As part of our 10th Anniversary of the formation of Westerham u3a we celebrated by holding an Open Day on Thursday 8th June
The Interest Groups were asked to create an individual display illustrating their activities and the results were amazing! The Flower Arrangers stole the show but all the tables were enthusiastically manned by members who shared their passions with the many visitors and, hopefully attracted new recruits. At least a dozen new members signed up on the day, one of the first being Colin Mafham who is looking forward to joining a Wine Appreciation Group as well as experiencing some theatre visits. In addition to the displays there were demonstrations of Mahjong, Quilting and Yoga, and music from the Ukelele strummers - with a very welcome break for tea and cake when a rest was needed! We were honoured to have the company of a distinguished visitor, Susie Berry, u3a Trustee S E Region, who seemed impressed by what she saw - lots of people taking a real interest in u3a activities. 
 Open Meeting Thursday 11th May 2023 2pm        D.H.Lawrence - a talk by Dudley Nichols
D.H. Lawrence travelled the world to gain inspiration for his novels, poems and essays. Dudley highlighted the major influences on his work and also looked at the relationship between Lawrence and The Burrows family and his depiction of them in “The Rainbow” and “Women in Love”. He showed that his aunt, Louie Burrows, maintained a strong spiritual relationship with Lawrence after their broken engagement and right up to the end of her life.
‘Behind the Scenes’ tour of Coolings Garden Centre, Knockholt
Due to its popularity, two visits to the Garden Centre were organised, visiting areas not normally open to the public. They were hosted by Ian, one of the senior managers, who explained how the company, which is now 75% owned by its employees, purchases most of its bedding plants as trays of seedlings. These are automatically pricked out into larger trays, the machines even recognising where there is a gap amongst the 350 seedlings and take a replacement from another tray! Ian also gave us lots of advice and tips and after a fascinating and informative walk there was a lovely cream tea for all to enjoy.
Fame for our Crafty Crafters! 
Our handicraft group was asked to contribute paper flowers for Chartwell's 'Festival of Blossom' week beginning 22nd April. The festival was inspired by a love letter from Winston Churchill to his wife in 1950 and will run until April 30th. The paper artist Gude Hudson-Gool has worked with 'talented groups from the local community' to create willow arches smothered with origami flowers.
 Open Meeting Thursday 13th April 2023 2pm    Gossip at the Royal Court 1660-1830 by Sarah Slater
Sarah, who is theatrically trained, works for Historic Royal Palaces, based at Hampton Court, where she acts as a guide - dressed in period costume. She is also a popular presenter and after dinner speaker. Sarah will talk about all the naughty bits of history you would probably not have learnt about at school! She will discuss royal mistresses, prostitution, sexual diseases of the time and the methods used to prevent STDs and unwanted pregnancies!
 A presentation on The 'East India Company' - 30th March 2023
Penny worked for 22 years at the British Library where she was responsible for 9 miles of archives generated by the East India Company! She was intrigued by references to the influences on British life, including architecture and style, and since retiring she has had the opportunity to delve deeper. Her talk on this fascinating subject, which was attended by over 30 members, traced the history of the company and emphasized the effect the organisation had on the buildings in London and elsewhere and was followed by a lively discussion. A trip to the Brighton Pavilion was suggested as an outing for later in the year.
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 Open Meeting Thursday 9th March 2023 2pm       The Orpheus Centre by Ann Lovelace MBE
Ann Lovelace, who is a member of Westerham u3a,  is a retired secondary teacher of English and a former author and educational  consultant. She talked about the Orpheus Centre, where she is a volunteer.  Orpheus is an independent specialist college in Godstone, founded by entertainer and broadcaster Sir Richard Stilgoe, that increases the confidence and skills of young disabled adults through the performing arts.  Ann also introduced a surprise guest - Angus, a former Orpheus student with a fabulous voice who sang several songs for us. His rendering of 'Bring Him Home' from Les Miserables, brought tears to our eyes!
 Open Meeting Thursday 9th February 2023 2pm  Kent’s Suffragettes by Jennifer Godfrey  
Jennifer Godfrey, author of SUFFRAGETTES OF KENT, gave an interesting talk on the hope, determination, courage and sacrifice of those campaigning for women’s suffrage in Kent. Topics covered included a peaceful suffrage pilgrimage, suffrage van tours and militant action in Kent. She brought the characters to life with stories of Ethel, a Kent working class maid arrested and imprisoned for window-smashing in London as well as the boycotting of the 1911 census and the horrors of forcible feeding. After the talk she signed copies of her book
Christmas Lunch December 2022
On the coldest day of the year so far, around 90 members were hardy enough to attend the Christmas lunch at Westerham Golf Club. The temperature outside was -3℃, the sky was blue and the sun shone brightly on the frosty greens and sparkling fountain. Inside there was a warm welcome and in the beautifully decorated dining area a lovely 3-course festive meal was served with coffee and mince pies to follow. In addition to the digestive treats there was also a raffle with heaps of prizes and the inevitable brain exercise in the form of 3 quizzes: Christmas songs/singers, Cryptic clues for UK towns and Old Kent words. Tony thanked all those who had contributed to a most successful occasion. A great opportunity to chat with friends old and new - roll on next year! (Thanks to Kathy Johnson for this report)
 Visits to Tollsworth Manor,​ June 2022
​During three separate visits over 60 members spent a most interesting and memorable afternoon at the home of Gordon Gillett in his beautiful Grade II* Listed Hall House.  Gordon described the history of the site since 675 AD, including its use as a Monastic Farm with links with Merton Abbey.  After the Reformation the property was owned by Henry VIII  but there was no evidence of him actually residing there. More recently it was owned by the YHA in a somewhat dilapidated condition and Gordon purchased it with his late wife Carol in 1983.
​Gordon gave us a most humorous and informative presentation of Tollsworth Manor saying how they could see it’s great potential and subsequently made a heartfelt decision to restore it. Gordon concentrated on the interior of the Manor and with Carol’s love of gardening, she created a beautifully stocked cottage garden with a very old huge Sycamore tree which stands in all its glory in the back garden.
Gordon and Carol started raising money for Cancer related charities with Christmas Fairs in 1984 and since 1990 with Open Gardens. As a result of Westerham U3A’s visits, over £1,400 will have been raised for St Catherines Hospice as our payments have been matched by other funders of the Hospice. Next year’s Open Garden for St. Catherine’s Hospice is on 11th June 2023.