Use your browser’s search facility to find the subject you are looking for. Alternatively, feel free to adapt this data into any other format you find useful. –Ed.

By way of prologue
BACKGROUND : AIMS & LIMITATIONS

Task: To index, nationally, the rarer or offbeat subject groups. (Discovered, during my work, that Oversight facility on national website gives a lot of this data for U3As employing Sitebuilder. It relies on group titles having the right keywords – this is not always so)

Method : Consultation of websites + contact with some subject advisers and sundry e mail correspondence.

Aims:
* to show – as far as one can do relatively briefly – the enormous range of U3A activity.
* to encourage people with similar interests to compare experience and perhaps give mutual help.
* to enable someone starting a rare group to see if/ where it already exists.
* to offer ideas to people wanting to generate new groups.
* to give a lead into sources of advice on starting & maintaining such a group – on whatever subject.

Problems :
* Even moderately popular subjects often left out – for space/time reasons. If it’s not in, that is probably because there are many providers!
* Risk of omissions by indexer, because of the number of providers, or due to some vagueness and inconsistency when terminology on the sites varies or is imprecise.
* New groups are constantly born and some others fade away.
* Limitations of certain websites – difficulty of access, site out of date, or no website available.

§ Very frequently, for space/time reasons, it is necessary to give examples rather than a full listing. Occasionally courses or other features are flagged, if “rare”.

It is only after indexing for some time that one gets a “feel” for how frequently a group is likely to arise. If now revising, I would have a better grasp of what we do than was the case when starting out!

My warm thanks go to those from National Office & Resource Centre, or elsewhere, who gave encouragement.

Arthur Maltby October 2017

INDEX OF RARER U3A INTEREST GROUPS IN U.K. (2017)

TOPICS ARE CLUSTERED IN CATEGORIES – WITH THE RELEVANT U3A LOCATIONS SHOWN – SUPPORTED BY A COMPLEMENTARY KEY, VIA the A – Z LIST. (MOST TOPICS INDEXED ARE DONE AT 20 U3As OR LESS).

IN SOME CASES, ONLY A SAMPLE – VIA A SELECTION OF PROVIDERS – IS GIVEN.

PROVIDERS ARE SHOWN IN RED; EXPLANATORY COMMENT, WHERE NEEDED, IS IN BLUE.

CATEGORY A. HEALTH AND GOOD LIVING

AGEING ACTIVELY: problems & opportunities BEARSDEN, ELMBRIDGE, HALESWORTH, LEIGH ON SEA, NORTH LONDON, SHEFFIELD, STAMFORD
Red hatters HOUGHTON LE SPRING, SEAHAM HARBOUR

LIFE THEMES health, happiness, rights etc NEW MILTON

PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT promotion of life enhancement via therapy, hypnosis, laughter and other techniques WORTHING

AMBITIONS (Unfulfilled) or new LIFE ENHANCING EXPERIENCES BINGHAM, BURNTWOOD, BUDE, COLLINGHAM, GAINSBOROUGH, MASSEREENE, RICHMOND ON THAMES, SOUTH LAKES, STOURBRIDGE, WESTERN TURVILLE, WATERLOOVILLE

BABY BOOMERS are you 70 this year? SOUTHPORT

BIRTHDAY GROUP BRIDGEND

HEALTH & WELLBEING examples BURGESS HILL, HUNSTANTON, KENTON, LANCASTER & MORECAMBE, MOSELEY, NORTH ALLERTON, ORPINGTON, PRINCES RISBOROUGH, SALTASH, S.W. HERTS, STANFORD, STANWAY, WADHURST, WIMBORNE

IMAGE how people see you ELMBRIDGE

UNDERSTANDING OURSELVES MALVERN

CALM EDENBRIDGE , KINGSWINFORD (relaxation)

CONSCIOUS LIVING focus on emotions MARBELLA & INLAND

CONVERSATION, ART OF BRISTOL
choral speaking (pays attention to rhythm, mood, atmosphere) OVERTON

COOKING for those who can’t BOURTON, TONBRIDGE
for men BAKEWELL, BOURNE, CRANLEIGH, FARNBOROUGH, FARNHAM, HASLEMERE, LIPHOOK, MILFORD, POTTERS BAR
for entertainment MARBELLA & INLAND
for one RADLETT
American cooking SEAFORD
Thai cooking NESTON
Vegetarian HALESWORTH, RADLETT
Indian vegetarian WINSCOMBE
breadmaking examples GUERNSEY, RYEDALE, SKIDDAW, UTTOXETER

COCKTAILS WELLINGTON SHROPSHIRE

DINING, International Examples CARLTON, EAST RENFREWSHIRE, EPSOM & EWELL
Ghanaian food CROYDEN
Gardening and eating combined HICKLING BROAD

FOOD THROUGHOUT HISTORY SWANSEA

DEBATING BOGNOR REGIS, MERTON

DISCOVERY AWARDS BOURTON, HAYWARD’S HEATH, STONE, WEST WOLDS

ENTERTAINING EFFORTLESSLY short cuts, especially on food preparation NORTH COTSWOLD

FAMILY belonging together KENNET. An example of a grandparenting group is BARMOUTH. Life stories to pass on to grandchildren STAFFOPRD

FASHION EPPING FOREST

FUTURE TRENDS EAST SUFFOLK, HALE

HAPPINESS roots of meaningful life, proposed via positive psychology @ EDINBURGH Many meditation groups cover health & happiness.

LOOK GOOD TARPORLEY
make up skills BRIGHTON & HOVE, CHORLEYWOOD

MASSAGE CLIFF VILLAGES, DEVIZES

HOLISTIC THERAPIES CHESTER, CHESTERFIELD

HOMEOPATHY & NUTRITION BRIDPORT, HUTTON

INSPIRED OUTINGS e mail suggestions between members, e.g. who fancies a gallery visit? UPMINSTER

ENQUIRING MINDS HIGH WYCOMBE

RESEARCH members doing personal research are supported at WANTAGE & GROVE. NORTH DOWN, in association with other organizations, Is involved in intergenerational shared learning.
* U3A has research ambassadors, shared learning coordinators and a guide to getting involved in research.

MAGICIANS ASHTEAD, BARNSLEY, COLCHESTER, DACORUM, HESSLE, THRAPSTON. WELLINGBOROUGH

RETAIL THERAPY via shopping trips CHESHUNT, LEA VALLEY

RUNNING INTEREST GROUPS, a guide SEVENOAKS

SELF DEFENCE
Shinsaibu-kai (a gentle form of self protection) BRAINTREE. More vigorous is Karate FORTH VALLEY

SELF PUBLISHING CONGLETON

SINGING & HEALTH research project CANTERBURY

SOCIAL MEDIA , privacy and security issues HAVANT

SPEAKING FOR FUN & WITH CONFIDENCE CAMBERLEY, EAST RENFREWSHIRE, EDENBRIDGE, MERTON, WESTERHAM

STORYTELLING WHITCHURCH, WORTHING, WYRE FOREST

STRESS – coping HOLME VALLEY, MILTON KEYNES, WESTON SUPER MARE, YATE & SODBURY

WEIGHT ISSUES SUPPORT ISE VALLEY, RAMSEY, SHERBURN, WENDOVER

EXERCISE examples HESSLE, HOLME VALLEY
chair exercises NEWBURY, RADLETT, READING, RETFORD, THAME
circuit training SHEPWAY
exercise in water YORK
aqua aerobics BISHOPS STORTFORD, BOSHEY, THURROCK

MEDAU work on cardiovascular fitness, strength, suppleness, rhythm & mood DART VALLEY

REIKI light contact promoting healing & relaxation MILL HILL, TONBRIDGE

HUMOUR, LAUGHTER, WIT BARNSLEY (gelotology), LANARK, MILL HILL, NORTH WALSHAM, NOTTINGHAM, PARBOLD, READING, RICKMANSWORTH, SOUTH TYNESIDE, VIRTUAL U3A, WHICKHAM, WORTHING
Yoga with laughter there’s several YOGA groups, but one that introduces humour is EXETER

MURDER MYSTERIES staged in evening, with meal LENZIE

FILMS rarer groups include
Animated films BRENT
Mel Brooks films SEAFORD
Classics ASTON CLINTON
Early cinema YORK silent films RODING VALLEY
Golden days of Holywood SAWBRIDGEWORTH
Great directors HASTINGS
Foreign films EXETER, FARINGDON, LLANDOVERY,
French film HACKNEY, STANSTEAD, OUNDLE
Hitchcock films THANET
italian films WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY
Nostalgic films SAWSTON
Older women as stars BRENT
Rare films NORWICH
Stars 1940-70 FORDINGBRIDGE

