Monthly Meetings

Monthly Meetings and Open Days

We meet at 2pm on the first Wednesday of each month (except August and December) in the Angel Centre, Tonbridge (map). We invite interesting speakers and always follow the talk with the chance to chat over a tea or coffee.

Once a year this meeting is dedicated to an Open Day where there is the opportunity to talk to many group leaders. Details of these meetings are given below.

An email is sent to all members before each monthly meeting with details of how to view the meeting via zoom. Please use this facility if you are unable to attend in person.

Do come to the meeting if you are able; you would then hear the speaker live and enjoy meeting other members after the talk over a tea or coffee, there is no charge for attending these meetings.

PROGRAMME FOR MONTHLY MEETING SPEAKERS 2026

Meetings open to all members; First Wednesday of the month 2:00pm to 4.00pm 

at The Angel Centre, Tonbridge

On 1 April we’re pleased to welcome back magician and author Ian Keable, returning with a fascinating talk based on his book The Century of Deception.

Eighteenth-century England was an age when rumours spread quickly and the public loved a sensation. People believed astonishing stories, flocked to witness supposed marvels, and embraced celebrity figures whose claims were not always what they seemed. Ian explores how these famous hoaxes captured the public imagination, filled newspapers and inspired satire, revealing how the tricks behind them were often remarkably similar to the techniques used by magicians today — with a little live magic included along the way. 

Engaging, amusing and thought-provoking, the talk asks a simple question: in a world of headlines and social media, have we really become any less easy to fool?

Join us for what promises to be a lively and memorable afternoon 

Wednesday 6 May

Tom Crean - Unsung hero of Antarctica - Michael Smith

Prepare to step into the frozen world of early Antarctic exploration as historian Michael Smith brings to life the remarkable story of Tom Crean — one of the greatest yet least-known heroes of the polar age. 

Tom Crean was an ordinary Irish sailor who found himself at the centre of extraordinary adventures, serving on three Antarctic expeditions alongside legendary explorers Robert Falcon Scott and Ernest Shackleton. His courage, resilience and sheer determination helped save lives in some of the harshest conditions on earth, from daring rescue journeys across endless ice to survival against seemingly impossible odds. 

Yet despite his achievements, Crean returned home and rarely spoke about his experiences, earning the title of Antarctica’s “unsung hero.” 

Michael is known for turning history into a gripping story filled with drama, humour and human spirit. This promises to be a fascinating and inspiring afternoon — a chance to hear an extraordinary true story of endurance, loyalty and adventure that will transport you from Tonbridge to the frozen edge of the world. 

Whether you love history, exploration or simply a great story well told, this is a meeting not to be missed. 

Wednesday 1 July

AGM. Speaker - From Farm to Jungle in Columbia - Jane Scotchmer