MONTHLY MEETINGS
Monthly Meetings are normally held on the first Monday of each month (except Bank Holidays). Details of the monthly events are listed under Upcoming Monthly Meetings.
Monthly Meetings will be held at:
BEAM (previously Hertford Theatre) (The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS)
Directions and venue information can be found under Venue Information.
2026
Next meeting:
Monday 5th October: Celebrating The National Year of Reading
David Allen: The Amazing Mr Dickens
Dressed up as Charles Dickens, David will take you on an affectionate romp through the “Rags to Riches” life story of the World’s Greatest Storyteller, Charles John Huffam Dickens. From his early childhood working in a factory to his illustrious life as a writer and social reformer, including his scandalous affair and daring escape from a train, with dramatic readings from some of his most popular works including Oliver Twist and Great Expectations.
Funny, lighthearted but meticulously well researched, his talks are both fun and thought provoking. A professional storyteller, David’s talk is based on hours, days and weeks of tireless historical research, trawling through the archives and records dating back to the 1800s.
12th July
No meeting in August
2026
2nd November 2026: DAVID LUSTED “HOLLYWOOD MUSICALS, ILLUSTRATED WITH FILM CLIPS”
David Lusted is a Film and Popular Culture Scholar, retired from lecturing in Film Studies at Southampton Solent University after working in Universities in London, Reading, Winchester and Warwick. Earlier he taught in Primary, Secondary and Adult Education before joining the British Film Institute as an Education Officer where he worked for 14 years. He has lectured in Several European Countries, New Zealand and twice toured Australia.
During David’s presentation, we will hear about Stars such as Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, Gene Kelly and Frank Sinatra, Maurice Chevalier and others from that era.
He will talk about films released by MGM Studios for example “On The Town” “Singing in the Rain” and “Easter Parade” Many films were taken from Stage Productions including “Mary Poppins” with Julie Andrews and “My Fair Lady” with Audrey Hepburn.
Much later, Rock n Roll and Teenage Culture Films filled the screens, with Musicals such as. “Grease” with Olivia Newton John and John Travolta. Later came “The Lion King “ “Frozen” and “A Star Is Born” THIS IS JUST A TRAILER……….
Monday 11th January 2027:
JACQUI FURNEAUX: “SEVEN YEARS FROM INDIA TO BRISTOL ON AN ENFIELD BULLET!”
Jacqui Furneaux is a Traveller, Motorcyclist, Writer and Speaker.
She has written 2 books which have both been published, “HIT THE ROAD JAC” and “ON THE ROAD AGAIN”. She has also written for many magazines and has been interviewed for podcasts and on radio stations.
In 1998 after bringing up a family and being a nurse and health visitor, Jacqui set out on a year’s journey for the first time ever on her own. She started backpacking in Thailand and explored many South-East Asian countries armed only with wide open eyes and a guide book. Six months into the trip and feeling quite the adventurous explorer, Jacqui went to Pakistan and India before returning to the UK. Jacqui loved travelling but her other passion was motorbikes. She had owned various Japanese motorbikes but had never had an Enfield!
Jacqui’s talk will reveal the story of her unexpected and unplanned lengthy journey through 20 countries with her trusty 500cc motorbike. It tells the reasons for her epic trip and how a 6 month holiday became a 7 year way of life in Asia, Australasia, and the Americas. Hear how a 50 year old nurse becomes a mechanic and adapts to life on dusty roads and goat tracks from the mountains to the sea, from barren deserts to lush jungles.
Jacqui’s talk will not only appeal to motorcyclists and travellers but to anyone who could do with a bit of inspiration to follow a dream.
FEBRUARY
Monday 8th February 2027
Brian Greenan: “FRANK SINATRA AND THE MAFIA”
Brian Greenan talked to us last year about the Brink's Mat Gold Bullion Robbery
He is an accomplished Speaker, Compere, Presenter, Facilitator, Auctioneer, Conference Host and Event Manager. He works for many of the UK’s highest profile Charities and prestigious Corporate National organisations.
Brian’s first career was as a Scotland Yard Detective with the Criminal Intelligence Branch as an Intelligence Officer and an expert in Covert Surveillance. He was involved in the investigations of many famous cases against major organised crime figures and international criminal cartels.
