Message from the Chair
Dear Friends,
Are you one of life’s joiners-in? There is an oft-lamented view about modern Britain that people no longer engage in community activities. However, some would suggest that we are happier when doing pretty much any activity in company rather than alone. [...]
Dear Friends,
Are you one of life’s joiners-in? There is an oft-lamented view about modern Britain that people no longer engage in community activities. However, some would suggest that we are happier when doing pretty much any activity in company rather than alone.
Thankfully, Canterbury u3a does give us all opportunity to conduct and join in activities in company. Canterbury u3a would not survive if we did not join in, for instance at Wednesday afternoon meetings; or if we didn’t participate in courses and activities. Joining in company also enables broad social circles to form, made up of friends of varying ages and backgrounds.
A recent example of the joys of company was the Canterbury u3a five-day coach holiday to Devon in September. The atmosphere during the week was wonderful, leading to entertaining camaraderie on the coach, enjoyable visits to various venues during the day, and sociable, interesting evening dinners together in our hotel.
So, are you a joiner? Do you have friends who are still not members? Maybe it’s time they joined with you. Essentially, the more members join together, the more conversations, ideas and healthy exchanges that take place; which then benefits the running and direction of Canterbury u3a, as well as developing healthy social company.
There’s plenty of scope to join in, lead, share learning, and build healthy social networks in Canterbury u3a. Indeed, the smooth functioning and continuous development of Canterbury u3a is built on the willingness of many members to join in and give their time, friendship and knowledge, for the benefit of all.
You can find more about joining-in opportunities here: Joining In: How I Can Help
Robin Terry
October 2025
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Important Dates and Notices
Friday 3rd October
Joining Session at St. Peter’s Methodist Church 10.30 to 12 noon. Please tell any friends who are interested in joining Canterbury u3a or, better still, bring them along and have a cup of coffee with us.
Please feel free to drop in at our regular monthly Joining Session.Joining Session: October 2025
And bring a friend! Joining Sessions are an opportunity to meet other new members; meet Committee members; drink coffee; ask questions; and of course, become a U3A member, if you decide to!
You can also renew your lapsed membership at a Joining Session if you need to.
Wednesday 8th October
The talk by Dr. Geoff Doel will explore Conrad's biographical links to Kent and his use of Kent in his fiction.Monthly Meeting: Joseph Conrad and Kent
Saturday 18th October
The Canterbury Festival starts off on Saturday 18th October with the now well-established Beautiful Noise Day.
Canterbury u3a Singing for Pleasure Group and and Ukulele Fingerpickers will be performing from 11.30 to 12.30 at St. Peter’s Methodist Church Hall, High Steet, Canterbury. Please come along and support your fellow members.
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Opportunities for social contact and learning
The Spokes October cycle ride, to which u3a members are invited, will be on Sunday, the 19th of October and will start from Minster in Thanet railway station, where parking is available. The ride is an easy one through to Sandwich before circling back via Elmstone & Plucks Gutter.
Details of the start time will be published nearer the date and will fit in with train arrival times for those arriving by public transport.
The leader will be Beatrice Shire but any u3a members interested in riding should contact Paul Rees
Holidays
Here are a few snapshots from Canterbury u3a’s latest holiday to Devon.
Photo credits: Robin Terry and Chris Cayley
Sailing into the sunset...
Dermott Stewart reflects on 18 years of Summer Sailing
It all began when I asked my Astronomy class if any would like to come sailing. A few did so Summer Sailing set sail, about 18 years ago. Each year up to 30 people signed on for 1 or 2 short trips from Conyer Creek out into the Swale. Occasionally all-day cruises across the Thames to Southend and out to the Red Sand Towers. A select few came up the East Coast as far as Woodbridge and Ipswich.
