Archaeology

Come along on Saturday 13th June to visit the historic city of St. Albans! **About St. Albans** St. Albans sits 22 miles north of London along the old Roman road of Watling Street. The Romans named it Verulamium. It was the second-largest town in Roman Britain and one of the most important. It was later destroyed in the Iceni revolt led by Boudica in AD 60/61 (along with London & the then capital Colchester) and rebuilt after. In medieval times, the town grew up on the hill to the east of the former Roman settlement around the Benedictine foundation of St. Albans Abbey. The abbey church was built where Alban (later St. Alban) was executed by the Romans in the 4th century. Alban, became the first British Christian martyr. Today, the 'Cathedral and Abbey Church of St. Alban' is 84 metres (276 ft) long, with much of its present architecture dating from Norman times, it became a cathedral in 1877 and is the second longest cathedral in the United Kingdom (after Winchester). Basically St. Albans is three cities in one, the Roman one in the park, the medieval one around the abbey and the modern one around the train station. I live in St. Albans and know it very well, so I'll be your guide for the day. I will show you the medieval and Roman parts of the city, plus tell you about Alban. **Aprox Itinerary** 9:46am - catch train 10:09am - arrive at ‘St. Albans City’ station and exit via platform 1 and walk into the city centre 10:30am - start the guided tour around the city 12:45pm - stop for lunch - bring your own food, eat in a local café, a pub or the Saturday market has lots of food stalls 2:00pm - guided tour of the cathedral 3:00pm - continue the tour of the town, visiting the Roman town remains and the Roman Mosaic Hypocaust 4:30pm - freetime: lots of nice shops here, head back to the station or visit one of the many old pubs in St. Albans (The White Hart is one of the oldest, dating from 1470) **Train tickets** Trains going back at: 4:07pm, 4:27pm, 4:37pm, 4:57am and the same times past each hour. Some trains are fast and some are stopping. A fast train takes 21mins and a stopping train takes 35mins. GroupSave train tickets (3for2) which we will purchase on the day when you arrive in groups of 3 work out at £8.40 each. **If you are meeting us at St. Albans City Station, we will see you outside the main entrance, platform 1.** **Cost** The tour of St. Albans is free for Full Members and £7 per person for everyone else (payable by cash or credit card on the day). The tour of the cathedral is £10 per person (payable on the day by cash or credit card). Visiting the Roman Hypocaust is free. You can decide to do all three, just one or your own thing. **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809\, Account name: Cultureseekers) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- go to PayPal \- [https://www.paypal.com/uk/](https://www.paypal.com/uk/), then click on 'Pay & Get Paid‘, then click on 'Send Money’, put in the email address: [general@cultureseekers.org](mailto:general@cultureseekers.org) in the 'Send Money' box, then 'Next' and then enter the amount to pay. Click 'Next', then 'Goods & Services', then 'For Friends & Family', then 'Continue' Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/) Please note, we only wait at the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time before boarding, so please be early or on time. If you can't see us at the station, please text. Look out for the red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign. Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) ***On the day, if you can’t make the visit, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** ***Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -*** ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

John Burns, the trade unionist once famously said of London’s river "Every drop is liquid history". In 1798 a newly formed body of police officers brought much needed law and order to that most historic of rivers. The Thames River Police was the first policing body ever to be set up. Its sole objective was the prevention and detection of crime on the Thames and it was to become the forerunner of many other police forces throughout the world. **Join us for a rare entrance into this museum as part of the ‘Wapping Shindig’ community event run by the Turks Head Charity. (Website under construction).** This small museum located at Wapping police station, which for more than two centuries has been the headquarters of the River Police. The museum is housed in the old carpenters workshop and is administered by the Thames Police Association. It gives an insight into the history of the policing of the River Thames. **Read more here: Review from Wharf Life - [here](https://wharf-life.com/interviews/thames-river-police-museum-is-a-hidden-gem-in-wapping/)** **MEET DETAILS:** **FROM 1.15.pm : MEET AT Captain Kidd pub -** 108 Wapping High Street E1W 2NE **(optional) for a cuppa/ drink before we go in** **2pm: ENTER THE MUSEUM together.** Address: **Thames Police Museum,** Wapping Police Station, Wapping High Street, Wapping, E1W 2NE London Self guided look around. This is a small ish museum, and is a rare opening to the public, but I’m hoping we’ll be ok and not too packed here. **3.30 /3.45 ish pm-Late: SOCIAL (optional)** We'll head back to the pub for a social chit chat over drinks. Address: Captain Kidd pub - 108 Wapping High Street E1W 2NE **TICKETS:** **The Museum is free, but we are limiting our group size. Often with free events like this (even with a rare entrance), we find the churn of people through the waitlist can be large, so please go keep your meetup alerts on in a way that works for you, and keep it free in your diary even if you’re on the waitlist.** **GETTING THERE:** Their simple website even has a map! [Here](http://www.thamespolicemuseum.org.uk/museum.html). **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list. *NB* *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **PLEASE READ:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, **otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.** We remove members from the group who: \*repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show'. * repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No'. \*are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway. Please see the **[About Us section](https://www.meetup.com/london-museums-a-z-for-30s-40s/)** for more information about the group and how it works. **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** 📸 Follow LoMAZ on **[Instagram.](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz/)** Image credit: Personal photo.

