This group meets during the afternoon of the third Wednesday of the month. The purpose of the group is to gain knowledge of the items we have in our possession and discover their values with advice from experts, to become aware of collectable items now and in the future, to learn how to look after them and to visit places of interest to the members.

Currently the membership is eighteen, which is the maximum number that can be catered for in our homes, although it may be possible for others outside of our group to join us in our visits where numbers are not restricted (visitors will be charged a fee according to the event). You are asked to contact the group leader before any event, in case the date and meeting times have been changed.

Since our inaugural meeting in April 2006, we have invited experts to talk to us on Clocks, Silverware, Postcards, Stamps, Beswick figurines, Antique maps, Jewellery, Staffordshire 'flatbacks', Coins, Engravings/Prints, Books, Goss china, Wooden Furniture, Vinyl Records, TV and Movie memorabilia. We have also been shown how to buy and sell our goods on eBay and have enjoyed guided tours of the Guildford Cathedral Treasury and the Watts Gallery. Visits have been made to the Talbot Antique Centre, the Jewellery Gallery at the V&A, Horsham Museum, Petworth House and Quebec House, preview days at Ewbank Auctioneers and to a live auction at Lawrences Auction House in Bletchingley. We even held our own Antiques Roadshow when a member of Bonhams Auction House came to value our items. The group also obtained tickets for guided tours of Ironmongers’ Hall and Skinners’ Hall in London and we are on the waiting list for a guided tour of Goldsmiths’ Hall.

The diary of events for 2010 will include a talk on “Secrets of the Boudoir” (period undergarments), “Antique Bottles”, “Dolls (pre 1950), visits to Crow's Auction in Dorking, the Ardingly International Antiques and Collectors Fair and Wotton House Antiques and Fine Art Fair. A talk on “Royal Doulton” will be held on the 19 May which will be open to other U3A members (this will be a ticket entry event as numbers will have to be limited).

To send a message to a Group Leader, please use the Contact Point page. Current Group Status: Full

Marilyn