Welcome to Bury St Edmunds u3a

If you are no longer in full-time employment and have some time to spare, u3a is the organisation that will give you the chance to develop existing interests and explore new ones, while making new friends.

Our members run more than 50 Interest Groups – ranging across the creative, the educational, the physical and the social. From Walking to Wine Appreciation, Art to Antiques, Politics to Philosophy, Science to Shakespeare, Bridge to Current Affairs … the list goes on. The Groups are self-chosen and run by the members themselves.

In addition, we offer a monthly programme of talks at The Apex, as well as visits and social events throughout the year.

We are a friendly group of people who want to keep active, learning and socialising. Come and join us!

We welcome (but do not insist upon!) contributions from all. If you have some specialised knowledge, please do not keep it to yourself, but join and contribute to one of our groups. Or start a group of your own.

Start Your Own Group

Applying for membership of the u3a in Bury St Edmunds

How to Join the u3a

There is no waiting list so if you follow the instructions on the registration form and submit it together with payment your membership card will be sent to you.

Click Here To renew your membership

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Latest News

Latest UpdatesMarch 1, 2022

1. u3a 40th Anniversary – Picnic in the Park. Wednesday June 1st
click here for more details

2. Bookings to Burghley House – July 12
Now fully booked. If you would like to go on the waiting list please email Pat. Click for details

3. Irish Writers – New Group.
We will be looking at the work of 3 writers of the modern period (19th century through to mid 20th century) – Click here to find out more

4. Opera Group
New members welcome. We aim to cover both well-known and little-known works, from Monteverdi to the 21st century. Expertise in matters operatic is not required, just an interest in opera and a wish to learn more. Click here to contact group leader Alan

5. Scrabble Group
Do you enjoy a good game of Scrabble? Are you looking to learn a bit more about the game, wanting to stretch your vocabulary, improve your word power?
Do you want to stop annoying friends and family with arguments over whether AARRGHH is actually a word? Do you yearn to play ZYZZYVAS across two triple-word squares?
Join us and meet new people and enjoy a fun game or two in a relaxed environment.
Calling for new and experienced players – all welcome! Click here to contact group leader Mary

6. Choir Group
Calling for new members, the u3a Choir is a friendly, informal group that sings a wide variety of music – auditions not required.

7. Latest Newsletter May 2022

8. Learn more about our New Interest Groups:

Art History

Book Club 3

Chaucer

Irish Writers

Tragic Greek Drama
Next LectureMarch 1, 2022

Arts, Culture, Creativity: are they important?

Tue 21st June 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Venue: The Apex

Speaker: Christina Birt

Arts, Culture, Creativity: are they important? will be a presentation and opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas about their significance and relevance in England, the UK and across the globe. Christina will share up to date to date research, data and case studies, including a broad and wide range of perspectives.

Christina Birt has worked in local, regional, national and international arts, culture and creativity for over 30 years.
Originally a dance teacher in London and then worked for many arts organisations including Arts Council England, The Royal Ballet, Ambassador Theatre group, Norfolk & Norwich Festival. She has a BA in dance studies and education and an MA in Cultural Leadership.
Christina is founding Director of Creative Critics, a national programme where children and young people become critics, working in partnership with schools, The Princes Trust, the BBC and international arts festivals.
She is the founding Director of All Ways Making, community interest company, based in Bury St Edmunds, dedicated to using arts, culture and creativity for improved learning and health outcomes.
Christina is currently developing national training for Arts Council England and the National Governance Association and providing a professional development Covid recovery programme for the cultural sector in the East of England.
Members Coffee Morning’sJuly 20, 2021

Members Coffee Morning’s

Come to an informal coffee meeting with members of our Committee who will be happy to chat and answer any questions.

At our Coffee mornings you will have the opportunity to find out the latest news concerning group activities, social trips being planned, as well as being able to chat with friends and make new acquaintances.

Meetings all 3rd Monday’s of the month – 10.30 – 11.30
20th June
18th July
15th August

upstairs at The Apex
(buy your drinks downstairs)

We aim to keep numbers small so please email to say you’d like to come, indicating preferred and alternate dates
secretary@u3aburystedmunds.co.uk

Next Lecture Date

Arts, Culture, Creativity: are they important?

Speaker: Christina Birt

Tue 21 Jun @ 10:30 am – 11:30 am

Arts, Culture, Creativity: are they important? will be a presentation and opportunity for discussion and exchange of ideas about their significance and relevance in England, the UK and across the globe. Christina will share up to date to date research, data and case studies, including a broad and wide range of perspectives.

Christina Birt has worked in local, regional, national and international arts, culture and creativity for over 30 years.
Originally a dance teacher in London and then worked for many arts organisations including Arts Council England, The Royal Ballet, Ambassador Theatre group, Norfolk & Norwich Festival. She has a BA in dance studies and education and an MA in Cultural Leadership.
Christina is founding Director of Creative Critics, a national programme where children and young people become critics, working in partnership with schools, The Princes Trust, the BBC and international arts festivals.
She is the founding Director of All Ways Making, community interest company, based in Bury St Edmunds, dedicated to using arts, culture and creativity for improved learning and health outcomes.
Christina is currently developing national training for Arts Council England and the National Governance Association and providing a professional development Covid recovery programme for the cultural sector in the East of England.

Educational Trip to Burghley House£34.00

Tue 12 Jul @ 8:00 am – 5:30 pm

Burghley House is one of the largest and grandest surviving houses of the sixteenth century and a magnificent example of the great Elizabethan ‘prodigy’ houses. Conceived by William Cecil, Lord High Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth 1, between 1555 and 1587, it is a testament to the ambition and vision of the most powerful courtier of the first Elizabethan age. With its dramatic skyline and towering obelisk clock tower, it was built to impress and the State Rooms on the first floor are awe-inspiring. During the 17th and 18th Centuries, John 5th Earl of Exeter and Brownlow, the 9th Earl travelled to the cultural centres of Europe returning with an enormous collection of art and furniture.

Burghley House is set in a 300 acre deer park landscaped by ‘Capability’ Brown, it is one of the finest examples of his work and includes a meandering 28 acre lake and the elegantly designed Lion Bridge. The tranquil Sculpture Garden is home to a collection of contemporary sculptures amongst diverse plantings, sweeping wildflowers and hidden paths. The Garden of Surprises is a visual and sensory experience inspired by the Elizabethan fascination with astrology and classical civilisations.