CHAIR’S CORNER
(COPIED FROM THE OCTOBER 2026 NEWSLETTER)
Well, I find it quite amazing that after 5 years, this is my final Chair’s Corner! I have really enjoyed meeting so many of our wonderful members and I am delighted to say that it has been an honour and a privilege to have been the Chair of Lea Valley u3a.
I have presided over some truly wonderful meetings with great speakers, as I mentioned at our September Spotlight meeting. It was fortuitous from my point of view that at my final main meeting we had a lovely buffet and were serenaded by some Frank Sinatra songs, which made the afternoon really special and memorable. Having enjoyed the talk about Easton Lodge gardens I visited them on their Open Day a few days later. I saw Gary Matthews who had given our Spotlight talk, and he said that a significant number of our members had also visited.
Our next Spotlight meeting on Monday 12th October will be preceded by our Annual General Meeting, when we will be voting in our new Committee. Our new Chair will then take over the running of the rest of the meeting and will introduce our speaker, Helen Fry giving her talk about The London Cage - The Secret History of Britain's World War II Interrogation Centre. The London Cage was a prisoner-of-war facility during and after the Second World War to interrogate mainly captured SS personnel and members of the Nazi party.
At our October meeting you will be able to buy tickets for our Christmas Celebration at the Spotlight on Monday 14th December. Tickets are £5 and include a drink, a full Christmas buffet lunch and a festive programme including a talk by Tricia Thompson about the History of Pantomime - He’s Behind You!
I would like to finish off by thanking all our members for all the support you have given me and the Committee over the last 5 years. I would also like to say how much I have appreciated the very many personal messages of thanks I have received over the last month or so.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at our AGM and Main Spotlight meeting, on 12th October.
Glynis Evans, Chair
Learn, Laugh, Live
AGM 2026
We would be very happy to chat to you about the main officer roles of:
- Chair
- Secretary
- Treasurer
If you think you may be interested & would like to give it a go, please do let us know.
Other committee members are encouraged to take on responsibilities for:
- Vice Chair
- Membership Secretary
- Groups’ Co-ordinator
- General committee post
Please get in touch with any committee member for further details or email Lesley if you would like to come on board next year!
As a committee we work as a team and, therefore, no-one is on their own. Our informal committee meetings are held once a month.
We welcome new members onto the committee.
Contact: email Lesley Robinson at secretarylvu3a@gmail.com for further details.
THANK YOU
MCR Pathways - Mentoring
MCR Pathways is a national charity helping care-experienced & disadvantaged young people realise their potential & find a path to a brighter future.
LVu3a has been contacted by the Partnership Manager for Hertfordshire MCR Pathways as they urgently need volunteer mentors to support young people at Haileybury Turnford School in Cheshunt.
Mentors give just one hour a week during school time to listen, encourage and consistently support a young person. No previous mentoring experience is required, as full training and ongoing support are provided. The experience and encouragement of u3a members could make a lasting difference to a young person's confidence and future.
If you think this is something in which you might be interested, please let Lesley know (secretarylvu3a@outlook.com) so she can forward the email to you or call 07743 513152 for an informal chat with Ernest Moses the Partnership Manager for Hertfordshire MCR.
More information can be found on their website at:- MCR Pathways | Home
Lea Valley u3a Proposed Spanish Group
A number of people have expressed interest in a Spanish group, led by a tutor (whom I have identified) with a current proposal to meet fortnightly on Tuesday or Friday for 90 minutes (this could be 60 mins if members would prefer that)
As this will be venue-based, we must make sure that costs can be covered in the medium-term, so we need a regular attendance of approximately 15 in order make it viable (that would mean a fortnightly cost of c£8 as things stand)
If you would like your name added to the list of potential members then please is so much more for you to enjoy with your LVu3a membership!
Please contact me, Tim Robinson, either direct if you are currently a member and know my details from the Newsletter, or message me using the "Contact us" tab at the top right of the website.
Newsletter/Social Media/Website
If your Group has enjoyed a good meeting or outing, please send a report (two or three sentences is fine) with a photo if possible, to Alan Cole for the Newsletter, to Lesley Robinson for social media and to John Mills for the website.
Text & photos to Alan & John should be sent as attachments please.
