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* Limitations of certain websites – difficulty of access, site out of date, or no website available.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.
CATEGORIES
A. HEALTH AND GOOD LIVING a wide group, including food, exercise, entertainment, humour, reminiscences and support
B. MUSIC & DANCE
C. ART & CRAFTS, INDOOR ACTIVITIES
D. OUTDOOR ACTIVITY AND SPORTS
E. ENVIRONMENT, ANIMALS AND PLANTS
F. SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
G. LANGUAGES, LITERATURE. GEOGRAPHY & CULTURE (other than Art).
H. HISTORY (MODERN or ANCIENT, including MYTHS) & BIOGRAPHY, including women’s studies
I. RELIGION, SPIRITUALITY, MIND & ITS WORKINGS, PHILOSOPHY
J. ECONOMICS (including money management), GOVERNMENT, POLITICS, LAW, CRIME, DISASTERS, WARFARE
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