A 'core crew' emerged, keen to come often, through the winter and help with boat maintenance. The Rules were simple. Wear a life-jacket, but don’t get it wet - STAY IN THE BOAT. And bring cake for tea/coffee time. We all learned a lot (and laughed a lot) Many mishaps - running aground, sails falling down, engine failure, hats blown overboard.
The crews have donated generously to the Pilgrims’ Hospice (£12,000) and the Food Bank (£2,500) But the time has come. With 2 crew we made a final voyage up to Ipswich, where Gemini is Up for Sale. How shall we fill the time now? My wife Carol quickly welcomed me as her full-time Gardening Assistant.
Outings
Our next outing, the last of the year, will be a visit to see the London Lights, hear evensong in St Pauls and shop in Covent Garden plus a fish and chip lunch. It will be on Sunday 7th December and booking for seats will open in early October. Cost will be £60 per member.
Cut-off date for bookings will be the 17th October and we plan to confirm places immediately afterwards.
We will set off from Canterbury Bus Station at 11am and meet our Blue Badge Tour Guide for lunch at 1pm. Lunch is included in the price and will be in a fish & chips restaurant in London and includes a cheesecake dessert and a hot drink. Following lunch the coach will collects us and we will then transfer to St Paul's Cathedral for Choral Evensong at 3pm. Please note that it may be necessary to alter which Evensong we attend if the Abbey/Cathedral diary changes. We promise you that they are all very impressive and we will give you notice of any changes. Choral Evensong lasts for a blissful and music filled 45 minute after which we return to the coach. At 4pm as the sun sets on London let us dazzle you with our iconic landmarks and shop windows are dressed with glittering lights and the streets are lined with sparkling festive joy, as twinkling fairy lights cover the city. light displays. See London’s famous landmarks twinkling for Christmas and see the skyline shine against the dark wintery sky. See Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus, The Strand and Aldwych, the modern beauty of the London Eye, Tower Bridge and the world-famous Christmas lights and extravagant Regent Street Lights. Throughout we are sure we will have an entertaining and erudite commentary from our Blue Badge Tour Guide. At 6pm we will stop for an hour to enjoy the street performers, cafes and shops at Covent Garden before heading for home at 7pm. Photos courtesy of Rose John
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Synopsis: The unforgettable story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as he reaches the peak of his career while facing personal hardships. The film had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival where it won the Silver Lion. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, directed by Benny Safdie. Trailer: https://youtu.be/aRpnP3LZ99g Ticket link: The Smashing Machine - Gulbenkian (£5 tickets with u3a discount code) Online […] Synopsis: The unforgettable story of MMA fighter Mark Kerr as he reaches the peak of his career while facing personal hardships. The film had its world premiere at the 82nd Venice International Film Festival where it won the Silver Lion. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, directed by Benny Safdie. Trailer: https://youtu.be/aRpnP3LZ99g Ticket link: The Smashing Machine - Gulbenkian (£5 tickets with u3a discount code) Online – visit https://thegulbenkian.co.uk/ and find the screening in question. Before you select your tickets, please insert the new u3a code (as emailed to members) into the promo code box at the top left of the screen and click the small grey arrow so that it registers the code. Then select your seats (they will show as full price at this point) and proceed to payment - the discounted price will appear when you are in your basket. From personal experience, I find that if you register with the Gulbenkian first, this then becomes very straightforward. In person – visit the box office in person between 5.30-8pm weekday evenings or 1pm-8pm on the weekends (times subject to change). Please ensure to bring your u3a ID as they have no way of validating this on their system. Email – email boxoffice@kent.ac.uk to reserve your tickets with a name and phone number and they will call you to take payment. If none of these methods work for you, you can buy your ticket on the day, but please arrive in good time, as there maybe a queue and you will also need to show your u3a membership cards! Phone – They are only able to answer the phone between 5.30 and 6.30pm, and are often busy with “in person” customers. You can either ring 01227 769075 during those times or use the email address above. Parking is free at the weekends or there is a regular bus service from the bus station every 15 minutes. I have been advised that there is a range of light refreshments available at the cafe if you would like to eat before the show.
