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!
| Subject | RAF and Spinning |
| Date | 30th November 2026 at 1.45 |
| Speaker | Andy Collins |
| Venue | Y 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,
| Subject | Christmas Lunch |
| Date | 1st December 2026 at 12.30 |
| Speaker | |
| Venue | Dylan’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.
| Subject | Christmas Party |
| Date | 15th December 2026 at 1.45 |
| Speaker | Christmas Party |
| Venue | Y 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.
| Subject | New Year talk |
| Date | 25th January 2027 at 1.45pm |
| Speaker | Phil Durrell |
| Venue | Y 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.
| Subject | Loss of Criccieth Castle |
| Date | 22nd February 2027 at 1.45 |
| Speaker | Cathy Woodhead |
| Venue | Y 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.
| Subject | TBC |
| Date | 22nd March 2027 at TBC |
| Speaker | TBC |
| Subject | Storytelling |
| Date | 26th April 2027 at 1.45 |
| Speaker | Sid Stephenson |
| Venue | Y 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.
| Subject | Annual General Meeting |
| Date | 24th May 2027 at 2.00 pm |
| Speaker | No speaker |
| Venue | Y Ganolfan Porthmadog |
Your opportunity to vote and express your opinion ,Reelection of officials for the following year .
| Subject | TBC |
| Date | 28th June 2027 at TBC |
| Speaker | TBC |
| Subject | Summer Break |
| Date | 26th July 2027 |
| Speaker |
| Subject | Summer Break |
| Date | 30th August 2027 |
| Speaker |
| Subject | White beard on a journey |
| Date | 27th September 2027 at 1.45 |
| Speaker | Tony Lawrence |
| Venue | Y Ganolfan |