THIRD AGE TRUST ONLINE
Remember to regularly check the u3a national website (www.u3a.org.uk) for plenty of online events, workshops & lots of interesting articles.
Also, sign up for the u3a Friends newsletter which gives youaccess to even more!
What does u3a friends offer?
The scheme includes:
Regular and special issues of the online national u3a Friends Newsletter, filled with news from u3as across the country, plus fantastic offers and services.
- Information about nationwide u3a events and national initiatives.
- Access to learning opportunities via Interest Groups Online for a low fee.
- Exclusive access to our u3a Friends Extra benefits program, featuring discounts, offers, and additional services across a range of areas:
- Health and wellbeing
- Shopping savings on major brands and retail discounts
- Travel and holidays
- Leisure offers, like family days out, trips to the cinema and theatre
- Insurance offers on car, travel and medical insurance
- Access to financial advice and a legal helpline.
Don’t miss out!
Did you know that there is a national u3a Bridge Group running online courses?
Our Beginners Bridge Courses are open to any u3a member who has not played Bridge before. There are normally two Courses every year; names are now being taken on a 'first come, first served basis' for the next intake in 3Q 2026.
The online course is based on a well-proven methodology using NoFearbridge lessons and RealBridge playing sessions. The course starts with a set of free, short, self-taught MiniBridge Lessons on the NoFearBridge website to obtain two MiniBridge certificates, demonstrating you have learnt basic principles. This normally takes 1 to 2 weeks to complete.
Those completing the MiniBridge course may join 22 weeks of online study with weekly readings and exercises to complete in your own time
Stevenage u3a member, Derick Price, has recommended this course to us. It is run by the u3a Bridge Subject Advisor.. Further details are available here:
www.bridgewebs.com/cgi-bin/bwor/bw.cgi?club=u3abridgegroup&pid=display_page94
If you’re interested in bridge do take a look at this website – it’s great!
u3a Online Learning Events
There is so much more for you to enjoy with your LVu3a membership!
The calendar is full of exciting online talks for u3a members to enjoy. Here’s a taster of what's available in April. To see the full list of upcoming events that you can join online see www.learning@u3a.org.uk , navigate the site & discover many events; workshops & talks available at no extra cost.
Why not join the u3a online community: Interest Groups Online (IGO)
Looking to meet fellow u3a members who share your interests? Or want to discover something new? The online community Interest Groups Online (IGO) is full of exciting groups. There is something for everyone. Join IGO today to share your passions and find new ones.
Explore www.u3a.org.uk for all the above and more!
Our Lea Valley u3a Facebook page has been updated and is now up and running. We are hoping to reach the wider public in our area who may be viewing our page. Anyone can view the page but only the Administrator can add posts.
However, if you are a Facebook user you can ‘like’ the posts and comment on them! We would encourage positive comments to our posts to enhance our profile on Facebook. Posts will be added regularly but please do let Lesley Robinson know by email with any posts you would like added.
Particularly, Group Leaders with information on events etc or a post following an event which will help to advertise and promote our u3a. Names or personal information will not be added, to ensure privacy.
Click on the button to go to our page:-
u3a FRIENDS COMMUNITY
We are delighted to announce a new range of services to those who sign-up to receive the u3a Friends newsletter.
u3a Friends Extra is a benefits website developed exclusively for members of the u3a Friends newsletter community. The website provides access to a wide range of offers, discounts and additional services. Friends Extra is completely free to access. Anyone signed up to the u3a Friends newsletter can now also make savings on well-known brands, shopping, travel, days out and more. Offers and services on Friends Extra include:
✓ Health and wellbeing
✓ Shopping savings on major brands and retail discounts
✓ Travel and holidays
✓ Leisure offers, like family days out, trips to the cinema and theatre
✓ Insurance offers on car, travel and medical insurance
✓ Access to financial advice and a legal helpline.
It also currently offers a 25% off the price of English Heritage membership:-
To become a ‘Friend’, simply sign up to receive the Friends Newsletter on the u3a website via the link below.
Each issue of the Friends Newsletter will include a link to the Friends Extra benefits website and highlight one of the offers. This is just one element of the u3a Friends newsletter, which brings together stories from local u3a groups, learning opportunities and news of upcoming events to highlight the fun and learning within the u3a community.
u3a Friends Newsletter shares news from u3as, national learning opportunities and access to u3a Friends Extra, a wide range of offers, discounts and services.