*** **Afternoon Coffee Social at Natural History Museum followed by \|Museum Exploration** Join us for an unforgettable day bursting with good vibes 😄, great company 🤗, and a sprinkle of adventure ✨ at the world-renowned Natural History Museum in South Kensington, London! 🏛️ Nestled in the heart of the city’s museum district, this iconic institution, housed in a stunning Victorian Romanesque building since 1881, is a treasure trove of natural wonders 🌍. With over 80 million specimens spanning billions of years, from dinosaur fossils 🦖 to sparkling gems 💎, the museum is a global leader in scientific discovery and a must-visit for explorers of all ages! 🌟 Kick off the afternoon with us at the vibrant **Garden Kitchen** ☕, just outside the museum’s **East Gate** 🚪. We’ve reserved a sunny table ☀️ near the café entrance, perfect for soaking up the atmosphere while sipping on expertly crafted coffee or tea 🍵. This is your chance to connect with new friends and share lively conversation 🗣️ amidst the lush greenery of the museum’s outdoor space—no need to enter the museum itself to join the fun! 🎉 After our café meetup, we’ll venture into the museum in small, friendly groups to explore its awe-inspiring exhibits 🕵️‍♂️. Marvel at the towering Diplodocus skeleton in the Hintze Hall 🦕, uncover the mysteries of the Earth’s past in the geology galleries 🌋, or lose yourself in the interactive wonders of the Darwin Centre 🔬. Whether you’re a science enthusiast, history buff, or simply curious, the museum’s breathtaking displays will ignite your imagination! 🚀 No tickets? No worries! 😎 Entry to the Natural History Museum is free 🎟️, but if you’d like to secure a spot or have any questions, I’ve got a set of tickets reserved just in case—reach out to me on WhatsApp (check the comments below for details) 📱. Bring your enthusiasm, a sense of wonder, and let’s make this a day to remember! 🎊 📍 **Meeting Point:** Enter through the **East Gate** 🚶 and head to the **Garden Kitchen** outside (no need to go inside the museum). Look for our sunny table ☀️ near the café entrance. 💬 **Contact:** WhatsApp me for tickets or details (see comments) 📲 Let’s create unforgettable memories at one of London’s most spectacular landmarks—see you there! 🥳 ### Support Our Amazing London Event Hosts! **🙌** Our incredible crew of hosts is the heartbeat of London’s buzzing meetup scene, bringing people together for unforgettable experiences that spark connection, growth, and fun! 🌟 From museum adventures to flirty dating mixers, these rockstar hosts pour their energy, time, and passion into creating events that level up your social and communication skills. But hosting isn’t easy—it takes resources, effort, and heart. 💖 Please consider supporting our hosts with a donation to keep the good vibes flowing and help us make London the ultimate social hub! 🚀 Below, meet our hosts for this event and see how you can chip in to fuel their amazing work. **Zen & The Meetup Groups** *The Visionary Social Connector* Zen, our AI guru with 25 years in the game, founded these meetups to transform his own social skills and now helps others do the same. From sparking in-person networking to coordinating epic events, Zen’s passion for connection is unstoppable. Help him keep the momentum going! Support Zen: Donate to cover event planning tools, venue bookings, and more. **[Donation Link](https://paypal.me/Zenswalks)** **Instagram**: [https://www.instagram.com/zensocietyofexplorers/](https://www.instagram.com/zensocietyofexplorers/) **⚠️ For anyone having trouble RSVPing to our events using the App, you need to uninstall it and use the website instead. The app is broken.** **Our WhatsApp group:** [See private comment below] **You must introduce yourself on the whatsapp group when you join the whatsapp group or you will be removed.** IMPORTANT: Once you have joined the group READ the Whatsapp Group Description for the rules. These include: ASK permission in-person or using the @ tag before DM unless in THE DM ROOM whatsapp group. Do not promote other events, paid or free. Do not post or invite to other groups. DISCLAIMER ON MEETUP PAGE APPLIES. Host and Organiser and "Zen" is not responsible in any form for anything that arises from use of these groups. **Attendee Numbers & Guest Lists:** We have this event listed on two groups and the guest list includes attendees from both. You can see the list of attendees here: [https://www.meetup.com/london-social-exploration/events/](https://www.meetup.com/london-social-exploration/events/) [https://www.meetup.com/london-socials-for-singles/events/](https://www.meetup.com/london-socials-for-singles/events/) **Disclaimer**: By attending this event you agree that your safety is your own responsibility. By attending any event you agree that the organiser/host is not responsible or liable for the safety of any member, or any member’s guests. By attending the event you accept our policy. This event will be held in conjunction with a non-singles meetup group

