April 15, 2026

With around 150 members and more than 25 interest groups, Hammersmith & Fulham u3a has become a lively hub for people no longer in full-time work who want to stay active, curious and socially connected.

The group meets on the second Tuesday of every month, from 10am to noon, at St Mary’s Church Hall, Hammersmith Road, W14 0QL, with the entrance on Edith Road. Each meeting features a guest speaker, free refreshments and a warm welcome for visitors, who can “test the water” for just £3 before deciding whether to join. Annual membership is £20, with a small additional charge for monthly meetings.

This year is a special one: Hammersmith & Fulham u3a celebrates its 20th anniversary, and the milestone will be marked with an open day on Tuesday 12 May, from 10am. Several local dignitaries — including Hammersmith & Fulham Mayor Sharon Holder and Andrew Slaughter MP — have been invited to attend. The event will showcase the group’s activities, offer free refreshments and give prospective members a chance to meet existing ones.

The u3a’s monthly talks cover an impressively wide range of subjects, reflecting the diverse interests of its members. The rest of the 2026 programme includes:

• 9 June – Pete Smith:What’s in a Name? A look at how London’s streets acquired their names.
• 14 July – Ian Keable:Charles Dickens: Author and Magician, exploring the novelist’s lesser-known fascination with magic.
• 11 August – Simon Keable-Smith:Did We Ever Thank Them? The story of the labour corps from around the world who served in France during the First World War.
• 8 September – Nicholas Henderson:The Tudor Queens: Folly and Wisdom, focusing on Catherine Howard and Catherine Parr.
• 13 October – Mary Tester:Thames Seal Watch, on efforts to protect marine life in the river.
• 10 November – Annual General Meeting , followed by Sarah Slater on Working with the Ghosts in Hampton Court Palace.
• 8 December – Christmas Party , rounding off the year.

Alongside its monthly meetings, Hammersmith & Fulham u3a runs a wide range of interest groups — from archaeology, arts and crafts, poetry and French conversation to walking London’s byways, museum visits, mahjong, book groups, pub lunches and a writers’ workshop. Some meet weekly, others monthly or ad hoc, and non-members are welcome to attend a taster session before joining.

Founded in 1982, the u3a is a nationwide network of more than 1,000 independent charities supporting people in later life to learn new skills, explore new interests and build social connections. Each branch is run by its members, and the movement is supported by the Third Age Trust.

More information is available at www.handf.u3asite.uk, or by contacting the membership secretary at membership.hfu3a@gmail.com.

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