Lea
Valley u3a
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Interest Groups online
Interest
Groups Online (abbreviated as IGO) is an online u3a community that gives you
the opportunity to join groups, talks and courses from the comfort of your
home.
Why not pay it a visit? Click on this link:-
Interest Groups online
If you know anyone who might benefit, please pass the information on.
An Exploring London Group outing
Walk
around the Royal Parks.
Hoddesdon Heritage Weekend
Good Friday Nature Walk
Hertford Heath
Our National Office, the Third Age Trust ("TAT") issues monthly online newsletters full of great ideas on how to stay connected and involved. The TAT has asked committees to encourage members to sign up for the newsletter, which can be accessed from the link below:
Either click on the link (or type the website name into your address bar) and then scroll down to the foot of the main page. Under the heading Quick Links there is a heading "Newsletter Signup". Click on this and you are taken to a page where you can input your details and receive the newsletter.
I hope you find this helpful.
Glynis Evans, Chair
Our
magnificent team of volunteers have been very busy at three recent
Borough events. From under our eye-catching blue gazebo, we have been
promoting and advertising the Lea Valley u3a with our publicity
material and merchandise. We’ve had some great
conversations, engaging with members of the public and informing
them of our activities, events and outings. HODDESDON SPRING FAYRE:  ST GEORGE’S FAMILY FUN DAY: LOVE HODDESDON - OPEN AIR CINEMA DAY: Our
latest event took place on Saturday 17th May when our trusty band of
volunteers was once again out in force to advertise and promote the Lea
Valley u3a. Our publicity material was handed out to passing members of the public and we had lots of conversations informing people about us and what we can offer them. The newly appointed Mayor of Broxbourne, Councillor Patsy Spears stopped by to chat to us and take away some of our leaflets for further promotion. These days can’t happen without our volunteers so a big thank you to all of you who have helped at this and the other publicity events at which we have been at this spring.   |
Our monthly Newsletter has been produced as
a downloadable (pdf) file, which should be compatible with any
computer. It contains the "Chair Corner" message, details on some forthcoming events and other information about Groups etc.
To view the latest editions please "click" on the link:-
Therefore members need to refer either to the version emailed to you, or the paper versions available at main meetings, as those versions do contain the personal contact information.
Alternatively anyone (members and non-members) can use the club's email system to make contact with us - please refer to the top of the left hand margin of this page, and go to the 'CONTACTS' page, and the email address is in the margin.
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CHAIR’S CORNER
(COPIED FROM THE JUNE 2025 NEWSLETTER)
I trust you are enjoying the good spring we have had now that we are on the way to summer.
Both our main Spotlight meeting and our Interest Afternoon seemed to go down very well last month.
In particular, Lyndsey Barrell’s Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL) seemed to go down very well, especially in the wake of many recent TV programme’s which focused on deafness, such as Code of Silence featuring Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Lyndsey was a truly excellent speaker and we are hoping to have her back to present her other talk on Burlesque, which sounds very entertaining.
Our Spotlight meeting this month is on Monday 9th June and our speaker is David Williams and his talk is Mystery of the Estuary. This will be looking at the Thames estuary, with its mud flats, barges and artillery ranges, which has a fascinating and often mysterious history.
Then at our Interest Afternoon on Friday 27th June, Laura French will be coming to talk to us about Crossness, a Victorian sewage pumping station. I know this sounds like an unlikely topic for a Friday afternoon, but it truly is a magnificent hidden wonder designed to deal with the nineteenth century “Big Stink” in London. The masterpiece of engineering was also intricately and beautifully decorated and painted.
As usual this Interest Afternoon will be at the Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon starting with drinks and cakes and the chance to have a chat with fellow members from 2pm and Laura will start her talk at 2.30pm.Tickets are available on the door priced £3 – do come along.
I hope to see as many of you as possible at our Spotlight meeting on 9th June and/or at our Interest Afternoon on 27th June.
Chair
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2025 AGM - MONDAY 13th OCTOBER
The ethos of the u3a is as much about what you get out of it as what you put in!
Please speak to any committee member for more information if you would like to put yourself forward for a committee post or general committee member.
The officers are:
- Chair
- Treasurer
- Secretary
- Membership Secretary
- Groups Co-ordinator
- plus General Committee Members
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There are always plenty of online learning events to book. The website to look at is:
There are new events each month.