Brian’s talk will take us back to the 1920’s when the Mafia took control of crime across the US and part of their Business Plan was to use “Stars” to draw high rollers into their Casinos.
So, was Frank Sinatra a member of the Mafia??
MARCH
Monday 1st March
ANDY SMITH: “LOVE AND LAUGHTER”
Andy is a performance poet, entertainer, author, and former business communicator who has two artificial limbs, a wonderful wife, three fine children and a whippet. (And two feisty chickens until Basil Brush made their acquaintance).
He drives, walks, talks and engages live or digital audiences with stimulating poetry and related commentary…interspersed with humour, thought-provoking insights and the occasional smattering of history.
Andy also presents the lighter side of disability whilst motivating audiences of all ages and abilities to make the most of what they’ve got.
Come and peep into the pleasures and pitfalls of Andy’s transition from emotional hooligan to contented spouse in this poetic presentation that meanders through the mysteries of human relationship, and administers a healing dose of humour on the journey.
5th April: A.G.M. followed by our speaker, Tony Eaton
MAY
MONDAY 10th MAY 2027:
PAUL BARWICK “Gareth Williams and the Mystery of the Body in the Bag”
Paul Barwick spent a career in the Police Service (34yrs) with many roles and responsibilities. He retired from a national role in Counter Terrorism and National Security in 2019. He began his public speaking role on the subject of real life international espionage and has grown a wide audience of social groups, national associations and interested parties. These include U3A’s, Probus Associations and many other independent learning and social groups.
Paul’s talk will begin in 2010 when MI6 spy Gareth William’s body was found naked in his Pimlico flat. He was locked inside a North Face sports bag placed inside his bath. This real life espionage intrigue exploded onto our television screens as sensational details were provided about Gareth’s life and death. Police could find no DNA or fingerprints anywhere in the vicinity. The front door was locked, from the inside!
Who would want to kill this mild mannered math genius?
This presentation delves beneath the sensational media headlines, into Gareth’s murky world of espionage. We trace Gareth’s life from a young boy with enormous mental capacity to the man who may have known too much.
Paul will confront the various possibilities as to his demise and who may be responsible for this grisly death.
MONDAY 7TH JUNE 2027
STEVE DIMMER: “THE REDOUTABLE MISS ROUTLEDGE”
You may remember Steve Dimmer who gave his talk in April 2026 about The Life and Crimes of Agatha Christie.
Steve has been an established storyteller and entertainer for 30 years. He is also an established playwright.
He is back to give his talk about “The Redoubtable Miss Routledge”
Steve’s talk will be an hour long PowerPoint presentation celebrating the remarkable life of one of Britain’s best loved actresses, DAME PATRICIA ROUTLEDGE. Through numerous clips and photos we will witness the amazing talent of this wonderful lady, illustrating her versatility, her gift for comedy and her considerable musical ability.
Hetty Wainthropp is here, Alan Bennett is here, Beatrix Potter is here and how could any assessment of DAME PATRICIA’S career be complete without seeing her in full throttle as the snobbish HYACINTH BUCKET (pronounced BOUQUET!)?
Monday 12th July t.b.c
Monday 6th September t.b.c
Monday 4th October (in Stage 2) t.b.c.
Monday 1st November t.b.c.
Linda Sage: Life Behind Bars
Linda Sage is a renowned Criminal Psychologist, Writer, Radio Host and Speaker.
Linda spent 40 years working in England’s top category prisons with the UK’s most violent criminals, including the Krays, Myra Hindley and Peter Sutcliffe. She has conducted extensive interviews and assessments of offenders in an attempt to uncover what motivates their behaviour and her insights have aided law enforcement and legal terms.
Linda is regularly asked to sense-check gritty TV dramas, having been so close to perpetrators and spends time campaigning against domestic abuse and stalking.
She has worked closely with many UK serial killers. She will share shocking insider knowledge on how they spend their time behind bars and how they view their crimes. Linda is passionate about educating people on the workings of criminal minds.
Linda’s talks not only captivate and shock audiences but leave them with a deeper understanding of the workings of criminal minds.
BEAM directions and venue infomation
The address for BEAM (previously Hertford Theatre) is The Wash, Hertford SG14 1PS.
