u3a Bury St Edmunds

Chess
2026-02-23 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
The chess group is for people of all abilities; from absolute beginners to Russian 12 year olds!
We’re a friendly bunch who don’t take chess too seriously. Instruction/guidance provided if required.
Boards and pieces provided. No fees.
Why not come along and check us out? Just turn up if that suits you

French for Beginners
2026-02-23 11:00 - 12:00 | Abbeygate Cinema, Hatter Street, IP33 1LZ
A group for absolute beginners or those with very rusty, school-level French that started at the end of June 2025.
We use our own combination of resources (online apps such as Duolingo, and books) to self learn, along with group learning at our regular meetings.

Cryptic Crosswords
2026-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
We are a group exploring and developing our skills in Cryptic Crosswords. Solving abilities in the group range from the novice to more experienced solvers.
The group is led by John Moody, an experienced cryptic crossword solver, blogger and compiler. John is a Times Crossword Championship semi-finalist, leader of the crossword blogging site “Times for The Times” and founding compiler and editor of the Weekend Quick Cryptic Crossword series.
People who are keen to learn are as welcome as those who have some existing knowledge.

Scrabble
2026-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
There’s not really any organising to do. We turn up with our boards and word books and get on with it!
We gather on Monday afternoons, 2 till 4 on the mezzanine floor at the Apex.
For further information please contact the organiser.

The Elderberries (The u3a Singers)
2026-02-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
The u3a Singers are a friendly, informal group with over 40 members, we sing a wide variety of music, usually in four parts (soprano, alto, tenor, bass).
No Audition is necessary, and you don’t need to read music, as we will help you.
New members are very welcome, why not join us and enjoy the health benefits of singing.
For further information please email the group organiser (log in to get their details)
Concerts are held twice each year at All Saints Church.
This term’s fees are £20, to cover hire of the hall and new music (subsequent terms may be less).

Petanque
2026-02-23 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-02-26 15:00 - 17:30 | Moreton Hall Community Centre, Symonds Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32, United Kingdom
We are now going to be playing at Moreton Hall Community Centre, Symonds Road, IP32 7EE. All players must join Moreton Hall at a cost of £10 per year. Membership entitles you to use the club any time you like and you get a discounted rate on drinks.
There is a big car park at the hall which is free.

Craft Group
2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:00 | New Green Community Centre, New Green Avenue, Thurston, IP31 3TG
We are a friendly group, interested in trying new crafts as well as sharing ideas and skills to create solo and joint projects.
We are a friendly group, interested in trying new crafts as well as sharing ideas and skills to create solo and joint projects.
We have enjoyed sessions doing tie-dying, polymer clay modelling, lino-cutting, glass and pottery painting, needle-felting, wet felting, beadwork, and card making.
We used a range of yarn techniques and fabric printing to make a banner to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the u3a in Bury St Edmunds during 2018.
The charge is £15 a term

Wildlife
2026-02-24 10:00 - 12:00
We visit a wide variety of locations to study the birds, flora and fauna of this area of East Anglia. Most visits are within a 20-mile radius of Bury but we occasionally travel as far as the Suffolk coast.
We generally meet two Tuesday mornings each month, usually 2nd and fourth, although if we are venturing further afield we enjoy a day trip, generally with a pub lunch.

Lunch Group 1
2026-02-24 12:00 - 15:00
We are a group of people who enjoy socialising and eating!
We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month at 12.00 at a previously agreed venue for lunch. The venue for the following meeting is decided by those present giving everyone a chance to participate and introduce us to new places. It is planned that venues will be in Bury and surrounding areas not too far out of town.

Italian Conversation
2026-02-24 14:00 - 15:30
We are a small group of enthusiasts who enjoy studying and speaking Italian and learning about Italian culture, and we meet in each other’s houses most Tuesday afternoons in term time, from 2 – 3.30 pm.
Our language skills are roughly Intermediate level, although some of us have more experience than others. Since none of us is either an Italian teacher or a native speaker, we help each other and learn from each other, taking it in turns to host the meeting and prepare a topic for the week. We generally start the meeting with a general conversation in Italian, before moving onto a more structured activity. This could be a more advanced grammatical point, a short text to read and discuss, or a listening comprehension.

Book Group 5
2026-02-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Abbeygate Cinema, Hatter Street, IP33 1LZ
We aim to read books of all types, which will be suggested by members, but the emphasis will be on modern(ish) fiction.
The many pleasures of belonging to a book group include reading books you wouldn’t have otherwise read and listening to a surprisingly wide range of opinion on each book!

