We are a group of enthusiastic WF&D u3a members aiming to do something a bit different from the one off talk on a subject to us all researching and sharing what we have found out and discussing it possibly over a series of meetings. The emphasis is on interesting and varied but all enjoying sharing what we know or have found out to make a bigger picture. Sometimes we may car share, use public transport or existing coach days out to access some of the places we are interested in as part of our history quest. We are not trying to be experts but to learn together! New members always welcome but please pre book a place

WE DO NOT NORMALLY MEET IN JANUARY OR AUGUST

2026 Programme

Starting with MON 9 FEBRUARY 2.15 TO 4 PM
HOW DO YOU BUILD A MEDIEVAL CASTLE FROM SCRATCH?
Part 1 of the BBC ‘Secrets of the Castle’ with Ruth Goodman, Tom Pinfold &Peter Ginn. A colour film followed by
group discussion and refreshments. View in the links below for the full 2026 programme

click to view the first part of the 2026 programme (February to April)

click to view the second part of the 2026 programme (May to July)

click to view details of the Leycester Hospital [a visit here is part of the third part of the 2026 programme (September to December - see more below]

click to view the third and final part part of the 2026 programme (September to December)

The 2025 Programme is given below.

WE DO NOT MEET IN JANUARY  Monday 10 February 2025 from 2pm to 4pm - Candlemas the Pagan and then Christian celebration Alison Barsby & The Making of the Mighty Pen in Birmingham Caroline O'CallaghanAt our new home St Peters Community Church Monday 31 March 2025 from 2.30pm to 4pm - The very popular Paul Harding did a presentation on A Victorian Easter which was lively and full of facts including the Easter Hare. All changed in the 1837 with the new young Queen Victoria? In celebration, the Victorian Easter became a time for fairs, bonnet parades, bunnies, bonhomie and lavish celebration. Victoria's appetite, both for food and, indeed, for life meant that she became 'as plump as a partridge'.  Friday 11 April 2025 A morning visit to Birmingham by Train to The Jewelry Quarter then a 7-minute walk to The Pen Museum. It has been estimated that the city produced three quarters of the world’s pens in the mid to late 19th century. We heard the voices of the Victorian workers and experienced the interactive displays. 19 members went on a beautiful sunny day and were split into 2 groups for the tours. We made nibs, learnt history, saw a film of one of the former workers and did graphology. YouTube: The Pen Museum Teaser Monday 12 May 2025 from 2.30 to 4pm - Tony Robinson’s The History of Britain - THE VICTORIANS The actor taking a fresh and humorous look at British history, ‘from the bottom up’. Instead of the usual stories of the powerful, rich and famous, this is history through the eyes of the common people. In this film we explore their everyday lives: how they washed, ate and made a living; and also, how the behavior of those who ruled the land affected them. One thing for sure, life for the common people was tough! A colour film followed by group discussion & refreshments. YouTube: Tony Robins History of Britain - The Victorians Monday 9 June 2025 from 2.15 to 4pm  - The History of Assisi, Perugia, Spoleto & Orvieto  All 15 minute presentations andthen questions and a group discussion. Etruscans and Umbrians Angela Curtis The Romans Liz Wood Bennett's Ice cream at half time Early Medieval from 500 A.D. Vincent O’Callaghan Papal States, Communes and the Renaissance Caroline O’Callaghan. This was for all group members not just those travelling. Tuesday 15 July 2025 - A visit by car share The Needle Museum & Bordesley Abbey departing Kidderminster at 9.30am and returning at around 2pm We took a tour of Forge Mill explaining the gruesome story of how a needle was made in Victorian times. This takes place in the atmospheric surroundings of the world’s only remaining water powered needle scouring mill. 04 to 11 September 2025 Umbria, Assisi & Perugia: The Heart of Italy Following our successful visits to France and Spain we have booked another this time to Italy Monday 13 October 2025 from 2.30 - 4pm  £3 each Tony Robinson’s The History of Britain THE TUDORS In this film the actor and history enthusiast explores the history of Britain through the everyday lives of ordinary people. How a knacker became an executioner, and how clothes were made. Finding Henry's sunken ship the Mary Rose. Showing us how food was prepared in Tudor England. A look at cumbersome armor.  A colour film followed by group discussion and refreshments.  Monday 10 November 2025 from 2.15 - 3.45pm  £3 each A Tudor Christmas Banquet - a presentation from the very popular Paul Harding  If you were invited to a Tudor banquet, do you have what it takes to survive the festivities? Join Paul Harding from "Discover History" as he takes you through the timetable of a banquet, demonstrating both good manners and etiquette. Just choose wisely what you wear on the day, and how you display your napkin! open to all members

We are taking bookings for this trip to Warwick now and we have 8 places open to all u3a members contact Caroline