By Car
There is no on-site parking available at BEAM, however there are a number of car parks within a short walk, including:
Gascoyne Way (SG14 1DB)
Hartham Common (SG14 1QR)
Hartham Lane (SG14 1QN)
Old London Road (SG13 7LA)
Port Vale (SG14 3AA)
St Andrew Street (SG14 1HZ)
Wallfields (SG13 8EQ)
If you have additional access needs, the St Andrew Street Car Park has the nearest available blue badge bays, although they are also available at the other locations.
By Bus
There are bus stops located at Mill Bridge, just outside BEAM; services to and from Stevenage, Ware, Hatfield, Welwyn Garden City and Broxbourne can all be accessed from here. For details on bus routes from Mill Bridge, visit Intalink.
BEAM is also a five minute walk from Hertford Bus Station, which provides a variety of services connecting to the local area. Check local bus timetables for more information.
2026:
SEPTEMBER: Celebrating The National Year of Reading
Monday 7th September: ADELE PARKS: “WRITING NOVELS AND ALL THINGS LITERARY”
What is it like to be a writer?
Adele Parks MBE is a prolific best selling British Author known for contemporary women’s fiction. Born in Teeside, she studied English at Leicester University, followed by time in Italy and Africa.
She worked in Advertising until her debut novel “Playing Away” launched her successful writing career in 2000 leading to over 25 novels, International Best Sellers translated into many languages and an MBE for services to literature in 2022. She has also been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Teeside University.
Adele will talk about what it takes to have a 25 year career as a novelist. She will answer perennial questions such as “Where do the ideas come from?” Do writers read their reviews?” “What comes first character or plot?” “Do you take notes when your friends tell you their troubles?”
Her notable works include “Lies Lies Lies” “Just my Luck” “Spare Brides” and “The Image of you” with some of her books adapted into films.
Adele is an Ambassador for the National Literary Trust. She is a strong advocate for Literacy working with charities like the Reading Agency and has served as a judge for the Costa Book Awards. She lives in Guildford with her family.
There is no Monthly Meeting in August
JULY
Monday 6th July, Tony Harris: “THE PLAYS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE”
You may remember Tony Harris who entertained us all in May 2025 with his performance as Henry V111. Yeah, Verily he returneth as William Shakespeare.
Tony is known for his engaging presentations. He is a Professional Comedian, Raconteur and Actor who specialises in Historical Talks with a Historical Twist. He is a Historic Re-enactor of Prominent Historical Characters. He dresses and becomes the person in question re-enacting the events.
He learnt his Tudor trade at the feet of Major Historical Experts and has been bringing his unique blend of history and comedy to the speaker circuit for the last 6 years. His aim is to trick people into learning by making them laugh, but every point he makes is historically accurate.
This will be fun.
Garry Richardson joined the BBC on the 9th September 1974 and is now one of its longest serving broadcasters. He started as an office junior (he was the tea boy) and worked his way up through local radio before moving to national radio and TV in 1980.
For the past 50 years Garry has had one of the most high profile jobs in broadcasting appearing every week on Radio 4’s prestigious Today Programme.
He joined the Radio 4 Today programme in 1981 and for over 40 years became one of the country’s most familiar voices. During that time he has interviewed some of the world’s most famous people, includong President Nelson Mandela, (who gave him a friendly punch during their interview) Muhammad Ali, and President Bill Clinton.
Garry worked alongside Hollywood icon Richard Burton on the BBC’s coverage of the royal wedding in 1981. He has a wonderful story about what Burton said to him during the programme’s rehearsals.
His fund of hilarious anecdotes have proved to be hugely popular as he takes his audiences behind the scenes at the BBC.
He reveals how he came to share jokes with Morecambe and Wise, and explains why actor Arthur Lowe, Captain Mainwaring gave him a “telling off” before a recording of Dad’s Army.
Garry went to Kosovo during the war and his army helicopter came under missile attack. He described the moment as terrifying. It’s another incredible anecdote like the time he climbed a 650 foot chimney stack on a live radio programme without a safety harness. The audio recording, and photos are amazing.
