Music for All Ages
2023-01-12 10:00 - 12:30 (Europe/London)
A group for music enthusiasts!
The aim of the group(s) is to provide a relaxed environment for music enthusiasts to share their passion and knowledge with other group members in a sociable way. Inevitably members are introduced to music/artists they will not have heard before and expands their musical horizons.
Members meet monthly at the group leader’s house to listen to music for a couple of hours or so with a break for tea/coffee and discussion. The music is selected by the group members based on a theme which members choose in turn. The scope is almost limitless but examples might be:
· Favourite female singers
· Songs released in the ’70s
· Colours
· Film & TV
· Cover versions
· Towns & Cities
I then create a playlist of the music selections in advance of meetings in order to play them on the day. The music selected is generally modern but has included classical, jazz etc.
There are currently three groups which have reached capacity but if you are interested in joining a group please contact me (group leader) as I maintain a reserve list and will consider setting up a fourth group if there is sufficient interest.

Italian Conversation
2023-01-17 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.
We are currently open to new members.

Craft Group
2023-01-24 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
We have space for members to join us

Spanish Conversation
2023-01-27 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.

Photography
2023-02-16 14:30 - 16:30 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
Open to all levels of experience. The desire to improve your photography skills could range from the desire to capture memories through to learning more artistic or creative techniques.
Are you interested to learn along side each other or have an interest in a particular form of photography, whether it be for your holidays snaps, or landscape, portrait, family occasions, animals, pets, wildlife, insects, buildings, objects, flowers, street, sport, black & white, macro, or just to feel more confident taking photos?
Come along regardless of the type of camera you have whether it is on your mobile phone, instant, bridge or SLR camera.
There is no expectation that anyone is an expert who has to teach the others, the philosophy behind u3a is that we learn from each other – and preferably have fun too.
New members with any level of experience are welcome.
There is a small cost to each member to cover the cost of the room hire at £10 per 3-month term (£3.33/month).
Browse through a selection of our members photos with our newly created viewing platform
Plus a field trip once a month – usually the first Thursday of the month. Please contact the Group Leader for details.
New members are welcome to come along and check us out at at no cost.

Book Group 5
2023-03-28 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!
The group is currently full, if interested please contact the group organiser to be added to the waiting list. You can also add your name for a potential new book group – click here Joining an Interest Group | u3a Bury St Edmunds

Italian Conversation 2
2023-04-27 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.
Open to new members
Thursday morning from 10.00 till 11.30am.
Group meet’s at the Group Leader’s house with the option to take turns at hosting these lessons at members houses.

Philosophy for All Group 2
2023-05-18 14:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
The philosophy groups focus on the turning points in Western Philosophy from its rise in Ancient Greece to the Present Day. We also work on the assumption that there are branches of philosophy and we try to think about these in turn. We have recently started to think about comparing Western and Eastern philosophy. We use a variety of books. One recent book we have used is: Life – A User’s Manual: Life Advice from the Great Philosophers, by Julian Baggini, Penguin, 2020. The current group text book is 50 Philosophy Classics, Tom Butler-Bowden, NB Publishing, 2022. Prospective members should buy this book.
We have space for more members.
For more details please contact Peter the group leader.

Creative Writing
2023-08-10 10:00 - 12:00 | Edmundo Lounge, 28 Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1DY
Writing and story-telling have played different roles in our lives, but we share a common love of words and stories, and a wish to improve our writing abilities.
We have capacity to take on new members.
Please contact Kate, the group leader for details.
Information for prospective members:
Writing is a solitary activity but telling your stories requires an audience. Each month we agree on a writing prompt, and over the following weeks we write a story of some 1500 words (just a guideline, not a requirement) to read to other members. Do we laugh or gasp at the right moments? Can we suggest a word or phrase that better conveys your intention?
Together we get better at expressing our thoughts and finding our own voices.
If you are already working on a writing project and would like to bring chapters along to try out, that is also encouraged.
Each year Let’s Talk Suffolk magazine runs a short story competition to select the stories that will appear in the magazine over the next 12 months. This year, three members of the Creative Writing Group have had stories chosen for publication. Congratulations to Eunice Roberts, Susan Daniels, and Kate King.

