EVENTS

Monthly Meetings

Forthcoming Talks

Thursday 10th September 2026 The SAS in Wartime Essex: This remarkable local connection to one of Britain’s most legendary fighting forces is the focus of this talk by Gordon Brown, Chair of the Earls Colne Heritage Museum.

Thursday 8th October 2026 Discovering My Gift as a Medium: This lighthearted talk by Judith Hood, will explain how it felt to suddenly realise just how different she is and what occurred to prove just how real it all was.  Many of the tales are startling and most certainly thought provoking.

Thursday 12th November 2026 The Print industry: A talk by Ken Stanger

Thursday 10th December 2026 Christmas Afternoon Tea and Entertainment! BOOKING ESSENTIAL (A Booking Form will be issued nearer the time)

Thursday 14th January 2027 "Guilty or Not Guilty: You are the Jury" Philip McKinder will be exploring the prosecution and defence of a perfect murder!

Thursday 11th February 2027 'Where do writers get their ideas?' Drawing on the experience of many well-known authors - in an entertaining, informative talk - author and public speaker Bobbie Darbyshire will explain how the complex fictional world arrives in a novelist’s mind. Bobbie is an award-winning author of five novels, including The Posthumous Adventures of Harry Whittaker and The Third Bus.

Thursday 11th March 2027 The RNLI: A talk by Paul Danvers

Thursday 8th April 2027 Open Gardens and the National Garden Scheme: a talk by David Davis

Thursday 13th May 2027 'Lighting the Fuse' : A Bomb Disposal Operator's Story, a talk by Lucy Lewis who was the British Army’s first female bomb disposal expert. She will talk about Army life as a woman as well as her experiences in bomb disposal.

Thursday 10th June 2027 AGM and Afternoon Tea BOOKING ESSENTIAL (A Booking Form will be issued nearer the time)

Thursday 8th July 2027 More Stories from a Prison Governor: A return visit from Lindsay Whitehouse after his very popular talk last year.

Thursday 12th August 2027 The White Mouse - Nancy Wake: A return visit by the ever popular Paul Barwick. This is the remarkable true story of a highly successful secret agent of the Special Operations Executive who lived with the daily threat of death at the hands of the Gestapo during World War 2. The Gestapo nicknamed her’ The White Mouse’ due to her amazing ability to escape their clutches. She became one of the most decorated Allied secret agents of the war. Paul explores her life, lived to the full, and salute her tremendous bravery.

Forthcoming Events

Booking Forms for Events are issued with the monthly Newsletter. Booking Forms are also available in hard copy at Monthly Meetings.

'CALL THE MIDWIFE' AND CHATHAM DOCKYARD TOURS

Join us for a Tour of the 'Call the Midwife' location at 11.30am. Please note: there is a lot of walking involved! We will have a break for lunch - there are two options on site. At 2pm we will then have a coach tour of Chatham Dockyard itself.

Date: Friday 4th September 2026

Depart RVH: 9am

Depart Chatham Dockyard: 4-4.30 pm approx.

Return to RVH: 6.30 - 7pm (depending on traffic)

Venue: Chatham Dockyard, ME4 4TZ

Ticket cost: £62.50 per person

Availability: 25 tickets available (first come, first served)

The Booking Form was issued with the April Newsletter

Members only

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A TRIP TO KRAKOW, POLAND

We have organised a 4-day trip to Krakow in Poland with Riviera Travel for September 2026. We depart from Stansted Airport on Monday 7th September. This visit is open to Members Only.

We have a few single rooms reserved with a chargeable supplement, and these will be allocated on a first come, first served basis.

The price of this holiday is £949.00 per person, based on two people sharing a twin room. The price, with single person supplement, is £1108.00pp. Included in this visit is:

• Stay at the Novotel Krakow Centrum.

• A guided walking tour of the mediaeval city and Poland's former capital.

• A visit to Wawel, the castle district, one of Europe's most striking royal residences.

• The choice to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau or enjoy free time in Krakow.

• An opportunity to book the cathedral-like salt mines (bookable locally with your Tour Manager at additional cost).

If you are interested, or would like to know more about this trip, please contact Hilary outings@buckhillu3a.org

All travellers must arrange their own travel insurance.

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A VISIT TO SIPSMITH GIN DISTILLERY

Date: Friday 6th November 2026

Time: 2pm

Venue: Sipsmith Gin Distillery 83 Cranbrook Road, Chiswick, London W4 2LJ

Cost: £25

Availability: 15 tickets available (first come, fiorst served)

Travel: Make your own way there (district Line

Members only

Gine Lovers, join us for a Distillery Tour and Tutored Tasting of Sipsmith Gin!

The Sipsmith Distillery is a beautifully presented gin haven, while still being a modest and functional home for the globally successful brand. From their classic London Dry and their navy strength VJOP Gin to their latest release, Orange and Cacao Gin, the tastings are a delight.

The Booking Form was issued with the August Newsletter.

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A VISIT TO ROCHESTER CHRISTMAS MARKET

Set in the spectacular Rochester Castle Gardens with the impressive back drop of the 11th Century keep, the Market is regarded as one of the UK's premier events, with over 250,000 visitors. It has over 120 stalls selling sustainable gifts, distinctive clothing and homewares and a wide variety of artisan goods and foods. Something for everyone.

Rochester town centre is within walking distance and offers another excellent source of shopping and food and drink.

Entry to the market is free and the cost is for coach travel only.

Date: Friday 27th November 2026

Depart: The Monkhams Pub at 10am.

Leave: Rochester Castle at approx 4.30pm, return to The Monkhams approx 6.30am (depending on traffic)

Cost: £23.50 per person

Availability: 60 places, first come, first served.

Members only

The Booking Form was issued with the June Newsletter.

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A SCOTTISH HOLIDAY IN THE HIGHLANDS 2027

7th - 13th May 2027

Would you be interested in joining us for this holiday?

We have been offered places on Newmarket Holidays’ tour of the Best of the Scottish Highlands.

We would fly from Heathrow on Friday 7th May 2027 at 1.00pm. This holiday would be for 6 nights (half board) at the Carrbridge Hotel on the banks of River Dulnain.

Price: Double and Twin Rooms £1419.00 per person. Single Room £1746.00 per person

Deposit: £275.00 per person.

All tours, transfers and guide are included in the price.

From the stunning Road to the Isles and legendary Loch Ness to the mysterious Black Isle, this holiday features a host of Highland highlights. Take a cruise on the Moray Firth, explore the mythical waters of the Loch Ness, and a cruise to take in views of the scenery; and the ruins of Urquhart Castle, Balmoral Castle, the Scottish holiday home of the Royal Family, with time to see Crathie Kirk, and the Victorian village of Ballater. Continue with a journey along the ‘Road to the Isles’ from Fort William to Mallaig, passing through charming villages and breath-taking landscapes, including the enchanting Isle of Skye. Conclude with a trip to the Victorian seaside town of Nairn and the poignant grounds of Culloden Battlefield.

Places will be held until Monday 31st August 2026.

Please contact me, Hilary Wrightman via the Outings link if you are interested.

FUTURE EVENTS (Booking not yet opened)

25th September 2026: The Macmillan Coffee Morning 21st November 2026: A Quiz Night 3rd December 2026: The Christmas Lights at Roydon Gardens 12th December 2026: Xmas Breakfast at The Monkhams