New TRIP
Tully’s Farm (Sussex) Tulip Fest Thursday 16th April.
Cost £36
This trip will be sold at the February General meeting. Come to see more than a million tulips of different varieties and colours. There are plenty of places to eat and various attractions to make our visit even more enjoyable.
See the beautiful tulips and know that Spring is finally here!
The cost is £36 which includes the coach and entrance fee.
Still a few spaces -
MAYFIELD BAKERY/VAN HAUGH GARDEN CENTRE
THURSDAY 26th MARCH COST £53
Travel Survey
The survey asks about people's travel habits and views on using the bus, so the Council can help understand how to better improve services for residents across the company. Can u3a members help The Essex Network identify the frequent bus travellers age 66+ s who would most benefit from a concessionary bus pass that entitles free bus travel to the holder?
Here is a link to the survey: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/EssexBusSurvey/
If you need further advice please see the secretary Janet Deeney at the next General Meeting February 12th.
Speaker for General Meeting on 12th February 2026
Our speaker for Thursday 12th February is David Williams.
David’s talk is, “Mind the Gap”.
David Williams is a registered City of London guide-lecturer, historian and Freeman of the City. “Mind the Gap” is a familiar platform announcement on London tube stations and this presentation reveals the drama and challenges behind the construction of the World’s the first underground railway. It was regarded as one of the great engineering achievements of the mid-Victoria period. Love it or hate it, the Tube is an intriguing story of triumph, disaster, inspiration and continuing frustration!
There will be a meeting at The Springhouse on Monday 23rd February from 12.30 to 14.30 for those Group Leaders who may be interested in using Beacon.
Entrance at our next General Meeting on Thursday 12th February will be via the main entrance. As normal, entry will be from 1.30pm. Please queue along the yellow hatched area, behind the barrier, to the right of the main entrance door.
Membership renewals will continue at our next General Meeting on Thursday 12th February. Membership forms will be available on your right as you enter the hall.
Hand your completed (IN BLOCK CAPITALS PLEASE) form and payment at the
membership desk, which will be at the front of the hall, on the right by the stage.
We aim to have the card reader available for credit card payments.
NEW GROUP – DISABILITY AMBLE WALKING GROUP:
Those with disabilities often get forgotten but Dave and Jean Angus are starting a new Group for those with disabilities called “Disability Amble Walking Group”. The idea is that those with wheelchairs / mobility scooters / wheelie walkers or walking sticks can join and their Partner of course. It will be just a short circular walk on flat ground, using Parks or Country Parks and initially we will run from April – October annually in the hope of ensuring we walk in slightly better weather.
Wednesday Boules
Dave Jardine 07551 952211
We hoped to be back playing each week from 4th February if it stops raining as we play on grass and we don't want anyone slipping – but it’s too wet to risk. So we will try to restart on 4th March instead.
Golf
Paul Brice 07788 452852
The Golf Group meets every Monday at our new venue of Noak Hill Golf Course on the way to Billericay. It is a similar distance from Stanford-le-Hope as our previous venue. As people may be aware, the Dunton Hills Curse is now a potential housing development so is closed pending work to start in the near future.
Romantic journeys North Yorkshire – Week beginning 28th Sept 2026
There are only 3 double rooms left . A non-returnable deposit of £100 per room is required at time of booking. £556pp
If interested contact by email Mel Fox
LATEST NEWSLETTER
Click the blue button for the February 2026 Newsletter Website Edition.