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 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.
Wednesday 21st October:
“American Midterm Elections – Trump v Democracy” – Don Mobley
Don Mobley explores how the American system of government was designed to balance power between different institutions and prevent any one branch from dominating. He examines current debates about democracy, presidential authority and the issues likely to influence the 2026 midterm elections, while considering the wider impact of these developments both in America and internationally.
Wednesday 18th November:
“A Beginning, a muddle and an end: Where do novelists get their ideas?” – Bobbie Darbyshire
In an entertaining and informative talk, Bobbie Darbyshire will explain how the complex world of character, location, plot and subplot arrives in a writer's mind. Winner of the 2008 fiction prize at the National Academy of Writing, and the New Delta Review Creative Non-fiction Prize 2010, Bobbie is author of five novels.
Wednesday 16th December:
Christmas Buffet Lunch
Our annual festive get-together for a Christmas buffet lunch.
Wednesday 20th January:
“The Beautiful River Stour” – Alan Chattell
Discover the fascinating story of the River Stour, one of East Anglia's most cherished waterways. Alan Chattell explores its history for commercial navigation, the people and communities it served, and its transformation over time into the river we know today. He will also examine the valuable work of the River Stour Trust in protecting and celebrating the river's rich heritage.
Wednesday 17th February:
“Lighting the Fuse” – Lucy Lewis
Lucy Lewis reveals the hidden world of bomb disposal training and how she came to be the UK's first female bomb disposal expert. From joining Sandhurst, to rushing to her first bomb disposal call-out, Lucy's story is full of high stakes and tense situations that for most of us, are beyond comprehension.
Wednesday 17th March:
“Positive Ageing” – Christine Webber
How to live as well as possible for as long as possible. Living a long life is fine, but it is a lot finer if you keep mentally and physical active and alert and can enjoy a vibrant and useful life well into our older years. With a certain amount of effort, we can all improve our balance, our health, increase our fitness and keep our minds and bodies younger than they really are.
Wednesday 21st April:
“Before the Poor Law: Forgotten Souls of Onehouse” – Julie Johnson
The forgotten lives of people buried in the Onehouse burial ground, shedding light on their stories and social landscape before the implementation of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834.
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