"*The experiments I am about to relate may be repeated with great ease, whenever the sun shines."* North Downs nature from Zone 6! On Thomas Young's birthday in 1773, this walk links places connected with two great intellects. Armed with a piece of board into which he cut a couple of slits, in 1803 Thomas Young proved for the first time that light travels in waves. A year later he was developing a theory of capillary phenomena and surface tension. Also defined the term 'energy'. When not expanding knowledge of physics, there was time to decipher the Rosetta Stone and define as a group the Indo-European languages. Thomas ended up at Farnborough in Kent, whose church sits on the edge of open countryside, invisible to the metropolis that lurks behind. Along the way we'll lunch at Downe, home of Charles Darwin. "*Besides love and sympathy, animals exhibit other qualities connected with the social instincts which in us would be called moral."* Plenty of ups and downs along the way🚶‍➡️ WALK START: 10.30 AM from NEW ADDINGTON tram stop (Zone 6). Village stop at lunchtime. Bring a packed lunch. Walk ends at ORPINGTON station (Zone 6). Travelcards, Oyster & Contactless cover all travel. *How to join?* * The walk is entirely free of charge; * You only arrange for your own travel and pub expenses; * Understand our terms and conditions below (the "IMPORTANT" part); * Understand how to stay safe outdoors, as you will be responsible for yourself. See our quick safety tips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ *What to bring* * Plenty of water, 1-2 litres recommended * Enough snacks and packed lunch to keep you energized along the walk * Extra snacks and an extra packed lunch just in case * Rainproof (ideally waterproof) clothing, sturdy shoes/boots you don't mind getting muddy * Spare socks * Walking poles and/or an umbrella :-) * Yourself... * ...and your camera! * Cash for train ticket * Cash for pub at the end of the walk? Feel free to ask any questions in the comments section! IMPORTANT Please bear in mind this is a free of charge, self-guided trip with a hobby group. It is not organized by a business nor any entity with commercial purposes. Any trip details, travel advice, route planning, instructions and other content in our group merely represent our shared personal knowledge, research and suggestions as outdoor enthusiasts. As this is no business, there is no "product", "service" or "package" and also no "tour guide", "operator" or "walk leader". Each participant is responsible for their own safety. Even if some of us are very experienced walking outdoors, nobody assumes responsibility for any kind of injury, damage or loss that may happen. Despite this, we take extreme precautions and all trips we plan are very safe, fun, highly educational and popular. Our experienced members volunteer their time and effort to shape a pleasant and quality adventure for everyone :-) By participating you acknowledge and agree with this disclaimer. Here are our tips on staying safe during outdoor trips: http://www.meetup.com/Free-Outdoor-Trips-From-London/about/ TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATION, INSURANCE Although we provide detailed suggestions, each participant is expected to arrange their own travel and (if required) accommodation - this gives everyone the freedom and choice to join from wherever they want and stay wherever they want. Anyone interested in travel or outdoor insurance should also arrange this on their own. As mentioned above we always take extreme precautions, but some people may still feel safer if covered. We advise not to buy tickets until the day. People getting tickets from the same station are encouraged to meet early on the day to benefit from discounts such as GroupSave.

