Trips and social dates contact Sandra Hurley
For more Information see EVENTS
Trips and social dates…. Sandra Hurley
(If you are booking a trip, please complete the form at the end of the newsletter or in LINKS (this website)
I am aware at times that we do arrive early at our venue, but with travelling into London especially we have no idea on the day what traffic congestion will be like. It is better to be a bit early and wait with our friends in a nice warm coach than miss the start of a show or be late for the meal.
Thank you for your understanding, we do normally have a toilet on the coach in case of emergencies.
Thurrock U3A Birthday Celebrations 2026
On Wednesday August 26th we saw 168 of our members coming together for another birthday lunch where we celebrated one more successful year for Thurrock U3A. For the third year running our caterers have been Valentines Cuisine who have helped to make our celebrations so successful. Goodness knows what time they must have arrived at the hall because when I got there at eight forty five to find that already all the twenty tables were laid with crisp white linen table cloths and napkins, proper knives and forks (no disposables) and condiments, bearing in mind the time of day, it was a joy to see.
Our members started to arrive and find their table and this year unlike other years we were able to have the Bar open, this proved to be quite a success. The food again this year was as other years superb/
Again this year, because he was so well received last year “Elvis” entertained us. He was fantastic and caught the attention of everyone. This year he wasn’t dressed in his normal white suit instead he had his Army Uniform on. I think he had been on a bit of a diet because he looked slimmer this year and coming from a ninety one year old I thought rather scrummy! (It’s the Uniform you know). I must say he knows how to entertain folk; he has the right personality and attitude. We have to thank Sandra Hurley for booking him because she suggested him and booked him. Thank You Sandra he certainly made our day.
Well there we are for another year. I think everyone had a lovely time. Thanks to all who supported our Anniversary Lunch and making it such a success. I would especially like to thank Jack from Impulse leisure for setting out the tables and chairs for us as he does without any moans, can’t be an easy job.
Next year will be our Jubilee Year so we have got to have a special celebration for that. If anyone has any suggestions, please let us (the Committee) know giving us plenty of time to organise it. See you all again soon. Ruth Hood Vice chair Thurrock U3A.
Trips
11th September 2026
I organised a day trip to Bure Valley Railway, 60 of us left Grays and made our way to Aylsham. The journey gave us the opportunity to see how beautiful our country is as we passed some lovely sights.
Our first stop was Aylsham. We were met by the staff, The tables were laid and ready for us , a two course hot meal was waiting which everyone reported that they enjoyed, especially the crumble and custard.
From there we boarded the steam train for a 45 minute, very cosy journey. Our coach met us at Wroxham and we travelled onto Horning to board the Mississippi paddle boat cruise. One of the highlights was seeing an otter by the bank of the river. This was an experience of a life time that everyone really appreciated seeing.
The boat held a well stocked bar which many of us took advantage of. Cruising on the river with a drink in our hand and watching the wild life.
Our journey home from Horning was made memorable by Chris Churchyard playing his ukulele and everyone singing along. He had even brought song sheets along for us to make it as enjoyable as possible.
We had a cockney sing along and songs from the sixties and seventies, a good time was had by all.
Thank you Chris for making the journey home more enjoyable. These photos were taken on the boat where we shared a hot drink and cake.
After a sightseeing tour in the Suffolk country side. We had a blue badge guide for the day and her knowledge of the local country side was outstanding and made the day. We stopped for a few hours in Woodbridge. What an interesting place.
I'm considering maybe next year, returning to Woodbridge and visiting a garden centre in the morning.
Please let me know what you think.
Sandra
Line dance 
The first Thurrock U3A line dance took place on the 18th September at Stifford Clays Social Club and proved to be a great success.
The caller - Vanessa Goodhew demonstrated the steps and did a walk through with the dancers before putting the music on. It is safe to say that the women were far more successful than the men in mastering each routine. Vanessa confided that she had thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with a lovely audience.
It was a brilliant afternoon and we intend to repeat them at regular intervals.
