Dates for your Diary

Participation in any event listed here is open to the whole SWHerts u3a membership, although places may be limited on some trips.

Please contact the relevant organiser to check availability.

May
Mon 11 General meeting at Stanborough Centre: Speaker: Tony Tutton: “That’ll be the day—the life, music and influence of Buddy Holly”
Wed 20 Coach Trips 1: Museum of Natural History, Oxford (Tickets still available)

June
Mon 8 Annual General Meeting at Stanborough Centre. No speaker
Wed 17 Coach Trips 1: Brighton Seaside (Tickets on sale today)
Mon 22 Picnic in the Park: Watford Town Cricket Ground

July
Mon 13 General meeting at Stanborough Centre: Speaker: Paul Isherwood: “Child Gambler wins life back”
Wed 15 Coach Trips 1: Watercress Railway Line, Hampshire (Tickets on sale June)

August
Mon 10 General meeting at Stanborough Centre: Speaker: Graham Harrison (SunJester): “The Fabulous 50’s“
Wed 19 Coach Trips 1: Three Rivers Lunch Cruise (Itcen, Hamble, and Test) from Southampton

September
Mon 14 General meeting at Stanborough Centre: Speaker: Sarah Burgess “Energy Advice For Members”
SWHerts u3a holds regular Monthly General Meetings on the second Monday of each month, from 10.00 am to 12:00 noon, at The Stanborough Centre, 609 St Albans Rd, Watford WD25 9JL. Doors open for members at 9.15am. Please do not enter before then.

Next month’s meeting (AGM) will be on Monday 8th June 2026

PEARL & DEAN CONTACTS
To advertise an event or place any information in the ‘Pearl & Dean’ projected on-screen notices at a General Meeting, please send an e-mail to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.,uk  or contact Roy Adcock.

SOCIAL EVENTS BILLBOARD  Carol Stanton  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Picnic in the Park - Monday 22nd June

Your Social Events Team have organised a FREE OF CHARGE ‘Bring and Share’ Picnic In The Park on Monday June 22nd 2026 between 11.00-14.00 at the exclusive venue of Watford Town Cricket Club’s Ground, Woodside Playing Fields, Horseshoe Lane WD25 7HH.
It is hoped that this will form the basis of an annual get-together for members in future years. The venue has its own subsidised bar which will be available to us and most importantly easy access to a large car park. The venue boasts a large flat lawn area adjacent to the clubhouse along with picnic tables and umbrellas for those who don’t wish to picnic on the grass. Tea and coffee will also be available. There will be a Morris Dancing Demonstration at 12 noon along with fun team games. While Free Entry is the order of the day The Social Events Team would be grateful if members intending to be there would sign the provided attendance form at the Social Events table available at forthcoming General Meetings so that they can gauge numbers for reasons of Health & Safety.

COACH TRIPS 1

Coach Trips 1: Leader: Roger Frost (01923 465739)

email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Wednesday 20th May: City of Oxford and the Natural History Museum — Tickets still available
Oxford University Museum of Natural History holds an internationally significant collection of natural history specimens and archives in a stunning example of neo-Gothic architecture. It is home to a lively programme of research, teaching and events focused on the sciences of the natural environment. Highlights in the collections include the world’s first scientifically-described dinosaur, Megalosaurus bucklandiii, and the world-famous Oxford Dodo, the only soft-tissue remains of the extinct dodo.
Depart at 9.15 am from Stanborough Centre, St Albans Road, Garston. Return approx. 6 pm. Tickets: Coach: £18.00.

Wednesday 17th June: Brighton Seaside
Enjoy an old-fashioned coach trip to the seaside. We are going to Brighton, where you can explore The Lanes, a historic, maze-like quarter famous for narrow alleyways, 16th century cottages, and vibrant independent shopping. The Lanes are a top destination for antique jewellery, fashion boutiques, cafes, and pubs.
The Royal Pavilion and Gardens form a Grade I listed former royal residence. Experience a fantasy palace fit for a king. Bask in Regency splendour, inside and out. (Entrance fee is £20)
Visit the first Upside Down House in Brighton, located at the Sea Front. Take fun photos in the quirky house and explore the interior.
Or just sit on the beach with an ice cream.
Depart at 9.15 am from Stanborough Centre, St Albans Road, Garston.
Return approx. 6 pm. Tickets: Coach: £18.00.

LONDON WALKS

These gentle walks are open to all members. Pre-booking is not usually required unless the walk includes admission to a Museum or Gallery.

TRIPS FURTHER AFIELD

Trips Further Afield: Leader: Mike Findley (07804 651 620)

Albania, 3rd October 2026
Our fully-featured one week Albanian holiday is still on sale. Take-up has been good and the holiday will definitely go ahead. Included is a full tour of this enigmatic country accompanied throughout by a guide, almost all meals, 4* hotels, UK transfers, and many sites of historical and scenic interest. Price from £1,469. There is a single room supplement of £199. A unique opportunity to see somewhere different. Contact Yvonne MacLeod.

Christmas Markets trip to Nuremberg starting 30th November 2026
The 4-night trip has been finalized. This is a “no-frills” break including flights and hotel only, using lastminute.com. Apart from the Christmas Market and the quaint city, there are an enormous number of historical sites, both ancient and more modern, to visit. Original costs were £287 per person for a shared room, £392 for a single, plus luggage, transfers, meals, local transport, entrance fees, etc.

With the dynamic world situation, costs for new bookers will be determined at the time of booking. Contact Tina Glendinning.

Reminder—Riviera Travel Partnership scheme with the Third Age Trust.

Members who take holidays with Riviera Travel can earn commission for our u3a. In 2022, we received £675 from Riviera for holidays booked by our members. Claiming the commission is easy. When booking a holiday, members should say they are SWH u3a members and ask for commission to be paid. Riviera Travel will pay the commission to the TAT who then notify our Treasurer and transfer it into our SWH Bank Account

As Sergei would say — “Simples”