Chair's Message ▪ Important Dates & Notices ▪ Stroke Awareness ▪ Course Leaders’ Workshop ▪ Retrospectives ▪ Interest Sharing Groups ▪ Course Etiquette ▪ Courses & Activities Programme 2026–27 ▪ Early Summer Walk ▪ Summer Programme ▪ Outings
A huge thank you to all of you who helped make our Open Day such a success. It was wonderful seeing so much energy and passion in the music, the stands, the events and the welcome for members and prospective members. Our new office is now ready for us to begin to move in. It has been built to exacting sustainability standards and is part […] A huge thank you to all of you who helped make our Open Day such a success. It was wonderful seeing so much energy and passion in the music, the stands, the events and the welcome for members and prospective members. Our new office is now ready for us to begin to move in. It has been built to exacting sustainability standards and is part of the Starr Place eco-hub. We'll be gradually shifting over our belongings through June; and setting up the phone, broadband etc.. So for June our Office team will still be based in Orange Street. We'll let you know as soon as we are up and running and ready to receive visitors. Looking ahead to other matters, that same energy and passion on show at the open day comes out with our summer programme of courses. A rich and diverse collection of things to learn and keep you entertained is offered. These events are free so please do take advantage of them. Our Monthly Meeting talk this month will be on the trials and tribulations of political correctness. Come along to St Mary Bredin and meet your fellow members over tea and coffee. Tim Landsman - June 2026
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Important Dates and Notices
- Wednesday 10th June. Monthly Meeting at St. Mary Bredin Church at 2 pm. This month's guest speaker is Mike Chisnall and his subject title is "Political Correctness!"
Forthcoming events
Forthcoming events
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Canterbury u3a will be hosting a Stroke Awareness Talk on Thursday 2nd July at Canterbury Baptist Church, Upper Hall. Stroke is a serious condition that can affect all ages so it is vital we all know how to act if we are ever faced with this scenario in our lives. Julie Camburn, Stroke Association community connector, will give a PowerPoint presentation covering causes, types, treatment, […] Canterbury u3a will be hosting a Stroke Awareness Talk on Thursday 2nd July at Canterbury Baptist Church, Upper Hall. Stroke is a serious condition that can affect all ages so it is vital we all know how to act if we are ever faced with this scenario in our lives. Julie Camburn, Stroke Association community connector, will give a PowerPoint presentation covering causes, types, treatment, symptoms and prevention. The talk will take an hour. Your u3a committee feel this is a worthwhile “one-off talk” to host for u3a members. There is no charge. Donations can subsequently be made to the Stroke Association charity if you wish. The Upper Hall can seat up to 200 members. To help us gauge numbers attending, please contact Chris Plant, via the link above and reserve your seat.
Show this event in full Stroke Awareness Talk
Potential Course Leaders’ Workshop
Our next Potential Course Leaders’ Workshop will be held on 7 July in St Peter’s Methodist Church Hall, Blue Room at 10:30–12:00. If you have a burning ambition to run a course but don’t know how or what’s expected please sign up to attend. It’s all pretty informal—just bring along any ideas that you might have. You will be supported by Subject Coordinators and Committee members. Please apply to Jonathan Butchers
Retrospectives
Our monthly Bulletin is primarily to inform members of forthcoming events. However, occasionally something occurs in our u3a which deserves publicity and celebration. Here are two such happenings -
Canterbury and District u3a 2026 Open Day.
Many members were involved in making this day a resounding success. The weather played a vital part, as did the music and dancing, the talks, the exhibition of courses and activities, the refreshments and the friendly and joyful atmosphere. Thanks to everyone who came along to enjoy the day.
Photos by Chris Plant
Canterbury and District u3a Spring Holiday: West Sussex 11–15 May.
As first-time u3a holiday-makers, we were keen, in the spirit of u3a, to add to our learning this week. We certainly learned that it was pretty full-on, with visits to homes and gardens both large/stately (Petworth and Parham) and much smaller (Charleston) and took in two open-air museums (Weald and Downland and Amberley), plus a castle (Arundel) and cathedral.