Dementia Carers - Monthly Walk
2026-02-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Nowton Park Cafe, Bury Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP29 5LU
We are a recently formed mutual support group for family carers who are looking after someone living with dementia.
In addition to our regular meetings we hold a monthly walk for family carers and those they care for on the fourth Tuesday of every month at Nowton Park. No charge is made for the walks but anyone attending, both carers and cared for, needs to be u3a members to ensure that full public liability cover is in place for all attendees.
We meet at 2pm outside the Nowton Park café, which is also a good place to get coffee or tea afterwards.

Poetry Reading
2026-02-24 14:15 - 16:00 | Jan Tuffs Home
We are a lively, informal group who meet on a Tuesday fortnightly to read poems aloud over a cup of tea and a biscuit.
Each person chooses a few poems on a pre-agreed topic and a brief discussion follows a reading.
Topics include individual poets (Jackie Kay for example) or particular themes (Sun, Moon and Stars for example).
And sometimes we try to read a longer poem ‘in the round’ (The Rime of the Ancient Mariner for example.)

English Music of all Centuries
2026-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Jayne Gilbert Home
Group members take turns to host meetings and select topics.
We have recently opened this group up to include all centuries.

The British Isles: Poetry and History
2026-02-25 10:00 - 12:00 | Quaker Meeting House, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom
This group offers the chance to take a guided tour through The Penguin Book of English Verse, exploring contributions from 1500 to the present day. The intention is to read and discuss two or three poems from each decade. There may be occasional sorties away from the main book when the group leader or a member is disappointed at the absence of some favourite. The literary and historical context of each poem can be explored, dependent on the limits of our knowledge!
Potential group members will need a copy of this the magnificent anthology (it’s a very large paperback!) – in the version edited by Paul Keegan.

Bird Watching
2026-02-25 10:00 - 16:00
We go to places in East Anglia where we expect (or hope) to see and watch interesting birds and increase our ability to identify and appreciate them.
Outings usually last half to three-quarters of a day.
Members travel by car and lift sharing is encouraged.
Appropriate clothing for the weather is needed, and a pair of binoculars are helpful. At times conditions underfoot are uneven/slippery/boggy and we do some walking and a fair bit of standing around but are glad to use hides where available.
Browse through a selection of our Birds seen here

Family History
2026-02-25 11:30 - 12:30 | The Fox Inn, 1, Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XX, United Kingdom
Did an ancestor serve time for embezzlement? Was another transported to Australia for stealing a piano? Were there bigamists in the family? I love the baddies : there is always so much more written about them than the good, honest ag. labs. who were born, married and died leaving no other record of their lives.
We are a mixed group, from those with more than 30 years experience to those who have yet to begin. If you have ever wondered about your ancestors this is the group for you. We would love to help you get started.
We also like to try to break through those ‘Brick Walls’; we have sometimes had great success with this.
We are open to suggestions for topics for discussion.
We usually stay for lunch as the Fox Inn doesn’t make a charge.

Cribbage
2026-02-25 12:00 - 15:00 | The Manger, The Street, Bradfield Combust, IP30 0LW
Meet up, have a coffee, play several hands of crib (cards and boards provided), have lunch and then go home.
Games can comprise of 2, 3 or 4 players.
We are a convivial group of people who enjoy playing Crib, with life stories to tell/ exchange.
The morning starts with coffee before playing groups sort themselves out, arranging in tables of 3 or 4 players.
Play is much fun and very lively, interrupted only by ample lunch served in quality and quantity.
Never had a dull session yet.
When we meet: 12 noon on Wednesdays, fortnightly. (Please contact me for actual dates)

Italian Conversation 2
2026-02-26 10:00 - 11:30
Small group of Italy-lovers who meet to improve their Italian.
As a life-time Italian resident and teacher I am willing to instruct and guide others to achieve a working knowledge of Italian in a spirit of light-heartedness.
Members must have basic Italian – it’s not a beginners class.
Group meets at the Group Leader’s house with the option for members to take turns at hosting.

Opera Group
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Group Organiser’s Home, Horringer, United Kingdom
Perhaps you know that “It’s not over until the fat lady sings”. You may remember Pavarotti singing Nessun Dorma at the 1990 FIFA World Cup in Italy, or have heard the Toreador song from Carmen.
If you want to explore the world of opera, you don’t have to be an expert; this is a group for anyone who has an interest in the glorious music and would like to know more.
We usually look at one opera, perhaps watching DVD excerpts, and discussing the history of the piece, over a couple of hours.

