2026
Any u3a Members wanting to learn to play Bridge, there are two year-long courses starting in early September
*U3a National run an online course. ( See their website )
*There's a face to face course at the very active Bridge Club at Roke, near Benson.
Monday evenings or Tuesday mornings every week ( Sept 2026 - June 2027)
Contact: Tom Rogerson
National Year of Reading 2026
This year there is a focus on improving literacy for young people and featured below is a poster advertising the call for volunteers to help out in schools. If you are interested and want to find out more please make contact through the link at the bottom of the poster.
Mills Meadows Bandstand
The Bandstand
Goring & Streatley Brass Band
Enjoy a summer afternoon with friends listening to music on the riverside Mill Meadows bandstand. All are welcome. Bring food, drink and a chair. Other u3a members and friends are often situated somewhere between the bandstand and the refreshment cafe. Please use your own judgement about attendance in bad weather, however the show usually carries on regardless!
Bands currently booked by Henley Town Council to play are:
Sunday 16 August, Woodley Concert Band
Saturday 22 August, Michelle B
Sunday 23 August, Pangbourne Band
Sunday 30 August, Marlow Town Band
Monday 31 August, Chiltern Hills Brass Band
Sunday 6 September, Chinnor Silver Band
A full list of all Summer Music at the Bandstand (April to September) can be obtained in Spring each year from the information centre at Henley Town Hall. The list usually includes Concert Bands, Town Bands, Brass Bands, an RAF Voluntary Band, Jazz Bands and more
AGM
The AGM took place on Wednesday 8th April followed by the monthly talk given by Alan Fitzgerald on "Does Britain Really Make Anything Anymore?" A copy of the minutes can be viewed by clicking on this link u3a AGM - April 2026 minutes. Charles Whittaker stepped down as Chairman after leading Henley u3a for over ten years. He was presented with a Book Token and case of wine by the new chairman Keith Appleby.
.
Coffee Mornings
These provide an opportunity to meet socially and informally to welcome new and potential members, guests and friends. They are held from 10:30am on the 4th Tuesday of each month except December at the Dottie's café at Toad Hall Garden Centre, Marlow Road, Henley RG9 3AG. Plenty of parking available. The 850 buses run every 15 minutes and stop opposite the entrance to the drive.
Please Note: " From 25th August we are returning to the garden centre's brand new Dottie's Cafe."
No need to book, but just turn up, order a drink and join one of our u3a tables. If you do not know anyone, or cannot find a seat, speak to Roger or to any Committee Member.
Weekend Lunch Group
On the second Saturday of each month at midday, a number of u3a members meet at The Catherine Wheel (Henley Wetherspoons) for a purely sociable lunch time get together.
The chosen venue allows us the freedom to accommodate flexible numbers of attendees. There is no need to book. Just turn up and look for the u3a tables. All u3a members are welcome. Rather like our monthly coffee mornings, this lunchtime meeting is becoming another great opportunity to socialise with other u3a members.
If you need further information, then contact Aurora Acone via the link on this website at Groups, Weekend Lunch Group
Monthly Talks
A variety of talks are held at 2:00pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month, followed by refreshments. Non-members and guests are also welcome. The charge for members is £2 and for others £4.
These talks are held at Sacred Heart Church Hall, Walton Ave., off Vicarage Road, Henley RG9 1LA. Parking is available.
"We have some interesting and varied talks lined up for you for 2026. Subjects ranging from Britain's industrial heritage and future, to Frankenstein, to caring for and running a palace and cathedral, to a light-hearted look at English figures of speech. So hopefully something for everyone. Next year we will also be having a talk in July, to see how it goes. Despite being Regatta week we hope members will come along to hear about the ancient Ridgeway (which many of us have walked and loved) and its history from the stone age to today."
Click here for list of talks taking place in 2026 & 2027
Ballet, Opera, Art and Theatre
Information on future screenings of ballet, opera, art and theatre is available at the Regal Cinema, Henley, U3a members and groups often arrange visits to attend these or the Ashmolean Museum, Oxford as additional learning and social activities.
Music
Regular visits are arranged to attend performances by the Henley Symphony Orchestra at the Hexagon Theatre in Reading or St Mary's Church, Henley.
Science
A number of u3a members attend Café Scientifique. Monthly talks are held on topics of general scientific interest. Visit the website via the link.
Walks
for details see under Groups on this website.