Fancy a fun social **archaeological** adventure into the **Egyptian** temple? An expedition venturing into history, myth, and discovery at the Museum’s Egyptian galleries. We'll step into a world of monumental statues, hieroglyphs, and sarcophagi so **extraordinary** that even the most famous archaeologist of them all **-** Indiana Jones himself - might hesitate to enter! But no need for Indi - we'll become direct **raiders of knowledge**, uncovering the secrets of Egypt’s most extraordinary artifacts — no Lucas props, just authentic treasures that have captivated explorers, scholars, and adventurers for centuries. Yep - for thousands of years, Ancient Egypt bestowed extraordinary knowledge and innovation on the world - easily giving the big greek philosophers a run for their money! From **mathematics** to building those monumental structures and advanced **astronomy** to create calendars, they practiced **medicine** and mummification with remarkable skill. Their wisdom, traditions and emphasis on cosmic order influenced civilizations far beyond the Nile, leaving a legacy that still shapes how we understand science, culture, and history today We'll step into the Egyptian Sculpture Gallery and encounter monumental statues of pharaohs, sarcophagi, and hieroglyph‑covered stelae. Texts will help guide us through their hidden stories — from the Rosetta Stone to colossal busts of Ramesses II — revealing the real history behind treasures that could easily rival Dr Jones’s greatest finds. 🗝️ Lost Treasures Trail Following a themed trail through the galleries, we'll piece together clues among mummies, tomb goods, and temple carvings. Inspired by Indy’s relic hunts, this puzzle challenge is grounded in authentic archaeology, encouraging you to see the magnificent collections with your own eyes 🎩 Explorer’s Flair And to infuse some lighthearted fun into the journey - *Indiana Jones* style fedora hats and satchels are welcome! Feel free to strike a pose beside towering statues or ancient sarcophagi for **photo opportunities** blending cinematic fun with the awe of Egyptian relics. Impersonations of Indy welcome too - if yours is better than mine I buy you a drink! ☕🥂🍻 After we survive the ancient curses and colossal statues with our discoveries intact, we’ll continue the expedition at a nearby pub — a chance to debrief like real archaeologists, swap theories, compare clues, and enjoy a well‑earned drink getting to know your fellow explorers Lucas Stone Unmummified

Come along on Sunday 14th June to visit Kenwood House and then a relaxing walk across Hampstead Heath into Hampstead! **About the house** The house dates back to the early 17th century and was re-modelled by Robert Adam in 1764, who added the library and the ionic portico at the entrance. The house has been open to the public since 1928 and sits on Hampstead Heath, giving spectacular views across London. The house is known for its art, with paintings on display including; 'The Guitar Player' by Vermeer and a self portrait by Rembrandt. It also has paintings on display by Joshua Reynolds, Anthony Van Dyck, JMW Turner and Thomas Gainsborough. The visit should last about 2 hours. The visit is self guiding. **Getting to the house** After we meet, we will then get the 210 bus up the hill to the house (about 5-10 mins). **Entry** Entry is free! **Become a Full Member** To become a Full Member (£14 a year), either: \- Pay cash at an event \- Pay via Bank Transfer \(TSB Bank plc\, Sort code: 77\-66\-65\, Account no: 00030809\, Account name: Cultureseekers) \- Pay via credit card on the day or in advance \([https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI](https://pay.sumup.com/b2c/QLAX8AUI)) \- go to PayPal \- [https://www.paypal.com/uk/](https://www.paypal.com/uk/), then click on 'Pay & Get Paid‘, then click on 'Send Money’, put in the email address: [general@cultureseekers.org](mailto:general@cultureseekers.org) in the 'Send Money' box, then 'Next' and then enter the amount to pay. Click 'Next', then 'Goods & Services', then 'For Friends & Family', then 'Continue' Benefits of becoming a Full Member [here...](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/531979527/) **After the house visit** Afterwards we will meet back at the Brewhouse café at the house (from 3:30pm). Then at about 4:15pm we will walk across the heath to Hampstead, finishing at the tube station. Please note, we only wait outside the station for 10 minutes after the advertised meeting time, so please be early or on time. If you can't see us outside the station, please text. Look out for red & blue 'London Cultureseekers' group sign: Hope to see you there! Robert 07905 901 834 (prefer text) ***On the day, if you can’t make the trip, just change your RSVP to No or text me to say you can’t make it.*** ***Please don’t post any messages in the comments that you can’t make it, as this generates spam for everyone else.*** *Please make sure you are aware of the group rules here before RSVPing -* ***[https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/](https://www.meetup.com/london_cultureseekers/photos/22974682/523578875/Group_Rules/)***