Focusing on just one highlight, what struck us about Chichester cathedral (on its current site since 1075) was the way its varied architecture sits alongside contemporary art works by the likes of Marc Chagall (window pictured left), Graham Sutherland and John Piper. This patronage of the arts dates back to one Bishop Bell, whose legacy has continued through subsequent Deans.
Traversing the picturesque Sussex countryside and successfully negotiating some narrow lanes, was thanks to our driver, Matt. We were all well behaved, arriving at the coach at the appointed times, although there was an interesting system for ensuring this, comprising head counts by Trevor, then Robin, and often Matt to ensure agreement!
Continuing the u3a ethos of collaborative learning, we were grateful to Doreen for sharing her knowledge of the sites we visited, and to Rona, for entertaining us with an account, that only Rona’s brain could work out, of the complex relationships within the Bloomsbury group at Charleston.
Despite a few hiccups with the hotel, we were most impressed with the planning of the week, thanks to Robin and his planning group.
Ann and Chris Skingley Spring Holiday: West Sussex 11–15 May.
Interest Sharing Groups
Members may join the following groups at any time. Just contact the relevant Leader and you will be made very welcome.
Coastal Bridge Group meets at Dunkirk Village Hall on Thursday afternoons. Leader: Anni Bignold
Canterbury Bridge Group meets at Littlebourne Village Hall on Friday afternoon. Contact: Jane Dennett
Photography Group next meets on Wednesday 17th June 2026 at 2 pm at the Cosy Club, downstairs section. This month's subject is:
June 2026 Close Up - Guess the object
This month's topic is to take close up photographs of every day things for others to ponder what they are. The goal is to submit three close up photographs, uploading to the WhatsApp group prior to the meeting. Please ensure that you have also taken a zoomed out view of the whole of each object to share with others on the day. If you are […] This month's topic is to take close up photographs of every day things for others to ponder what they are. The goal is to submit three close up photographs, uploading to the WhatsApp group prior to the meeting. Please ensure that you have also taken a zoomed out view of the whole of each object to share with others on the day. If you are not able to attend, but have posted your close up images perhaps the group can put forward their ideas before you reveal the true answer. New members are always welcome to join us, although it would be helpful if you contact the organiser in advance to let us know that you are coming, so we can look out for you. In addition, we would be able to add you to the WhatsApp group. The photograph above is an example of the close up. The answer will be revealed further down the page. Subject to weather and time, there will be an opportunity to take photos after the meeting as a group, using any type of camera including phones.
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This month's topic is to take close up photographs of every day things for others to ponder what they are. The goal is to submit three close up photographs, uploading them to the WhatsApp group prior to the meeting. Please ensure that you have also taken a zoomed out view of the whole of each object to share with others on the day. If you are […]
For further details please contact Keith Kolsteren Keith Kolsteren
Garden Visits Group, formerly Green Fingers. To enquire about any of the garden visits below, contact: Lynne Parkinson.
- Thursday 11th June: Belmont House and Gardens
Come along to the next u3a Garden Visit on Thursday 11th June -to Belmont House and Gardens, Throwley, near Faversham ME13 0HH (20-25 minutes drive from Canterbury, Brogdale Road is the easiest route) Take a leisurely walk with us around the beautiful gardens at Belmont. See the walled and the kitchen gardens, nuttery, pinetum, grotto, parterre, formal lawns and more, followed by delicious light refreshments in the Orangery Tearooms for a small extra charge. Meet at 1.30 […] Come along to the next u3a Garden Visit on Thursday 11th June - (20-25 minutes drive from Canterbury, Brogdale Road is the easiest route) Take a leisurely walk with us around the beautiful gardens at Belmont. See the walled and the kitchen gardens, nuttery, pinetum, grotto, parterre, formal lawns and more, followed by delicious light refreshments in the Orangery Tearooms for a small extra charge. Meet at 1.30 pm in Belmont car park with £10 per person (cash or card). Venue information: https://belmont-house.org To book please contact Lynne Parkinson by Monday 8th June.
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to Belmont House and Gardens, Throwley, near Faversham ME13 0HH
Advance notice of future visits, more details later.
- Monday 13th July: Stable House, Lower Hardres (NGS)
- Monday 17th August: Avalon, Dunkirk (NGS)
- Tuesday 22nd September: Godinton, Ashford (NGS)
- Monday 19th October: To be confirmed
Sustainable Living Group June meeting dates were not available at the time of publication but will be announced here when they become available. Contact: Helen Howard.