Garry has appeared in an incredible range of entertainment programmes. They include one on the history of big band music which saw him sing with a close friend of Frank Sinatra. In 2025 he made a documentary to mark the 60th anniversary of the iconic film the Sound of Music and one about Sir Ken Dodd for his 90th birthday.
He devised a touring theatre show and performed alongside Sir Richard Stilgoe, Joanna Lumley and Alistair McGowan.
Monday 11th May
Andy Strange
“APOLLO 11 - THE WAY TO THE MOON” (One giant step for a man...)
Andy first became interested in the “Space Race” when he was a child. His parents woke him up at 2.56am British Summer Time on Monday July 21st 1969 to watch Neil Armstrong step onto the lunar surface. From an early age Andy has always been interested in science and manned flight.
For Andy, watching the final minutes of the Apollo 11 Lunar Module descent, never fails to lose its drama. He believes that it is one of the greatest shared undertakings of human endeavour in history.
His talk will begin with how the world held its collective breath as 38 year old American, Neil Armstrong stepped onto the lunar surface with the words “One giant step for a man, One giant leap for mankind.”
This talk describes the path the USA took to the Moon, the pinnacle of which was Apollo 11 “Moon-Shot”. The rest as they say is “History”.
Monday 13th April:
AGM followed by The Life and Crimes of Agatha Christie
Steve Dimmer has been an Established Storyteller and Entertainer for 30 years. He is also an established Playwright.
Dame Agatha Christie earned her place in the Guinness Book of World Records as the best-selling novelist in the World with sales of over four billion books. She is also the third most widely translated author, beaten only by William Shakespeare and the Bible.
Steve Dimmer will look at the amazing career of the most popular Crime Novelist of all times. He will examine the writer’s life beginning with the creation of Hercule Poirot in 1920, through the golden age of detective fiction, the emergence of Miss Marple until Agatha Christie became the indisputable “Queen of Crime”
Miss Marple, solved countless murders through the pages of 66 novels. Along the way, Steve will look at the real life Mystery involving the novelist’s actual disappearing and perhaps try to solve this intriguing puzzle.
Monday March 2nd
Philip Caine: “Barrow To Baghdad And Back Again”
Philip Caine is the author of the Jack Castle and Shackleton Blister novels. To date, he has written 9 novels, which consist of 7 fictional adventure thrillers and 2 crime thrillers.
Born in 1950 in Barrow in Furness, Cumbria, Philip’s working life began in the hotel business as a chef and hotel manager. His career developed in the oil Industry and 30 years were spent in places such as the North Sea, Algeria, Nigeria, Kazakhstan and Russia.
” Barrow to Baghdad and Back Again” is Philip Caine’s career story. This will be a fast paced exceptional journey through his life from start to finish, fascinating and funny.
He is currently writing his 10th Novel.
Monday 2nd February 2026 :Tony Eaton: “The Curious Disappearance Of Major Glen Miller”
Well that was a surprise! Roll on 2044!!
Tony’s talk will look at the American big band conductor, arranger, composer, trombone player and recording artist before and during World War II, when he was an officer in the US Army Air Forces. His civilian band, Glen Miller and his Orchestra, was one of the most popular and successful bands of the 20th Century and the big band era.
Tony’s speciality has been unravelling the mystery of the famous Bandleader’s disappearance supposedly en route to Paris in December 1944.
Monday 12th January 2026: Brian Greenan told us about
The Brink’s Mat Gold Bullion Robbery ‘The Crime of the Century’
How did 2.5 tons of gold worth £27 million just disappear?
This is the inside story of the Police Investigation and the Brink’s Mat connections with the 2015 Hatton Garden Safe Deposit Job.
2025:
3rd November 2025: “ALLCOCK and BROWN: SONGS and STORIES from THE MUSIC HALL”
6th October 2025: Andrew Baker - “The Second Elizabethan Age in focus and our own Story”
1st September 2025: Suzi Clark - “Butterflies and Baked Beans”
Chen Tsui is Hertfordshire Police’s Cyber Protect and Prevention Officer. Chen works for the Serious Fraud and Cyber Unit in Hertfordshire Constabulary.
2nd June 2025: Bernard Lockett - “The Heritage of Gilbert and Sullivan”
7th April 2025: William French - “What the Butler Saw”
2024:
1st July: Ken and June Brazier - Mercy Ships.
