Liphook u3a were pleased and honoured to welcome Henry viii to the regular monthly meeting in Liphook’s Millennium Centre where we meet on the first Monday of the month unless there’s a bank holiday getting in the way. The meeting, which usually has a speaker begins at 2 pm prompt.

Henry was at his best this month at his full height of 6’2” and approaching his finest weight of 27 stones wearing sumptuous clothing, covered in jewels with the garter showing off his very fine calves-of which he is extremely proud.

His discourse told of his search to find the ideal wife who would give him a male heir. As we know, despite his best efforts he wasn’t entirely successful in producing a healthy son as successor, only one sickly son and two daughters. However, the tale was told with such humour and verve that the audience was completely entranced, even though most of us had felt that we knew all there was to know on the subject. There was so much inside knowledge that we felt that we really were listening to the man himself.

The hour passed very quickly and there was only time for a few questions at the end, before we came back to the present day and enjoyed welcome refreshments served by the volunteer tea ladies.

The hall was at capacity for the first time since Covid and all agreed that the afternoon had been most successful. We are indebted to Tony Harris who spoke so well as his alter ego Good King Hal.

More details of the monthly meetings or any other aspect of the u3a can be gained from u3achairman1@gmail.com