Go to the u3a website, and sign up via the "Get Involved" tab
KEEPING UP WITH OUR NEWS:
KNIT & NATTER
Our Knit & Natter group, which opened early in 2023, has been very successful. We have all made lots of new friends, had lots of tea, coffee and biscuits and lots of laughs! We have all learnt new skills and shared our tips with everyone. We have recently made knitted and crochet squares which have been sewn together to make blankets which have gone to the hospice department at Princes Alexandra Hospital, Harlow.
These were done with the Dobbs Weir Crafty Cuppa group who also meet at the hall and knit and natter too!
Gill Fowke
NEEDLE FELTING
In another crafty note, one of our members would be interested in starting a Needle Felting group. Needle felting is a creative craft that involves sculpting shapes and figures using wool and special felting needles.
If you are interested please contact Glynis Evans (Chair)
SECRETARY'S TABLE
It’s always good to chat with you when stopping to read our notice boards in the foyer of the Spotlight at our main monthly meetings. The boards are updated each month so it’s always worth having a read to keep abreast of dates and events. We look forward to seeing you at our next meeting.
SEE WHAT OUR u3a CAN OFFER YOU
One of our members, John Astin, produced another excellent video in December 2019 showing what happens at Lea Valley u3a. Sadly John passed away in March 2021.
The video includes comments from a few members who explain what joining us has meant to them, and an insight into what some of our groups get up to.
It is available to watch on YouTube. To view, please click on the link below:
East of England Region of U3As
The East of England region comprises the six counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Hertfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Bedfordshire. The website can be viewed via the following link:-
https://eastofengland.u3asite.uk
"Regional News Bulletins" are published each month containing details of this month’s events and presentations both regionally and nationally. The latest edition can be viewed by going to their website. then click on the "Publications" link at the top of the Home page.
Group Sharing Agreement
This arrangement includes 4 local u3as, namely Cheshunt, Hertford, Waltham Abbey, and Lea Valley.
The idea behind this is that where any of the u3as in the agreement have groups that are keen to increase their numbers, they can open the group to members of other u3a's and you will be allowed to attend those groups without having to join the other u3a. Conversely, where we have groups that are struggling with low numbers, they can participate and open themselves up to members of the other u3as.
It is very important to note is that members of our u3a can’t just see a group in another u3a newsletter and go along and join it. Only those groups which are struggling to be viable and which have agreed to open up to members from other participating u3as can be approached.
1) Cheshunt
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Cheshunt u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://cheshunt.u3asite.uk/cheshunt-sharing-groups/
2) Hertford & District
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Hertford & District u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
3) Waltham Abbey
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Waltham Abbey u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://walthamabbey.u3asite.uk/waltham-abbey-group-sharing/
The groups at Lea Valley U3A which have agreed to open up their groups to the other u3a's in this arrangement (as at March 2022) can be found by opening this link:
Group Sharing Lea Valley u3a
If you have a query about the scheme, please contact me.
Glynis Evans, Chair
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO LISTEN TO CHILDREN READ IN LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Can you spare an hour or two a week to listen to children read in a local primary school? Schoolreaders is looking for more volunteers in Hertfordshire to carry out this important role. Reading time for many children at home and at school is often insufficient and one in four children are now leaving primary school unable to read to the required standard.
Please visit the website www.schoolreaders.org to join or call 01234 924111 for further information, or click on this link:
Broxbourne Arts Forum ("BArts")
Lea Valley u3a is affiliated to BArts, and one of our members is present at a table in the bar area at all monthly meetings, with leaflets and information.
BArts offers activities and events which are not usually provided by the Borough of Broxbourne's Leisure and Entertainments programme.
It also represents the arts interests of individuals and member groups and negotiates with the Borough, so that the arts community may enjoy greater recognition and leisure facilities on a par with the provision for sports.
For more information either come to the table at our main meetings or visit the BArts website at:
On the website you will find current and previous editions of the "Broadsheet" which contains information on all forthcoming events.
Lea Valley Discussion Group
This local society, founded in 1976, meets on Monday evenings usually twice a month at the Methodist Church Hall, Middlefield Road, Hoddesdon.
For more information and contact details please click on the link below: