History Meeting Reports

David Ebsworth, a familiar face from his Spanish Civil War talks, was back with us today to share his latest adventure. This time, he invited us to step into Franco’s Spain in 1938, tagging along on one of the dictator’s very real battlefield tours. The Group, David, and Coventry schoolteacher Mary Walker—an enthusiastic Franco fan—embarked on a whirlwind journey through history. Along the way, we bumped into some of their…

Sorolla, Benlluire and Blasco. Valencia´s greatest artist, sculptor and writer. Former History Group leader and veteran U3A presenter, Peter Atkinson, returned from his new home in Canada and reminded us all what we have missed since he left Javea for Canada. All three gentleman were born within 5 years of each other and knew each other well. Peter took us through the lives and achievements of all three and in…

Last Friday almost 40 members of the History Group set off on our one day Field Trip “In the steps of Al Azraq, Moorish Warlord of the Marina Alta” The weather was excellent as we left Javea and made our way to the Val Gallinera beyond Pego to view from afar the 10th century Islamic castles at Benirrama and Alcala. Group Leader Keith Smith and Christine Betterton Jones of Friends…

At last week’s History Group meeting in the Javea Players’ Studio, Rosalind Miranda gave a thoroughly entertaining account of Johnny Appleseed, The True Story of an American Folk Hero. Johnny Appleseed (born John Chapman 1774 – 1845) was an American pioneer and entrepreneur, who introduced trees grown with apple seeds (as opposed to trees grown with grafting) to large parts of Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Ontario, as well as the northern counties of West Virginia. He became an American…

IN THE STEPS OF AL ARAQ, MOORISH WARLORD OF THE MARINA ALTA: FRIDAY 25TH APRIL 2025 Al Azraq ruled a vast area of today´s province of Alicante, centred on the Val Gallinera and Val dÉbo, from around 1230 until his death at the Battle of Alcoi 1276. This is a one day trip from Javea for a small group of 25 people to visit places associated with him and the…

A good turnout at History Talks Tuesday 11th February at Javea Players for Group Leader Keith Smith´s talk on Medieval Pleasures, Sex Drugs and Rock and Roll in the Middle Ages. Keith explained that it is possible to play a game of Medieval bingo during such a presentation and tick off the myths as they are mentioned. Pleasures include many things but sadly in our ages we remain proficient only…

Despite the cool weather it was a great turnout for the final History Group presentation of 2024 when Angela Chantry presented the History of the Royal town of Jávea. Group leader Keith Smith reminded everyone that in April 2005 Angela had done the first ever presentation of the History Group in the newly formed U3A.  The presentation was a tour de force of the history of our town, encompassing the…

After 3 years of running the History Group Ally O’Brien has decided to step down as leader and pass the baton to Keith Smith.

There was a good turnout at the Javea Players Studio for Keith Smith’s presentation entitled “Sister Queens: The tragic lives of Catherine of Aragon and Juana of Castile”. The difficult life of Catherine as the first wife of Henry VIII of England is quite well known to most English speakers. The tale of Juana, and how she was robbed of the crowns of Castile and Aragon by in turn her…

Around 35 members of the Group attended at the Jávea Players Studio yesterday for the scheduled presentation. We were very fortunate that Peter Atkinson was able to instead present an update on his history of Texas. An excellent talk, with Peter even more relaxed than usual – possibly due to his impending departure for Canada! Angela made a presentation to Peter and his wife Jill and the Group wished them…

Five Things You (Almost Certainly) Didn’t Know About the Spanish Civil War Author David Ebsworth talks about the Spanish Civil War – the background to three of his novels – with a focus on local links to the conflict, Franco’s use of Battlefield Tourism as a propaganda tool, the bizarre role of the British Establishment and the final days of the Spanish Republic in Alicante and beyond. If you’re interested…

Peter Atkinson will be speaking, sadly for the last time, on Tuesday, a few weeks before he moves to Canada to be nearer to his family. He will be missed! We would like to give him a huge round of thanks for all the presentations he has so kindly researched and prepared for us, and raise a glass of cava to say “fond farewell and all the best over the…

There was a full house for the February meeting of the U3A’s History Group at the Javea Players Studio. Extra chairs had to be put out for members who turned up for Keith Smith’s talk on ‘Al Azraq, the Moorish Warlord of the Marina Alta’. Group leader Alison O’Brien was delighted with the turnout, one of the biggest since she took over the group. And the audience were not disappointed…

What are the stories behind some the famous products?  Birds Custard and Royal Baking Powder were both invented because Alfred Bird’s wife was allergic to yeast and eggs.  “Marriage is a lot more harmonious when one’s wife can satisfy her sweet tooth”!!!  Why is there no sugar or flavouring in cornflakes?  What was plasticine first used for?  How did lingerie go from a silk camisole to a push-up bra? Kellogg’s…

History Group leader Alison O’Brien gave U3A members a fascinating insight into how people around the world celebrate Christmas. The December meeting had a special festive feel with sherry and stollen cake on offer before attendees sat down to a double bill of entertainment: a presentation by Alison on “Christmas Around the World” then a film on the “History of Christmas”. Members came away from the Javea Players Studio much…

Tuesday 10 October 11am – Javea Players Studio Travel back in time to the years of the Second World War – as you’ve almost certainly never known them before.  Dave McCall will be our speaker on October 10th at 11am.  Javea Players studio doors will be open at 10.30am. He will tell us the “stranger than fiction” stories behind his 2022 book, A Betrayal of Heroes. Tales of Casablanca and Brazzaville,…

We had a great talk at our last History group meeting.  Gary Johnson told a big audience all about the affairs of Edward VIII long before Wallace Simpson came on the scene.  One “lady friend” was able to use blackmail to evade a guilty murder verdict!  Thanks to Gary for doing so much research. Ally took Gary and wife, Lindsay, for a well earned coffee after the talk and presentation…

Congratulations to Alan Hunton for his fascinating talk to the U3A History Group. Alan’s presentation, entitled ‘The Return of Trees after the Ice Age – The Oaks That Walked from Malaga to Merseyside’, provided a knowledgeable and entertaining insight into how Britain was transformed once the ice sheets had disappeared 16,000 years ago. Those who were unable to attend the talk at the Javea Players Studio missed a real treat.…

A big thank you to Peter Atkinson for such a brilliant talk on 18 March.  We were all in awe at how much research he had done to put together his most interesting talk about the first colonies of the USA….. some BEFORE the Mayflower!   We all learned such a lot, including how the later new states were formed and why they got their names.  Those settlers were, indeed,…

Grace O’Malley – The Pirate Queen of Ireland by Angela Chantry On Friday 28 January 11am to 12 noon at the Javea Players Studio. 1€ entrance fee All members welcome, no need to book. Doors open at 10.30am to allow a prompt start. In a life stranger than any fiction, Grace O’Malley, daughter of a clan chief in the far west of Ireland, went from marriage at fifteen to piracy…