u3a

Pewsey

Local History

We have expanded our interests beyond the Vale of Pewsey enabling us to research and/or learn more about other areas and to engage speakers from the wider u3a community and other organisations.
This has resulted in a full and varied calendar of events for 2023/2024.
Details of the next meeting are sent by email to all members three or four weeks beforehand with the request that they please let the Group Leader know if they wish to attend. 
We would be particularly pleased to welcome anyone who would also enjoy joining other members to carry out occasional research into an historical event or notable person.
The venue has easy flat access, excellent toilet and kitchen facilities as well as modern projection equipment. 
Members can enjoy tea/coffee and biscuits over a chat  before the day's talk starts at 10.30
To enquire about joining this group, or for more information, tap or click the Group Leader link below.

Latest News and Updates

Our April meeting - Salisbury Cathedral Archives
We were delighted to hear a superb talk about Salisbury Cathedral Archives presented by the very accomplished speaker Emily Naish.
Since childhood Emily has had a passion for history and after gaining her degree undertook voluntary work at the British Library and the Imperial War Museum and a paid post at the V&A. She has been the Cathedral Archivist & Collections Manager for more than 10 years. Presented in three sections and illustrated by numerous excellent images Emily talked us through the meaning and history of archives and archiving; how records are found, collected and archived in the Cathedral; and showed photographs of some of the ancient artefacts that are kept there.

Probably the best known is the copy of Magna Carta agreed by King John in 1215. Emily recalled how on its 800th anniversary it and the other three copies from Lincoln and the British Library were taken to the House of Lords for one day. Each had its own van, followed by a backup van and escorted by police outriders. Traffic was stopped on the journey back to ensure their safe and quick return to their respective homes. But there are thousands of other ancient and precious documents held in the archive.

Minutes dating back to 1329, Royal Charters including King Stephen’s on parchment dated 1136 giving freedom to the church and 300 documents relating to cathedral-owned properties in the city. A large chest which would have held finance records and other important documents required seven members of the clergy, each with a key, to unlock it.

The archivist is not just looking to the past but is actively gathering and recording as much evidence of 21st century activities for future researchers and visitors to enjoy coupled with engaging and educating children.

After the meeting Emily was immediately invited to present her talk to the Pewsey History Society in October; a great opportunity for those of you who missed her this time.

We meet in Pewsey on the third Thursday of each month but now cover areas in and beyond the Vale of Pewsey enabling us to learn more about their economic, cultural, social and occasionally political history. I am now actively seeking speakers for 2025!!

Status:Active, open to new members
Leader:
When: On Thursday mornings
3rd in the month 10:00 - 12.00
Venue: Heritage Centre Education Block
Cost: The entry fee of £4 covers the room hire and refreshments only and an additional £5 per person is charged for talks by guest speakers. Both are payable at the door on arrival.

Groups listed alphabetically

  • 60s/70s/80s Music and Disco
    Status: Active
    Ad hoc, roughly quarterly as and when advised by the group organisers
  • Art
    Status: Active
    On Thursday afternoons
    2nd & 4th in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Badminton
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Wednesday afternoons
    From 1.00 pm to 2.00 pm
  • Birdwatching
    Status: Active
    On Tuesdays
  • Board Games
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    Second in the month from 2.30 - 4.00
  • Book Circle 1
    Status: Full
    On Tuesday mornings
    Second in the month from 10.00 - 12.00
  • Book Circle 2
    Status: Full
    On Wednesday mornings
    1st in the month from 10:15
  • Book Circle 3
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm
    2nd Tuesday of the month
  • Bridge
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    1st and 3rd in the month 10.00 - 1.00
  • Bridge Intermediate
    Status: Active
    On Thursdays
    2nd and 4th in the month from 2.00 - 4.00
  • Card Making
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    1st in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • CHINES
    Status: Active
    On Fridays
    1st in month from April - September
  • Country Dance Music
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly
    1st Friday of the month and 3rd Thursday
  • Country Dancing
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday afternoons
    2nd and 4th in the month from 2.00
  • Creative Writing 1
    Status: Full
    On Wednesday afternoons
    2nd and 4th in the month from 2.00
  • Creative Writing 2
    Status: Waiting list
    On Wednesday afternoons
    3rd in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Darts
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly on Monday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
    1st and 3rd Monday each month
  • Dog Walking Group
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    1st and 3rd in month 2.00-3.00pm variable
  • French Conversation 1
    Status: Waiting list
    On Thursday mornings
    3rd in the month 10.00 - 12.00
  • French Conversation 2
    Status: Waiting list
    On Tuesday mornings
    2nd in the month 10.00 - 12.00
  • Gardening
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    2nd in the month 10.00 - 12.00
  • German Conversation
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesdays
    3rd Wednesday 10.30 - 12.30
  • Jigsaw Swap Group
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday afternoons
    2nd and 4th in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Knitting and Crochet
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday mornings
    2nd in the month 10.00 - 12.00
  • Local History
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    3rd in the month 10:00 - 12.00
  • Mahjong
    Status: Active
    On Thursdays
    1st and 3rd in the month
  • Military History
    Status: Active
    On Monday mornings
    1st in the month from 10.00
  • Music Appreciation
    Status: Waiting list
    On Wednesday mornings
    1st in the month 10.00 - 12.00
  • Needlework
    Status: Full
    On Tuesday afternoons
    2nd and 4th in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Patchwork
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday afternoons
    2nd & 4th in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Photography 2
    Status: Active
    On Friday mornings
    4th in the month 10.00 onwards
  • Practical Photography
    Status: Waiting list
    On Friday mornings
    2nd in the month 10:00 - 12:00
  • Quilting
    Status: Full
    On Wednesdays
    Dates and times vary
  • Quiz
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    2nd in the month 4.30 - 6.00
  • Rock and Pop Play List
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
    Second Wednesday of each month
  • Short Mat Bowls Pewsey
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    See group info
  • Short Mat Bowls Upavon
    Status: Active
    On Friday mornings
    Most Fridays 10.00 - 12.00 when outside bowling is not running
  • Short Mat Bowls Upavon 2
    Status: Active
    On Thursday afternoons
    Most Thursdays 1.00 - 3.00 when outside bowling is not running
  • Singing for Pleasure
    Status: Active
    On Friday mornings
    2nd and 4th in the month 10.30 - 12.00
  • Table Tennis
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Wednesday afternoons
    From 2.15 - 3.15
  • Travellers Tales
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday mornings
    First in the month 10:15 - 10.30
  • U3A Travel Group
    Status: Active
    As and when publicised
  • Walking - 4 Exercise
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    1st and 3rd in the month - 2.00 start
  • Walking - 5 6 7 miles
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    3rd and 5th in the month - start 10.00
  • Walking - 7 8 9 miles
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday mornings
    4th Thursday of the month
  • Walking - 7 plus to 12 Miles
    Status: Active
    On Thursday mornings
    1st in the month starting at 10.00 sharp
  • Walking - Strollers
    Status: Active
    On Tuesday mornings
    1st & 3rd in month at 10:45
  • Whist
    Status: Active
    On Monday afternoons
    2nd and 4th in the month 2.00 - 4.00
  • Wine Tasting & Appreciation
    Status: Active
    On Thursday evenings
    3rd in the month 6.00-7.25 and 7.35-9.00
  • Wordsmiths
    Status: Active
    On Wednesday mornings
    3rd in the month 10.00 - 12.00