Thank you to all who attended for your support.
Elvis at Tereza Joanne
Forty nine members spend an nice afternoon at Tereza Joanne enjoying afternoon tea while watching an Elvis impersonator This was a real success, every one up dancing and the afternoon tea was really top class with unlimited coffee and tea while we were eating.
The entertainment was top class.
Buckingham Palace
A day trip to Buckingham Palace. We left Grays and travelled to Kennedy's fish and chip shop in Clerkenwell, where we enjoyed freshly cooked fish and chips with mushy peas, followed by Apple pie and custard washed down with tea or coffee.
It was quite amazing to see all of the changes and different development in London. Driving along the A13 seeing all the high rise buildings. Gone was the old Rathbone Street market. Crisp Street market was a by gone era as well.
In a way it was sad to see the how London has changed. Gone are the rows of streets where some of us grew up. Tower blocks everywhere. Little space for children to play.
I know we had the best time growing up, many of us spending our school holiday playing with friends and only going home to eat our tea.
The Palace was quite spectacular, on arrival at the palace we all had Dictaphones that describe the artefacts in the rooms and their origin and purpose.
Music Evening
Sandra wrote this……….
Mel Lewis arranged a music evening on Friday 6th September 2024 for the benefit of all our members. Sadly, the attendance was poor, considering we have over 500 members.
Organising any event is hard work and time consuming and the only way to show your appreciation is by supporting us in these events.
We had Debbie Rainforth as our entertainment artist which had those present dancing the night away.
At first we had the same artists and I think people got fed up with them and then we have had different ones like last night.
When organising other entertainment we get a fair share of complaints due to popularity and spaces filling quickly. (Which can’t be helped.) Do any members wish to organise or have suggestions of a way forward
A BIG THANK YOU to Mel for all his hard work.
Now Mel says this………………
The organisers of the music events at Stifford Clays regret to announce that there will no longer be evening or afternoon gigs due to poor attendance which are not covering the expense of holding them.
This does not include the Barn dances which are organised separately.
The Social group would like to thank all persons who have supported us over the last couple of years.
However we will try to provide entertainment for special occasions, subsequently we are going to try to organise a Christmas party sometime in December. This will be ticket only to members and friends. I will be at the back of the hall when we have our monthly meeting on Wednesdays to take names of interested members.
Also to take names for a quiz evening planned for the end of October.
Any queries or to be put on list for either or both events contact Mel
and thanks again for all who support us in our endeavours to entertain you.
Trips and social dates….
If you have any mobility issues or special needs, please make sure you put these on the booking form so we can accommodate you. However, please appreciate that, although we will do our best, we will not be able to accommodate every request. Thank you for your understanding
Some of the things Thurrock have enjoyed recently
2023 - 2024 (Barn Dance and Country Legends aboard Tereza Joanne)
Barn Dance
A great time was had by all those who attended the recent barn dance.
These events are real fun nights with a great atmosphere and lots of interaction between the dancers and our caller - Tony Clarke.
For the first time, sashes were provided to be worn by one of the women if two were dancing together. The sash was to indicate that for one night only - she was a man !!!. This was an attempt to eliminate the confusion which would arise every time the caller told the men to move either left or right.
Subject to the availability of the hall, we hope to arrange the next event for November
The total number of raffle prizes was 17.
The 4th Thurrock u3a barn dance took place at Stifford Clays Social Club. Our Caller - Tony Clarke was on top form as usual and led the dancers through a series of different routines, which involved forming either straight lines, circles or squares. It was remarkable how the dancer's sense of direction disappeared when Tony was guiding them through the moves. He would tell them to move to the left and some would move to the right and vice versa. Needless to say, once the music started the situation can be best described as chaos and mayhem. As the dancers were alternating between trips to the dance floor and trips to the bar, alcohol must be considered a contributory factor.
Even if you do not want to take part in the dancing, come along to enjoy an evening full of fun
Any queries contact Mel Lewis see contacts
