u3a

East of England Region

u3a National Events

Forthcoming national events

These events are organised by the national u3a and are open to all members. Click on the event title for more information and to book.

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17882568001st September 2026 10am Flight inspirations aviation group: September

Reaching for the stars: NASA's early days.

During the final years of the Cold War, the 48th Discover how NASA’s early years and the Space Race led to the Moon landing and transformed science and technology.

Free - online via Zoom

17883540002nd September 2026 1pm Email hosting and generic email addresses for your u3a

Mike Field from the u3a Let's Talk Tech team explains options for how u3as can manage their email hosting and lease a domain name.

Free - online via Zoom

17885160004th September 2026 10am Wild, edible autumn seeds

Join Hedgewitch Kat to discover the fascinating world of wild edible autumn seeds, from identification and folklore to practical uses.

Free - online via Zoom

17887896007th September 2026 2pm Triumph to trauma

Triumph to Trauma (940 to 1042) – Danes before Normans: the Conquest before The Conquest!

Discover how the Danish conquest, Cnut and Emma of Normandy shaped England before the Norman Conquest.

Free - online via Zoom

17889480009th September 2026 10am Laughter yoga with Judith: September

Laughter Yoga combines hearty laughter exercises with deep yoga-style breathing (pranayama). Hosted by Judith Anne Walker of Edinburgh u3a.

 
Free - online via Zoom
178938000014th September 2026 10am Exploring world faiths: September

Faith and gratitude

Explore how three faith traditions understand gratitude and discover the enduring value of thankfulness in everyday life.

Free - online via Zoom

178948080015th September 2026 2pm Introduction to cryptic crosswords

Try your hand at solving cryptic clues on this two-hour taster session with Henry Howarth, u3a Subject Adviser for Cryptic Crosswords.

Free - online via Zoom

178955280016th September 2026 10am Life in your smallest rooms: the history of personal hygiene

Learn about the history and science of washing, shaving and personal hygiene, with David of Wrekin u3a and Wolverhampton u3a.

Free - online via Zoom

178955280016th September 2026 10am Mindfulness and meditation series

We welcome back the six week course of Mindfulness and Meditation led by members of Sheffield u3a Mindful Ageing Group John, Mike and Ruth.

Wednesdays at 10am for 6 weeks, starting

Free - online via Zoom 

178963920017th September 2026 10am “The Titanic Sails At Dawn” - punk in the 1970s

Join Lee Wellbrook to explore the origins, growth and legacy of punk in the UK in the 1970s.

Free - online via Zoom

u3a Rewind

178963920017th September 2026 10am Mindfulness and meditation continuation session: September

Join us each month as we continue the practices introduced in the Mindfulness and Meditation Series, and introduce new ones.

Free - online via Zoom

178999920021st September 2026 2pm Secrets of the human brain - sleep and dreams

Dr Bob Pullen reveals how different parts of the brain are responsible for keeping us awake and making us go to sleep.

Free - online via Zoom

A u3a week event

179008560022nd September 2026 2pm The Enchanted Archipelago - a journey through the Galapagos

Join HX Ambassador Monty Halls as he tells the remarkable story of this most iconic of archipelagos and learn about the wildlife and history.

Free - online via Zoom

A u3a week event

179025840024th September 2026 2pm Future Lives - promoting brain health: from evidence to action

Join our panel of researchers as they explore evidence-based ways to improve and maintain brain health.

Free - online via Zoom

A u3a week event

179033040025th September 2026 10am AI News September: four years of AI chatbots

Join the u3a 'AI for everyone' team as we reflect on four years of AI chatbots and how AI has been embraced by many u3a members.

Free - online via Zoom

179033040025th September 2026 10am Live cookery demonstration - try something new
Chef Alex from ‘Vegetarian for Life’ demos his delicious autumn recipes live on Zoom, especially for u3a members.

Free - online via Zoom

A u3a week event

179067960029th September 2026 11am Experimental brain research: from old suppositions to modern observations

In this Science Network talk, Professor Itamar Ronen describes theories of how the brain works and modern experimental approaches focussing on neuroimaging.

 
Free - online via Zoom
17908632001st October 2026 2pm Mods versus rockers: a 1960s 'moral panic'?

In the early 1960s, most young people defined themselves as either ‘mods’ or ‘rockers’. Jack Fawbert charts the development of this phenomenon.

Free - online via Zoom

u3a Rewind

Phil Sellens from East Sussex, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
17912088005th October 2026 2pm A history of the world according to sheep

Join Alan Freeland to discover how sheep, wool and the wool trade have shaped British history, built fortunes, influenced society and even helped win wars.

Free - online via Zoom

17912808006th October 2026 10am Flight inspirations aviation group: October

Early aircrew training

Discover how aviation’s earliest pioneers learned to train pilots from scratch, transforming trial-and-error instruction into structured flying schools in little more than a decade.

Free - online via Zoom

179181360012th October 2026 2pm Introducing AI and AI in Scotland

Explore the world of AI: what it is, where it’s found, how u3a members use it, and Scotland’s leading role in AI.

Free - online via Zoom

179190000013th October 2026 2pm Your guide to feeling connected in a digital world

Join Helen from AbilityNet to build confidence online and discover simple, safe ways to stay connected, make friends and communicate with others using technology.

Free - online via Zoom