Discussion Group meets every Monday at 11 am in central Canterbury. Contact: Susan Gorman for details of venue.
Sewing Group - meets at Cosy Club, Canterbury at 9.30 am - 12 noon, every Wednesday. Leader: Sara Bateman
Knit and Natter This group meets fortnightly at the Dolphin, St Radigund’s Street, Canterbury. They are a friendly, inclusive group and any new member would be welcome. The next meetings are at 2 pm on Thursday 11th and 25th June. Leader: Norma Ratcliff
And here is a new Interest Sharing Group due to start in September -
Pub Games will meet fortnightly at The Old Gate Inn, Old Dover Road, Canterbury, starting on Wednesday 9 September, 10.30 to 12.30. Leader: Alan Brookes
Allotment Group There are vacancies in this group! Contact Len Hinksman for further details and costs involved.
Research Group
The next meeting will be held on Friday 26 June at 2 p.m. at The Old Gate Inn, next to New Dover Rd. Park and Ride car park. Anybody interested in the group and our activities is very welcome to attend. For further information please contact Jo Walker or Ann Skingley
A Message from the courses team
Attendance on courses
Whether it’s a winter or summer course and you have signed up and been accepted on a course it is expected that you will attend. If you cannot make a session, please email or phone the tutor to let them know, otherwise they may hold up the start of the session waiting for you which is inconvenient for everybody else.
If you can no longer attend the course, similarly please let the tutor know. There may be a waiting list for the course and others would benefit by being admitted in your stead.
This is only respectful to the tutor and to others. We have had issues recently where there has been no communication.
Thank you for your understanding.
Courses and Activities Programme 2026–27: an Update
Following a short delay, we are now planning to publish the new Programme early in the week beginning Monday 8 June and to open bookings on Thursday 2 July.
Members will be sent a PDF copy by email and those who have requested it will be sent the printed version in the post. A new edition of the Course Finder for 2026-2027 will also be published on the website on the same date.
Angela Tippett, Course Administration
Early Summer Walk
Circular walk of 4 miles from Chilham on 12 June 2026.
We start at 10.30am from Chilham Lower Car Park, Taylors Hill, off A252 (CT4 8BZ) and walk along the Stour Valley. The easy walk is varied, but includes some gentle, slight uphill. We pass the historic Castle in Chilham and, towards the end, we pass the Chilham Mill. There are 2 possible cafes offering refreshments at the end of the walk, Badgers Hill Garden Centre or the Church Mouse Tearoom.
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Booking is required. Contact: Ruth Adams
Summer Programme: Courses and Activities
Every summer Canterbury u3a runs a number of courses, special events, and activities exclusively for members. This month, we are pleased to announce the addition of a further course to the programme -
We attempt to unravel the many mysteries of the Bayeux tapestry: who commissioned it, who sewed it, why was it made and what does it teach us? It is a work of contemporary propaganda, huge historic importance and [...]
Leader: Patricia Erskine-Hill
Weekly on Monday mornings 11:00 am-12:30 pm
Dates: 22 June, 29 June and 6 July
To book: Please contact the organiser, Christine Plant
The following two events, advertised in the May Bulletin, still have a few vacancies:
Where next for UK Higher Education? If you are interested contact Fran Beaton after 6 June please
Acoustic Brill. If you are interested, please contact [u3a_contect name="Ian Davidson"]
Please visit the Summer Programme web page for a complete listing of all Summer Programme events and courses.
Outings
Please do look at our website for up-to-date details.
The next outing is to Maidstone on Thursday 9 July, followed by the visit to Rochester on Friday 25 September.
As we write this, there are still a few places available for the Maidstone trip, please contact Outingsf you are interested and we’ll fit you in if we can.
We will open the bookings for Rochester at the start of July.
Michael Goodey and Tim Landsman on behalf of the Outings Team.
Thank you for all your contributions, from a couple of sentences up to 250 words.
Keep them coming, as this is your News Bulletin.
Send them to Ursula Steiger
The copy date for July is Tuesday 23rd June