3rd June: Martin Orkin - The Beatles, Their Heroes and their Music.
13th May: Simon Keable-Elliott - “Utterly Immoral”
8th April: Tony Tutton - That`ll be the day - The Life, Music & Influence Of Buddy Holly.
4th March: Our Speaker Andy Gibbs will give a talk entitled “Joseph Lancaster, The Poor Child’s Friend”.
5th February: Our speaker will be Tina Banks - "Humanitarian Visits to Ukraine".
8th January: Colin Sutton was a police officer for 30 years serving as head of a Metropolitan Police Murder Squad for the last nine of them.
2023:
Our featured speaker for the event will be Dr. Midge Gillies hailing from Cambridge University.
4th September: Tricia Thompson who will be giving a fascinating talk about Conkers and Skipping Ropes – Childhood in the 40s, 50s and 60s.
3rd July: The wonderful Festival Players brings you Shakespeare’s delightful romantic comedy TWELFTH NIGHT.
5th June: Speaker - Pauline Martindale who tells us of her personal experience as a long serving prison officer in her talk entitled Behind Closed Doors. Prepare to be amazed and entertained.
15th May: (Later in the month due to 2 Bank Holidays) The AGM will be followed by fabulous entertainment provided by the H&D Intermediate Guitar Group
3rd April: Captain William Wells returns to give us a fascinating talk on The Bermuda Triangle.Captain William Wells returns to give us a fascinating talk on The Bermuda Triangle.
6th March: Monthly Meeting Social and Quiz.
You will not need to make up a team - just come along and join a table.
Monday 6th February - Speaker: Kate Harwood who will be giving a fascinating talk on The Historic Landscape of Panshanger.
Very interesting talk about Panshanger, with some super illustrations. If only there had been more time for Q&As.
Monday 9th January 2023: Speaker: Keith Baldwin ‘When Policemen and Doctors start to look young’.
Very amusing start to the new year, with a little bit of Shakespeare and Pam Ayres thrown in.
2022:
Monday 6th June: Andrew Baker: Political correctness, Woke and culture wars: the new insanity?
Monday 9th May: HERTFORD AND DISTRICT U3A A.G.M.This was followed by Warren Ashton, who gave us an entertaining talk called, "It's All Greek to Me" about the odd things we say to each other.
Monday 4th April: Keith Baldwin: All the Queen's Horses and All the Queen's Men
Monday 7th March: Andy Thomas: The Crop Circle Mystery
Monday 7th February 2022: Andrew Baker"Social Change: No Turning Back, a portrait of Britain's post-war revolution".
Monday 10th January 2022: Darren Stanton The Human Lie Detector
2021 THE ZOOM YEAR
Monday 6th December: Dr James Taylor Brilliant British Humour in the Forgotten Art of the Picture Postcard
Monday 1st November: David Wilson Making a Murderer
Monday 4th October: Roya Nikkhah reports on The Royal Family
There was no meeting in September
Monday 16th August: Anne Luder A Taste of Capel Manor
Monday 2nd August: Paul Robbins You Stupid Boy!
Monday 5th July: Roy Smart Wallis Simpson and the Abdication crisis of 1936 – the year of Three Kings!
14th June: Sarah Slater, Guide Lecturer at Historic Royal Palaces: Sex, Secrets, Scandal and Salacious Gossip of the Royal Court, 1660 to1830.
1st June: You Are What You Can Remember
17th May: AGM
Monday 4th May: The Psychology of Persuasion and Influence
12th April: Dr Helen Fry, Historian, Lecturer and Biographer: A Very Secret War: Bugging the Nazis in WWII.
29th March: Anne Rowe on the Unravelling of the History of a Country House – Hamels near Braughing
15th March: Ian Waller, Professional Genealogist: Mending Bodies, Saving Souls.
1st March: Fool's Gold: 'Darklight'
Monday 15th February: Tricia Thompson, Fingers crossed – superstitions.
Monday 25th January: Suzanne Williams, Top secret - you have to attend to find out but the clue is that she cannot afford for her talk to be leaked to social media!
Monday 18th January:
Valerie Calderbank, Astronomer: Myths & Legends of the Stars