*“I don't wait for inspiration. I'm not, in fact, quite sure what inspiration is, but I'm sure that if it is going to turn up, my having started work is the precondition of its arrival.”* - Quentin Blake **Join us at the Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration on Sunday 14th June!** Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration is the UK’s only permanent place for illustration, opening Friday 5th June 2026. When it opens in Clerkenwell, London, the three galleries in a former waterworks will showcase the breadth and dynamism of illustration through regularly changing exhibitions. Visitors can explore their free spaces, including public gardens, displays and an illustration library. A café serving fresh food in historic surroundings will also be on offer as well as a shop stocked with unique illustration gifts. **Read more here:** [Museum website ](https://qbcentre.org.uk) **MEET DETAILS FOR SUNDAY 14 JUNE:** **FROM 1:15pm: MEET AT QUENTIN BLAKE CAFÉ (optional)** Address: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, 1 Myddelton Passage, London EC1R 1AG **2PM: ENTER THE MUSEUM** Address: Quentin Blake Centre for Illustration, 1 Myddelton Passage, London EC1R 1AG **4:30PM-Late: PUB SOCIAL AT THE GEORGE AND MONKEY (optional)** We'll head to a local pub for a social chit chat over drinks. Address: 68 Amwell St, London EC1R 1UU **TICKETS:** **You will need to purchase your own ticket for this event.** **Please book Sunday 14th June** [HERE](https://tickets.qbcentre.org.uk/events/21c73b1e-3dc3-71fa-0513-4dbe1c8a6d43?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio) and choose the 2pm slot (or thereabouts). If you don’t want to donate, scroll down on the booking page to find the non-donation ticket options. Ticket: £15 Ticket with Art Pass: £7.50 Museum Association Members: £6 **GETTING THERE:** [Visit us museum page](https://qbcentre.org.uk/your-visit) **EVENT WHATSAPP GROUP:** Please join the event WhatsApp group to help you find the group on the day. The link will be posted in the Event Comments 48 hours before the event, for those on the confirmed going list. *NB* *Joining this WhatsApp group will make your phone number visible to other members in the group.* **PLEASE READ:** LoMAZ events are run by volunteers. This event has an attendee limit as we prefer a smaller, friendlier group. If you RSVP but can no longer attend, please change your RSVP as soon as possible, **otherwise you will be marked as a 'no show'.** We remove members from the group who: * repeatedly sign up for events then 'no show'. * repeatedly change their RSVP to 'No'. * are on the event waitlist or have not RSVPd but turn up anyway. Please see the [About Us section](https://www.meetup.com/london-museums-a-z-for-30s-40s/) for more information about the group and how it works. **Thank you for your interest in the group & being part of LoMAZ.** 📸 Follow LoMAZ on [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/londonmuseumsatoz/) Image credit: "Matilda" by moedermens is licensed under CC BY 2.0. To view a copy of this licence, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/?ref=openverse.

I will explain how Islington became the entertainment centre for the city of London in Victorian times. Walk with me as we see the clubs, pubs, spas, theatres and cinemas of Victorian Islington. I will explain how all this happened as Islington became the first suburb. We will finish our walk at the famous Canonbury Tavern pub near Highbury and Islington station. £10 Cash/card Please be on time. I will be there in all weather. I will be wearing my Islington lanyard. The tour takes two hours. If you are late, I can only wait 10 minutes. Don’t forget to edit RSVP if you can’t make it. Thank you.

