u3a

The Three Brethren

Monthly Meetings and Outings

COME AND JOIN US!

On this page are listed all the events held by our u3a. They are listed chronologically and include the monthly meetings and committee meetings.

We hold Monthly Meetings, usually on the third Monday of each month (with the exception of July & August). A £2 fee (cash only) is asked to help with operating costs. Now held at the Melrose Parish Church Hall in Melrose, the meetings begin at 2 pm. There is a speaker and then time for socialising when complimentary tea, coffee and biscuits are served.

Our Chairperson opens the meeting with any u3a news. There is a rota for those serving refreshments at each meeting. If you wish to be added to the Tea Rota, please email any Committee member via the CONTACT US page.

Please consider bringing your own mug to save the washing up.

Forthcoming events

Monday 17th August 2026
2:00pm
This year’s summer party will take place on Monday 17 August from 2pm at Kingsknowe’s Hotel,
Cost: £17.50
Booking Required

If anybody has suggestions for speakers at our monthly meetings, please contact any member of the Committee (click here). Please give as much information as possible about your suggested speaker, so that the person is then easy to contact.

Although we do not have monthly meetings in July or August, we try to have a Summer tea party in August to which all members are invited. The venue is usually the Kingsknowes Hotel, Galashiels.

Click on any of the Events listed below (either the picture, or the underlined title in blue) to see more information.

LIST OF PAST EVENTS

Tuesday 7th July 2026
to Tuesday 7th July 2026
Outing
Garden Visit to Levens Hall, Kendal, under the A&H Group.A privately arranged trip through Telfords Coaches. This is a garden, to quote garden designer, Thelma, that 'left the most enduring […]
Cost: Coach & Entry cost to Garden
Booking Required
Monday 22nd June 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
to Monday 22nd June 2026
Monthly Meeting
** Please note the change of date to the 4th Monday - 22nd June. ** Jason Moyes, Arts & Creativity Officer with Live Borders is our speaker on 22 June. […]
Cost: Entry cost £2
Monday 1st June 2026
10:30am - 12:00pm
to Monday 1st June 2026
Committee Meeting
Committee Meeting @ Langlee Community centre from 10:30 am The Three Brethen u3a members are welcome to attend and observe. Please enquire with the Chairperson via the Contact Us page if […]
Booking Required
Monday 11th May 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
to Monday 11th May 2026
Monthly Meeting
**Please note the earlier date of the 11th May for this month's meeting.** This meeting will include our AGM (Annual General Meeting). Tim Owens is Head Gardener at Abbotsford Garden […]
Cost: Entry fee £2
Tuesday 5th May 2026
10:30am - 12:00pm
to Tuesday 5th May 2026
Committee Meeting
Committee Meeting @ Langlee Community Centre from 10:30 am The Three Brethen u3a members are welcome to attend and observe.Please enquire with the Chairperson via the Contact Us page if […]
Booking Required
Monday 20th April 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
to Monday 20th April 2026
Monthly Meeting
Author and Herald Columnist Rosemary Goring will describe her progression in journalism and how her childhood interest in History drove her to write historical literature. Her books After Flodden, Homecoming, […]
Cost: Entry fee £2
Monday 16th March 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
to Monday 16th March 2026
Monthly Meeting
March speaker will be Stefan North-Sagrott, Senior Cultural Resources  Advisor (South) for Historic Environment  Scotland, discussing the work and the organisation of HES with special reference to our Scottish Borders.
Cost: Entry cost £2
Monday 16th February 2026
2:00pm - 3:30pm
to Monday 16th February 2026
Monthly Meeting
John Davidson, MBE, national campaigner for Tourette's Syndrome, whose story unfolds in the recently released film 'I Swear', tells us how the condition adversely affected his younger life as it […]
Cost: Entry cost £2
Monday 15th December 2025
2:00pm - 4:00pm
to Monday 15th December 2025
Social
Our Christmas event will take place and the Committee is planning some fun activities with delicious food and worthy prizes available. Entry is £5 to be paid on the day. […]
Cost: £5.00



16th March 2026

Our speaker was Stefan North-Sagrott, Senior Cultural Resources  Advisor (South) for Historic Environment  Scotland, discussing the work and the organisation of HES with special reference to our Scottish Borders.





16th February 2026

John Davidson, MBE, national campaigner for Tourette's Syndrome, whose story unfolds in the recently released film 'I Swear', told us how the condition adversely affected his life.




19th January 2026

Neil Fisher revealed The Volcanoes of the Southern Uplands. A tale of when these lands of ours were simmering and seething, bubbling and blowing, red and raw!




17th November 2025

Andrew Poole, until recently owner and manager of Pavilion Cinema in Galashiels shared his cinematic memories with some historic pictures to boot. His has been a most interesting career choice, aided by his family,




20th October 2025

Thanks to Janine for her most interesting presentation on behalf of Sukie('s Scones). It was heartening to hear of the great progress being made by Opportunities Zambia in bringing education, skills and employment (not to mention confidence to young women).




15th September 2025



Gemma from Borders Pet Rescue told us about the Charity's valuable work in our local community




16th June 2025

Rob Longworth delivered his presentation on his Svalbard/Sahara journey. Rob not only happens to be the Heritage Officer at Trimontium Museum, but he is also an adventurous traveller who entertained us with his intrepid tales.




19th May 2025

This meeting included our Annual General Meeting.
We were delighted to welcome Mark Nicol, eminent, enthusiastic historian of the Scottish Borders to recount the stories behind '12 Towers of Galashiels'.





21st April 2025

Borders Eco Flowers, is a thriving business near Duns owned by Bridget and Mike Bevan. It produces traditional and unusual seasonal flowers and a variety of foliage, seed heads, grasses and herbs to create gorgeous posies, bouquets and wreaths.







17th March 2025




John Crawford revealed a long and interesting history concerning all you never knew about 'SCOTLAND'S RELATIONSHIP WITH WINE'.

There was a chance to taste some wines with a connection to Scotland.






17th February 2025

Rene O'Reilly from Citizens Advice Bureau was the speaker. Members were told of the dedicated work carried out by CAB, its history, the different fields in which it is able to offer advice and training procedures for volunteers.






20th January 2025



Gordon McKay revealed more fascinating facts about outer space in his presentation 'Faster than Light - journey to the stars'.






18th November 2024



Stephen Scott from MILLS OF TWEEDDALE PROJECT explained how the Scottish Borders was transformed from a sleepy backwater to a world centre of textile manufacturing. 






21st October 2024



Robin Sloan is an expert on munros, corbetts, grahams and donalds. He's bagged a few in his time! We followed Robin's ramblings in A JOURNEY ROUND THE SCOTTISH HILLS.






16th September 2024


We were fortunate to welcome members of the EARLSTON UKULELE CLUB to entertain us. As well as hearing some jaunty tunes, we learnt about the history and popularity of the ukulele too. The Club also promotes the instrument in local schools.