Mid-Bucks (Aylesbury) u3a Monthly Meetings
We meet on the third Thursday of each month at the Southcourt Community Centre, Prebendal Avenue, Aylesbury HP21 8LF.
We gather from 1:30pm for a 2:00pm start.
Meetings begin with a brief welcome and introduction from the Chairman, which includes notices about upcoming events and activities. This is followed by an opportunity to talk to friends and make new acquaintances whilst enjoying free refreshments.
There are also opportunities for Members to meet Group Leaders to find out more about their groups, and to sign up for activities.
The meetings continue with presentations by invited speakers on a wide variety of topics. Details of forthcoming speakers are below.
The Monthly Meetings Tea Rota can be accessed using the following link: Tea Rota 2026
Mid-Bucks (Aylesbury) u3a Monthly Meeting talks
18th June 2026 – John Tyler – Woodland Wildlife
John has always been fascinated by wildlife. Having studied Zoology and Conservation at university, he worked with the Ecological Parks Trust (now the Trust for Urban Ecology). John worked in London and Kent for over 25 years, most of the time as a Warden at the Sevenoaks Reserve. Since 2005 he has been based in Bucks, giving talks and leading guided walks. John is a keen wildlife photographer. He helps as a volunteer on some of the local reserves managed by the Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust and indulges his interest in woodcarving and coracle-making. We will look forward to hearing about the lives of the inhabitants of a typical English wood through the cycles that take place in the course of a day, a year and a lifetime.
16th July 2026 – Sara Shelby – 1976 – the year of equality in the Police
Sara Shelby is an ex Metropolitan Police Officer. She joined the Police Force in 1976. This was described as the ‘year of equality’. When Sara joined the Police only 3% of the employees were women. She was born in Islington and was posted locally to Bethnal Green in the East End. Since leaving the Police Force Sara has been a teacher, been in the prison service and has run her own business and much more. She also does gardens! We shall look forward to her particular insights.
20th August 2026 – Richard Paver – Apollo Moon missions – the risks, the successes and the personalities that made it happen
Richard is a retired chartered surveyor who had a distinguished career with BP in the Oil and Gas business. He rose from a being a junior surveyor to the Global Head of Property. He was Vice President Global Real Estate when he finished his career in 2012. During his career Richard led many projects in various parts of the world including Singapore, Chicago, Houston, London, Angola and Azerbaijan.
Richard has had a lifelong interest in aviation and has used that, and his research skills to bring us a ‘behind the scenes’ discussion of some of the events and key people involved in the Apollo Moon missions.
17th September 2026 – Dr Stephen Goss – Opulence, Innovation and Intrigue – the history of the Orient Express
Dr Stephen Goss is an academic historian who has been published in peer-review journals, and has been a popular speaker in local historical societies and community groups for 15 years. Talks from Stephen give history based on the highest standard of research and analysis, presented in an engaging, witty and enjoyable way. He tailors his talks to suit the audience and guarantees that we will be fascinated with the insights, and hear humorous anecdotes which will stay with us. We look forward to hearing from him.
Other u3a Events
For more u3a talks and events please visit the following links:
u3a – Online Learning Events – visit here for more information about u3a events from the Third Age Trust.
u3a – Thames Valley Network – visit here for more information about the u3a Thames Valley Network events.