Meetings & Events

Annual Festive Tea — Save the Date

Our Annual Festive Tea will be held on Thursday 12 December. Put the date in your diary!

Monthly Talks

Our Monthly Talks are offered to members of HGS u3a. Non-members are invited to join us for a free taster session. Members can bring a carer at no charge. There is a ramp and accessible toilet.

They take place at the HGS Free Church, North Square, NW11 7AG each month during our term times. Doors open at 2.30 pm providing an opportunity to chat with your neighbours before the event starts at 3.00 pm. There will also be time for socialising after the talk.

Monday 21 October: Vicky Fox, CEO Supreme Court — Behind the Scenes at the Supreme Court

Blonde woman in glasses and blue polka dot topAs the UK’s highest court, the Supreme Court handles critical cases in areas like commercial, employment, family, human rights, and public law, shaping society and impacting everyday life. Despite being only 15 years old, it plays a vital role in delivering justice. But how are these decisions made, who makes them, and what else does the Court do? Join us to explore the Court’s role in UK society and how it delivers justice.

Vicky Fox became Chief Executive and Accounting Officer of the UK Supreme Court and JCPC in September 2020, overseeing all non-judicial functions and managing a team of 60. Previously, she held senior roles at the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority and the Electoral Commission, with 15 years of government legal experience. A 2019 Timewise Power 50 honoree, Vicky is passionate about equality, serves in various trustee roles, and mentors early and mid-career professionals.

To help with planning, please register for this talk using the following form:

Thursday 21 November: John Graham — The Little-known Heroes who Created Three of the Finest English Institutions.

Man with grey hair in an open neck shirtThe little-known heroes behind three of England’s finest institutions: the Oxford English Dictionary, the King James Bible, and the Imperial War Graves Commission. Spanning the 17th, 19th, and 20th centuries, their stories highlight the vision, determination, and fierce opposition they faced. This narrative delves into the emotions stirred, the challenges overcome, and the enduring impact of their legacies on British society and beyond.

John Graham worked in the computer industry from the 60s as a programmer, analyst, project manager, and designer. He later helped develop business applications for global corporations. Throughout his career, he bridged cultural gaps, explaining European ways to Americans and vice versa. A history enthusiast, he enjoys exploring lesser-known figures and the broad sweep of history.

Recordings of Some Previous Talks

Professor Lynne Cox of Oriel College Oxford gave a talk on Preparing for Ageing Well in September 2022. Her talk was a terrific review of what we can do now to live a healthier life in old age and fascinating research on possible future medical interventions. Click this link to view a recording which covers the talk (apart from the opening couple of minutes).

You can also watch a recording of the October 2022 talk, when local author Amanda Weinberg spoke about her historical novel Tears of Monterini based on true events during Mussolini’s fascist era.

The talk in November 2022 was given by Anne-Marie O’Connor, who discussed the fascinating saga behind Klimt’s famous painting of the Lady in Gold. Click here to view the recording.

Previous Editions of In Conversation

Meet Other Members

If you’d like to meet other members of HGS u3a in a social environment, why not give Sunday Elevenses a try? Join others for coffee (or whatever you fancy) and a chat fortnightly at a local venue. Contact Marion Sipser for details.

London Regional Events

For details of events organized by the London Region of u3as, just click the link below:

https://u3asites.org.uk/london-region/events