I will explain how Islington became the entertainment centre for the city of London in Victorian times. Walk with me as we see the clubs pubs, inns, spas, cinemas and theatres of Victorian Islington. I will explain why this all happened as Islington became the first suburb. We will finish our tour at the famous Canonbury Tavern pub near Highbury and Islington station Cost£10 cash/card Please be on time. I will be there in all weather. I will be wearing my Islington lanyard The tour will last two hours. If you are late, we can only wait 10 minutes. Don’t forget to edit the RSVP button if you cannot make it. Thank you.

*This event is closed and all tickets have been sold* **Group Travel Ticket (Optional)** Participation in group travel is optional. You are welcome to attend the hike using your own transport. The hike itself is free of charge. 🚨 **PLEASE PAY BY TUESDAY 09 JUNE 12:00** Scroll down for payment details **EVENT** Saxon Shore Way: Hastings to Rye [**[HERE](https://www.meetup.com/freehiketogether/events/314872036)**] **DATE** Saturday 13 June 2026 **IMPORTANT** Anyone who signs up for a group ticket but does not make payment may be removed to allow others to take their place. **THIS OFFER IS FOR YOU IF** * You want to pay £13 total travel cost for the day * You are happy to travel in a group of four * You understand that individual tickets are not issued * You will travel London Victoria ⇄ Hastings *Note: The hike will end in Rye, which means you will need to buy an additional single ticket from Rye to Hastings, as the Southern Rail ticket does not cover this part of the journey.* \-\-\- **HOW IT WORKS** * You pay **£13 in advance** * Once a group of four is confirmed, tickets are purchased * If a group is not formed, you receive a full refund \-\-\- **REFUNDS** A full refund will be issued if a group of four participants is not formed. Once National Rail tickets have been purchased, they are non-refundable. However, if another participant is willing to purchase your ticket from you, you may be able to recover the cost. \-\-\- **PAYMENT** *This event is closed and all tickets have been sold* \-\-\- **CONTACT** WhatsApp - AdrianB: +44 (0) 7438 812 663 \-\-\- 📍 **MEETING POINT** **Walt** will be present as a focal point for group travel with group tickets. 07:20 Meet at London Victoria Station ticket office 07:40 Leave the meeting point and board the train 07:54 Train departs London Victoria 09:58 Arrive in Hastings Journey time: 2 hours and 4 minutes **For the return from Rye, buy a single ticket from Rye to Hastings for £5.55.** \-\-\- **JOINING EN ROUTE** You may join at stations like Clapham Junction or East Croydon. You must have your own valid ticket to pass through barriers at those stations. \-\-\- **❓ FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS** **Can I leave the group and travel alone later?** No. You must stay with your group of four for the entire journey. **Will I get an individual ticket?** No. This is a group ticket only. **Will the group of four receive a ticket?** Yes, as long as all four travel together. **Who holds the tickets?** The organiser will hold the tickets, and the group must pass through barriers together. \-\-\- **⚠️ FINAL NOTE** If you are late and miss the group, the group will continue without you. \-\-\- **PAID:** 01 Claire 02 Denise 03 Emily 04 Roni \-\-\- 05 Yaswi Agarwal 06 Jay 07 Lauren 08 Anne \-\-\- 09 Fabian 10 James Angus 11 Ahmet 12 Walt \-\-\- 13 Samer Aldardari 14 Marianne Thorndahl 15 Tiger 16 Navraj \-\-\- 17 kirstybeatricerobinson 18 Angela 19 Niko 20 Stephen \-\-\- 21 Benjamin (EmilyGuest1) 22 Elvira (EmilyGuest2) 23 Sorca 24 Moulay Idris **NOT PAID:** Emil - Removed \-\-\- **NOTE** If you prefer to arrange your own travel, you can purchase tickets directly from National Rail **[HERE](https://ticket.southernrailway.com/daysave/2026-06-13/VIC/4/)**.

Join us for a peaceful and inspiring Saturday morning at Glenstone on Saturday, June 20 at 10:00 AM! Nestled in Potomac, Maryland, Glenstone is a unique destination where art, architecture, and nature blend together in a beautifully designed space meant for reflection and exploration. **Admission tickets are reserved; please only RSVP if you are committed to attending and arriving on time. The ticket entry time is 10 AM.** We’ll spend the morning wandering through the indoor galleries, outdoor sculpture installations, serene walking paths, and landscaped grounds. Expect a relaxing mix of modern and contemporary art, peaceful scenery, and thoughtful conversation with fellow attendees. The campus is quite large, so comfortable walking shoes are highly recommended. Many visitors spend 2–4 hours exploring the grounds and exhibits. If people are interested, we can go to lunch afterward. \-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\- If you have Instagram, you can check out our account at asiandiningandadventuregroup for photos and announcements of group outings!

