AOUG Events
Members of AOUG organise events for members, their families and friends. They range from the AGM (in different Regions and Nations each year), the Research Awards Ceremony and the Foundation Lecture (both on campus) to meeting for coffee in person or by Zoom. They may be free or require the purchase of a ticket. Events anywhere are open to all members – there is no restriction to your own area. This Calendar only shows the main Association events, for events in the Regions and Nations, go to the Regions section. All Diary Dates are advertised in OMEGA, on the Website and also in local Newsletters. Non-members are welcome as guests of members or by contacting the organiser.

Calendar of Events
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International Zoom – All AOUG Members
International Zoom – All AOUG Members
Saturday 3rd May. 11am Meet with Jean Hertzog, the Vice-Chairman online to chat. This is an International Zoom offering a chance to join in an informal discussion with members from all Regions and Nations. The topic for this month will be ‘A special place’. This topic is so wide that you could talk about almost anything. Contact Jean by 30th April for her to arrange to send you the log on details. jean.hertzog@aoug.org.uk
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Real Ale Festival – 02 – Isle of Wight
Real Ale Festival – 02 – Isle of Wight
Monday 5th May. 10am Meet at the Wightlink Ferry Terminal at Portsmouth Harbour station, The Hard Interchange, Portsmouth PO1 3EB, to catch the 10.15 catamaran to Ryde Pier Head. From there, take the next available Island Line train to Smallbrook Junction, changing on to the Isle of Wight Steam Railway train to Haven Street, for the Real Ale Festival on the Isle of Wight. Return on the 15.08 or 15.47 services from Smallbrook to Ryde Pier Head, then the next catamaran to Portsmouth. Through tickets are available from Portsmouth to Smallbrook but not on the Steam Railway. Admission charges are approximately £22 (2024 prices).These times will be subject to alteration in 2025; if intending to join us, it is essential to advise the Local Contact, Mike Bechley, by 31st March 2025, for confirmation of timings
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Bardon Mill – 09
Bardon Mill – 09
Wednesday 7th May. 2pm Meet in the car park of The Sill, Once Brewed, Bardon Mill, Hexham, Northumberland, NE47 7AN, to visit nature displays and have tea in the café.
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River Cruise with afternoon tea – 02
River Cruise with afternoon tea – 02
Sunday 11th May. 1pm Meet at The Boathouse, Station Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 1AZ. Boat trip with Vintage Afternoon tea run by Hobbs of Henley. For this sophisticated trip the cost is £42 per person and places fill up fast so let the Executive Rep know as soon as possible if you want to go on this memorable trip. If you want to go and cannot afford the full price there will be a limited number of tickets at half price. It is a three-hour cruise.
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Zoom Book Club – 03
Zoom Book Club – 03
Tuesday 13th May 8pm Zoom Book Club – Join South West members to discuss the book of the month. May 13th A Terrible Kindness by Jo Browning Wroe Please contact the Local Contact, Liz Ashcroft, before the end of April to be added to the list to receive the log on details.
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Dr Neil’s Garden – Edinburgh – 11
Dr Neil’s Garden – Edinburgh – 11
Wednesday 14th May. 11am Meet and join us for a visit to Dr Neil's Garden, 5, Old Church Lane, Duddingston, Edinburgh, EH15 3PX, next to Duddingston Loch and near Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh. It is not just a mere garden to see beautiful plants and trees. It is a place to take time out to relax and connect with nature, just as was always the intention of the two doctors, Nancy and Andrew Neil who conceived the garden and started implementation in the 1960s. Plants are available to purchase. Admission is free and lunch/ snacks can be had in the Church Cafe. Travel by bus from Haymarket or Lothian Road with Lothian bus number 12 which stops on Duddingston Road West, near the Duddingston Kirk car park. By car, parking is available in Duddingston Kirk's car park.
