History Talks

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…

Sex, drugs and Rock 'n' Roll wasn't invented in the 60s despite what the youngsters say! Come and hear about what they got up to in Medieval times.

We have an exciting programme of talks ready for 2025. Don't forget to note your diary so you don't miss any.

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.

NB: This meeting starts at 10.30am On Tuesday 10th December, Angela Chantry will present a fascinating look at the history of the town we live in and the events which have shaped the modern day town. Jávea has a long and diverse history that dates back to prehistoric times. The first settlers were the Iberians, who left behind some archaeological remains in the Montgó cave and the Poble Nou de…

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…

”Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it” – George Santayana, American Philosopher (1863-1952). History is the study of change over time, and it covers all aspects of human society. Political, social, economic, scientific, technological, medical, cultural, intellectual, religious and military developments are all part of History. The U3A Jávea History Group meets once a month from October to June to receive a presentation on a…

DON’T FORGET – THIS TUESDAY 11TH JUNE AT 11AM 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. He is a well known author…

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…

‘How I won the War for Britain‘ by Gary Johnson Learn how Juan Garcia a chicken farmer from Barcelona: A fascinating true story not to be missed! Entrance fee 2€ to cover cost of room hire. Arrive for a prompt start at 11am. Any queries to Allison O’Brien history@u3ajavea.com

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…

Ally is going to show a film on the History of Christmas…..pagan onwards….and do a short talk about Christmas traditions round the world.  We will have stollen cake plus a glass of Christmas cheer before the film.  Dec 12th.   Javea Players Studio, Doors open 10.30am.  Talk and Film 11am.

Don’t miss out on this fascinating talk entitled ‘The Birth of a Nation: the American War of Independence and its Aftermath1750 to 1820’ by Peter Atkinson The story of how 13 British colonies became the first 13 states of the USA. We shall explore the events and ideas that led the colonies to rebel against the Crown. We’ll follow the course of the war (1775-83), without dwelling on the detail…

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…

20th century Canadian Artists by Peter Atkinson This talk by Peter was well received in Moraira lately, most people knowing nothing about the subject and being pleasantly surprised.  It will be a mixture of history and art.   He will first tell us about the painters from British backgrounds who came together to promote their style of art inspired by nature, and famously came to symbolize what is distinctly Canadian.  They…

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,…

English Colonisation of North America: Mayflower and a Whole Lot More – by Peter Atkinson By 1750, Britain had 13 colonies (soon to become the USA) on the eastern seaboard between Georgia and Maine, and two in present-day Canada: Nova Scotia and Newfoundland.  We shall explore their origins and development, starting with the first small settlements: Jamestown, Virginia (1607) and Plymouth, Massachusetts (1620).  The talk will be given in Javea…

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…