**CAIRN Launch Meeting** **Community AI Research Network** **Humans + AI Solving Real-World Problems** **Date: June 13, 2026** **Time: 1:00 PM–3:00 PM** **Location: Bull Run Library, Manassas, Virginia** **1:00 PM – Welcome & Networking (20 min)** * **Meet members and introductions** * **Why you joined CAIRN** * **Networking** **Icebreaker: “What problem would you like AI to help solve?”** **1:20 PM – Welcome to CAIRN (15 min)** **Presenter: Edith Mbuyi** **Topics:** * **CAIRN’s mission and vision** * **AI for community impact** * **Member opportunities** * **Future projects and publications** **Motto: Research. Discuss. Create. Publish. Solve.** **1:35 PM – Meet the AI Team (20 min)** **Overview of ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Copilot, Perplexity, Grok, and NotebookLM.** **Discussion:** * **Strengths of each tool** * **Comparing perspectives** * **Fact-checking and responsible use** * **Importance of human judgment** **1:55 PM – Live AI Demonstration (25 min)** **Challenge: “How can communities better prepare students for the future workforce?”** **Activities:** * **Compare AI responses** * **Evaluate recommendations** * **Build a draft action plan** **2:20 PM – Break (10 min)** **2:30 PM – Small Group Research Challenge (20 min)** **Teams explore topics such as education, healthcare, transportation, digital equity, business, senior services, or safety.** **Each group:** 1. **Defines a problem** 1. **Uses AI to explore solutions** 1. **Discusses findings** 1. **Recommends an action** **2:50 PM – Group Presentations** **Share problem, AI findings, recommendation, and next steps.** **2:55 PM – Building CAIRN’s Future** **Discuss meeting topics, speakers, research teams, publications, and membership.** **3:00 PM – Closing** **Founding Question: “What challenge should CAIRN tackle next?”** **Collect contact information and invite attendees to become Founding Members.** **Goals** **✅ Learn collaborative AI research** **✅ Explore multiple AI systems** **✅ Connect with innovators** **✅ Develop real-world solutions** **✅ Help shape CAIRN’s future** **Community AI Research Network** **Humans + AI Solving Real-World Problems** **Research. Discuss. Create. Publish. Solve**

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Can Artificial Intelligence ‘See’?”** A look at how humans and artificial intelligence systems interpret the visual world in fundamentally different ways, with Arryn Robbins, assistant professor of psychology at the University of Richmond and cognitive scientist who researches visual attention, perception, and category learning. [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-can-AI-see) .] Artificial intelligence can now identify faces, categorize objects, describe scenes, and outperform humans on certain visual tasks. But does AI actually “see” the world the way that people do? Or does it arrive at correct answers using representations that differ markedly from human perception? Join Arryn Robbins of the University of Richmond for a fascinating exploration of how humans and AI construct meaning from visual information and a look at comparisons between human perception and AI that reveal just how dynamic and context-dependent our own visual systems really are. Dr. Robbins, who previously has given excellent Profs and Pints talks on flaws and biases in human visual perception, will draw from research in cognitive science, visual perception, and AI vision systems. She’ll explain how human perception is not merely a simple recording of the world, but an active process shaped by expectations, context, goals, and recent experience. You’ll learn how humans form flexible mental representations that allow us to recognize objects across changing environments and conditions, and why those representations continuously adapt as we interact with the world. Many AI systems, by contrast, learn visual categories through statistical patterns in data. They can produce impressive results, but sometimes they also produce strange and unexpected failures, and sometimes they classify images in ways that seem strange to us. Dr. Robbins will discuss what these differences reveal about the nature of perception itself, and why the mismatch between human and AI representations matters for technologies like self-driving cars, medical imaging, facial recognition, and automated surveillance. Important for anyone trying to understand the rapidly growing role of AI in daily life, this talk will explore one of the biggest questions in cognitive science and artificial intelligence: What does it actually mean to “see” and understand the world? (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: “Eye Farm” by Nevit Dilmen (Wikimedia Commons).