NOSTALGIA & REMINISCENCES of various kinds
(musical reminiscences are shown under Music) Examples include CHRISTCHURCH, CHORLEYWOOD, EAST SUFFOLK, HAILSHAM, ISLE OF WIGHT, PALMERS GREEN, POTTERS BAR, SAWBRIDGEWORTH, SEATON, STOUR VALLEY, SUTTON IN ASHFIELD, THORPE BAY, THREE BRETHREN, TRING. See too : Ageing Hippies MILTON KEYNES Living history WOODSTOCK
Wedding dresses Exhibition of members wedding dresses ( this was later displayed in a local Museum) HESWALL

CHANGING TIMES
aspects of life quickly changing VERULAM
”dodos” … past things, now extinct PLYMOUTH

TO HELP WITH NEEDS & PROMOTE INCLUSIVENESS

AUTISM SUPPORT CHILTERN
Makaton designed to help children or adults with communication difficulties WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PRESTON, TOTTEN SOUTH,
U3A IN LONDON

CANCER SUPPORT BENFLEET

DEAF AWARENESS EAST KILBRIDE, HOCKLEY, SHEFFIELD
Lip reading BRAINTREE, DEVIZES, GRIMSBY,
SOUTH EAST LONDON, TEIGN, WARWICK, WOKING
Sign language BURTON ON TRENT, COUNTESTHORPE, DACORUM, EAST KILBRIDE, HARLOW, MATLOCK, STANFORD LE HOPE, STONE, SUDBURY, YORK

DEMENTIA SUPPORT CROSBY, ILKLEY

FIRST AID CATERHAM, EPPING FOREST, HURST HASSOCKS, MARPLE BRIDGE, RODING VALLEY

INTERGENERATIONAL MENTORING project befriending 6th year students LANCASTER.
see too politics group at BURY ST. EDMUNDS

MEMORY BOX DELIVERY FOR CARE HOME RESIDENTS
KINGS LYNN, LEA VALLEY(shared learning project)

NEIGHBOURS AND FRIENDS IN SUPPORT ILKLEY, TYNEDALE,
WETHERBY (singleton support). There are lots of MOTO groups, aimed at people on their own).

VIRTUAL U3A a boon for the housebound

CATEGORY B. MUSIC & DANCE

MUSIC (Theory – how it works) BRIGHTON

MUSIC: evolution and arrangement WATFORD PARK

MUSIC COMPARISONS HARROW

MUSIC & LITERATURE a reading is followed by appropriate music on that theme WOODSTOCK

MUSICAL GENRES formation, development and future of different kinds of music. MAIDSTONE INVICTA

EARLY MUSIC COCKERMOUTH, DACORUM, ISLE OF MAN

MUSIC FROM BOHEMIA BOURNEMOUTH

MUSIC FROM DRESDEN (1710-45) LEWES short course

PERFORMERS music, singing, poetry by members ROWLANDS CASTLE

COMPOSERS CHRISTCHURCH, MELTON MOWBRAY

MOZART EXMOUTH

MUSIC MAKING FOR ASPIRERS Learn to play, or re-develop an old skill OSWESTRY BORDERS

HOW TO READ MUSIC MALVERN

Examples of some individual instruments
ACCORDIAN THE DEEPINGS

ACOUSTIC INSTRUMENTS RUTLAND, STOKESLEY

AFRICAN DRUMS SEAFORD

BAMBOO PIPES making, playing, studying CRAWLEY

BELLEPLATES (similar to handbells) CRAWLEY

BRASS INSTRUMENTS: TUITION BARNSLEY

CLARINET MILTON KEYNES, WINCHESTER
woodwind instruments WORCESTER

CONCERTINA KNOLE

HARP YATE & SODBURY

PIANO BROMLEY, LISKEARD, SPELTHORNE, STANMORE

RECORDER for example at BOURTON

STEEL PAN PLAYING (pans tuned at intervals!) STRATFORD UPON AVON

VIOLIN for example at RIPON
ANDRE RIEU (Dutch violinist) FORDINGBRIDGE, RAYLEIGH

WIND INSTRUMENT PLAYING DROITWICH, RUTLAND

ZITHER CHELTENHAM

Musical miscellany
MARITIME SONG FILEY “never knowingly over-rehearsed”

CHURCH MUSIC REIGATE & REDHILL

CHAMBER MUSIC CHELTENHAM, GUILDFORD, HARROW, ISLINGTON, LUTON, SALISBURY, SOUTH EAST LONDON

MUSIC AT MUSIC HALLS CHELTENHAM, SHEFFIELD,
SOUTH EAST LONDON

GILBERT & SULLIVAN CREWE, ILKLEY, MARKET HARBOROUGH, SAWSTON, SCARBOROUGH, THORNBURY, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, YORK

BARBERSHOP MUSIC CHEADLE, HERTFORD
LADIES BARBERSHOP SINGING ODIHAM

THE BLUES this may include discussion of origins and spread
BRACKNELL FOREST (playing only), FARINGDON, WATFORD PARK, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

JAZZ too prevalent for inclusion as such, but
Forgotten jazz musicians LEWES

JIVE ABINGDON ON THAMES, CALDICOT, CATERHAM, ST. NEOTS, SOUTH LAKES, WORKINGTON, YORK

MADRIGALS for example BECCLES, CANTERBURY, EAST SUFFOLK, KINGS LYNN, READING, SHERBORNE, WOODSTOCK, YORK

POPULAR MUSIC links also with NOSTALGIA in Category A
1920s – 1960s NORTHAMPTON
songs of the 60s FORMBY
1950s -1970s ASHINGTON, AYLESBURY, BECKENHAM, GOSPORT, GUISBOROUGH, TENDRING, WATERLOOVILLE
1950s to present LISKEARD

33rpm MUSIC BRANSTON

DYLAN, BOB BURTON JOYCE, PERTH, SPILSBY

PRESLEY, ELVIS films and concerts SUTTON IN ASHFIELD

ROCK & ROLL DENE VALLEY, HEART OF ENGLAND, MALLING, SUDBURY
Rock and pop history NORTH WALSHAM
Folk and rock band POYNTON

SKIFFLE FORMBY

DANCE
DANCE BANDS 1920-45 MONMOUTH

DANCE APPRECIATION dance in history & society DARTFORD

CONTEMPORARY DANCING CONGLETON claims it is “like Ballet Rambert for the mature”

DANCES FROM 16th & 17th CENTURY DUNSTABLE, ST HELENS

RITUAL DANCING ROTHERHAM

INTERNATIONAL DANCING DORRIDGE

EUROPEAN DANCING BARNSTAPLE

AMERICAN SQUARE DANCING BLANDFORD, POOLE, SPELTHORNE K2, WARRINGTON, WIMBORNE, WOKINGHAM

BALKAN DANCING BARNET

MIDDLE EASTERN DANCING GUISBOROUGH

CEILIDH DANCING BRIXWORTH, EAST LOTHIAN, ILKLEY,

CLOG DANCING WHITBY WHALER

CORNISH DANCING NEWQUAY

INDIAN DANCE MERTON

MORRIS DANCING MALMESBURY

SALSA EDINBURGH, FLEET, SLOUGH, WENDOVER

SCOTTISH DANCING Groups other than in Scotland include
CREWE, HOLMES CHAPEL

TAP DANCING providers include BARNET, CHESHUNT, CHILTERN, CONGLETON, DYFFRYN CONWY, FARNHAM. FILEY, RUNNYMEDE, SALTBURN, SANDBACH, STOURBRIDGE, SWINDON, WAKEFIELD, YATE & SODBURY

CATEGORY C. ART & CRAFTS. INDOOR ACTIVITIES

ARTISTIC PRESENTATION people present their work – music, painting crafts etc. TENDRING

ART in ancient times CALLANDER

ART “detectives” identifying & visiting local artists LOUTH

ART, links with history MALVERN

ART philosophy and aesthetics LITTLEHAMPTON, WORCESTER
ART MUSEUMS visits to Ashmolean, Oxford CHELTENHAM, FARINGDON, FARNHAM, WEST OXFORD

ART THERAPY ISLE OF MAN

ART WAX PAINTING paint using hot wax EAST MEDWAY

IMPRESSIONISTS HEATONS & REDDITCH

FEMALE ARTISTS SARUM

AESTHETICS NOTTINGHAM

WILLIAM MORRIS, craftsman and poet MALVERN,
Wm. Morris day at Kelmscott manor arranged by WEST OXFORD