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Association AGM and Social Weekend – Bristol
Association AGM and Social Weekend – Bristol
Association of Open University Graduates AGM and Social Weekend 16th -18th May 2025 All interested members and guests must complete the necessary booking form as circulated in the 2024 Winter OMEGA and return it with the required payment to AOUG Office, Walton Hall Milton Keynes MK7 6AA by the end of March 2025. Later bookings can only be accepted after consultation with the AOUG Vice-Chairman, Jean Hertzog via info@aoug.org.uk . However bookings for excursions with full payment may be accepted up until 14th April 2025. Later bookings can only be accepted after consultation with the AOUG Vice-Chairman, Jean Hertzog via info@aoug.org.uk . The excursions on offer are Friday 16th May - Clifton Suspension Bridge Visitors' Centre Saturday 17th May - SS Great Britain Sunday 18th May - Aerospace Museum
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Welsh Members Zoom Meetings – 10
Welsh Members Zoom Meetings – 10
Thursday 22nd May. 11am Meet online with other Welsh members to chat about anything of mutual interest. Please contact the organiser, Jean Hertzog, by May 19th to be included on the log on details list Thursday 19th June. 11am Meet online with other Welsh members to chat about anything of mutual interest. Please contact the organiser, Jean Hertzog, by 16th June to be included on the log on details list. Thursday 24th July. 11am Meet online with other Welsh members to chat about anything of mutual interest. Please contact the organiser, Jean Hertzog, by 21st July to be included on the log on details list.
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1620s House and Gardens – 05
1620s House and Gardens – 05
Saturday 24th May. 11am Meet in The Old Barn Tearoom at 1620s House and Gardens, Manor Road, Donington le Heath, Hugglescote, Leicestershire, LE67 2FW, before looking around the house dating back to the 13th Century, furnished in early 17th Century style with gardens laid out in the same 17th Century style. Follow in the footsteps of the Gunpowder Plotters! Admission is £5.95 per adult or £5.00 for concessions.
Hardwick Hall – 07
Hardwick Hall – 07
Saturday 24th May. 11am – Handshake. Meet at the main entrance from the visitor’s car park at Hardwick Hall, Chesterfield S44 5QJ (postal address) but please note that Sat Nav Hardwick Hall, Doe Lea, S44 5RW will take you to the correct entrance prior to a guided tour of the house. Buses go to the property from the Chesterfield bus station. This is a handshake event with the East Midlands. Entry is free to National Trust members or £9.00 per adult and £4.50 per child. Viewing is by guided tours only so attendance must be confirmed with Peter Turvey (peter.turvey@talk.talk.net ) by 26th April 2025 as numbers attending are required. After the tour we will be able to take lunch in the Great Barn Restaurant. (Should you wish to take coffee before the tour please ensure you arrive earlier so that you are at the meeting place for 11am)
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Hatfield House and Gardens – 06
Hatfield House and Gardens – 06
Thursday 29th May 2025 at noon Meet outside Hatfield (Hertfordshire) railway station (AL9 5AB) if using public transport for a visit to the neighbouring Hatfield House and Gardens (AL9 5HX), which have a number of connections with the Royal Family. The Old Palace, adjacent to the Jacobean style House, was built in 1485 by the Bishop of Ely; it was later acquired by Henry VIII and was the childhood home of Queen Elizabeth I. The Jacobean style House was built in 1611 by Robert Cecil, 1st Earl of Salisbury, and remains in the hands of the Salisbury family to this day. A banquet was held for Queen Victoria's visit to the House in 1846, prepared in the kitchen which has been restored in recent years. The gardens extend to forty acres and include the Queen Elizabeth Oak, where Elizabeth I learnt of her succession to the throne in 1558. 13th Century St Etheldreda's Church is also near the House and is open to explore. We can make our way through the Gardens (pedestrian entrance directly opposite the station) to the House (adult admission £24), Old Palace Tour (additional £7); the Stable Yard houses a number of independent retail businesses, and […]
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Lectures
AOUG aims not only to unite members through social activities but also through educational events….read more
Annual General Meetings
Annual General Meetings are our formal meetings which are held during the annual social weekend. The choice of venue for these weekends circulates around the Regions and Nations providing a wonderful opportunity for members to meet up with friends….read more
Regions and Nations Activities
We love getting together and enjoy – museums, meals, Zoom meetings, theatre, coffee meetups, gardens/centres and distilleries to name but a few…read more
Degree Ceremonies
AOUG are very honoured for representatives to be able to attend some Open University Degree Ceremonies to take part in the formal academic procession…read more