u3a

Stanford-le-Hope & District

šŸŽ„ Annual Christmas Lunch 2025šŸŽ„

Once again for the 5th year I believe, we held our u3a Annual Christmas Lunch for around 140 of us, at the Ye Old Plough House in Bulphan.

Upon arrival, we found our names with table numbers displayed at the entrance for us to find our companions for our lunch.

When we were all seated, our Chairman, Kevin, welcomed us all to the lunch and thanked our organisers, Melanie and Carol for the arrangements. Following on, our pre-ordered Starter, Main course, and Dessert, were delivered swiftly and efficiently by the Ye Old Plough House staff.

Depending on the device you use to view these pictures, you may be able to enlarge the pictures by stretching with your fingers on a touch screen or right clicking and displaying in a new tab/window.

Table 1
Table 2
Table 3
Table 4
Table 5
Table 6
Table 7
Table 8
Table 9
Table 10
Table 11
Table 12
Table 13
Table 14

Following our meal, a raffle was held where the names of us at the Christmas lunch were in a bucket. No expense spared. Invited members were asked to draw out a name to receive a prize. The joyful winners are in the gallery below.

Raffle prize winners

First Prize Raffle winner
Second Prize Raffle Winner
Third Prize Raffle winner
Fourth Prize Raffle Winner
Fifth Prize Raffle Winner
Sixth Prize Raffle Winner
Seventh Prize Raffle Winner
Eighth Prize Raffle Winner

More Table Pictures

Here are more pictures taken during our u3a Christmas lunch. Good food, good company, in pleasant surroundings, ensured our Christmas festivities for 2025 started well as can be seen in the pictures below,

Gen 1
Gen 2
Gen 3
Gen 4
Gen 5
Gen 6
Gen 7 Do like the Rudolf impression John
Gen 8
Gen 9
Gen 10
Gen 11
Gen 12

The Dancing

When we had finished our Lunch, we were entertained by Chris Colman a Professional Musician and guitar vocalist, specialising in all the best music we remember from our youth. Chris is a versatile singer/guitarist playing music from the 1950ā€™s through to the 1990ā€™s, covering big band and swing, classic rock ā€˜nā€™ roll, pop, funk, disco and country. Chris had entertained us at many other previous Christmas Lunches and at our General Meetings. His music encouraged many members to round off the afternoon with a bit of social dancing and singing as we all can strangely, remember most of the words.

Dan 1
Dan 2
Dan 3
Dan 4
Dan 5
Dan 6
Dan 7
Dan 8
Dan 9
Dan10
Dan 11
Dan 12

And Finally.....

On behalf of all our members attending, Kevin thanked the Ye Old Plough House staff for their service. Also many thanks to Melanie  and Carol for all the planning and organisation to achieve another successful u3a Christmas Lunch; it is very much appreciated. Finally Kevin thanked us all for coming and wished us all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from the committee.

Many thanks to u3a member, Ray Milbourn, who took the pictures on his camera. I have not displayed them all, just a selection showing many happy smiling faces.

Thank you for looking.

Michael Farman

If you would like a copy of any of the pictures or wish to share any of your own or want any removed please ask. Website Administrator Michael