IMAGES paintings, prints, nudes, cartoons etc on a particular theme TENTERDEN

DESIGN discussion of examples for ceramics, fashion, jewellery etc NORTHWOOD

ZENTANGLE alternative art using pencil and rubber
FERNDOWN

AMERICAN ART CHELTENHAM

ART IN NORTHERN EUROPE SEAFORD

EUROPEAN PAINTING & SCULPTURE CRANLEIGH

ARCHITECTURE scores of groups, but emphasis on the very modern at DULWICH

CHURCH ARCHITECTURE examples HORNDEAN, PERSHORE, REDBOURN, REDDITCH, SHEPWAY, SHERBORNE, SOUTH HILLINGDON,

STAINED GLASS, History MERTON

URBAN BUILDINGS & LIFE examples HOYLAKE, ILKLEY, READING, SARRATT, ST.HELENS, WANTAGE

CRAFTS, PASTIMES, GAMES

CRAFTS, with unusual objects or themes REDBRIDGE

AEROMODELLING ILKLEY

ASTROLOGY some take pains to emphasise their difference from the newspaper columns. Examples at CHARD, CREDITON, MARBELLA, MILTON KEYNES, POOLE, SANDBACH, SOUTH WEST HERTS

BABY QUILTS SPELTHORNE

BALLET APPRECIATION examples CAMBERLEY, CREWE, POYNTON
ballet for fitness @ ODIHAM

BOOK BINDING CHIPPING NORTON, FARNHAM, SUDBURY
repair SKIDDAW
history of book illustration HESSLE

BOTANICAL ILLUSTRATION GRANTON ON SPEY, HARROGATE, SHERBORNE, WIMBORNE

BREWING example chosen WENDOVER

CANE CHAIRS FERNDOWN
cane weaving WOKING

CANVAS & WOOL BROMSGROVE

CANAL ART decorating household items in style of old boat painters PETERBOROUGH, THORPE BAY

CARTOONS “creation gives rise to feelings difficult to put into words” ELGIN

CERAMIC ART GLENS & DALRIADA, GUISBOROUGH, HARLOW

CHAIR REFURBISHING SWINDON, WANDSWORTH

CHINESE BRUSH PAINTING CROWBOROUGH, HORSHAM, LEA, STEYNING, STREET & GLASTONBURY,
TORBAY, VERWOOD

CHINESE CERAMICS BRISTOL

CHRISTMAS CARDS stamping & embossing SALISBURY

CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS SALISBURY

CLAY MODELLING HERITAGE COAST, LEIGH ESTUARY

CLOCKS (Horology) BARNET, LUDLOW, PALMERS GREEN
clock repair WELLS

CLOTHES MAKING/ALTERATIONS BRENT, SKIDDAW

COLOURING BOOKS FOR ADULTS DACORUM, PRERSTATYN, WATFORD PARK, WESTON SUPER MARE

CREWEL ancient form of embroidery ROSS ON WYE

CROCHET WORK KNOLE

DECOUPAGE applying paper cuts to wood surfaces LEIGHTON-LINSLADE

DOLLS, PORCELAIN KINGS LYNN

DOLLS’ HOUSES DUNSTABLE, HARROGATE, ROMILEY, SPALDING, SWANSEA, SWINDON, WAKEFIELD, WALTHAM ABBEY
Groups for these & other MINIATURES BEDFORD, BISHOPS STORTFORD

EMBROIDERY, practice and/or history CREWE, LUDLOW, NORTH WILTS, THANET

FAMILY HISTORY PUBLISHING STEYNING

FIBRECRAFT NORTH NORFOLK

FURNITURE RESTORATION HARTLEY WINTNEY, RYE,
history of furniture WINDSOR

GARDENS most U3As have such a group. BUXTON includes indoor studies of past gardens and gardeners

GLASS and glass history MAGHULL, MERTON, SHERBORNE, SCARBOROUGH

GRAPHOLOGY JERSEY

GREEK SCULPTURE KNIGHTSBRIDGE ESTUARY

HERALDRY HAMBLE VALLEY, HUNSTANTON, KEYWORTH, MAPPERLEY

HANDWRITING, 16th and 17th century ALSAGER

JEWELLERY lots of groups. Examples include BEXLEY, CONGLETON, EASTWOOD, EAST RENFREWSHIRE, NESTON, NORTHAMPTON, ST. HELENS, SOUTHPORT
Kumihimo jewellery at WEST BRIDGFORD
Japanese bracelets at REDBRIDGE

JIGSAW LENDING OR SWAPPING examples BELPER, BEXLEY, COUNTESTHORPE, GREATER THAME, LEA VALLEY, UPPER NENE VILLAGES, WOOLMER FOREST, YATELEY

KNITTING Machine knitting @SAWSTON

LEATHERCRAFT NORTH ALLERTON, NORTHAMPTON

LOCK PICKING for fun and nimble fingers! LEYLAND

MARQUETRY BROMLEY, REDBRIDGE, RIPLEY, THETFORD

MAT MAKING BUNTINGFORD

METALWORK GUERNSEY

MODEL MAKING CATERHAM, FAIRFORD, KENNET, PADDOCK WOOD, SIDMOUTH, TADLEY, YATE & SUDBURY

MODEL RAILWAYS BEDFORD, BUXTON, CASTLE BROMWICH, EMSWORTH, EPPING FOREST, KINGS LYNN, LIPHOOK, MARCH

MOSAICS BARNSTAPLE, BRUNSWICK, CHARD ILMINSTER, CHESTER, HIGHBRIDGE, HOUNSLOW, THORNBURY

NUMISMATICS KINGSTON

ORIGAMI ASHTON IN MAKERFIELD, CHESWICK GREEN, SALISBURY

PAINTING some specialist examples
acrylic MAWDESLEY VILLAGES
botanical painting SEVENOAKS
painting on wood PONTELAND

PAPER MACHE SCULPTURE MERTON

PHILATELY examples EDWALTON, EXMOUTH

PLUMBING CHANDLERS FORD

PORTRAIT PAINTING ILKLEY, LEIGH ESTUARY

PAPER MACHE BRAUNTON, HURST HASSOCKS, MERTON

PARCHMENT CRAFT(PERGAMANO) examples BIDDULPH, CHEADLE, CLIFF VILLAGES, CRAWLEY, DUNMOW, HORSHAM, LOUGHBOROUGH, MELTON MOWBRAY, NORTH DOWN, ORPINGTON, PLYMSTOCK, ST. NEOTS, STOKE SOUTH, SYSTON, WELLINGBOROUGH

PENCIL DRAWING DACORUM, HORSLEY

PET PICTURES SCARBOROUGH

PHOTOGRAPHY as an art challenge, interpreting different themes, e.g. graffiti, decay MAPPERLEY

POSTCARD COLLECTION SOUTH LAKES

POTTERY examples CAMBERLEY, CRANBROOK, EXMOUTH, LOCKS HEATH, MERTON, NEWPORT SHROPSHIRE, PENRITH, SKIDDAW, WEYMOUTH

PUPPET MAKING GUILDFORD, MILFORD

RADIO ENTHUSIASTS WATERLOOVILLE

RUG MAKING BRADFORD ON AVON, SOUTH LAKES,
oriental rugs EAST SUFFOLK

SCRAPBOOKING ASTON CLINTON, BLACKBOURNE, SUDBURY, SWINDON, WIMBORNE

SCRATCHBOARD ART GOUDHURST “therapeutic”

SCULPTURE CARLISLE

SILK PAINTING SHELLINGTHORPE, S.W. HERTS (part of Lifestyles group), UTTOXETER

SILVERWORK WOKING

STRAW WORK ORKNEY

SUGAR CRAFT examples BOURTON, CHEADLE, CLIFF VILLAGES, FARNBOROUGH, KETTERING, LEA, LEIGH BELFAIRS, OLTON, PEMBURY, RUTHIN, SOUTHWELL, STANWAY

TAPESTRY BRIDLINGTON, EDINBURGH, MARKET HARBOROUGH, MARLOW, MEDWAY, POOLE

TEDDY BEAR MAKING STAFFORD

TEXTILE CRAFTS examples EXMOUTH, KENILWORTH, MINEHEAD, MORAY COAST, NORTH ALLERTON, OSWESTRY, PLYMSTOCK, PURBECK, STAFFORD, WARLEY, WREXHAM, WELLINGORE, WENDOVER, WIGTOWNSHIRE, WORTHING

TOYS for boys THAME, WINDSOR

UPHOLSTERY examples CAMBERLEY, EXMOUTH, SWINDON, WEST WOLDS, WOKING

URBAN SKETCHING SOUTHPORT

WIRE SCULPTURE BUSHEY, RADLETT

WOOL CRAFT WOKINGHAM

GAMES

STRATEGY GAMES ‘making decisions on how to win” SARRATT

PARLOUR GAMES BRIXHAM

MODERN BOARD GAMES offering a variety of new “Euro games” EAST LOTHIAN
– French board games MAIDENHEAD

PUZZLES & BRAINTEASERS examples only. And quiz groups are not indexed. HOUNSLOW, PETERBOROUGH, RUGBY, SWANSEA

SUDOKU BRADFORD

CHESS ON LINE CHARD, CALLANDER, ILMINSTER, SUTTON IN ASHFIELD. chess groups in general are not indexed but lots of U3As have members who are willing to play on line.

