History

What do we do?

The course will cover English Medieval History from the reign of Henry II ( 1154- 1189) to Edward II ( 1307-27).

This covers events & developments of key importance right up to the present – the foundation of the English legal system, Magna Carta, & the English Parliament.

We will of course compare the achievements & failures of each monarch. For example, was King John ( 1199-1216) the worst king in English History?

In addition, we will cover the role of women, including the medieval ideal of womanhood. In similar mode we will look at William Marshal ( d. 1219) as the Ideal knight.

This will lead to a study of medieval Chivalry.

Group 1 will start on Monday 8th September 2025 and continue on the 2nd and 4th Mondays each month thereafter, with its last date being Monday 13th April 2026

Group 2 will start on Monday 15th September 2025 and continue on the 1st and 3rd Mondays each month thereafter, with its last date being Monday 6th April 2026

Both groups currently have limited availability, so new members are welcome.

What do we do?

We are looking at the era of English History 1714 – 1914 covering the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Exploring subjects such as Arts and Culture, Notable People, Government, Law and Order and Science and Industry.
Topics are chosen by those group members who wish to present a topic, with group discussion encouraged.

New members welcome.

Dates for the next term’s meetings
Wednesdays – 23rd April, 28th May, 25th June and 23rd July.

What do we do?

We cover all periods of history, someone suggests a book and we go from there.

We have studied ‘The Age of Enlightenment’ 1730-1810.

We are currently reading ‘Crimea’ by Orlando Figes.

Our group does not meet at a set time/day – please check with the Group Leader.

We now have a waiting list for new members – please contact Lynda, the group leader for further information.

What do we do?

Did an ancestor serve time for embezzlement? Was another transported to Australia for stealing a piano? Were there bigamists in the family? I love the baddies : there is always so much more written about them than the good, honest ag. labs. who were born, married and died leaving no other record of their lives.
We are a mixed group, from those with more than 30 years experience to those who have yet to begin. If you have ever wondered about your ancestors this is the group for you. We would love to help you get started.
We also like to try to break through those ‘Brick Walls’; we have sometimes had great success with this.
We are open to suggestions for topics for discussion.

What do we do?

We will be looking at how the English language has developed over the centuries starting with the Celtic and Roman influences, and progressing through Anglo Saxon and Middle English to the Early Modern Age.

It is a fascinating story of change: no previous knowledge is needed, and as we will be a maximum of 6 there will be plenty of discussion – this is not intended as a lecture series!

Members will be encouraged to contribute their own information and examples.  You will need to purchase a copy of Charlie Haylock’s book ‘In a Manner of Speaking – The Story of the English Language’ as we will use this as a starting point each month – it is chronologically written.

We will request a contribution to refreshments but no charge for the venue as a member has kindly offered her home to meet in.

This group is currently full. We do run a waiting list, but in two years have not had a vacancy, therefore if you are interested in this fascinating subject we strongly recommend you consider starting your own group – the Group leader is willing to advise you, and it can be advertised via the newsletter.

What do we do?

Members make their own way to the selected Church or village for 10.30am when a talk and tour with a local guide is organised.
Coffee is usually arranged and a venue for lunch is suggested for those who wish to stay on.

We have had a recent influx of new members so we have decided that we cannot take any more members for the present. Our membership is more than enough for some of the smaller churches that we visit if everyone turned up, so a second group, Suffolk Churches and Villages – Group 2, has been started.

What do we do?

Members make their own way to the selected Church or village for 11.00am when a talk and tour with a local guide is generally organised.
Coffee is usually arranged and a venue for lunch is suggested for those who wish to stay on.

Read about a recent visit HERE

What do we do?

This self-help group aims to give support to its members by sharing memories thus prompting recollections of our own past. Each month everyone reads something they have written and the Group discusses each piece and makes (helpful) comments. Some hope to publish, others just want to compile their life story for family and friends.
There is the occasional lunch or visit.

For your enjoyment, click below to see two small articles written by a member of this group. If you can imagine a Midwest voice telling the tale in that distinctive accent, well…read it and see for yourself!
Click here for 1st Article and here for 2nd Article

And here is a poem written by Brenda Fraser-Newstead who has re-located and which she dedicated to Sue Rawlings, a member of the group, who passed away in Sept. 2016

This group has now started a waiting list. However, if you are interested in this group please also email secretary@u3aburystedmunds.co.uk whereby other interested members are being noted with the aim to start a second group.