Monthly Meetings
Our monthly meetings are friendly, relaxed afternoons where members come together to enjoy good company, interesting talks, and some time to chat.
Meetings are held on the third Wednesday of each month at The Salvation Army Hall, Violet Hill Road, Stowmarket (IP14 1NE).
• Doors open at 2.00pm
• The meeting starts at 2.30pm
• Free refreshments are available
• Some parking is available
Most meetings include a guest speaker, but just as important is the time before and after to socialise, catch up with friends, and meet new people. Once a year – usually in June – we swap our usual meeting for a summer outing or coach trip.
New members and visitors are always very welcome.
We try to provide a varied range of interesting subjects for our talks, as illustrated by our 2026 programme:
2026 programme:
Wednesday 21st January:
“Young People Today” - Kirsty Jeeves and Mark from the Turning Point Families Team Foundation.
An interesting and thoughtful talk about the lives of young people today, the pressures they face, and how they are coping with a fast-changing world.
Wednesday 18th February:
Paul Smiddy will talk to us about the extraordinary life of “The Honourable Mrs Victor Bruce”, a pioneering racing driver, aviator, and businesswoman in the 1920s and 1930s. A great story and a truly inspirational life.
Wednesday 18th March:
“The Wonder of Norway” – Joanne Larner.
A lively and colourful look at Norway’s landscapes, culture, and way of life, shared through personal experiences and stories.
Wednesday 15th April:
“The Fascinating World of Cryptic Crosswords” - Angela Bell.
Ever wondered how cryptic crosswords work? This friendly and accessible talk lifts the lid on the clues and shows why so many people find them so addictive. No prior knowledge needed.
Wednesday 20th May:
“The Z8869 Story” - Paul Thompson
A moving local history talk about a Wellington bomber that crashed near Great Finborough in 1941, the six crew who lost their lives, and how the story was rediscovered and commemorated over 80 years later.
Wednesday 17th June:
Annual Summer Event/Coach Trip
This year, we will be visiting Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery, followed by Wymondham Abbey. See the News page for more details.
Wednesday 15th July:
“Adventure, Activism and the Climate Crisis” – Edward Gildea
A thought-provoking and engaging talk exploring adventure, activism, and personal responses to the climate crisis.
Wednesday 19th August:
“AI Everywhere” – Ian Hawker
Discover the wide-ranging application of AI in our society today and what developments might take place in the future.
Wednesday 16th September:
AGM, followed by: “The Man who Tested Parachutes” – Andrew Colley
Find out about the 34-year-old schoolteacher with a taste for adventure when he joined a pioneering group of mavericks at RAF Ringway in Manchester.
To learn more about us:
• See our latest News
• Dive into our Interest Groups
• See some of our recent activities in the Gallery
• Read our previous monthly Newsletters
• Get answers to some of your questions in our FAQs