Bridge
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
We are a friendly mixed ability group with about 40 people attending each week. We can accommodate a few more people and you do not need to bring a partner as you will always get a game. We meet upstairs at The Apex.
There is no charge but members are encouraged to buy a drink from The Apex Coffee Shop.

Crime & Justice
2026-02-26 10:00 - 12:00 | Oakes Barn, St Andrew's St South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, United Kingdom
Through weekly discussions, we explore and debate aspects of policy and practice concerning crime and justice, but we do so with a light touch. This a really contemporary subject area attracting a range of diverse opinions informed by the group’s own interests. Some guest speakers may be introduced for more specialised areas. Topics of interest would include: Why do people commit crime; Does Prison Work; What is justice and who is entitled to it; What do the police do; Is the criminal justice system effective?
There is no payment required to attend this group, but the venue ask that we buy a coffee or a snack to cover their costs.
Please contact Mark, the group organiser, to confirm dates (Login required).

Walking Too
2026-02-26 10:00 - 13:00
Our Group members take it in turns to plan and lead walks which are approx 6 miles in length starting at 10.00. Lunch follows each walk (arranged by the walk leader), generally at a local pub.
Our walks are usually circular – starting and ending at or near the pub designated for lunch – however, members are welcome to plan linear walks when possession of a bus pass might come in handy!
Driving is necessary so we encourage car sharing.

German Conversation and Reading
2026-02-26 10:45 - 12:45 | All Saints Church, Park Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3QW
The group’s focus is to share members’ interests in the culture of German speaking countries, alongside discussing and enjoying the finer details of the language, whilst advancing our speaking skills.
This is a conversation and reading group rather than a teaching group and members should have a good knowledge of German, with experience of actually speaking the language, as well as enthusiasm to participate in discussions, and so, unfortunately, would not be suitable for beginners.
Our meeting includes:
German conversation – a lively mix of sharing our news or interests, sometimes a presentation about the arts, history or a biography, quick quizzes, word games & jokes.
We also have a chosen book, which we read aloud for pronunciation practice and discussion.

French Culture et Société
2026-02-26 11:00 - 12:30 | The Bushell, St Johns Street, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SN, United Kingdom
We are an advanced level French group for reading, writing and discussions.
We meet weekly on Thursdays, 11.00am to 12.30

Theatre Group
2026-02-26 14:00 - 16:00 | Horringer Community Centre, The Street, Horringer, Bury St Edmunds, IP29 5RU
Meetings for members take place around 5 times a year at Horringer Community Centre at 14.00.

Racketball
2026-02-26 14:10 - 15:30 | Moreton Hall Health Club
A great way to exercise with like-minded people, Racketball is played indoors, on a squash court, so the weather need not keep you away.
You do not need to have your own equipment as English Squash and Racketball have supported us in the development of this Group and provided all we need. All you need is your own sportswear!
There is a limit to the number of possible players per session and our numbers can vary. Unfortunately, we cannot take new members as we have access to only one court at this time
Cost-£3.00/session

Spanish Conversation
2026-02-27 11:30 - 12:30 | Abbeygate Cinema, Hatter Street, IP33 1LZ
We are a Spanish conversation group, with the aim of discussing a wide range of topics, rather than formal structured learning, so the ability to converse in Spanish is desirable, with experience of actually speaking the language, as well as enthusiasm to participate in discussions, and so unfortunately it would not be appropriate for beginners.
We meet every Friday from 11:30 to 12:30 at the Abbeygate Cinema. We sit in a niche at the far end of the restaurant.

Bowls (Indoor Bowls)
2026-02-27 13:30 - 15:30 | Risbygate Sports Club, Westley Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RR
u3a members can bowl indoors on Fridays from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The sessions need to be pre-booked and will cost £5/player. The use of club bowls is included in the fee. The indoor bowling season is mainly from September to March. Lawn (outdoor) bowling (see separate entry) is from mid-April to mid September.
Members do not need any experience. Flat shoes are essential. Some experienced bowlers and/or coaches will be on hand to offer advice and assistance. Free parking and café facilities are available at the club.
If players eventually wish to play more regularly than Friday afternoon sessions, they can join the Indoor bowling section of the club (includes outdoor bowling) and take part in a variety of other sessions. There are friendly roll-ups for Risbygate members most days which are available on a turn-up and play basis.

Please contact group co-ordinators, Christina & Michael, for more information and to book these sessions.
