Originally leading a local history group started in 2013, then a national history group on line for Third Age Trust with history from Early Settlers to Victorian Age, in 2021 members agreed to widen the focus to include the history of places, people and culture of Worcestershire and further afield. with political reform, industry and connection to groups like Nonconformist formed in 17c and Victorian buildings of 18c. Recently covering the history of Local landed families like Wm Laslett, Berkeley of Spetchley, Burneys also groups like the Quakers. The history of towns like Bewdley, Tenbury Wells, Malvern, Ludlow and Development of Blackpole have been researched with a variety of subjects in the current programme below.

. I have an archive of different subjects we can use built up after joining WU3a History group and beginning a new interest in history, and using PowerPoint, combining it with other skills like photography creative writing and archaeology, learned from joining WU3a in 2009, very different from a former career

Meeting at the Hive with excellent access by local bus, on foot or car parks, and all audio visual equipment on site has proved to be an excellent venue for members. who can also access research in one of the top Archives in the country including the university library on level 3 if they wish. I also organise visits including to Stourbridge Glass Museum, Worcestershire Collections at Hartlebury, Hartlebury Castle Tudor House, Charles Hastings Museum in University and new tour of the Cathedral Some members enjoy doing research and presenting to the group and this can be a short talk or a full hour and I’m happy to help anyone who would like to start that journey with interest in any subject of their choice to participate in future programmes. I will also present for any member who would like to just research their subject but not present. It can be daunting at first but we are a small friendly group and if you would like more information please contact me through the website. Below is current programme 25/26 subjects chosen by members of this and other WU3a history groups providing an eclectic mix of history and reflecting the skills learnt with U3a. If you join I am preparing the latest programme. which will be available during the summer. Members pay a small fee on the first meeting to cover cost of several outside speakers supplementing group members. I hope it is of interest and inspires you to join the group as I did in 2014 to lead the group and passing our skills to others.

The 2025/26 programme

Sept. 9. Worcester’s Hidden History

Sept 23 Worcester life in WW1

Oct 7. Visit - tour of Collections and Archive at Hive. £5

Oct 21. Burney Family of Barbourne Lodge

Nov 4. Worcestershire Rebels

Nov 18 History of Worcester City Blue Plaques

Dec 2. History of Wm Moore- Ede Socialist Dean of Worcester Cathedral

Dec 16 Made in Worcester Shaped by the Severn. By Ian Care visiting speaker

2026

13 Jan. The story of the Peterloo Massacre

27 Jan The story of Henry Harry Lines

10 Feb. Views from Past from Grandfather’s Magic Lantern

Feb 24 History of London Road and Battenhall Worcester

Mar. 10 travelogue and History of Ludlow

Mar24. Visit Worcester Cathedral tour Monumental Women

Apr. 7. History of Chocolatiers

Apr 24. History of Wandering MusicIan’s if Pfalt