u3a

Hullbridge Essex

Welcome to Hullbridge u3a

The u3a movement is non-religious and non-political and has three main principles:

Hullbridge, Essex.

The village of Hullbridge nestles on the south bank of the River Crouch in Essex with green fields on the other three boundaries. The earliest evidence of human occupation in Hullbridge is from Neolithic people, who lived on the banks of the River Crouch.

Hullbridge was an important crossing point for pilgrims traveling to Canterbury in the medieval period. The River Crouch was a key part of this pilgrimage route and Hullbridge had a bridge to cross it. The prefix "Hull" in the name comes from "Huolne" or "Wholve", an old name for the Crouch.  The village is currently home to around 7300 residents.

Hullbridge u3a

The Hullbridge u3a was formed in 2010 and is part of the national organisation u3a. We meet on the third Tuesday of each month at the Hullbridge Community Centre, Pooles Lane, SS5 6PA from 1.00pm to 3.15pm and usually have a guest speaker attend. We currently have over 390 members. Please click on the Groups section to view a wide range of activities available for members.

● Membership of the u3a is open to all in their third age, which is defined not by a particular
age but by a period in life in which full time employment has ceased.
● Members promote the values of lifelong learning and the positive attributes of belonging
to a u3a.
● Members should do all they can to ensure that people wanting to join a u3a can do so.

The u3a Movement

u3a stands for the University of the Third Age, which is a self-help organisation for people no longer in full time employment, providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly environment. It consists of u3a's from all over the UK, which are charities in their own right and run entirely by volunteers. All members can learn from others and our experiences. Between them u3as offer the chance to study over 300 different subjects in such fields as art, languages, music, history, life sciences, philosophy, computing, crafts, photography sport and games . Local u3as are learning cooperatives which draw upon the knowledge, experience and skills of their own members to organise and provide interest groups in accordance with the wishes of the membership.

● Members form interest groups covering as wide a range of topics and activities as they
desire; by the members, for the members.
● No qualifications are sought or offered. Learning is for its own sake, with enjoyment
being the prime motive, not qualifications or awards.
● There is no distinction between the learners and the Facilitator; they are all u3a members.

The Buddy Scheme

The purpose of the buddy scheme is to welcome, in particular, new members arriving at the door on the day of the monthly meetings. One couple recalled, when they attended the meeting for the first time, how they found the crowd of strangers a little overwhelming. Nobody seemed to be around to explain how it all worked! In fact, they took a couple of meetings to understand the system, and to realise that they did actually know several members after all. Having a buddy as a recognisable face to refer to when attending must be reassuring.

The Buddies are always there to help or chat either at the door when you arrive or during the tea /coffee interval.

We hope our buddy system gives newcomers the confidence to return to further u3a meetings, knowing they can enjoy an afternoon with friends, and also discover the many varied activities our u3a organises.

● Each u3a is a mutual aid organisation, operationally independent but a member of The
Third Age Trust, which requires adherence to the guiding principles of the u3a
movement.
● No payments are made to members for services rendered to any u3a.
● Each u3a is self-funded with membership subscriptions and costs kept as low as
possible.
● Outside financial assistance should only be sought if it does not imperil the integrity of
the u3a movement.

New Members Welcome - Spaces Are Available

Nexting General Meeting

May General Meeting with Speaker

This is our May General Meeting, with speaker - Tony Harris as Sir Winston Churchill

After club safety notices, announcements and future events, we will then have time for squash and buscuits only. There will be no tea or coffee available this month to enable more members to attend. This will be followed by Tony Harris talking to us about Sir Winston Churchill  with questions from the floor at the end.

19th May 2026

1:00pm to 3:15pm

At Hullbridge Community Centre, Pooles Lane, Hullbridge, SS5 6PA

The car park is available for free with plenty of space for all.

Can all members have their current ICE Cards ready for registration on entry.






Here is the news

A message from Mindful Life.com

Dear Hullbridge U3A,

I hope you're well. We're taking applications for our Better Sleep Programme for Caregivers course starting in June and wondered if you could help spread the word among your members?

Our Better Sleep Programme for Caregivers is for adults typically over 65 who face difficulties with regard to their sleep. It is based on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) - an NHS-recommended treatment - and we work with participants to foster greater self-awareness about sleep patterns, enhance relaxation skills. We also work to improve emotional management to address anxiety and worry about sleep, for both the carer and the cared for person. The course is free, runs for 6 weeks, and is held via Zoom.

If you are contacting your members in the next fortnight or so, we would be very grateful if you would consider including a short mention of the course to help us reach carers who may benefit. I have attached a flyer and a social media post, but if you would like a different format, please let me know.

Thank you so much for considering this, and please don’t hesitate to get in touch if you’d like any further information.

Please contact Lynda our new Chairperson if this is of interest to you or someone you know.