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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 at secretarylvu3a@outlook.com 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 adde, to ensure privacy. Click on the link to go to our page:-
Our Council Representative for the East of England Region
 | This is Ian Mathews from Sudbury u3a. In the East of England there was only one nomination for the Council, meaning there was no need for an election in our area. Therefore, Ian took up his new Council Representative role in April 2025. You can find out more about him on the main u3a website. Ian will represent the voices of East of England u3a's on the newly created u3a Council. There is an additional position available on the council for the East of England. This will be opened up to candidates next year once the Council is more established. |
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If your LVU3A Group has enjoyed a good meeting or outing, please send a report (& photo if possible) for the Newsletter to Alan at mail@alanjc.plus.com and to Lesley for social media at secretarylvu3a@outlook.com
Please make sure you have permission to do so from members appearing in photographs.
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Sign of the Times|
We recently enjoyed an introduction to British Sign Language at our May Interest Afternoon. Lindsey Barrell who is a British Sign Language teacher entertained us with her enthusiasm and knowledge of the subject. Lindsey’s engaging personality made for an extremely interesting afternoon. She gave us all a better understanding of the use of BSL and why it is so important. Following an insight into its history, along with some surprising facts about the language, Lindsey showed us all how to sign each letter of the alphabet. Lee Rayner, who
attended the meeting said of the afternoon, ‘It has been an extremely
informative and entertaining. We have
certainly learnt a lot’. |
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Garden Group Savour the Diversity of Savill Garden| Members
of the Garden Group were divided into two groups on arrival to enjoy
wonderful guided tours of the stunning Savill Garden in Windsor Great
Park. Commissioned by King George V and created by Eric Savill in 1932, this 35-acre oasis of gardens, woodlands and seasonal plants were delightful with its beautiful vibrant colours of the rhododendrons, magnolias and spring bulbs. Many of us expressed how impressed we were with the variety of such magnificent displays. Different areas of the gardens were explored whilst listening to a highly informative talk from the knowledgeable guides. The Spring Wood, the Bog Garden and the Dry Garden were amongst the areas enjoyed. A cute family of Egyptian ducks strolling along the path was an added bonus as was the café and shop! |
Exploring London 6 at the Neasden Hindu Temple
| A spiritual experience for Members of Exploring London 6.
We all enjoyed an awe-inspiring day visiting the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan
Mandir, aka the Neasden Hindu Temple. It’s an absolutely stunning
iconic building, being the first Hindu Temple outside of India. Its
interior is full of beautiful intricate carvings on marble columns
throughout. However, unfortunately, photos aren’t permitted inside the
Temple. Our Guide, Kerronn, gave us an interesting explanation of the
spiritual developments of the religion through the different Gurus. Our visit took place on the day when the Holi Festival would be celebrated at sundown through to sundown the next day. We were able to attend the prayer ceremony which took place in front of seven ornate shrines. It was a wonderful occasion to be a part of. Tim summed up our visit by saying, ‘A wonderful Temple and spiritual and social centre which offers so much to all faiths but explains Hinduism beautifully’ Our unique experience was concluded with a delicious authentic vegetarian lunch in the Temple restaurant, Shayona, before heading back to Hoddesdon. |
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Get to Know the Committee
| Glynis: I am the current Chair of Lea Valley u3a and have been since October 2021. I am not our longest serving committee member (and certainly not the most important!), but possibly the most recognisable, as I introduce our monthly main meetings. I retired from teaching in 2015, having taught Science in various local secondary schools (and also briefly in Australia). For the last 16 years I worked in senior leadership. My professional life equipped me with many skills which I hope I put to good use in my role in LVu3a. Having spent my whole career in education, I am passionate about the role of learning in contributing to, and enhancing, the quality of life, so joining the u3a was a natural progression for me. I continue to delight in the wonderful opportunities and experiences the u3a offers all members to enrich their later years. |  |
| Lesley: Hello, I’m Lesley Robinson, currently the Lea Valley u3a secretary. I was born and raised in Enfield and attended Southgate School. I left school at 16 with a handful of ‘O’ levels and began work as a trainee secretary at ICI (Imperial Chemical Industries) at their Head Office in London. In 1982 I married Tim (our treasurer!), whom I’d met at the Enfield-Southgate Young Conservatives. Our first home was in Ware. I subsequently transferred to ICI at Welwyn Garden City as an Assistant Buyer. In 1987 I left ICI to have our daughter and subsequently our son in 1990. Once both children were at school I returned to work as a teaching assistant and later trained as a practitioner of therapeutic play skills working with children with additional needs whilst in a mainstream setting. I retired in December 2020 and immediately joined the LVu3a and haven’t looked back! I belong to the creative writing group, Exploring London 6, table tennis & French. Aside of the u3a, I enjoy Zumba, walking, reading and seeing friends. Please stop by the secretary’s boards at our SpotIight meetings for a chat. |  |
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'EAT YOUR WAY AROUND THE WORLD' GROUP
Our group enjoyed a delicious Indian meal at the Royal Bengal restaurant in Broxbourne recently. As usual there were plenty of good conversations and laughter to be had.