HALMA Victorian board game , mixture of chess & draughts HEREFORD

BACKGAMMON REDBRIDGE

CRIBBAGE DORCHESTER, REIGATE & REDHILL

MONOPOLY COLCHESTER

TRIOMINOS like dominoes but uses triangles THATCHAM

UPWORDS variation of scrabble. Providers include DORKING, HASTINGS, HEREFORD, LINCOLN, MARLOW, NORTH WILTS, POCKLINGTON, PORTSMOUTH, SOMERTON, STREET & GLASTONBURY, THURROCK, TOTTEN SOUTH, WALTHAM FOREST

CARD GAMES examples given only of rare or specialist games and variations. Some ‘general’ card groups may also include some of these.

BELOTE WOKINGHAM

BEZIQUE BERWICK

BISMARCK WALTHAM FOREST

BOLIVIA BOURNEMOUTH, CHESHUNT, GRANTHAM

EUCHRE GUERNSEY, NEWQUAY

HEARTS CONTRACT SWANSEA

KALOOKI BOURNEMOUTH, BUSHEY, LIVERPOOL, WALTHAM ABBEY

KINGS CARDS SUTTON IN ASHFIELD

POKER PEMBROKESHIRE

RACING DEMONS NORTHWOOD

SPITE & MALICE! SHAFTESBURY

CATEGORY D. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY & SPORTS

AVIATION providers include BEARSTEAD, CHESTERFIELD, CROWBOROUGH, GRIMSBY, HULLBRIDGE, ILKLEY, LOUTH, MAIDENHEAD, MALDON, PETERBOROUGH, RIVERSIDE, THE RODINGS, SIDMOUTH, SOMERTON, SOUTHEND, SWINDON, WOODHALL SPA, YATE & SODBURY

CAMPING & CARAVANS AYLESBURY VALE, BUXTON, HORNSEA, IVYBRIDGE, NEWARK

CARS (Classic vehicles) providers include CAMBERLEY, DEEPINGS, HEATH, HORSLEY, HUNGERFORD, ILKLEY, KENNET, LIPHOOK, PETERBOROUGH, SCARBOROUGH, WATERLOOVILLE

DINGHY SAILING BATH, CHESS VALLEY, SARRATT, S.W. HERTS

DOWSING COQUETDALE, EDENBRIDGE, RICHMOND UPON THAMES, WESTON SUPER MARE

DRIVING REFRESHER SESSION DORCHESTER (with others), KETTERING, MALVERN, SALISBURY

DRY STONE WALLING DRONFIELD

FETTLERS (adjusting gadgets; making broken things work)
WETHERBY

FISHING BRIDLINGTON, CANVEY ISLAND, ORPINGTON, RAVENSHEAD, RODING VALLEY, SHERWOOD
beach fishing STUBBINGTON, WEALD
coarse fishing ARUN EAST, BOURNEMOUTH, RAMSEY
fly fishing CHICHESTER, HIGHAM, WESTERHAM,
trout fishing EPPING FOREST

GARDENING specialist groups include
alpines FETCHAM organic gardening DISS

GEOCACHING: a seek and find outdoor challenge
HUNTINGDON, PALMERS GREEN, WARRINGTON, WEM, WEST CHESHIRE, WINDSOR

GRAVEYARDS AND MEMORIALS ST. ALBANS see too under WAR and CHURCH GRAFFITI

HERBS COLLINGHAM, HORSHAM, ISLE OF MAN, LEYLAND

HOSTELLING SHEFFIELD

HOW IS IT DONE? Local visits to see demonstrations EASTWOOD

INDUSTRIAL TOURISM visiting companies THETFORD

INDUSTRY & INFRASTRUCTURE GUISBOROUGH, IVYBRIDGE, KNOLE, NEWCASTLE (historical))

KITES FILEY, HARWICH, TOWER HAMLETS, WANDSWORTH, WHITBY WHALER

MAPS & MAP READING selection CHICHESTER, DULWICH, JERSEY, KNOLE, PETERBOROUGH, TAVY, TENTERDEN mainly overseas,, WHITBY WHALER

METAL DETECTING BOOKHAM, CANVEY ISLAND, CARDIGAN, HADLEIGH CASTLE, PLYMOUTH, RAMSEY

MOTORBIKES some include cars too CHRISTCHURCH, HUNTINGDON, ILKLEY, MATLOCK, PETERBOROUGH, ROYSTON, SCARBOROUGH, STANFORD LE HOPE, STAFFORD

NAVIGATION (Nautical) EDINBURGH

NORDIC SKATING SWANSEA
(Nordic walking groups are far too numerous to index)

ORIENTEERING PEWSEY VALE, RETFORD, SWINDON, THETFORD

RECYCLING THORPE BAY

SAILING providers include BRACKNELL FOREST, EXMOUTH, HERTFORD, HICKLING BROAD, HORSLEY, MULL & IONA, NORWICH, SCARBOROUGH, VER-COLNE VALLEY, WARSASH
also BOATING WITH BBQ LOOE

WALKING hundreds of groups, including mountainwalks and canal walks, but somewhat different is walking in a circle around London
Capital ring walking THORPE BAY

SERENDIPITY (Hoping for lucky finds. This is interpreted differently at our U3As, but is usually outdoor.) ASHINGDON & ROCHFORD, BUDE, CREWKERNE, LEIGH ESTUARY, RAYLEIGH, TENDRING. One at REIGATE discusses word meanings, so is shown in a different group.

SPORTS
DISCUSSION: various sporting topics, occasional quiz WATFORD

SPORTS DAYS: spectating at several sports OVERTON

ABSEILING often included in an extreme sports or adventure “pack” BATH, FOREST OF DEAN, GLENFIELD, SHERBURN, WESTON TURVILLE

CAVING example FOREST OF DEAN

ARCHERY CHATTERIS, CHESS VALLEY, DART VALLEY, ISLE OF CULL, LEYLAND, PETERBOROUGH, SWINDON

CANOEING examples EAST ANTRIM, HEATONS & REDDITCH, PETERBOROUGH Hawaiian canoeing STONE

CRICKET spectating and discussion CROUCH VALLEY, LONGRIDGE, MALLING

FENCING included in activities at GLENFIELD

HORSE RACING KNIGHTSBRIDGE ESTUARY, LISBURN

KAYAKING TONBRIDGE

MOTOR SPORT FETCHAM

PICKLEBALL mixture of tennis/table tennis/badminton : played on badminton court CAMBERLEY, PADDOCK WOOD, RAMSEY

ROWING examples BECCLES, MOSELEY, LANCASTER, OUNDLE, PETERBOROUGH

SHOOTING (rifles) LEYLAND, SWINDON, WOKING
clay pigeon shooting BOURNE, BUNTINGFORD, ROYSTON

SWIMMING examples include COOKRIDGE, HORNDEN, ISE VALLEY, LEATHERHEAD, LIVERPOOL, MANSFIELD, MILL HILL, POCKLINGTON, SANDWELL, SAWSTON, WHITWICK, WARE

TENNIS MADE EASIER mini, short, soft, touch, knockabout
BARMOUTH, BURNHAM ON CROUCH, FARNHAM, LUTON, MANSFIELD, MELBOURN, NEWCASTLE, NORTH COTSWOLD, NORWICH, RUTHIN, SWANLAND, SWANSEA, THETFORD, WESTON SUPER MARE, WENDOVER, WISSEY

SPORT AT WALKING PACE
– Walking cricket SALISBURY
– Walking football ASHFORD WYE, BERWICK ON TWEED, CREWKERNE, DERBY, FLEET, ILKLEY, KINGS LYNN, KNUTSFORD, NORTH NORFOLK, PETERBOROUGH, ST. NEOTS
– Walking netball DRONFIELD, MAGHULL, PARBOLD, SOUTH SHIELDS, UPHOLLAND
– Walking rugby STANWAY

