On the first Wednesday of every month (except August when we take a summer break to replenish the biscuit supply) there will be a monthly meeting in the Cross Barn in Odiham. The timings for the meetings are :
- 10.00 am : Doors Open to members, tea or coffee and biscuits available.
- 10.30 am : The presentation
- 11.30 am : Q & A. Note : the length of individual presentations will vary.
All monthly meetings are free and are open to all Odiham and District u3a members - you don't have to join a group to take part. As an Odiham u3a member, you will receive an invitation email about 2 weeks before each date. This will have details of the event, the speaker, the talk and the booking link. The booking system will not go live until you receive this email invitation.
You must book your place at the meeting
Because there is an upper limit to the number who can be present in the Cross Barn in Odiham, you must book your place at the meeting, though the tickets for these meetings are free.
If you need help in making a booking, we have created a help page here.
If you have booked one or more places but later find you cannot attend then please send a message to Tech Support so that we can cancel your ticket and release the place for someone else. This is important as, with increased membership, our popular talks fill up quickly and develop a waiting list.
For those who cannot attend the meeting in person there will often be a link to the zoom recording sent out after the meeting, subject to the speaker agreeing to this. The booking link below goes live about 2 weeks before each new event, you'll receive an email saying when.
4th March 2026 : The Art of the early Picture Postcard by Dr James Taylor
Dr James Taylor, former curator of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, brings us Brilliant British Humour in the Forgotten Art of the Picture Postcard: 1840-1950s.
Artist-drawn postcards were the most popular art-form from the Edwardian era to WW2 - they entertained, inspired, instructed, motivated and lifted spirits during some dire times.
Discover the popular subjects and styles by the masters of the medium such as Mabel Lucie Attwell, Donald McGill and Fred Spurgin, and the reasons why their popularity waned with the British public.
For copyright reasons at the National Maritime Museum we were not able to record this talk.
1st April 2026 : Obsession, Enterprise & Death: the Industrial Revolution in three lives by Dr Frances Hurd
Dr Hurd, with her PhD in History, illustrates the Industrial Revolution through its effect on the lives of three men caught up in it.
Economic success came at a high price for individuals – even those who appeared to profit from it most. Dr Hurd explores the impact of the world's first industrial revolution on the lives of those working in English textile mills and coal mines and the experiences of three men who profited from their labour.
The recording of this talk was emailed to Odiham u3a members on 1st April and the link will expire on April 14th. Please note this recording is for members only.
6th May 2026 : The Saxophone, and my Life as an Army Musician by Jon Woodhouse
Jon started playing the Clarinet from the age of 14 and quickly demonstrated an aptitude for music, joining the Army as a Musician at 16. Jon served in Her Majesty’s Lifeguards Band for 25 years, playing Clarinet (even on the back of a horse!), Bass Clarinet, and Saxophone at many high-profile events. He has also participated in concert tours across Europe, America and Japan.
In 1999 Jon retired from the Army and, now semi-retired, he still teaches, and can be seen playing in various local bands.
Jon`s Talk will include a little background information about the Saxophone, and of course the experiences and the people he met during his long career. He will also bring with him various Instruments, and demonstrate them for you! We look forward to an unusual morning's talk!
3rd June 2026 : The Sensational Trial of Lady Chatterley's Lover by Andrew Baker
The trial of "Lady Chatterley's Lover" in 1960 was a landmark case that challenged obscenity laws in the UK and ultimately led to greater freedom in publishing. Why did D.H. Lawrence's novel become a celebrated court case; what courtroom drama, unforgettable humour and humiliation for the prosecution did the procession of witnesses defending the novel produce? How did the trial serve as an overture to the later upheavals of the 1960s and the permissive society?
Our speaker is Andrew Baker, a historian, author, retired headmaster and acclaimed cruise ship lecturer. Joining us by special recommendation from long-time Odiham u3a members R&HB.
1st July 2026 : The Real CSI - how DNA fingerprinting works by Dr Ian Goodall
This highly illustrated talk tells the story of the invention of DNA fingerprinting in the 1980’s.
Retired headmaster Ian Goodall explains how the technique works and was first used to solve a double murder and rape case in Leicestershire.
Other famous cases involving DNA fingerprinting are described, including identification of the King in the car park, the murdered last royal family of Russia and the OJ Simpson trial.
2nd September 2026 : The Whitchurch Silk Mill by Lesley Jordan
Built in 1813, the building was bought in 1817 by silk merchant William Maddick who began extensive alterations and created the mill pond and connected it to the mill race.
Lesley will take us through the history of the Whitchurch Silk Mill, how silk is woven on the original looms and including handling objects from the Mill’s collection.
7th October 2026 : The Dambusters – The Impossible Mission by Guy Bartlett
Guy is an aviation historian and pilot who gave us the drama of Operation Nimrod last year.
Now he returns to show how Operation “Chastise” has become a legend in military history as it contains all the traditionally admired military attributes of originality, surprise and heroism coupled with a dramatic outcome.
The talk explores the roles of Guy Gibson and Barnes Wallis and tells us where we can still see the bouncing bombs.
4th November 2026 - Michael Collins - hero or villain by Andrew Morgan
Arguably one of the men who shaped modern Ireland, Michael Collins was charismatic yet ruthless, a devout Catholic yet non-sectarian and an orchestrator of assassinations during the 1916 Easter Rising in Ireland, the “6 days of armed struggle that changed Irish and British history”. Ex Chair of the Farnham u3a Andrew Morgan provides a brief history and explores differing views on the legacy of this man of contradictions.
2nd December 2026 : The Amazing World of Magic by John Field, AIMC
Within the world-famous Magic Circle, John has been elevated to the rank of Associate Member of The Inner Magic Circle with Silver Star, an accreditation only held by about 310 magicians worldwide. Today you will hear about the oldest magician known to mankind, the oldest trick in magic, scams based on that trick and how to avoid being caught out, the first book written about magic, the dawning of respectability, two famous magicians and the current magic scene. Plus some different styles of magic which will entertain and amuse us as we approach the festive season!