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 PUBLICITY CAMPAIGN FOR 2025 IS IN FULL SWING!
Our
magnificent team of volunteers have been very busy at two 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: SATURDAY 17th MAY: 10.30 A.M. – 6.00 P.M. - OPEN AIR CINEMA DAY - HODDESDON TOWN CENTRE:- For these events to be successful we need YOUR HELP please. We need volunteers for our stand and to hand out our publicity material and merchandise to members of the public attending these events. Please volunteer for an hour or two at one or more of these events. Please click on this link for more information:- |
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 MAY 2025 NEWSLETTER)
Hello again!
We seem to have been very busy over the last few weeks. We have had some very successful LVu3a publicity stalls at the Love Hoddesdon Spring Fayre and Heritage event and also at the St Georges Day event in Grundy Park. Many thanks to all our members who volunteered to help us run these stalls and we will also be hosting a stall at the Open Air Cinema in Hoddesdon Town Centre on 17th May, so if you could spare an hour (or two!) to help, please give your names to our Secretary, Lesley Robinson.
April also saw another successful and highly enjoyable LVu3a quiz – many thanks once again to John Mills for organising this and also to Marion, Pam, Liz and Joan for helping John and organising the refreshments
We have been reviewing some of our policies including our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion policy, our Data Protection and Privacy policies, our Health and Safety policy and our Safeguarding policy. This last one requires us to have a Safeguarding Officer, and I am delighted to say that Sylvia Edington has been appointed to this role.
This month’s Spotlight meeting features Neil Hanson who will be returning to tell us all about the Myths of Time on Monday 12th May. His talk will explore the myths and legends that have grown up around many events in British history from the Great Fire of London to Princess Diana’s death.
Our next Interest Afternoon is on Friday 23rd May and is a first for us – Lyndsey Barrell will be giving us An Introduction to British Sign Language (BSL)
As usual this 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 Lyndsey 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 on 12th May and/or at our Interest Afternoon on 23rd May.
Chair
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There are always plenty of online learning events to book. The website to look at is:
These are just three of many available in April. 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:-
LEE VALLEY KAYAKING PROJECT
Dear u3a members
Following
the success of the u3a Paddling Project last year, I am delighted that
Lee Valley Regional Park Authority has generously offered to host
another kayaking initiative for 2025.
Lee
Valley White Water Centre is offering 6 hours of coaching for 18 u3a
members, spread over six consecutive weeks from Wednesday 14th May, 11
am – 12 noon at the Lee Valley White Water Centre, Waltham Cross. EN9
1AB.
For more information, and details of how to participate please click on the link:-
ftp://ftp.lvu3a.org.uk/Kayak.pdf
Pam
Phillips
u3a Kayaking Project
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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 will not be an election in our area. Therefore, Ian will take up his new Council Representative role in April this year. 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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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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EXPLORING LONDON 5 EVENT
On Friday 22nd November twenty six members of the Exploring London
Group 5 enjoyed a visit to Middle Temple in London for a guided tour and lunch.
We were met by our guide Marian who was extremely
knowledgeable about Middle Temple, its history and current practices.
Marian gave us so much fascinating information about the
development of the Middle Temple from the12th century to the granting of the
land in perpetuity in 1608/9 and then on to the current day, that it would be
impossible to summarise here.
After our tour of the outside of the site (on a very cold
day) we went into the Great Hall complex where Marian talked about the rooms,
the customs and the development of the buildings.
Our two-course lunch was served in the magnificent Great
Hall itself.
One of our group members summarised Middle Temple well when
she said, “what a remarkably quiet, calm, self-contained little world it is, so
full of secrets and history”!
Many thanks to Linda Williams for organising this
interesting visit.
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Sherrie
McDaid the Mayor of Broxbourne stopped to chat with Glynis, Tim and
Lesley at the LVu3a publicity table at St Augustine Church’s
Summer Fair on Saturday 13th July.
She showed a keen
interest in what we had to say about our u3a and was impressed with all
the information displayed on our publicity boards.
MAY 2025 UPDATE FOR u3as FROM THE CEO
Click on the link to open the web page,
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There are always plenty of interesting online learning events free to join to be found at:
Here are just a few:
- Mindfulness and Meditation
- Taking revenge: Artemisia Gentileschi’s Quest for Justice
- Help Us Remember with the War Memorials Register
- Laughter Yoga with Judith
- Vaccines
- London 2012 – A Games Maker’s Story
- Expert tips and Essential Apps for Effortless Online Living
- Secrets of the Human Brain: Talk Six: Your Spinal Cord
- Celestial marvels: Demystifying the Cosmos
- Darkness on the Edge of Town: Bruce Springsteen and the American dream
.
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
Monday 12th May, Main Meeting - Speaker - Neil Hanson - “The Myths of Time”. Neil will examine the myths and legends that have grown up around some of the most important events in British history, such as the Spanish Armada, the Great Fire of London and the First World War.
Friday 23rd May, Interest Afternoon - Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon at 2pm. Speaker Lindsey Barrell - "An introduction to British Sign Language". Tickets £3 on the door, includes tea and cake.
Monday 9th June, Main Meeting - Speaker - David Williams - “Mysteries of the Estuary" - The River Thames is part of London’s 2,000-year history but downstream, beyond the Queen Elizabeth II Bridge, it gradually becomes a desolate and dangerous landscap. This presentation is about early tribal settlers, shipwrecks, pirate radio stations, tragedies, drownings and the most dangerous public path in Britain.
Friday 27th June, Interest Afternoon - Barclay Hall, Hoddesdon at 2pm. Speaker Laura French - "Crossness". 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".
Thursday 26th 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
.
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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