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 on the Events page.
Please note: Due to Covid and/or unforeseen future circumstances/restrictions, some of the arranged events may have to be changed at short notice.
Wednesday 1 JUNE
The Wicked Wit of Winston Churchill: his vices, tastes and virtues - Stewart Linford
Stewart Linford, our June speaker is a supreme storyteller. Stewart excites and informs through humerous original anecdotes enhanced by an array of rich, fascinating props.
He has won humerous speaking competitions as a long standing member of Toastmasters International. His TV appearances include programmes hosted by Michael Portillo, Adrian Edmundson and Chris Packham.
Drawing on the wealth of humerous stories, aphorisms and historic speeches, made by the man voted the People's Greatest Briton by a BBC pole in 2002, Stewart will amuse, inform, and entertain us in an interactive style, dressed as the wartime prime minister. Stewart takes the audiences on a journey illustrated by an array of images including lesser known slides. He has studied his hero Winston Churchill for decades and gained valuable insights through his membership of the International Churchill society and the creation of a special chair, complete with humidor drawer.
A Liveryman of the Furniture Makers Company, Stewart was made a Freeman of the City of London. He studied his craft of Furniture Making at High Wycombe where he gained a degree in wood science and a distinction for his thesis on Tradtional Chair making. His clients included: The Duke of Marlborough, The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, National Trust, Harrods and noble families world-wide. His speciality is creating chairs to commemorate great British worthies, using timbers from HMS Victory to build his Admiral's chair and timber from Blenheim Palace estate to celebrate Winston Churchill.
He was awarded the Queen's award for enterprise in 2003, was presented to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace and received a Royal visit to his workshops. He has also represented his country in the World Apprentices 'Skill Olympics' competition in Madrid.
This entertaining afternoon could be your finest hour!
Wednesday 6 July 2022
Annual General Meeting at 2.00pm in Medway Hall, Angel Centre, Tonbridge
You are cordially invited to this year’s AGM, which will be held in person on Wednesday 6 July at 2.00pm in Medway Hall, Angel Centre. The ‘booklet’ of papers for this will be sent to all members at the beginning of June with the Journal, (either as printed AGM papers, or digitally). The votes on motions will take place at the meeting with the results announced there and then. The AGM formalities will be brief and will be followed by a speaker and possibly some live entertainment plus the usual refreshments.
This year there are two retirements on the Committee. After one year as Chair, Stephen Olley steps down, due to pressure of other commitments. I am also stepping down as Secretary, due to moving from the area. There are two others who are joining the Committee, and we hope you will support them by voting.
We always need more potential Committee members, so please do consider joining us – or volunteering in any capacity. We are still short of a Chair, Vice Chair and Volunteer Co-ordinator. We are a friendly bunch and welcome any member who would like to discuss this with us. Please ask any current Committee member.
Nominations for Committee are required by Wednesday 17 May 2022. Please ensure that you have any nominee’s consent. If you have any other questions for the Agenda relating to Tu3a, please submit these in writing by the same date, to keep the business brief on the day. Please ensure that you bring your membership cards with you as they will need to be officially checked against our list to prove that we have the necessary quorum.
Jane Didham ✉︎ secretaryu3aton@gmail.com
Wednesday 3 August - No meeting