EVENTS
Events are a great opportunity for members to get together socially and create new friendships. Typical events are a mixture of outings, social meet-ups and monthly meetings - there is something for everyone!
Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings take place on the second Thursday of each month at Roding Valley Hall in Buckhurst Hill when we have a variety of Speakers, as well as giving everyone a chance to catch-up with friends and make new ones!
Our next meeting is on Thursday 9th July. Doors open at 1.30pm to give you a chance to have a cup of tea and a chat, before the Talk starts at 2 o'clock.
Forthcoming Talks
| Thursday 9th July 2026 The History of London's Royal Parks: A talk by Dr.Paul Rabbits, an author and Parks Historian. |
| Thursday 13th August 2026 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. |
| Thursday 10th September Famous People I have Known: A return visit from Alan Coleman |
| Thursday 8th October 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) |
Forthcoming Events
Booking Forms for Events are issued with the monthly Newsletter. Booking Forms are also available in hard copy at Monthly Meetings.
GARDEN PARTY WITH AFTERNOOON TEA
Date: Sunday 5th July 2026
Time: 2pm - 5pm
Venue: Forest Edge, Buckhurst Hill (Parking in road, entry by side gate. There are no steps)
Availability: 30 places available, first come, frst served.
Cost: Entry by ticket only - £6 per person
Members Only
Jacqueline Wilkins and Mary Nathan will host a garden Party with Afternoon Tea on Sunday 5th July.
The Booking Form was issued with the May edition of the Newsletter.
A VISIT TO THE ROYAL COURT THEATRE & AFTERNOON TEA
Sitting right in the heart of Sloane Square is the 135 year old Royal Court Theatre. Join us at 11.30am for a tour of the building and the backstage areas. We will then have tea at 1pm
The current building, the second on the site, opened in 1888 as the New Court Theatre but was converted into a cinema in 1935 until it was closed by WWII bomb damage. Rebuilt as a theatre after the war, it reopened in 1952. In the 1990s, the theatre was threatened with closure due to its state but a rebuilding programme saved it. Most of the backstage areas were rebuilt, leaving the frontage and auditorium as they were. Today, it is a mix of Victorian and modern inside and you can very obviously see this as the architects slipped a contemporary shell around the old theatre space and also added in the basement that runs underneath Sloane Square itself.
Date: Monday 6th July
Time: 11.30am
Venue: The Royal Court Theatre, Sloane Square, SW1W 8AS
Ticket cost: £22.50 per person
Availability: 20 places
Booking Deadline: Friday 28th May 2026
Travel: Make your own way there (nearest Tube: Sloane Square on the District and Circle Lines)
Members Only
The Booking Form was issued with the March Newsletter
VISIT TO A PRIVATE GARDEN AT ROYDON, ESSEX
We are very lucky to be invited to a private viewing of one of the most outstanding private gardens in Essex. There are approximately 9 acres of land, which includes formal, Japanese, beach and arid gardens as well as numerous sculptures and other points of interest. There is also a wood.
It is part of the National Gardens scheme and all money raised goes to Cancer Charities.
There is very limited parking but there are surrounding roads and a small car park nearby. Please note that there are a couple of steps involved to access the toilets.
The entry fee includes tea/coffee and biscuits.
Please do not bring any dogs as the owners have five of their own.
Date: Friday 10th July 2026
Venue: The Mount, Epping Road, Roydon, Harlow, CM19 5HT
Open: 11am - 3 pm
Cost: £10 per person
Make your own way there
Members only.
The Booking Form was issued with the May Newsletter.
'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
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.
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: 49 tickets, first come, first served.
Members only
The Booking Form was issued with the June Newsletter.
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 |