WATER SPORTS CHESHUNT, NEWRY, SKIDDAW

CATEGORY E. ENVIRONMENT, ANIMALS, PLANTS

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES & SUSTAINABILITY
CARLISLE, CHESTER, CHILTERN. CONGLETON, HARBORNE, HARROW, HIGHAM, HOPE VALLEY, SANDBACH, STAFFORD, WELLS, WETHERBY

CANALS & WATERWAYS several groups do canal walks, but talks and trips examples include: KETTERING, SOUTH HILLINGDON, STOURBRIDGE, WEST LEICESTERSHIRE,

EARTH SYSTEMS YORK

ENVIRONMENT TIDYING FALKIRK, GUERNSEY, HANSWORTH WOOD, LITTLEHAMPTON, LLANDUDNO, THRAPSTON, UPHOLLAND

FARMS & VILLAGES mainly the latter BANBURY, BERWICK UPON TWEED, CRANLEIGH, CHICHESTER, HAY, KINGS HILL, KNOLE, LUDLOW, MILFORD ON SEA, ODIHAM, UPTON & LYCHETT

GARDEN VISITS are frequent but
Virtual homes and gardens (DVD ‘visits’) PENRITH
History of gardens CONGLETON
Kew gardens RICHMOND ON THAMES

HOUSES & HOMES groups include BRACKNELL FOREST, OUNDLE, WOKINGHAM

HUMAN/ANIMAL RELATIONS FARNHAM

CATS HERITAGE COAST

CHICKEN KEEPING BERWYN, RUTHIN

DOGS many walking groups but PUPPY TRAINING SCARBOROUGH

MARINE LIFE LEIGH ESTUARY

NATURE STUDY/NATURAL HISTORY many groups cover this in general.

BEEKEEPING MEOPHAM, SALISBURY, TENBURY WELLS
monitoring endangered bees: research project at CANTERBURY

BUTTERFLIES MAIDSTONE

FLOWERS, WILD BUDE, CHEW VALLEY, CRAWLEY, KINGSTON, MATLOCK, WELLS, WENDOVER

FUNGI S.E. LONDON, STEWARTRY

HERBS ISLE OF MAN, SHAFTESBURY

ORCHIDS HORSLEY

PLANTS (in general) COLLINGHAM, LONG EATON, MULL & IONA, ST. IVES (Cambs)

SEA SHELLS SALISBURY

SNAILS CANTERBURY in association with University of Kent

TREE IDENTIFICATION (sometimes includes sketching)
BLACKWATER, DULWICH, ELMBRIDGE, SARUM, STEWARTRY

WILDLIFE VIEWING & CONSERVATION groups include
AYLESBURY VALE, BANSTEAD, BEDFORD, BEVERLEY, BUCKINGHAM, DRONFIELD, HARWICH, KEYWORTH, ODIHAM, RADLETT, RYE, TUNBRIDGE WELLS, WELWYN HATFIELD, WETHERBY, WYMONDHAM

CATEGORY F. SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

So very many U3As run science or science and technology groups of various kinds. The list of activities and examples here are forced to be selective.

SCIENCE, History GLOUCESTER, SCARBOROUGH, SHREWSBURY

SCIENCE & SOCIETY YORK

SCIENCE BOOKS KNUTSFORD

SCIENCE ITEMS IN RECENT NEWS PERTH

…OLOGIES Discussion of activities ending in ology. LEEK, THAME,
WENDOVER

YOUNIVERSE SWANSEA links science and ancient tradition.

INDIVIDUAL SCIENCES

ANTHROPOLOGY examples CREWE, EAST GRINSTEAD (includes Darwinism taboos, death rituals), OSWESTRY, SWANSEA, WIGTOWNSHIRE

ASTRO-NAV ELGIN

BIOLOGY FOR 21ST CENTURY EAST LOTHIAN, EXETER, EXMOUTH, SIDMOUTH

CHARLES DARWIN CRAVEN (course rather than a group)

EVOLUTION & GENETICS dominate the Science group @ MALVERN

BOTANY ABERGELE, CHELTENHAM, ELY, NEW MILLS, ORKNEY
Botanical illustration is listed under arts.

CHEMISTRY FARNHAM

COSMOLOGY, SPACE, PARTICLE PHYSICS BARNSLEY, CHORLEYWOOD, RETFORD, SHAFTESBURY, WELLS, WIMBORNE, YORK

ELECTRONICS, ELECTRICITY EASTWOOD, GLOUCESTER, PETERBOROUGH, THETFORD

ENERGY LUDLOW, PENRITH, SOUTHWELL

ENGINEERING Examples include GUILDFORD, NORTH COTSWOLD, RICKMANSWORTH, SOAR VALLEY, VER COLNE VALLEY
Civil engineering a lively, unique group SHEFFIELD
Model engineering, covers a wide range of engineering RUGBY

EXISTENCE science based talks EASTBOURNE

FOSSILS BUDE, LAUNCESTON, NORTON & RADSTOCK, THE RODINGS, SHIPTON ON STOUR, STANWAY

HUMAN BODY/ANATOMY/PHYSIOLOGY CATERHAM, HALSTEAD, HERTFORD(bodiology), MALVERN (course), REIGATE & REDHILL

MATHS very many groups, but note
MATHS IN ART & LITERATURE CALLANDER
MATHS FOR GRANDPARENTS RADLETT
MATHS PASTIMES EXETER

MEDICINE, History of BARNET, CHRISTCHURCH, FLITWICK
NUTRITIONAL MEDICINE HAMBLE VALLEY

OILS, ESSENTIAL BERWICK UPON TWEED

RADIO WAVES how electricity and radio run society EASTWOOD

WEATHER & CLIMATE BURNHAM, BURY ST. EDMUNDS, CHRISTCHURCH, ELMBRIDGE, EXETER, EXMOUTH, FORDINGBRIDGE, GOUDHURST, GUILDFORD, HONITON, HUNSTANTON, KIDSGROVE, LUTON, MILTON KEYNES, NORTON & RADSTOCK, PLYMSTOCK, SCARBOROUGH, STAMFORD, WARSASH

TECHNOLOGY
TECHNOLOGY: History & prospects HORSHAM, NORTH LONDON, STEYNING

TECHNOLOGY: MAKING THINGS MID NORTHUMBERLAND, POOLE, SWINDON

FOOD TECHNOLOGY ASTON CLINTON

TED TALKS Lectures viewing technology, entertainment and design, e.g. @ WIMBORNE

FILM MAKING ASTON CLINTON, CREWKERNE, RICKMANSWORTH

IDEAS Goes wider than philosophy, with scientific emphasis and in some cases is linked to technical problem solving.
DERBY, HOUGHTON LE SPRING, RICHMOND UPON THAMES, SARUM.

HISTORY OF IDEAS HOUGHTON LE SPRING, WORTHING

INVENTIONS & INVENTORS NORWICH

POWER POINT PRESENTATION BARSTON

REPAIR IT CHURCHDOWN

TRANSPORT & MACHINERY DAWLISH, NEWMARKET, WORCESTER

D I Y FOR WOMEN WOKING
Handy women ANDOVER

COMPUTING & IT
COMPUTER BUDDIES ASHINGDON, NORTH LONDON Experienced and inexperienced 1:1 pairing.

DIGITAL WORLD MADELEY Covers a variety of technological aids.