Congratulations to Dave Windle for winning the Keith Wooderson Image of the Year Trophy 2025 with (Image 16). One vote behind was Dave Williams (Image 21). In joint third place was Lynn Garlick (Image 29) and Alan Ford (Image 28)

Many thanks to all Hullbridge u3a members who entered images in 2025 and to all those who voted for the image they liked best.

In the New Year details of the Keith Wooderson Image of the Year 2026 will be revealed and we look forward to our membership entering their favourite images.

Abigail's Party at Dixon Studio at the Palace Theatre

Dive into the prickly world of Mike Leigh's 'Abigail's Party', where a suburban shindig spirals into hilarity and havoc. Beverley's garish lounge, filled with dubious snacks and clashing personalities, hums with nervous laughter and veiled jabs. Rediscover Demis Roussos and cheese and pineapple sticks, and get ready for a night of 70s satire that's as uncomfortable as it is unforgettable.

8th - 11th July 2026

Wednesday 8th 7:30pm £18.00

Thursday 9th 7:30pm £19.00

Friday 10th 7:30pm £19.00

Saturday 11th 2:30pm £19.00

Saturday 11th 7:30pm £19.00

Box Office: 0343 310 0030 All prices include Palace Theatre's booking fee of £2.00 per ticket.

Please contact Hazel Latcham for further information

Diabetic Eye Screening in Hullbridge

DIABETIC EYE SREENING – NOW AVAILABLE IN HULLBRIDGE

Some of you regularly having their annual Diabetic Eye checkup may be unaware that this service can now be done at the Hullbridge Community Centre instead of having to travel out of the village.

If you receive the usual invite to attend at a clinic situated elsewhere, i.e. Hockley, it is possible to phone the appointment line and request to be seen at Hullbridge Community Centre. For Hullbridge residents this makes so much more sense than having to travel, especially when it is not possible to drive oneself home due to the dilation drops impairing vision.

If more patients request this venue then more dates will be made available. Currently it is only 1 day occasionally, but more demand can change that. The Community Centre do not charge the NHS for use of the Committee Room as it is a service to the Community. The nurse on duty on 30th July was very keen for word to be spread about this.

If you know of other Diabetic patients not in the U3A please pass on this information, and together we can improve the service.

Hullbridge Man Shed

HULLBRIDGE is looking for additional members to help start a new Man Shed in Hullbridge. In conjunction with the Hullbridge Parish Council. Please call 01702 232038 if interested.

Assistance needed please

Hullbridge u3a are looking to co-opt one member to the committee to assist the Social Secretary. Please contact Lynda Plant (Chair) or Joan Williams (Secretary) if interested.

Beware of this scam

I expect quite a few of you know by now, one of our members has had her e-mails hacked and an email is going out asking members to purchase a gift card on her behalf.

If you receive one of these emails please forward it to report@phishing.gov.uk

Then delete the message - the more reports , the more chance of tracking them down.

Riverside Medical Centre Proposed Expansion

For all Hullbridge residents and those who have left the village. but still use Riverside Medical Centre. Please see below for the news on the Riverside Medical Centre Proposed Expansion. Please click here for publication

Free Fire Safety Checks In Your Home

Book a Home Safety Visit

We offer free Home Safety Visits to all Essex residents. If you do not have working smoke alarms, or have working smoke alarms but would like more information about how to live safely and securely at home, book one of our free visits today.

Our Services

By booking a Home Safety Visit you’re making sure your home is checked over by a fire safety specialist who will also talk to you about your individual needs and safety concerns. The easiest way to book a visit, either for you or someone you know, is to use our online booking form or call our Home Safety Team. 

The service we offer includes:

  • Smoke alarms
  • Sensory smoke alarms for the hearing impaired
  • Advice on home fire safety
  • Health & Wellbeing check & referral if required
  • Electrical hazards, kitchen safety & safety in the home
  • Advice around cost of living
  • Crime prevention advice
  • Advice around carbon monoxide & gas safety
  • Fire retardant bedding
  • Assessment for a Portable Misting Unit for most ‘at risk’ & vulnerable residents
  • Training for carers

Request a Home Safety Visit for yourself or Someone else

Free Fire Safety Check For You
Free Fire Safety Check For Someone Else

Family Tree Pilot

My name is Oliver, I am contacting you on behalf of Headers and Volleys Entertainment (H&VE), a TV production company based in Brighton.

H&VE creates innovative, world-class content for British and international platforms with a focus on documentaries and formats. Our CEO Nick Emmerson has overseen multiple award-winning series including Who Do You Think You Are? and hit show Supernanny. We’re partnered with United Talent Agency, who represent some of the biggest stars in the world.

We are currently developing a new family history series, to uncover the hidden history of different British counties and their residents, and explore how the past has shaped the people living there today. We plan on using Essex as a part of a non-broadcast mini pilot for this.

We are currently casting for this pilot and would like to talk to those with an interesting family history story based in Essex. We are particularly looking for those with a long family history dating at least 3 generations based in the county. 

Redefining Later Living