South Durham u3a monthly meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month from 9:45am-12:00pm.
Half an hour to book in and enjoy coffee and a chat while checking out the sign up sheets for various groups on offer. Then take your seats to listen to the Chair give out notices before this month’s speaker takes the floor.
Prospective members are offered TWO free visits to any of our general meetings. Come along – you will be sure of a warm welcome!
Venue: Bowen Road Community Hall, off Bates Avenue, DL3 0TH.
If you are interested in donating to charity – we have little jars from the RNLI – which can be filled with your spare 5p pieces and handed back at monthly meetings.
Speaker Programme 2026
| Date | Speaker and topic |
| January 13 | Chris Lloyd on Patons and Baldwins - A multi-national company once based in Darlington |
| February 10 | My Life at Sea Including Disasters - Russell Carnelley |
| March 10 | Mary's Meals - Presentation by a global charity |
| April 14 | The Forestry Commission speaks |
| May 12 | Kirsty Wallace (Freeman Hospital) who will be speaking on Transplants |
| June 9 | "The pearl of Africa" revisited - Visions of Uganda from Sarah Cartwright |
| July 14 | A history of cinema - Denis Fox |
| August 11 | Brother Khadim from Newcastle Central Mosque - A Geordie convert speaks |
| September 8 | Looking and seeing - Dave Phillips on aspects of art |
| October 13 | Gary Bankhead on his time as a fireman |
| November 10 | Saddam Hussein, my part in his downfall - By our very own John Sloss |
| December 8 | TBA, hopefully musical |
Previous two speakers
14th April 2026
Meeting
Who knew this government body employed archaeologists? Catrin gave us a smartly paced history not only of the Commission but also of woodland in the British Isles from 60/70% overall […]
10th March 2026
Meeting
Fran deserved the applause she got for turning up from Lanarkshire that morning. Her job as Supporter Engagement Officer takes her all round the North of England. Mary’s Meals was […]
Speaker Programme 2025
| January | Chris Lloyd - Suffragettes |
| February | Carol Tetlow - From Doctor to Author |
| March | Commonwealth War Graves Commission |
| April | Darlington Assistance for Refugees |
| May | John Thorley - Cern and after: The Large Hadron Collider |
| June | Tees River Rescue |
| July | Alex Mitchell - VOICE: UK National Innovation Centre for Ageing at Newcastle University |
| August | Aycliffe Beekeepers Association |
| September | I AM ROADSMART helping to make better drivers and riders through education and upskilling |
| October | Kathryn Streatfield - Croft’s Crossing – her experience of researching and writing a book |
| November | AGM followed by Stuart Miller - Lee Miller war photographer |
| December 9 | TBC |
Speaker Programme 2024
| January | Chris Lloyd – Hidden Darlington |
| February | Carol Tetlow – Stethoscope Secrets: Her Time as a GP |
| March | Co-Op Estate Planning – Tax, Care and Toyboys |
| April | Marion Boyden – Guide Dogs for the Blind |
| May | Malcolm Sweet – The Freemasons |
| June | Rev John Howard – Hope for Israel/Palestine |
| July | Raby Castle Team – Presentation |
| August | David Dean – Where Did That Come from? The Origins of Famous Terms |
| September | Dr Stuart Jones – Energy Transition to Net Zero |
| October | Shaun Campbell – The Arthur Wharton Foundation |
| November | James Skitt – AGM and Demonstration of 3D Printers |
| December | Musical interlude – to be arranged |