E BAY: buying and selling HEATH, NORWICH, WETHERBY

E MAIL beginners guide HOUGHTON LE SPRING

EXCEL use on your computer MAIDSTONE INVICTA

FACEBOOK GROUP YORK

FLIGHT SIMULATION ON COMPUTER SOMERTON “next best thing to flying”

FRACKING HOLMES CHAPEL

INTERNET SHOPPING AND BANKING HOLMES CHAPEL

MICROSOFT USE HOLMES CHAPEL

PHOTO EDITING LUDLOW, OUNDLE, TRING

PHOTO BOOKS ssembly from digital or conventional store ST ALBANS

RASPBERRY PI microcomputer EDINBURGH, KNIGHTSBRIDGE ESTUARY, PADDOCK WOOD, PURBECK, RUGBY, SOMERTON, YORK

SOFTWARE free sources BATH
LIBRE SOFTWARE BRACKNELL FOREST

SECURITY ON LINE CLIFF VILLAGES
Security & privacy in social media HAVANT

SYNCING: transfer of data between devices while ensuring harmony NEWRY

VIDEO/FILM MAKING AND EDITING examples BRAMHALL, CREWKERNE, GUILDFORD, HIGHAM & RUSHDEN, LEICESTER, PETERBOROUGH, PLYMOUTH, SHEFFIELD, SOUTH TYNESIDE

VIRTUAL U3A This offers a tremendous opportunity for informal learning. see details on website vu3a.org

WEBSITE DESIGN & PROGRAMMING
BEESTON, KENNET, SHERBURN, SWINDON

CATEGORY G. LANGUAGES, LITERATURE : GEOGRAPHY & CULTURE (other than Art)

ETYMOLOGY: the making and use of English Examples include
ABERGAVENNY, CHARD, CHELTENHAM, EVERSHAM, HAGELEY, HESWALL, ILMINSTER, IVYBRIDGE, LUDLOW, MELTON MOWBRAY, NORTH LONDON, ORPINGTON, PERSHORE, PLYMOUTH, REIGATE & REDHILL (called Serendipity), SARUM, THORNBURY, WESTON SUPER MARE

METAPHOR & THOUGHT SCARBOROUGH

INDIVIDUAL LANGUAGES
ALGILEZ an artificial language BOURNEMOUTH

ANGLO SAXON ENGLISH SOUTH MANCHESTER, TODMORDEN
Anglo Saxon poetry FAIRFORD

ARABIC BRISTOL, EASTBOURNE

CATALAN STAFFORD

CHINESE mostly Mandarin FORTH VALLEY, HARLOW, HELSTON, HILLINGDON, POOLE, SHEFFIELD, WANSTEAD, WIMBORNE

DANISH CHELTENHAM

DUTCH BURY ST. EDMUNDS, EDINBURGH, HULL, MEDWAY, MID BUCKS, SUDBURY, TOWCESTER, WANSTEAD

GAELIC (Scots) BEARSDEN, EASTER ROSS

GREEK (Classical) ALNWICK, ALSAGER, BAKEWELL, BATH, FAVERSHAM, GUILDFORD, HARROW, LUDLOW, MID NORTHUMBERLAND, SHEFFIELD, SEVENOAKS, SHREWSBURY, SOUTHWELL, TENBURY WELLS, WEST DARTMOOR, WOKING
New Testament Greek FARNHAM, WETHERBY

GREEK (Modern) Examples BECCLES, BEESTON, CHICHESTER, CHILTERN, ELMBRIDGE, EVERSHAM, PETERSFIELD, SHOREHAM & SOUTHWICK, SIDMOUTH, SKIDDAW, SWANSEA, SWINDON, TODMORDEN

iRISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE MASSERENE, NORTH DOWN

JAPANESE BOLTON, CAMBERLEY, CREWE, DACORUM, MAIDSTONE, WOKINGHAM

NORWEGIAN CHEPSTOW, SOUTH LAKES

POLISH S.W. HERTS, WATFORD

PORTUGUESE DIDCOT, FORTH VALLEY, HARROW, PLYMOUTH, RICHMOND UUPON THAMES, SEAFORD, SELSEY, SHEFFIELD, WELLINGTON, WINDSOR

RUSSIAN BATH, EAST RENFREWSHIRE, FARNBOROUGH, FARNHAM, FORTH VALLEY, FOUR BORDER ABBEYS, GUILDFORD, HUTTON, POCKLINGTON, ST. ALBANS, SOUTHPORT, TAUNTON, WARE, WARMINSTER

TURKISH EDINBURGH, HESWALL

WELSH LANGUAGE many outside Wales. Examples ARNOLD, KINGSTON, LEICESTER, LOWESTOFT, MAGHULL, MARLOW, MERTON, MUCH WENLOCK, PETERBOROUGH, SHREWSBURY, SOUTH MANCHESTER, ST. HELENS, SULLY, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

LITERATURE

THE ARTS connecting links between them GUILDFORD
history of MARPLE

BOOKS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD HAVANT

LITERATURE
best bits! HUNTINGDON
difficult works “Square Heads” @ SOLIHULL WIDNEY
world literature in translation NORTH LONDON

ANECDOTES WINDSOR

READING ALOUD HIGHAM & RUSHDEN, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

AMERICAN LITERATURE DULWICH

EUROPEAN LITERATURE LEWES, STAMFORD, WOODSPRING

THE BIBLE AS LITERATURE TORBAY

CHILDREN’S LITERATURE DAVENTRY
Alice in Wonderland for adults SHOREHAM & SOUTHWICK

FAIRY TALES MALVERN

WRITING COMEDY MALLING

MEDIAEVAL ENGLISH LITERATURE YORK

RENAISSANCE LITERATURE CALLANDER

ELIZABETHAN LITERATURE GUILDFORD, RICHMOND ON THAMES

BLOOMSBURY GROUP POOLE

CLASSIC NOVELS CLITHEROE, LUDLOW, ST. HELENS, WOODSPRING

PRIZE WINNING FICTION SALISBURY

HEROINES IN THE ENGLISH NOVEL CHEW VALLEY

NOVELS
1740-1920 HARROW, TONBRIDGE

PLAY READING normally excluded, but this one is absurd plays only! MARKET HARBOROUGH
POETRY
Epic, classic HADLEIGH, LITTLEHAMPTON, WENDOVER
Romantic GRANTHAM
20th century SUTTON, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

LIMERICK WRITING LENZIE

THEATRE
famous characters HORSHAM
recovering First World War theatre, project with University of Kent CANTERBURY

INDIVIDUAL AUTHORS
JANE AUSTEN BRISTOL, DAVENTRY, DORKING, GUILDFORD, HUNGERFORD , VIRTUAL U3A, WORTHING

BRONTE SISTERS VIRTUAL U3A

SAMUEL BECKETT MARKET HARBOROUGH

VICTOR CANNING SHAFTESBURY & GILLINGHAM

GEOFFREY CHAUCER HAVANT, SCARBOROUGH, STRATFORD UPON AVON

ANTON CHEKOV WINDSOR

DANTE BURY ST. EDMUNDS

CHARLES DICKENS COLCHESTER

THOMAS HARDY BASINGSTOKE

HORACE YORK

HENRIK IBSEN WINDSOR

JAMES JOYCE LEWES

GUY De MAUPASSANT SALISBURY

JOHN MILTON WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

OVID MERTON, SEAFORD

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE many groups study the works, but
His life and biographers day event HESWALL
Shakespeare and his contemporaries DORKING
His music, language and characters YORK
Tragedies KINGSTON
Let’s right Shakespeare seeks to covert, via enlivenment & modernity, with language update or intriguing issues such as dating the plays; was someone else the author? BEESTON

LEO TOLSTOY HARROW

ANTHONY TROLLOPE SUTTON

EMILE ZOLA THANET

GEOGRAPHY AND CULTURE

WORLD CULTURES AND BELIEFS (Aztecs and more) CROWBOROUGH, MARPLE

AUSTRALASIA YEALM
Australia OSWESTRY BORDERS
New Zealand WIMBORNE

CHINA CROYDON, EXMOUTH, HEART OF ENGLAND, HELSTON, RICHMOND UPON THAMES, TONBRIDGE

EUROPEAN STUDIES examples BRADFORD ON AVON. MARPLE, MACCLESFIELD, MONMOUTH, NORTHAMPTON, SOMERTON, STAMFORD, STOKESLEY, TRING, WATFORD

EASTERN EUROPEAN STUDIES LEIGH ON SEA

FRANCE & FRENCH CULTURE HOWDEN, KINGSTON, LOUGHBOROUGH, LUDLOW, MAGHULL, NORTH LONDON, SOUTH BUCKS, WINCHESTER, TAVY
Paris HEATONS & REDDITCH Carcassone WEST WILTS

GERMAN CULTURE COLCHESTER, NORTH LONDON

GREEK AND ROMAN CIVILIZATION AUGHTON & ORMSKIRK, BOLTON, BULKINGTON, EMS VALLEY, HARBORNE, ISLE OF MAN, LEYBURN, SHEFFIELD, STRATFORD, THANET, THORNBURY, WALTHAM FOREST, WARRINGTON, WESTON SUPER MARE

GREEK DRAMA BISHOPS CLEEVE, HARROW

GREEK TRAGEDY STREET & GLASTONBURY

IRISH LITERATURE CHELTENHAM, PERTH

ITALY BURY ST.EDMUNDS, OMAGH, PRINCES RISBOROUGH

MEDITERRANEAN CULTURE & CUISINE SALISBURY

MIDDLE EAST BASILDON, STAFFORD

POLAND TODMORDEN, WATFORD

RUSSIA BRENT, CHELTENHAM, FARNHAM, GUISBOROUGH, RIPON, SIDCUP, S.E. LONDON, SOUTHPORT, YORK
cultural exchange and e-mail contact with members of Belarus University of the Golden Age @ SOUTH BUCKS

