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
16th April 2026 – Keith Muras – Guerrillas in the mist
Keith is going to regale us with his insights based on a visit to Uganda. This involved the search for mountain gorillas and human guerrillas of a different hue. We will hear about the Lord’s Resistance Army, its genesis and impact, and a brush with disaster in the mountains. The talk is based on Keith’s personal involvement and experiences.
21st May 2026 – Gemma Kitching and Julie George – Cancer Research UK – History and progress of life-saving research
Gemma and Julie have both worked for Cancer Research UK for a number of years – Gemma celebrating 20 years with the charity this year and Julie has been with Cancer Research UK 12 years, but has been in the charity sector for over 25 years. They both have motorhomes and have been fortunate to do lots of travelling. Julie lives in Swansea, is married with 3 grown up children who had finally all moved out, until her 30 year old son came back! Gemma lives in Cranfield, near Milton Keynes, and is married with one 10 year old daughter. Their talk will cover: a little of the history of Cancer Research UK; show some of the new advances that are happening right now, and how legacies have had an impact with strange and wonderful things supporters have left us. As cancer never seems to be very far away, I am sure we will look forward to hearing what they have to say.
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.
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.