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Celebrating 25 Years as a vibrant part of the Tonbridge community
Nationally run events and more
There are many different online learning events and other activities, run by the national u3a movement, that are available to you as a member of Tonbridge u3a. Further details of what is available currently can be found on the national u3a website - https:// www.u3a.org.uk/.
Please send any comments using the e-mail secretary@tonbridgeu3a.uk
Free Online Event
Friday, 31 October - 14.00 - 15.00
The Historic Towns Trust - London on the Eve of the Great Fire Preview
An outline of the Trust’s history and current and future projects including an atlas of London on the eve of the Great Fire.
About the Historic Towns Trust
The Historic Towns Trust is a charity dedicated to making educational maps that chart the development of Britain’s towns and cities over time.
Born from the ruins of the Second World War, our mission is to help people understand how our urban centres were shaped, from Roman origins (and earlier) through to medieval streetscapes, industrial expansion and modern planning. We do this with rigorously researched, multi-layered maps and atlases that are both academically sound and visually accessible, designed to appeal to educators and enthusiasts alike.
So far, we have published 20 maps and seven atlas volumes, with several more in preparation and a plan to map all the county towns by 2050. We are interested in connecting with local groups to develop future map projects, extending our geographical coverage and the types of towns studied.
The Talk
Martin Wills, Development Manager of the Historic Towns Trust, will outline the Trust’s history and our current and future projects, including an extensive school outreach programme.
Professor Vanessa Harding, Chair of Trustees, will speak about the Trust’s most ambitious project yet, an atlas of London on the eve of the Great Fire, 1666.
For this event, non-u3a members are welcome to join - please do invite a friend.
Free Online Event
27 November - 2pm - 3pm
The Geology of Britain in the Mesozoic, the Era of Middle Life
Join Martin Eales, Consultant Geologist & Geophysicist and member of Sutton U3A, for an online talk followed by a Q&A and discussion session.
A regional look at the history of Britain 250-65 million years ago, how the rocks formed and the evolution of middle life, the age of the dinosaurs.
A sequel to the previous talk on the Palaeozoic era. Geologists divide the time interval when complex life existed on the earth into three eras: the Palaeozoic (Greek for ancient life), Mesozoic (middle life) and the Cenozoic (new life). At the end of the Palaeozoic there was the great extinction event when around 95% of species perished. This heralded the age of the dinosaurs or the Mesozoic era which ended when a meteorite struck near Mexico to wipe out the non-avian dinosaurs.
Most of the rocks of eastern and southern Britain are of Mesozoic age. In this talk, we will walk through the rocks of Britain starting at the latitude of the Sahara Desert within the super continent of Pangea where the rocks were formed in a hot desert. Slowly Britain drifted northwards; rocks were formed in warm shallow seas and forests as the climate and landmasses changed. It was also a period of chalk deposition in warm seas and the initial formation of the Atlantic Ocean. Dinosaurs, mammals, and birds evolved with flowering plants on the land.
This event is for u3a members only.
Free Online Event
9 December - 2pm - 3pm
The Importance of Fungi for the Environment and Humans
Explore fungi, including their evolution, symbiotic relationship with plants, and value as a food and their medicinal uses.
This event is hosted by the u3a Science Network with speaker Dr Alan Heyes OBE.
The talk will cover:
• What are Fungi?
• How did they evolve
• Their Importance to the Environment
• Medicinal uses of fungi
• Fungi as a food source
• The role of the Citizen scientist in studying them
About the speaker
Dr Heyes was for some 10 years chair of Knole u3a Science Group. He has a science and technology background and after retirement from the Civil Service, was appointed a Senior Fellow at King’s College, London. Knole u3a is based in Sevenoaks, Kent, and has held meetings on a wide range of science and technology topics. Many of the talks are researched and presented by members of Knole, as well as invited speakers from UK universities, research organisations, local and national companies. Dr Heyes is the Volunteer Botantist at Haysden Country Park near Tonbridge, Kent and has undertaken a detailed survey of both the flora and fungi there.
This event is for u3a members only.
Free Online Event
9 December - 2pm - 3.30pm
Making your smartphone easier to use - Apple
Advice to help you tailor your smartphone or tablet to your needs.
Mohammed Iltaf, Digital Inclusion Trainer at AbilityNet, brings a wealth of experience in helping older adults build confidence with technology. In this upcoming webinar, “Making Your Apple Smartphone Easier to Use,” Mohammed will guide attendees through practical ways to make their iPhones more accessible, intuitive, and enjoyable to use.
From adjusting screen settings and using voice commands to organising apps and staying safe online, this session is designed to inspire seniors to get the most out of their devices — without the overwhelm.
“Technology should be a tool for independence, not a source of frustration,” says Mohammed. “This webinar is all about making every day tech feel simple, useful, and tailored to your needs.”
Attendees can expect:
Easy-to-follow demonstrations
Real-life examples and tips
A welcoming space to ask questions
Resources to continue learning after the session
About AbilityNet
For more than 25 years AbilityNet has been a pioneering UK charity, providing specialist services and impartial support to create a digital world accessible to all.
Its free online resources and a network of over 450 community-based volunteers help individuals with any disability and of any age to use all kinds of digital technology.
This event is for u3a members only.
For further details including how to book your place on the above events, please go to the national u3a website - https://www.u3a.org.uk/events/u3a-week
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