SCANDINAVIA CIRENCESTER, EPSOM & EWELL

SCOTTISH CULTURE ABERDEEN

SPAIN BOURNEMOUTH, PRINCES RISBOROUGH

VIRTUAL TRAVEL LLANDRINDOD

CATEGORY H. HISTORY (Modern or Ancient, including Myths) & BIOGRAPHY, including women’s studies

HUMAN LIFE since the beginning! EASTBORNE

EVENTS WHICH SHAPED THE WORLD RICHMOND ON THAMES

GREAT ACHIEVEMENTS OF WESTERN MAN FERNDOWN

THE PAST, how it has formed us MERTON

MYTHOLOGY (Classical and general) overlaps with Greek and Roman civilization. Examples:
AUGHTON & ORMSKIRK, BLANDFORD, CLITHEROE, DART VALLEY, DORKING, EXETER, INVERNESS, LLANDINDROD WELLS, NORTHAMPTON, RICHMOND ON THAMES, SALISBURY, SARUM, SCARBOROUGH,SHAFTESBURY, SHOREHAM, SLEAFORD, SOUTHEND, STOW MARKET, THORNBURY, WEST DARTMOOR, WYRE
5th century Athens SEVENOAKS

SEX IN THE ANCIENT WORLD EASRT BERWICKSHIRE

ANCIENT HISTORY examples LANCING, PORTHCAWL, SHENFIELD, SLEAFORD, TEWKESBURY, THORNBURY
ancient wisdom CHESTER

CIVILIZATION, origins HOWDEN, NEWBURY, ODIHAM

ARCHAEOLOGY numerous groups but
– as a key to human history PETERBOROUGH,
EGYPTOLOGY examples BARNET, CARLISLE, HALE, LEIGH, MALDON, MEON VALLEY, NORTHAMPTON, POOLE, UPHOLLAND, WONERSH

JEWS, their history SARUM, STANMORE

MIDDLE EAST BASILDON

HISTORY OF EMERGING POWERS – E.U., China, Islam, Israel, Russia WATFORD

HISTORY RELATED TO PLACES & TIMES SEATON

HISTORY REVEALED IN FICTION SARUM

CULTURAL HISTORY MARPLE

HISTORY REVEALED THROUGH OBJECTS HAY, PERTH, RODING VALLEY, SOUTH LAKES, SHAFTESBURY, TYNEDALE

HISTORY OF PUBS BAILGATE

QUIRKY HISTORY LEIGH ESTUARY

ROMAN EMPIRE FORDINGBRIDGE
life in Ancient Rome SCARBOROUGH

SLAVERY 2018 course MARBELLA & ISLAND

AFRICAN HISTORY EAST SUFFOLK, WARE
did the world begin there? (including modern DNA analysis) EDINBURGH

AMERICAN HISTORY BEDFORD, JERSEY, LEIGHTON-LINSLADE, MELTON MOWBRAY, SOUTH WEST HERTS, WARRINGTON, WEST CHESHIRE RURAL

BRITISH HISTORY or history with main focus on Britain
Heritage/old glory LEIGHTON-LINSLADE, PETERSFIELD, RIDGEWAY, SHERWOOD
– History of first millenium A D. BOURNEMOUTH
There are lots of groups specialising in a particular century or period in British history. Examples
– Anglo Saxon History HAMBLE VALLEY
– Mediaeval people LEICESTER
– Roman Britain BARNET, MAIDSTONE INVICTA
– Victorian Britain BOURNEMOUTH, DARTFORD, SHAFTESBURY,
S.W. HERTS, STREET & GLASTONBURY, TIPTREE, WEALD, WELLINGTON
– Victorian seafarers clothing project @ BRIGHTLINGSEA
– History between the wars BUSHEY

BRIITISH KINGS & QUEENS FORDINGBRIDGE, ORPINGTON

HADRIAN’S WALL TYNEDALE (group has its own website)

INDUSTRIAL HISTORY examples ASHBY DE LA ZOUCHE, ASHFORD, CHESTER, CLIFF VILLAGES, FARNBOROUGH, FETCHAM, FURNESS, HORSLEY, NEWCASTLE, ROMSEY, STONE, TONBRIDGE, WADEBRIDGE, WOKINGHAM, WREXHAM, WYRE FOREST

LANDSCAPE HISTORY LUDLOW

ORAL HISTORY BAKEWELL, RICHMOND, WHICKHAM

RUSSIAN HISTORY (1917-32) Bolshevik propaganda SEAFORD

VIKING HISTORY EPSOM & EWELL

CASTLES VIRTUAL U3A

CHURCH GRAFFITI finding mediaeval messages LOUTH

MINING HISTORY CRAVEN
in Cornwall @ ST AUSTELL

MONASTERIES CAVES, POCKLINGTON

PHOTOGRAPHERS the work of great ones LEEDS

LOCAL BRITISH HISTORY & TRIBUTES lots of local studies groups, some specializing in a particular period, with many shared learning opportunities: SWANSEA for instance, does projects, the products of which often are to be seen in the local Museum. BRIGHTLINGSEA group have publsihed pamphlets on aspects of local history. Some other specific examples are:
Famous people from our area BATTLE
East Anglia studies BRENTWOOD
Glasgow culture HOLMES CHAPEL
Glosophiles (lovers of Gloucestershire) FOREST OF DEAN
London history LEIGH ON SEA, REIGATE
– Hampstead’s great writers TONBRIDGE
– history of the East end THORPE BAY
Yorkshire history HOWDEN, LEEDS

BIOGRAPHY of key people, makers of history examples BASINGSTOKE, DAWLISH, EASTBOURNE, KINGS HILL, MALLING, SEATON, SETTLE, SILHILL, SOUTH MOLTON, SPELTHORNE, TEIGN For biography of individuals see the A-Z listing, or the appropriate category, e.g. LITERATURE

YUVAL NOAH HARARI course on his work re. history and future of humanity VIRTUAL U3A

WOMEN’S STUDIES covers media attitudes, literature, mysogyny, violence and more. Female artists are under ART.
– general HURST HASSOCKS
– feminism SHEFFIELD, also proposed at LEDBURY
– remarkable women SAWSTON, WALTHAM FOREST, WEST BRIDGFORD, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY
– women achievers ORPINGTON, RADLETT
– women in history KINGSTON, LEIGH, SARUM (on line course)
– women in society SOUTHEND ON SEA, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY
– women and law HOCKLEY & HAWKWELL
– women and wisdom NORTH LONDON
– women writers SOUTHAMPTON

CATEGORY I. RELIGION & FAITH, SPIRITUALITY, MIND & ITS WORKINGS, PHILOSOPHY

RELIGION
RELIGION AND ITS ROOTS WARMINSTER

RELIGION IN MODERN SOCIETY BOURNEMOUTH, EAST MEDWAY

RELIGIOUS WRITING CHARD ILMINSTER

SACRED TEXTS of various religions WIGTOWNSHIRE

BIBLE BURTON ON TRENT, PERTH, SALISBURY, TENDRING, YORK.
– Old Testament SOUTHAMPTON
– History of Bible WOKINGHAM

THEOLOGY BRECON, CHESTERFIELD, NORTH ALLERTON, NORTHAMPTON, WATFORD PARK, WINCHESTER.

CHURCH HISTORY AUGHTON & ORMSKIRK, WORTHING
– mediaeval church history DEREHAM

CHRISTIAN CONTROVERSIES SHAFTESBURY & GILLINGHAM,
– teaching of Jesus examined SHERBORNE

PROTESTANT REFORMATION WAKEFIELD

BAHAI FAITH U3A IN LONDON

BIBLICAL HEBREW EMSWORTH, STAFFORD, WEST WOLDS

NEW TESTAMENT GREEK WETHERBY

PAGANS AND CHRISTIANS WAKEFIELD

SACRED GEOMETRY GLOSSOP ascribes symbolic, sacred meanings to certain geometric shapes, ergo God is a geometer.