Join us for a fun afternoon of board games, card games, etc! Bring your favorites or play a game that someone else brings. You are welcome to bring snacks (for yourself or to share) and non-alcoholic beverages. RSVP will remain open until the start of the event!

***Feel free to come earlier to ensure we have enough courts!*** **Remember to bring a can of new or lightly used tennis balls.** As usual, this meetup is cancelled if the weather doesn't permit us to play If you see others waiting to use the courts, please limit your play to one short set (best of 5 games), where the losing team rotates out. Thanks in advance!!

…Transform Our Lives, Work, and World (2024) by Jamie Metzl, 432 pages [Genetics] • Paperback • Hardcover • Kindle • Audiobook • Library: [https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082](https://fcplcat.fairfaxcounty.gov/search/title.aspx?ctx=1.1033.0.0.1&pos=1&cn=615082) Check the How To Find Us section for Zoom Link **(Remember, the Zoom Link is different each month, do not bookmark)** ### Review “In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes readers on a magical journey through the science of the intersecting genetics, biotech, and AI revolutions, deeply explores the implications, and challenges us to think creatively and proactively about what comes next. Very few books are absolute must-reads. This is one.”―Siddhartha Mukherjee, assistant professor of medicine at Columbia University and author of The Gene: An Intimate History "During the 25 years I have known Jamie Metzl, he has always been ahead of the curve. There is no one better to help us understand and prepare for the fast-approaching technological revolutions. Superconvergence is brilliant. I can't recommend it more strongly."―Sanjay Gupta MD, bestseller author, neurosurgeon, and Emmy-award winning chief medical correspondent (CNN) "Our world is defined by our science and technology—whether we like it or not. The question now is not whether to use these powers, but how best to use them. In Superconvergence, Jamie Metzl takes us on a journey through the new capabilities that are radically transforming ecosystems inside us and around us, challenging each of us to get personally involved with building the future we want."―Beth Shapiro, University of California Santa Cruz evolutionary biologist and author of Life as We Made It: How 50,000 Years of Human Innovation Refined―and Redefined―Nature "In a fine counter-blast to the pessimism of today, Jamie Metzl lays out just how spectacular the future of humanity and planet can be if we harness innovation responsibly and imaginatively to create what he calls the 'spiral of progress.'"―Matt Ridley, author of How Innovation Works, and co-author of Viral: The search for the Origin of Covid-19 “A page-turning journey through space and time that shows us how our lives will be changed by imminent technological advances we once only dreamed of.”―David Sinclair, Professor of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, and author of Lifespan: Why We Age―and Why We Don't Have To “The superconvergence of the genetics, biotechnology, and AI revolutions provides spectacular opportunities for building a better world. It also represents an almost limitless investment opportunity. We were excited to collaborate with Jamie Metzl, one of the world's great experts on how these aspirations can best be realized, including in capital markets. Superconvergence is a master class for imagining, investing in, and building a future we'd like to inhabit."―Jeremy Schwartz, Global Chief Investment Officer, WisdomTree “A clear examination of a transitional moment in the story of life on Earth…. Metzl capably describes recent developments in genetics and biotech and looks at how AI is providing an analytical engine of unprecedented power…. An important book in which the author sets out a path for the future based on his experience and expertise.”―Kirkus “Erudite, optimistic, and timely.”―Science Magazine "[In Superconvergence] Mr. Metzl has identified an important truth: that the convergence of new technologies is galvanizing us to reimagine how to meet urgent challenges in medicine and the environment. It’s a compelling opportunity—provided we manage to sidestep self-induced catastrophes along the way."―The Wall Street Journal ### About the Author Jamie Metzl is a leading technology and healthcare futurist and the founder and chair of OneShared.World. He is the author of Hacking Darwin: Genetic Engineering and the Future of Humanity and four other books and was a member of the World Health Organization expert advisory committee on human genome editing. Jamie previously served in the U.S. National Security Council, State Department, and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and with the United Nations in Cambodia. His work has been featured by most major media organizations around the world, including 60 Minutes, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Fox, CNN, ABC, NBC, CBS, the Times of London, Le Monde, and Paris Match, and his podcast interviews with Joe Rogan, Lex Fridman, and others have reached tens of millions of listeners. He lives in New York City. Visit Jamiemetzl.com.