Speakers
Speakers for Weston Turville u3a General Meetings
January – November 2026
22 January 2026 – Rugby Club
The Secret Lives of Molecules – Kathryn Harkup
Revealing the inner lives of the invisible molecules that make up our world, ranging from the fundamental to the frivolous; from the psychedelic effects of caffeine to the global impact of medicines. This is a talk about the stories of discovery, the quirks of science and of human history that have enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the world.
26 February 2026 – Rugby Club
Tea, Coffee and Chocolate: How the British first fell in love with Caffeine – Melanie King
Tea, coffee and chocolate play an important part in the modern British diet. Most people may not know that tea originated in China, coffee was allegedly discovered by a goat herder in Yemen and chocolate plantations were cultivated in 4000 BC by the Olmecs in South America. These exotic beverages arrived in London around 1650 causing immense anxiety and debate. This talk explains why Europeans were so terrified of these drinks and explores some of the ingenious ways they were consumed in the 18th century.
26 March 2026 – Rugby Club
Wildlife on your doorstep – Tom Way
This talk emphasises all the fantastic wildlife there is to see and photograph on or doorstep, from deer and hedgehogs to owls and foxes. Tom will not only be showing his wildlife images from our local area, but also describing all the stories behind how he took the pictures. This talk also branches out to talk about our coastline and northern areas of the UK, showing photographs of the very charismatic puffins and red squirrels.
23 April 2026 – Rugby Club
Where do Novelists get their ideas from – A Beginning, a Muddle; and an End – Bobbie Darbyshire
In an entertaining, informative talk, Bobbie Darbyshire will explain how the complex world of character, location, plot and subplot arrives in a writer’s mind. Winner of the 2008 fiction prize at the National Academy of Writing and the New Delta Review Creative Non-fiction Prize 2010, Bobbie is author of five novels. She has also worked as a barmaid, mushroom picker, film extra, maths coach, cabinet minister’s private secretary, care assistant and volunteer adult-literacy teach, as well as in social research and government policy.
28 May 2026 – Rugby Club
Royal Jubilees-George III, Victoria, George V and Elizabeth II – Sarah Slater
A talk about the origins of celebrating the Royal Jubilee, the pomp and pageantry but also the role that Hampton Court Palace played within the celebrations of the four monarchs.
18 June 2026 (moved from 25 June) – Rugby Club
Andrew Carnegie – The World’s Richest Man – Rags to riches to giving it all away – Jeremy Holmes
Andrew Carnegie came from a slum in Dunfermline, Scotland, made his fortune in America as a ruthless steel magnate, then at the start of the 20th century gave it all away by setting up philanthropic foundation’s all over the world. In his day he was worth more than Bill Gates and earnt so much that he couldn’t give it away fast enough. This talk illustrates his rise, his motivations and his unique personal story, in the context of the dramatic industrialisation of America. The speaker was a trustee of the Carnegie UK Trust for many years.
23 July 2026 – Rugby Club
Summer lunch and entertainment (No Speaker)
27 August 2026 – Rugby Club
AGM +
Special Visit of Laura Kyrke-Smith, our MP
Laura has kindly agreed to come to a Question and Answer session on this date. She will do this after our AGM. The meeting will start at 2.30pm as usual at the Rugby Club and all members are very welcome.
(The speaker originally booked for 27th August – John Pearson – has kindly agreed to postpone his talk on cheese-making until the following month.)
24 September 2026 – Rugby Club
Blessed are the cheesemakers – with tasting! – John Pearson
John Pearson has spent all his working life in the Food Industry, primarily with Marks & Spencer. He is an international cheese judge having travelled throughout Europe visiting dairies selecting dairy products for M & S. In this talk he describes some amusing anecdotes about encounters with suppliers, impossible customers and will conclude with a short, tutored CHEESE-TASTING
22 October 2026 – Rugby Club
How we remember and why we forget – Jim Ellis
How do we comprehend, remember and retrieve information, and do we all do this in the same way? Jim explains and demonstrates this with various examples and dispels some common myths about the brain and memory. He also encourages some audience participation – but only if people are comfortable doing so.
