Wednesday meetings
Speaker meetings are usually held on the second Wednesday of each month (except August – no meeting) in The Holy Trinity Parish Hall. The meetings start at 2.00pm and last about an hour. Please see the map at the bottom of the page for the location of the hall
Access There is ramp access to the hall.
Parking Please remember to enter your vehicle registration number on the electronic pad in the hall foyer each time you park. There is no charge for parking but failure to enter your number will almost certainly result in a heavy fine. If you are unsure what to do please ask for help.
Please remember that from January 2025 onwards, you will need your PINK Membership Card at all events, including group activities.
If you do not renew your membership you are deemed to NO LONGER BE A MEMBER of Formby u3a and cannot partake of any of their activities as you will no longer have valid insurance cover
Monthly meetings
12th November Bernard Nevin – Margery Booth, the “Knickers Spy”
Margery Booth is a forgotten English Opera Star from the 1930’s but also acted as an undercover wartime spy. Born in Wigan before moving to Southport, Margery was as a young child with a notable singing talent and she eventually moved to London where she sang at the Royal Opera House. Marrying a rich German industrialist, she moved to Germany where she rose to acclaim in 1930’s Berlin, singing at the Berlin Opera. Adolf Hitler became a personal fan, sending her roses after her performances, and dining with him one at least one occasion.
But she was secretly acting as a British Intelligence agent, passing on secrets under the noses of the feared Gestapo, discretely hidden in her underwear, hence known as the Knickers Spy, a title given to her by the post-war media..
Margery sang in POW camps for British prisoners to bolster their morale but fell under the suspicion of the Gestapo, she was arrested and tortured but later released. She managed to escape across Germany as the war came to an end and she gave evidence at post war-trials where English collaborators such as Lord Haw Haw were charged with treason.
Her secretive life in pre-war Germany meant that she was unkindly viewed on her return to the UK and her bravery went unrewarded. This is a captivating, if little known account of a brave Lancashire lady.
10th December – Christmas concert will be at Holy Trinity Parish Hall at 2pm kindly hosted by our very own music groups again. Refreshments will be served at the end.
January 2026 – Jean Finney – My revelations about nursery rhymes are jaw dropping! They tell of our very nasty English history, and it’s definitely NOT for telling to children.
February 2026 – Roger Browne – The Great American Songbook – The fascinating lives of Gershwin, Kern, Porter, Rodgers, Berlin, Carmichael, Fats Waller and beyond – and their wonderful music. The greatest popular music of the twentieth century and its history and roots in blues, ragtime, music hall etc.
March 2026 – Fran Sandham – A Solo Walk across Africa on foot by Fran who is a critically acclaimed author and former Rough Guides editor.
April 2026 – Nic Dickson – The Story of The Formby Lifeboat by Nic Dickson
A lifeboat was on Formby Shore in 1776, 250 years ago, the first in all the world. This illustrated talk will cover the reasons for its establishment, its history and the lifeboatman who braved the seas and saved hundreds of lives.
May 2026 – Talk from the Co-op
The talk provides a light-hearted look at some serious issues such as long-term care fees and how to protect your home and savings, inheritance tax, lasting power of attorney and of course the Toy Boy situation. It includes some top tips for things your members should consider.
Thursday – Coffee Morning
Coffee Mornings are from 10:30 to 12:00 on each second Thursday of the month, except August. These are held in the Workshop, Holy Trinity Church, with free coffee and the chance to pick up information about other groups and meet some of your Committee
These are a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends as well as ask any questions you have about u3a. We look forward to seeing you all
2pm onwards
10:00 am - 12 noon