Coffee Exchanges 2024

Coffee Exchange 11th December 2024: Festive Coffee Exchange

We held our 2024 festive Coffee Exchange session on 11th December. After coffee and mince pies, the Marlborough Community Choir led by Emma Pooley entertained us once again with a selection of seasonal carols and songs.


Coffee Exchange 14th November 2024: The 11 Gardens of Avebury, with Garry Mumford

Many of us are familiar with our local National Trust site at Avebury Manor, but how many of us are aware that there are a total of 11 gardens too? Head Gardener at Avebury, Garry Mumford, introduced us to the history and challenges of managing the grounds.


Coffee Exchange 19th September 2024: Jane Davies, Role of a County Councillor

Wiltshire Councillor for Marlborough West: Jane Davies enlightened us on the roles and responsibilities of Councillors and how they can help us with local issues. Jane is also a Marlborough Town Councillor.


Coffee Exchange 22nd August 2024: Bell ringing with Ian Wyld

Experienced bell ringer Ian Wyld talked about the history and practice of bell ringing in England. Ian rings at several local churches and is a u3a in Kennet member too. 


Coffee Exchange 18th July 2024: The Skill and Will to Survive, with Mike Morison.

Our Membership Secretary Mike Morison spoke about ‘The skill and will to survive’. Drawing on his career and training in the RAF, Mike’s talk was illustrated with real life stories of survival.


Coffee Exchange 27th June 2024: There’s nothing wrong with my memory…right?

Annie Clayton, volunteer manager and trainer at Alzheimer’s Support, joined us to talk about dementia and, importantly, about the help and support for patients and families that is available in our area from the charity.


Coffee Exchange 23rd May 2024: Wiltshire Air Ambulance

Our guest speakers were Clare Bromell and Eric Woods, who are volunteers from the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.  Clare and Eric talked about about their vital lifesaving work in our county and the ways in which we can support their activities. You can watch the video of the talk below.


Coffee Exchange 18th April 2024: More Lives than a Cat, with Mike Gardner

u3a in Kennet member Mike Garner talked to us about his fascinating life and escapades as set out in his autobiography ‘More lives than a cat’; flying, building his own planes, romances, and now an active member of u3a in Kennet.


Coffee Exchange 28th March 2024: Poetry Appreciation with Mary Caudell.

A relaxing morning of seasonal poetry readings from our Poetry Appreciation Group on the topic of ‘Spring and new beginnings’, led by Group Leader Mary Caudell. Poetry provided an opportunity to pause from the daily routine, to reflect on important issues and times in our lives, and to appreciate the poet’s skill in the use of language.


Coffee Exchange 29th February 2024: Your Garden Today, with Sonia Wright.

Sonia Wright has a lifetime of experience and a lifelong passion for plants. She has created 3 award-winning gardens at Chelsea Flower Show, and produces all her own plants from seed and propagation. Her talk was all about the blizzard of jobs awaiting all gardeners as the weather improves and everything starts to grow again.


Coffee Exchange 25th January 2024: Marlborough Orchestra Quartets

In a variation to our usual arrangements, we began our 2024 series of events with a musical morning kindly provided by members of the Marlborough Concert Orchestra, some of whom are u3a in Kennet members too. They entertained us with a varied selection of pieces from Mozart, Borodin, Elgar and Holst.

Recording of the Marlborough Concert Orchestra at the January Coffee Exchange

The Orchestra will accompany the Faringdon Singers to perform the Mozart Requiem on Saturday 16 March 2024 at 7:30 pm in the Corn Exchange, Faringdon. They will also hold a Beethoven and Mozart concert from 7.30pm on Saturday 23rd March at St Mary’s church in Marlborough (www.mco.org.uk).