Monthly Meeting Details

Monthly Open Meetings

We hold interesting free talks each month on the last Monday of month. Details on coming talks are listed below.  

Talks start at 2pm but please arrive by 1:45pm. They take place in Porthmadog at the Y Ganolfan, Stryd Fawr, LL49 9LU. Talks usually last between 30-45 minutes and there is always time for questions. Free tea and cakes are served at the end. 

Please note: Limited parking is available outside the hall but it is not free even if you have a blue badge. Some on-street parking is available but you are advised to use the paid-for car parks by the park, behind Cariad Gelato, or behind the B & M store.  

See you there!

SubjectRAF and Spinning
Date 30th November 2026 at 1.45
SpeakerAndy Collins
VenueY Ganolfan, Porthmadog

Andy enlisted into the RAF at 19yrs of age he is an instructor in Physical Education. Andy also attends local schools to talk about his career and journey in the RAF. Along side his career he runs local spinning classes these are well attended, 

SubjectChristmas Lunch
Date 1st December 2026 at 12.30
Speaker
VenueDylan’s

Please see the Christmas Lunch menu. We are pleased to have provisionally booked Dylan’s in Criccieth. The cost for 2 courses is £30.95 and for 3 courses is £36.50

Menu choices and full payment will be required by the 9th of November. 

 

SubjectChristmas Party
Date 15th December 2026 at 1.45
SpeakerChristmas Party
VenueY Ganolfan Porthmadog

This is the first year we are trialling an informal Christmas gathering. Singing and music will be provided by your local u3a groups Singing for fun and the ukulele group.

Please bring some nibbles to share and please let a member of the committee know if you need transport. 

SubjectNew Year talk
Date 25th January 2027 at 1.45pm
SpeakerPhil Durrell
VenueY Ganolfan, Porthmadog

Phil will entertain us with a lighthearted and interactive show which will help to lift any winter gloom   Members will be taken on a mystery tour of European (including British) cities, presented as photos for them to guess. Nothing heavy : no pens & papers , no scoring. Most will know most places….. eventually. 

SubjectLoss of Criccieth Castle
Date 22nd February 2027 at 1.45
SpeakerCathy Woodhead
VenueY Ganolfan, Porthmadog

Cathy will mesmerise us talking about her fascinating book ‘The Loss of Criccieth Castle’.  
She will also tell us the process of publishing a book.

SubjectTBC
Date 22nd March 2027 at TBC
SpeakerTBC
SubjectStorytelling
Date 26th April 2027 at 1.45
SpeakerSid Stephenson
VenueY Ganolfan, Porthmadog

Sid Stephenson is a former educationalist and international manager of aid and higher education programs who has worked across continents, building partnerships and navigating the complex realities of global development. His professional life marked by diplomacy, high stakes negotiations, and frontline experiences has provided him with a rare perspective on people politics and power.

Now a published author novelist and screenwriter Sid brings his wealth of experience to his fiction. His thrillers are gritty lad psychologically tense reflecting his fascination with morals, dilemmas human resilience and the shadowy intersections between justice and revenge.

Experienced in managing multi country initiatives and complex negotiations. Educational leadership, former educationalist with expertise in higher education strategies international partnerships and curriculum development. Creative writing and storytelling in transitioned into fiction writing and screenwriting crafting crime thriller and suspense driven narratives that combine pace with psychological depth.

SubjectAnnual General Meeting
Date 24th May 2027 at 2.00 pm
SpeakerNo speaker
VenueY Ganolfan Porthmadog

Your opportunity to vote and express your opinion ,Reelection  of officials for the following year . 

SubjectTBC
Date 28th June 2027 at TBC
SpeakerTBC
SubjectSummer Break
Date 26th July 2027
Speaker
SubjectSummer Break
Date 30th August 2027
Speaker
SubjectWhite beard on a journey
Date 27th September 2027 at 1.45
SpeakerTony Lawrence
VenueY Ganolfan