BUDDHISM CHRISTCHURCH, PERSHORE, WAKEFIELD.
Buddhist meditation @ CREDITON

ISLAM U3A LONDON

BELIEFS EVERSHAM, NORTHAMPTON

OPEN MINDS WELLS

SPIRITUAL THINKERS RICHMOND ON THAMES

SPIRITUALITY BEESTON, BRENT, DOWNHAM MARKET, EASTBOURNE MEADS, MALVERN, MARBELLA & INLAND, SKIDDAW, WELWYN, HATFIELD, YORK

END OF LIFE ISSUES YORK

WIDER HORIZONS BOURTON

TRANSCENDENTAL MEDITATION PLYMSTOCK there are numerous meditation groups, but this one has focus on philosophy, death, after life possibilities. Some GENERAL meditation groups have interesting features, such as the use of bath gongs @ SOLIHULL WIDNEY

DREAMS & VISIONS – IMPACT ON RELIGION EAST BERWICKSHIRE

PHILOSOPHY
Scores of groups but a few with unusual features. For instance, in Wirral area, there is a network arragement where a “peripatetic leader” travels and runs groups at 3 different locations. Minutes of these group meetings are available. Contact via HESWALL

PHILOSOPHY OF ART & POETRY LITTLEHAMPTON

PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL CHANGE SHREWSBURY

ESOTERIC PHILOSOPHY TUNBRIDGE WELLS

EASTERN PHILOSOPHY SHAFTESBURY & GILLINGHAM

PLATO BELFAST, MERTON

GREAT PHILOSOPHERS BOURNEMOUTH

WISDOM THROUGH THE AGES LEWES

ANCIENT WISDOM CHESTER

MEDIAEVAL PEOPLE has some philosophy emphasis LEICESTER

MYSTICS – WHAT THEY TAUGHT EAST GRINSTEAD

METAPHYSICS/ONTOLOGY BOURNEMOUTH, OVERTON, TUNBRIDGE WELLS

FREE THINKERS RUGBY

HUMANISM BRISTOL

ETHICS & MORAL DILEMMAS BRISTOL, SEVEOAKS, WESTON SUPER MARE, WEST WOLDS, WINDSOR

HUMAN BEHAVIOUR understanding its mysteries KNOLE
belonging together KENNET

SELF AWARENESS COLCHESTER

TIME nature of time and our experience of it WAKEFIELD

IDEAS IN SOCIETY DERBY, HOUGHTON LE SPRING, RICHMOND UPON THAMES, WORTHING

EXPLAINING THE UNEXPLAINED ASHINGTON, WEALD

BLIND SPOTS what is and what is not SEAFORD

CONSPIRACY THEORIES SHEFFIELD

MIND

THE MIND how it works STEYNING

SOCIAL HISTORY OF COGNITION GUILDFORD

OPEN MINDS WELLS

ENQUIRING MINDS TAUNTON

THINKING EASTBOURNE CENTRAL, TIVERTON

LATERAL THINKING GOSPORT

MENTAL ACTIVITY TRAINING BELFAST, LEIGH ESTUARY

MEMORY MAINTENANCE COURSES FOR U3A MEMBERS
There are basically TWO kinds.
(a) 4 session course, medical in emphasis, essentially designed to help reduce risk of dementia, created at AUGHTON & ORMSKIRK. This has run at 70 or so U3As. Those still offering it include ALSAGER, CARLISLE, CROYDON, FORTH VALLEY, HARROW, LICHFIELD, MARLOW, NORTH LONDON, SOLENT, SWINDON, WETHERBY.
(b) A single session “memory workshop”. This seeks to cover a wider range of need, assuming not all attending have suffered memory decline. Based on published memory literature, suitably adapted for Third Age people, it emphasises the need for constant, gentle practice. Such courses are run (for a range of local U3As) BARNSLEY, HESWALL.

MEMORY & AGEING Study carried out at CANTERBURY

PSYCHOLOGY
Many groups. Among those with a special slant are:
PSYCHOLOGY AND MENTAL HEALTH STROUD

PSYCHOANALYTIC THEORY (FREUD, JUNG ETC) MERTON

SELF HELP PSYCHOLOGY DAVEYHULME, MALVERN

BEHAVIOURAL MYSTERIES TONBRIDGE

POSITIVE THINKING FERNDOWN

PSYCHOLOGY OF EVERYDAY LIFE DROITWICH, HARROW

JUNG’S INFLUENCE CHRISTCHURCH, ISLE OF MAN (linked to art therapy)

CONSCIOUSNESS STUDIES much use of YOU Tube & DVD. WELWYN HATFIELD

CATEGORY J. ECONOMICS (including money management), GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, CIVICS, LAW, CRIME, DISASTERS, WARFARE

CAPITALISM WOLVERHAMPTON

ECONOMICS & BUSINESS for example at BISHOPS CLEEVE, BOURNEMOUTH, CUPAR, CHELTENHAM (economic theory), DORRIDGE, HUNGERFORD, MAWDESLEY VILLAGES, MILTON KEYNES, OUNDLE, SHREWSBURY, SKIDDAW, WIMBORNE, WORCESTER

FINANCE & CURRENT AFFAIRS for example at ALTON, FARNHAM, HAYWARD’S HEATH, MONMOUTH, SOLIHULL CENTRAL, TONBRIDGE

MONEY MATTERS involving pensions, insurance, budget, retailing, holiday cash
ANTON, BAKEWELL, BRISTOL, BUSHEY, CAMBERLEY, CATERHAM, CONGLETON, DACORUM, HORSHAM, HORSLEY, KNOLE, MEOPHAM, NEWBURY, PRINCES RISBOROUGH, RADETT, RUGBY, SAWSTON, SHEFFIELD, STANWAY, SUDBURY, WARRINGTON, WATFORD, WOKINGHAM.

INVESTMENTS sometimes notional only (virtual investments), sometimes an investment “club’.
ASHFIELD, CHESS VALLEY, CONGLETON. CRANLEIGH, DORKING, EDINBURGH, HUTTON, KIBWORTH, MILTON KEYNES, NEWARK, SOUTHPORT, THORNBURY, WOKING, WOKINGHAM

SOCIAL SCIENCE & SOCIOLOGY BIDDULPH, BRAUNTON, BRIDLINGTON, GUILDFORD, NORTHWICH, SHREWSBURY

HUMAN RIGHTS HACKNEY

SOCIAL JUSTICE CHESTER

INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS FARNHAM, LEATHERHEAD, STEYNING
DEMOCRACY BRISTOL

DIPLOMACY BALSALL COMMON

CIVICS NEWCASTLE There are elements of Civics too in some politics or economics groups

PARLIAMENT Study day on how it works WOOLER

POLITICS BARNET, BURY ST. EDMONDS (Interaction with local 6th formers), CHILTERN, CHESTERFIELD, MILL HILL, MUCH WENLOCK, REDDITCH, STAFFORD, STONE, SWANSEA, THETFORD, UPMINSTER

INTERNATIONAL POLITICS ELMBRIDGE, FARNHAM
– understanding the modern world WORTHING

POLITICAL HISTORY BRADFORD

ELECTORIAL SYSTEMS & REFORM STOWMARKET

FOREIGN AFFAIRS SOUTHAMPTON

EUROPEAN DICTATORSHIPS FERNDOWN

SOCIALISM MOSELEY

BOLSHEVIK PROPAGANDA SEAFORD

LAW BARNSTAPLE, FERNDOWN, PORTSMOUTH

CRIME & PUNISHMENT LEIGH CHELTENHAM (Crime in Victorian times)

CRIMINOLOGY DONCASTER, RADCLIFFE ON TRENT, RICHMOND UPON THAMES, SCUNTHORPE, WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

MURDER (in real life – crime novel groups too numerous to index) FERNDOWN

DISASTERS fires, floods etc. DEVIZES

TITANTIC DISASTER course at WHITE CLIFFS COUNTRY

PEACE & CONFLICT SEVENOAKS

MILITARIA inc. members service, experiences and artefacts RYE

BRITISH ARMY AT WAR (organiztion & tactics) MADELEY

BATTLE OF BRITAIN WEALD

BATTLES AND BATTLEFIELDS WOODSTOCK

WAR HEROES & MEMORIALS WESSINGTON
Local memorial @ PORTHMADOG

WAR LOGISTICS WAKEFIELD

WAR STUDIES WINDSOR

WORLD WARS 1 AND 2 BEXLEY, DARTFORD, EAST MEDWAY, HUNTINGDON, KEYWORTH, MIDHURST, SPELTHORNE, SWANLAND, THORNBURY, THETFORD, VER-COLNE VALLEY, WITNEY.
(These World war groups often cover social conditions as well as conflict. Military and naval history in general has groups too numerous to index)

WORLD WAR 1 LITERATURE SOUTH LAKES

ZULU WAR STUDIES KIBWORTH