Show film details in full Film: The Smashing Machine
Autumn Walks
Walk from Lower Harbledown towards Chartham Hatch and back.
This 4 mile circular walk starts from Lower Harbledown, outside the St Michaels & All Angels Church, Church Hill, Lower Harbledown CT28NW. Park in the road or catch Bus 3X from Canterbury Bus Station. We walk along the North Downs Way, passing through No Mans Orchard and return passing some orchards and a short bit of the Stour River. The easy walk will include some […] This 4 mile circular walk starts from Lower Harbledown, outside the St Michaels & All Angels Church, Church Hill, Lower Harbledown CT28NW. Park in the road or catch Bus 3X from Canterbury Bus Station. We walk along the North Downs Way, passing through No Mans Orchard and return passing some orchards and a short bit of the Stour River. The easy walk will include some uphill.
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Circle Dance (1)
We are delighted to report that Judy Harvey, the course leader for Circle Dance, is recovering well from her operation and is keen to start dancing again. After a delayed start, this course will now commence on Monday 6th October, at 10:30 in the Canterbury Baptist Hall, St George's Place, CT1 1UT (opposite Waitrose). Cost of course: £8.00
There are still a few places available which can be booked in the usual way -
Angela Tippett - contact Course Administration
Interest Sharing Groups
Members are invited to join in the following Interest Sharing Groups at any time of the year. Just contact the relevant leader.
Coastal Bridge Group meets at Dunkirk Village Hall on Thursday afternoons. Contact: Anni Bignold
Canterbury Bridge Group meets at Littlebourne Village Hall on Friday afternoon. Contact: Jane Dennett
Photography: For details of meeting, date and place, contact Keith Kolsteren
Discussion Group on Current Affairs every Monday at 11 a.m. For venue details of the next meeting, contact Steve Casey.
Knit and Natter: This group meets fortnightly and mainly knits clothes for premature baby units. They are a friendly, inclusive group and any new member would be welcome. Meet at the Dolphin Pub at 2 p.m. on 2nd and 16th October. Contact: Norma Ratcliff
Sustainable Living Group: Meet at the Chatterbox Café, Tuesday 14th October at 10.30. Contact: Helen Howard
English Heritage: Friday 17th October visit to Apsley House in London, the home of the Duke of Wellington and popularly known as Number One London. Contact Steve Casey
Green Fingers Gardening Group. Contact Chris Cayley
Green Fingers Gardening Group meet at Canterbury Garden Centre, Herne Bay Road at 2 pm on Monday 20th October. Meet in the café where essential tea and cakes are available. This will be the last meeting of the season and will be an informal session for chat regarding taking the group forward to 2026. Chris Cayley has decided to pass on the mantle- and wants to encourage new or current members to offer to take over organising the group activities
A new Interest Sharing group?
Hello, has anyone watched The Great British Sewing Bee on TV and said to themselves “I would like to sew like that”.
I have been a self-taught dressmaker since I was about 15 and would like to know if there are members with whom I could share my love of sewing, or, who may already have a particular sewing project that is baffling them.
We can share our knowledge, skills and techniques, including how to interpret commercial dress patterns including those for children.
Depending on numbers and abilities, I would also see this as a social gathering for members who love sewing and would simply like to get together over a coffee and a natter!
Firstly, in order for me to consider numbers for venue options, please email with your expression of interest to Sara Bateman.
Do you still want to run a course this year? Winter Extras!
If you still want to run a course in the current season but weren’t able to make the current published programme for whatever reason, please contact me in the next 4 weeks (deadline - 31st October) and we can put a proposal forward. We will do the administration and arrange a venue (if needed). You just have to come up with a course! I look forward to hearing from you.
Contact: Jonathan Butchers
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Send them to Ursula Steiger
The copy date for November is Saturday 25th October.