basis. If any members would like to offer their services the tech team would be more than happy to welcome new members to their team which would certainly ease the monthly burden.
Libby C - Question: Can we use funds to pay for language tutors? We have a high demand from members for learning or improving their language skills. We have had no response to a request for members to offer to help. - Response: All groups have to be self funding. There is nothing to stop a group of members arranging and paying for a tutor. The link below is to the Group Convenors Handbook which is available on the Legal Stuff page of our website.
Along the route we also travelled around Greenwich and through the Thames Barrier. We came across several of the Anthony Gormley installations by and in the river. It was an exceptional view and worth being exposed to weather changes.
u3a Exploring Architecture Group
This month the architectural explorers took a trip from Putney to Woolwich along the river Thames by Thames Clipper. Our aim was to see many of the buildings we had visited on foot again but this time seeing them from their river frontage. This meant sitting on the open rear platform of the boat, sometimes getting slightly damp.
Next month we will be heading to Wandsworth.
Tuesday Duplicate Bridge Group
If you enjoy playing bridge, please come to our Tuesday Morning Bridge Group. We play duplicate bridge at intermediate level on Tuesday mornings, 9.15-12.15 at the Epsom Sports Club, Woodcote Road, Epsom and are a very friendly group. If you do not have a partner please don’t worry, we will find one for you. Currently we charge £4 a morning for the hire of the room. There is plenty of parking.
Please do come. You can be assured of a warm welcome.
Starlight Express
In September we had a ticket only theatre visit to Starlight Express. Unfortunately the tube drivers were on strike which meant we all had to be creative with our journeys to the theatre in Wembley.
We're pleased to say that all members arrived on time and enjoyed a brilliant show.
We also met up with members from other u3a's who had managed to get there as well.
Exploring London 11
A rail strike kyboshed our planned trip, so as a one off, we explored Dorking, which was very interesting. The quirky building we are standing in front of houses the Council offices.
This month our group went for a day out in Kent to visit Rochester House, a property of amazing Jacobsen splendour, intriguing style and a fascinating city gardens with Tudor origins.
u3a Garden Visiting Group
The garden contained tender and unusual plants and nooks to hide in. Most of our view was conducted in bright sunshine but the forecasted showers caught up with us just in time for our journey home.
There were many levels, odd little staircases and interesting views. There was an interesting example of the use of strewing herbs, we all smelled of lavender at some point or another.
Next month we will be back to Sussex to visit Sissinghurst and Scotney Castle for the autumn display.
We started at St Pauls and the site of Paul's Cross
Roman London Walk & Talk
A fascinating hidden courtyard.
We finished our walk at the London Mithraeum which is free to enjoy.
Pont Du Gard
Riviera Travel
In September eight members of our u3a enjoyed a weeks river cruise from Lyon to Avignon in the south of France.
We had excellent coach trips and guided walks every day and enjoyed good food with great company.
The added bonus is that our u3a will receive a commission payment as a thank you for our booking.
The pictures above are as follows: 1. Lyon, Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere 2. Arles. 3. Reserve naturelle nationale at the Formation De La Grotte De La Madeleine 4. Our guide pointing out different parts of the Palace of the Popes in Avignon 5. Hotel Dieu in Beaune 6. The ceiling in the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere in Lyon
Help Us Rebuild Glyn Hall — A Community Legacy
We Need Just One Thing From You – see 4 question survey link below.
To help secure funding and move forward, we need to show strong local support.
Do you remember the little green hall in Ewell Village — Glyn Hall — just off Cheam Road, opposite Sainsbury’s Local?
For over a century, this humble building has quietly supported the heart of village life. Children played here. Adults gathered. Lives were shared. Now, that chapter is coming to a close — but a new one can begin.
A Gift from the Past, A Hope for the Future
Glyn Hall was gifted to the people of Ewell by Margaret Glyn, the last of the Glyn family, who had lived in the village for 400 years. She was a musician, a campaigner, and a passionate believer in the power of community. She left the hall in trust, to serve education, music, and social welfare — values that align perfectly with our U3A.
Today, the original building has reached the end of its life. But with planning permission granted and plans ready, the community is preparing to build a new, modern Glyn Hall — warmer, greener, and more accessible, with room for groups like ours to meet and grow.
To date, the Glyn Hall Trustees have raised or secured £150000 from charity donations and available funding. There is another £230000 that may be available from the YOUR FUND SURREY (YFS) if it can be shown that this project is supported by the local community.
Please complete a short 4-question survey (link below).
Whether you’re in favour or not, every response helps demonstrate community engagement — and gives the trustees a real chance to secure charitable grants to fund the build.
This is our chance to be part of something lasting — a place our U3A and the wider community can call home for another 100 years.
Click the link below to take the survey (Only takes 2 minutes!)
Survey closes: October 14th 2025
Thank you for supporting your local community.
Together, we can help ensure Glyn Hall lives on.