The lectures are usually, but not always, held on the third Friday of the month (no lecture in August) at 11.00 am in Cinema 4 at the Showroom, Paternoster Row, Sheffield. The Showroom café is open from 9.00 am for coffee, snacks and lunches. Lectures will usually finish by 12.30 pm.
The lectures are free to all members and usually no booking is required. Greeters wearing u3a lanyards are at the door to welcome members and you may be asked for your Su3a membership number.
The lectures are organised by Mo Cave and Angie Negrine. Details of upcoming lectures are shown in both Links magazine and the enewsletter. We will also send out a reminder to all members a few days before the event. You can contact the organisers at chair@Su3a.org.uk
Closed Captioning
We aim to have “closed captioning” for all Friday lectures which means that they are accessible even to those with severe hearing issues.
Dates and topics for 2026/2027
Feedback from one of our members:
I just want to say how much the Showroom lectures have been a joy each month. They are diverse and open up and stimulate so many conversations
| September 18th 2026 | Honey Bees, Hornets and Help Needed! Dillon Butters & Peter Jackson Sheffield Beekeepers Association | A story of heroes and villains, the villains in this case being the Asian Yellow Legged Hornet. |
| October 16th 2026 | The Story of Portland Works Paul Iseard, Chair, Friends of Portland Works | Opened in 1879, the building is one of the last remaining working examples of a purpose-built metal trades factory. |
| November 20th 2026 | The Life & Work of Elizabeth Gaskell Libby Tempest. | Former Chair of The Gaskell Society, Libby Tempest will tell us why she loves this iconic but sometimes regarded as second rate Victorian author |
| December 18th 2026 | Who wants to be a Millionaire – Pat Collard | One woman’s story of an unusual experience |
| January 27th 2027 | Cognospeak - Dr Dan Blackburn | Dr Blackburn will talk to us about this tool developed to assess problems with memory and cognitive function |
| February 19th 2027 | Beneath the Surface - Paula Harmer | A tiny peep into the world of symbols in painting. |
| March 12th 2027 | Community Energy: How do we go “mainstream” in South Yorks - Jonathan Hind & Lizzie Stygall of Sheffield Energy Works | Community Energy projects at Our Cow Molly and Wentworth Woodhouse. |
| April 16th 2027 | The Making of Springwatch - Jack Baddams | Springwatch fans, don’t miss this talk by Jack who is wildlife researcher and resident bird expert for the program |
| May 21st 2027 | Wildlife of the Penine Hills - Doug Kennedy | Published author, photographer & nature lover Doug, will take us on a journey through the Penines. |
Previous Lectures
There are a number of previous lecture reviews available here.