| Status: | Active, open to new members |
| Coordinator: | |
| When: | Monthly on Thursday afternoons 13:45 Last Thursday in the month |
| Venue: | St George's Theatre Cafeteria |
| Cost: | £3 per session |
Talks on local history are interspersed between more general historical talks about people, places and events.
Local speakers are always very popular and often a talk encourages a wider discussion between the speaker and the audience resulting in some colourful stories that enrich the afternoon and bring a smile to everyone's face.
We try to have a wide and varied programme of talks and encourage as many people as we can to get involved.
If you would like to know more, please don't hesitate to email us.
2026 Talks
28 May 2026 - Quiz
Bring your thinking caps with you - it's quiz time!
Pat's quizzes are always fun and we learn a lot too.
2pm at St. George's Cafe and don't forget to bring your new membership card with you, so Pat can take down your number.
30 April 2026 - The Virgin Queen, The Earl of Leicester and Norfolk - Andrew Fakes
Andrew Fakes' talk is entitled "The Virgin Queen, The Earl of Leicester and Norfolk" and it promises to be very interesting and varied indeed.
As usual, the cost will be £3 person, including tea and/or coffee and biscuits afterwards, with a chance to chat to other members. Please do come along if you can. I do hope you will enjoy it and find it interesting. I look forward to seeing my History Group regulars, any other members who think they may be interested and not forgetting any newcomers to U3A who may wish to give it a try.
26 March 2026 - Sir Francis Drake - Pip Canwell
This renowned mariner was born in January 1596. Known best for circumnavigating the world and, of course, The Armada, Pip will bring to life this incredible explorer.
26 February 2026 - Quiz
Are you ready for one of Pat's famous quizzes?
Bring your brains, join a team and have a great afternoon in the cafe at St. George's Theatre.
29 January 2026 - Finland and Canada - Michael Pearson
The next meeting of the U3A History Group will on Thursday, 29th January, 2.00pm, in St Georges Cafe.
The speaker will be our old friend Michael Pearson who will be talking about Finland and Canada. Michael is always interesting and amusing, and is very popular with audiences. Unfortunately, I had a couple of cancellations and Michael kindly agreed to stand in at very short notice, thank goodness. Please do come if you can. All Good Wishes, Pat Ashbourne
Talks 2025
27 November - Pip Canwell
For the last History Group meeting of 2025, Pip will be giving a talk.
The subject is as yet unknown, but Pip is an excellent speaker with a broad knowledge of history and always delivers an entertaining talk.
Watch this space to find out what the talk will be about.
30 October 2025 - "A Miscellany of Local Photographs" - David McDermott
We are pleased to welcome, once again, a very popular speaker to our History group, David McDermott.
His talks are always informative, witty and beautifully illustrated with intriguing photographs of Great Yarmouth which never fail to generate interesting conversations.
This time his talk will revolve around images of old Great Yarmouth, so please come along, join in and let's reminisce about the little town we all love so well.
25 September 2025 - "Yarebeat - The Greatest Hits" - Matt Sergiou
Hello everyone,
My latest History Group meeting on Thursday 25th September, was a talk by local historian and former DJ Matt Sergiou and it was our first meeting in our new venue, St Georges Cafe, next to the theatre, starting at 2.00pm and costing £3.
Matt gave a talk entitled "Yarebeat The Greatest Hits" - and was about many of the groups and solo performers who appeared in the various venues down the seafront in the 1950s, 60s and 70s.
His talk went down exceptionally well and was really enjoyed by everyone. I think it was one of the most popular talks we have ever had. He showed very many photos of the people concerned and had a great deal of knowledge about them all.
I think one of the main reasons our audience liked it so much was that many of them are of the of the age when they actually saw and remembered these artists when they first came to Yarmouth in those very popular times. Matt does other talks and has kindly agreed to come and speak to us again, hopefully sometime next year.
Not unusually sadly, I have had a late cancellation and cannot, at this moment, tell you what we have later this month, Thursday 30th October, but I will let you all know as soon as possible, so please do look at this History page again soon.
Thank you all for your interest. Best wishes, Pat Ashbourne
31 July 2025 - Birds of Great Yarmouth
Hello everyone, please do excuse this very late information about the History Group but I had a late cancellation as well as some other problems, so I am very sorry for the inconvenience.
The History Group meeting tomorrow, Thursday 31st July, 2.00pm at Christchurch, as usual, will now be Michael Pearson, who has spoken to us before about Great Yarmouth Minster. This time he will be talking to us about "Local Birds of Great Yarmouth and District", which is one of his great passions in life. He writes an article in the local parish magazine about it every month.
29 May 2025 - An unsolved Great Yarmouth murder - David McDermott
David told the tale of the murder of Horace Butcher who was murdered at 151 Middlegate Street on the 16th October 1935.
Horry, as he was known locally, ran a dilapidated shop selling horse hair and more and lived on the premises. He appeared to have been battered to death with a 7lb weight. To this day, the murder has not be solved.
A fascinating tale brought to life by many colourful asides both from David and the audience.
24 April 2025 - Quiz
Unfortunately we have no speaker for the next meeting but come along and enjoy one of Pat's great quizzes.
History questions will be interspersed with plenty of general knowledge questions and there will be prizes for the best teams.
Next month we have a real treat for you but I am not going to tell you anything yet! Check the website in May to find out more.
27 March 2025 - Blackpool in the 1950's - A Seven Year old's day out
Pip Canwell
Pip, in her own inimitable style, gave us a brief glimpse into her happy childhood and in particular a day in Blackpool. Pip brought to life the excitement of going on a coach trip, swimming in the sea, candy floss, fish, chips and mushy peas and the all important tram ride.
Her talk was further enriched by historic details and wonderful descriptions of the Ballroom at Blackpool tower.
February 2025 - Repairs to the tower of Great Yarmouth Minster
27 February 2025 - Repairs to the tower of Great Yarmouth Minster
Michael Pearson
Local historian Michael Pearson, gave us an illustrated talk about the extensive repairs to the tower of Great Yarmouth Minster. Michael has always had a keen interest in the history of the Minster and Great Yarmouth in general..
He writes in the Yarmouth Parish Magazine every month about history and also wildlife - which is one of the main interests in his life. Michael is an interesting and amusing speaker.
January 2025 - Witches of Great Yarmouth
The Witches of Great Yarmouth - Rebecca Smith
Becks is a registered Town Wall Guide and works full time at the Time and Tide Museum. She delivered a facinating talk about some of reasons women were deemed to be witches and the trials they had to undergo to prove 'innocence' or 'guilt.
The story she wove was of local witches who suffered at the hands of bigoted officials and traced on local woman who emigrated to America and suffered the same fate there.
A fascinating talk, enjoyed by all.