26 November 2026 – Rugby Club
Christmas entertainment (see below) with mulled wine and Christmas Fayre.
“The Great American Songbook” – Gershwin, Rogers, Porter and More – Roger Brown
Professional pianist, speaker, raconteur and singer – Roger has been the pianist with the internationally renowned Manchester Jazz Band since 1995, having started his jazz career in 1958. He is also President of Stockport operatic Society and Artistic Director of Manchester Athenaeum Drama Society. He will be entertaining us with music and his wealth of fascinating and hilarious stories.
24 December 2026– NO MEETING
2027
28 January 2027 – Rugby Club
The KGB Remembered – Keith Muras
The KGB – what it was and what it did. Its spying successes and failures. Drawing on unique personal experiences, tales of KGB actions and plots against western citizens in the Soviet State.
25 February 2027 – Rugby Club
Trouble at the Mill – Life in Victorian Factories – Dr Richard Marks
Was Britain engulfed in smoke and pollution from factories? Did workers truly face “mortal danger “every day, live in slums, and endure harsh treatment from mill owners? This discussion aims to examine the real conditions of Victorian factories, scrutinise the dynamics between workers and factory owners and delve into the reasons behind the formation of trade unions and their accomplishments. Join us, as we venture behind the scenes, to uncover the truth!
25 March 2027 – Rugby Club
TBC – Andrew Baker
Tbc.
22 April 2027 – Rugby Club
The most dangerous animals on Earth – David Jones
Which animals kill the most humans? Based on published research, David lists the top culprits, debunks some of the popular myths and reveals the scary truth behind the statistics. He will then focus on his favourite killers – the snakes!!.
27 May 2027 – Rugby Club
My life and experiences of being a TV & Film Extra – Rob Brewer
Having been a film tv extra for over 6 years and been in over 40 different features, from Hollywood blockbusters and low budget films to tv dramas, soaps and a couple of adverts. He will talk about some of the productions he has been on, how he got involved in the industry and how anyone can do it. And maybe a little bit of audience participation if you are up for it!.
24 June 2027 – Rugby Club
Oh No – Not you Again! – Bill Hamilton
Bill talks about his life in broadcasting with the BBC.
22 July 2027 – Rugby Club
Summer lunch and entertainment (No Speaker)
26 August 2027 – Rugby Club
An ABC of Victorian Painters (and a postscript) – Simon Evers
This talk covers three Victorian painters – one very well known at the time, a second who changed views with his paintings and a third who is really unknown today. The postscript is about a little known discovery which however completely changed the whole business of painting in oils.Simon Evers is a retired headmaster, with a keen interest in art and art history, in particular British art. In 2018 he did an online course in art history with the Art Institute and graduated with distinction.
23 September 2027 – Rugby Club
AGM + A day in the life of a crime scene investigator – Hayley Scott
Delve into the world of forensic science with Hayley Scott, a former Crime Scene Investigator with the Metropolitan Police. Find out what happens behind the crime scene tape.
28 October 2027 – Rugby Club
Victorian Explorer, Soldier and Spy – The life and times of Sir Francis Younghusband – Chris Simmons
Francis Younghusband was all the above and much more besides! His early life resembles a “Boys Own” adventure story, but his later career would take an unexpected turn, revealing a very different side to this fearless and complex man.
25 November 2026 – Rugby Club
Lights, Camera & Ho Ho Ho – Pete Allen – With mulled wine and Christmas fayre
A surprising celebration of Christmas movies! “It’s A Wonderful Life”,” Home Alone”, and The Muppets in a “Christmas Carol” – Christmas and movies have gone hand in hand since the early days of cinema. But do you think you know what makes a great festive film? In this talk on the seasonal classics there is always room for a little surprise in the festive movie stocking!
23 December 2027– NO MEETING
