Our annual theme for the u3a year 2026/27 is “The Extraordinary”. Presentations are given monthly on Friday mornings normally in the Barley Room at Farnham Maltings, starting at 10.30 a.m. and lasting approximately one hour. Please note, however, that the Christmas Event starts at 2.00 p.m. All members are welcome.
The room capacity is 100 and admittance will be on a first-come first-served basis.
| Date | Speaker | Title | Description | ||
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18 Sep 2026 |
Christopher Marino |
The Story of Cantor Fitzgerald and the 9/11 attacks |
When the terrorists attacked the World Trade Center on 9/11 no company suffered more human loss than Cantor Fitzgerald. Chris shares his first-hand account of that tragic day and the dramatic aftermath of rebuilding the firm. |
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23 Oct 2026 |
Peter Tomlinson |
A Towering Achievement |
A look at the history and expansion of Heathrow Airport and the building of the essential Control Tower. Discover how it was conceived and completed with all the ensuing challenges, right in the middle of one of the world’s busiest airports. |
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20 Nov 2026 |
David Simpson |
Ada Lovelace (1815-52) |
The daughter of Lord Byron, Lovelace was a pioneering mathematician whose insight led her to write what is now considered the first computer program. Blending logic with imagination, she envisioned computing’s vast potential and became a foundational figure in the history of technology. |
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11 Dec 2026 pm |
Andy Wood |
Christmas Entertainment |
An afternoon of music, humour and drama presented by Andy and friends. |
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15 Jan 2027 |
Thoreya Swage |
Two Overlooked Women Scientists |
For too long the contribution of women to the body of scientific knowledge has been ignored and only a few are recognised. This talk aims to highlight the achievements of two women scientists whose key discoveries had an impact on astronomy. |
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19 Feb 2027 |
Andy Wood |
Joshua Slocum (1844-1909) |
The first recorded person to sail around the globe single-handedly. One of the greatest untold adventures in maritime history. He sailed 46,000 miles in three years, two months and two days. |
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19 Mar 2027 |
John Atkinson |
Splitting the Atom |
Atoms are too small for our eyes to see – so why be interested in splitting them? Quite simply the part they play in the origin of humanity, its continued growth and current concern over its possible extinction. |
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16 Apr 2027 |
Laurence Carter |
Garibaldi – The Unification of Italy |
1860: In one brief summer, thanks to one man, Italy was upended and for the first time since the Roman empire re-established as a united country. |
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21 May 2027 |
Andrew Morgan |
Iran – a very different country in 1979 |
A recollection of working in the Middle East in a time of change – the 1970s. A peaceful and unsophisticated region with a charm unique to its inhabitants shattered by the emergence of the desire for change in what became the Islamic Republic of Iran. |
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18 Jun 2027 |
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Gilbert & Sullivan |
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Use the buttons below to see the 2026/27 events programme
Key Dates Theme Meetings Monthly Meetings Social Events Events Calendar