The u3a History group aims to provide a varied and informative programme, broadening and developing our interest and understanding of both past and present issues.

Talks are given by members of the group and the wider Whitby u3a membership and draw on the speaker's areas of interest, expertise and research. Visiting speakers also contribute talks from time to time.

Topics cover a wide range of local, UK and international historical topics and the talks last between 60-80 minutes on average, with a mid-talk break for social interaction over a cup of tea/coffee for this thriving and friendly group.

Meetings are weekly on Thursday afternoons in the Eastside Community Centre from the end of September through to the end of May, excepting during school holidays. 

Forthcoming events

15th January 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'Cyprus - The Green Line: Exploring the Buffer Zone' Malcolm Brooke

Malcolm writes: "the Green Line today is a 180km long Buffer Zone between the Greek & Turkish areas of Cyprus where the UN attempt to maintain the “status quo”. The presentation looks at the history of how the Green Line came into being and includes first-hand experience of walking through no man’s land in Nicosia. This section of the Buffer Zone was once the most densely militarized area in the world. In recent years we have travelled the length of the Buffer Zone to see the scars that remain to this day."

All very welcome / class fee £1.00 Venue: Eastside Community Centre

22nd January 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'The History of Whitby Hospitals’, Joyce Stangoe

This talk will look at Whitby & District hospitals through the ages, and how they came about. In general, the history of hospitals traces the journey from charitable almshouses and hostels to centres of scientific excellence and teaching. Early hospitals focused on basic care for the poor and religious, whereas modern hospitals focus on advanced treatment and patient well-being . Has the latest version of the Whitby hospital architecture and design given us what we want and need, and where we need it?

Eastside Community Centre All very welcome / class fee £1.00

29th January 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'Danish Bacon and the Pigs that made it' Mary Hilson

Mary, daughter of Frances Hilson, comes to us from the University of Aarhus in Denmark where she lectures in History. Her talk will cover aspects of food and economic history and promises to cover different aspects of history from our normal areas of interest. It should prove a stimulating and informative afternoon.

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

5th February 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'The Development of Christianity in the North West ' Rachel Newman

We are delighted that new group member, Rachel, has agreed to present this talk which will cover aspects of the conversion to, and development of, Christianity in North West England in what has traditionally been called the Dark Ages (between the fall of the Roman Empire and the Norman Conquest). She will consider what has been learnt from archaeological excavations in relation to the written record, particularly the Venerable Bede's great "Ecclesiastical History of the English People" completed in AD731. Rachel has been involved in 3 key excavations in Cumbria in the last 40 years and she will share some of the exciting information about the growth of Christianity that has been unearthed as a result of those excavations."

The images below show: on the left, the great early Northumbrian cross still standing in its original position at Bewcastle, in northern Cumberland; on the right a similar, slightly later, cross fragment from Dacre, near Penrith, one of the archaeological sites (shown below) that will be discussed in the talk. 

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

12th February 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

 ‘Curiosities of the North York Moors' Part 2 Transport and Industry Jane Ellis

Jane's "curiosities" this week will be about transport and industry across the national park. She will show that the "hand of man" is everywhere, and that if you just scratch the surface you can discover a great deal of human history wherever you look. Those industrious Victorians in particular have left their mark on the landscape, and once you start searching, there's plenty to find. The images below show remains of Runswick ironworks and Raithwaite ironstone jetty.

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

26th February 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'A Tragic Love Story' Ruth Harwood

The love story in focus comes towards the end of the 19th century and concerns the "uncrowned king of Ireland" and Kitty O'Shea, but also the "king's" love for his country and the struggles that entailed. Both have elements of tragedy. In order to understand both, their story needs to be in context, so the love story will be preceded by a potted history of Ireland and especially its relations with England - expect plenty of "tragedy" there too!

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

5th March 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'Imagined Geographies & First Encounters Chris Needham

Chris writes: "When explorers such as Captain James Cook returned from distant voyages, their journals sparked profound questions: what unknown lands remained; were all humans originally one species, or did distinct races emerge separately;  how did indigenous peoples fit into a scheme where Europeans were regarded as the most advanced?  

The nature of first encounters was deeply uncertain for both sides. Europeans had long speculated about meeting giants, mythical beings, or lost civilizations.  Indigenous peoples faced the mystery of strange and unexpected visitors — were they gods, divine messengers, or simply other humans from a faraway land?  

This talk mirrors a new exhibition at the Cook Museum in 2026, focusing on the exploration of then unknown parts of the world and outlining some first encounters between Cook and indigenous communities across the Pacific from the Northwest Coast of North America to Aotearoa/New Zealand. It reflects how this influenced geography, literature, and even children’s games, shaping perceptions of the wider world.   

Beyond those early interactions, we consider how geographic knowledge developed, and is taught today, to try and ensure that modern education promotes a broader and more nuanced understanding of peoples, places and their histories. 

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

12th March 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'Whitechapel in the `1880s' Richard Appleton

In this intriguing talk Richard will consider "What were the social conditions in this part of London that enabled Jack the Ripper to so easily carry out his ghastly deeds?"

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

19th March 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

'The Library & Archive: Whitby Museum' Claire Marris

Claire is the Archive Development Manager at Whitby Museum and her presentation will outline aspects of the scope of the archive and how to access interesting content. Her presentation will include 'hands on' material which our group can explore.

All very welcome / Class fee £1

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

26th March 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

Ironstone Mining in New Marske & Upleatham Chris Twigg

Chris Twigg is a trustee of the newly re-established 'Land of Iron' museum in Skinningrove and an expert on mining activity and industry in the Teesside and North East in general. His talk will illustrate the social and economic impact of ironstone mining on the area.

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

EASTER BREAK - 3 weeks

16th April 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

What did the Renaissance do for Whitby and Yorkshire? John Gibbins

John Gibbins from Wolfson College, Cambridge, has visited us previously and this time plans to take us on a historical and cultural tour of the influence of the Italian, and wider European, Renaissance in our region. The motivating idea of reviving and implementing the best of the ancient worlds of Greece and Rome had lasting effects across Europe. They can be seen in houses great and small in our area, in gardens and estates, but most obviously in our education, literature, philosophy, science and clothing. Yorkshire will never look the same again once its Renaissance heritage is understood - not to be missed!

All very welcome / class fee £1.00'

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

23rd April 2026

Visit to Skinningrove/Land of Iron Museum

30th April 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

Louis XIV and his women, final part Ruth Harwood

In the first two talks on the women in the life of the Sun King, Louis XIV of France, we looked at the early and middle parts of his reign. Attention now turns to the remainder of his reign and in terms of the women in his life, to another intriguing character, in particular to Madame de Maintenon. What was she to him? the carer of his illegitimate children by Mme de Montespan? lifelong confidante? or was she indeed more than that - his second wife?

All very welcome / class fee £1.00

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

7th May 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

‘A History of our Exploration of the Solar System’ Rick Harwood

All very welcome / class fee £1.00

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

14th May 2026
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
History

‘EGYPT’S ROYAL WOMEN: from Queens to Female Pharaohs’  Joann Fletcher

All very welcome / class fee £1.00

Venue: Eastside Community Centre

21st May 2026

Group visit to Museums Quarter, Hull

5th September 2026

Group visit to Kynren, Bishop Auckland