These
evenings are always a wonderful opportunity to get together with u3a
friends over a different world cuisine each month.
This group is open to all members of the Lea Valley u3a. Details are in the Newsletter each month.
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MAY 2025 UPDATE FOR u3as FROM THE CEO
Click on the link to open the web page,
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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 Hertitage 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:
www.u3a.org.uk
KEEP UP WITH OUR NEWS
 | 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 |
 | On 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) Click on heading to see more ideas. |
 | 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. |
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NEWS FROM TWO OF OUR GROUPS
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SHAKESPEARE GROUP
Friday 27th June, Interest Afternoon - Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon at 2pm. Speaker Laura French - on "Crossness" (Located in London SE2, this is a 19th century sewage pumping station restored in part to its original high Victorian glory). Tickets £3 on the door, includes tea and cake.
Monday 14th July, Main Meeting - Speaker - Iestyn Edwards “My Tutu went AWOL”. Drawing on material from his best-selling memoir, "My Tutu Went AWOL", and making full use of his background in vaudeville, Iestin tells the story of being the Combined Services Entertainment ‘experiment’, sent out to entertain British troops in Iraq and Afghanistan during the conflicts. Wearing what 42 Commando called his ‘frock of many doilies’!
Friday 25th July, Interest Afternoon - Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon at 2pm. Speaker Nadene Stevenson - "The Power of Magnets for Health & Wellbeing". Tickets £3 on the door, includes tea and cake.
Monday 11th August, Main Meeting - Speakers - Lou and Mike Casey are entertainers. Their show today is called “Pineapples and Palm Trees".
Friday 29th August, Afternoon Tea & Open Garden - Keep the date. more information and tickets will be available nearer the time.
Monday 8th September, Main Meeting - Speaker - Jon Mein - "Room at the Inn". Travelling through Georgian Hertfordshire.
Friday 26th September, Interest Afternoon - Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon at 2pm. "Wine Appreciation & Tasting" with Peter Robinson, the President of the National Association of Wine and Beer Makers. A tasting event and introduction to understanding commercial wines. More details to follow.
Monday 20th October - This is the date of our next LVu3a quiz, so no Interest afternoon on a Friday this month.
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:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3ECUfIJ7nn8
Playreading Group
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Come along to our group on the first and third Thurdays monthly at 2pm to enjoy the world of theatre. Click on the poster for more information:-
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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
The idea behind this is that where any of the other 6 u3as have groups that are keen to increase their numbers, they can open the group to members of LVU3A, 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 6 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) Broxbourne
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Broxbourne u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://broxbourne.u3asite.uk/broxbourne-groups-open-for-sharing
2) Buntingford
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Buntingford u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
Please note this link is currently in draft form awaiting updating, and does
NOT show the Buntingford groups that are in this scheme:
https://buntingford.u3asite.uk/buntingford-u3a-shared-groups/
3) 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/
4) Hertford & District
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Hertford & District u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
5) Waltham Abbey
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Waltham Abbey u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
6) Ware
Please click on the link to go to the relevant page on Ware u3a's Group Sharing page on their website:
https://ware.u3asite.uk/ware-u3a-shared-groups/
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:
LVu3a Group Sharing
If you have a query about the scheme, please contact me.
Lea Valley u3a's Constitution
Under the recommendation of the Third Age Trust, many u3as amended their constitutions to facilitate new methods of voting and holding AGM's and SGM's (Special General Meetings) etc both during and after the pandemic, to ensure that they could operated legally without breaking any of their own 'rules'. Lea Valley u3a's constitution was updated in August 2021. It can be viewed by clicking on the link below:-
Lea Valley u3a's Policies
The Third Age Trust provides guidance to branches on Policies that should be adopted.
The current versions of our Policy documents are available to open and read by clicking the relevant link(s) below:-
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Disputes (Complaints, Discipline and Grievances)
You can view these by clicking on the links below:-
Complaints Procedure
Disciplinary Procedure
Grievance Procedure
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED TO LISTEN TO CHILDREN READ IN LOCAL PRIMARY SCHOOLS
Please visit the website www.schoolreaders.org to join or call 01234 924111 for further information, or click on this link:
BArts offers activities and events which are not usually provided by the Borough of Broxbourne's Leisure and Entertainments programme.
www.broxbournearts.org.uk
Lea Valley Discussion Group
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