Monday Walking
2023-09-04 10:00 - 12:00
The exercise of a walk on Monday mornings in friendly company is a great way to start your week!
The walks vary in length, approx 4 to 6 miles and start at 10 am, typically finishing around 12.15
Members of the group volunteer to lead walks and mention points of interest in the countryside, historic buildings, etc.
When do we meet? First and third Monday mornings of the month (not July and August).
Please contact the group leader if you are interested in joining the group.

English Medieval Literature
2023-09-05 14:00 - 16:00 | Oakes Barn, St Andrew's St South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, United Kingdom
The English Medieval Literature group (previously Chaucer Group).
After completing our reading of Beowulf we’ve spent an interesting year expanding our knowledge of Anglo-Saxon poetry and Anglo-Saxon life in general with help from Kevin Crossley-Holland’s The Anglo-Saxon World. Readings have ranged from the Battle of Maldon, which ends frustratingly on a cliff-hanger (it turns out we lost) to the Dream of the Rood, a highly sophisticated blend of Christian and Pagan thought and from the Laws of Wihtred (including the gory details of Trial by Ordeal to the Passion of St Edmund).
In September we’ll be returning to the fourteenth century, embarking on Simon Armitage’s translation of Gawain and the Green Knight.
We are currently full, but please email the group leader to be added to the waiting list.

Opera Group
2023-09-28 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.
Unfortunately we are now full and have a waiting list; if you would be interested in adding your name to the waiting list or finding out more, contact group leader Alan Budd.
Alternatively, waiting list members could start a new Group – please fill in the form, section 1 https://www.u3aburystedmunds.co.uk/joining-a-group/

Cribbage Tuesday Group
2024-03-12 12:30 - 16:00 | The Fox Inn, 1, Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XX, United Kingdom
An oversubscription of this popular interest group triggered the creation of this new Cribbage: Tuesday group
Although now at a different venue, we follow a similar format. organising into groups of 2,3 or 4 to play rounds of cribbage over good food with friendly people. Boards are provided. All are welcome whether novice or veteran.
Please contact the organiser to confirm dates and availability.

Italian Beginners Conversation
2024-05-14 14:00 - 15:30 | Oakes Barn, St Andrew's St South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, United Kingdom
A beginners Italian conversation group hoping to develop our verbal language skills by discussing, in Italian, various topics and scenarios in an informal and fun way. As we will learn both with and from each other, this group is suitable for the absolute beginner as well as those with a smattering of Italian.
The group is currently full, please email the group organiser to be added to the waiting list.

Cryptic Crosswords
2024-06-24 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. Please contact the organiser if you would like to join us.

Suffolk Churches and Villages - Group 2
2024-07-18 11:00 - 13:30
We normally meet on the Third Thursday of each month (except December) in the morning mostly at 11.00am – but occasionally this has to be changed due to availability of venues or clashes of events.
Members make their own way to the selected Church or village when a talk and tour with a local guide is generally organised.
Coffee is usually arranged and a venue for lunch is suggested for those who wish to stay on.
As a new group we have space for new members, please contact the group organiser for further details.

Scrabble
2024-08-12 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.

Pickleball
2024-09-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Skyliner Sports Centre, Rougham Tower Avenue, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32, United Kingdom
We are a small and friendly group aged between 50 -80 years who enjoy playing pickleball.
We play pickleball indoors at Skyliner on badminton courts. Players hit a light plastic ball across a net which is similar in height to a tennis net using light weight paddles roughly double the size of table tennis bats. We play doubles and try to ensure that we always change partners for the next game.
Bats and balls are provided but you are welcome to bring your own bat.
A one hour session currently costs £3.
We are full but have a waiting list. If you are interested please email Pam for further information.

Lunch Group 1
2024-09-24 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.
The group is now full please contact the group organiser to be added to the wait list.

Crime & Justice
2024-09-26 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).

Members On Their Own (MOTO)
2024-10-12 10:30 - 12:00 | Oakes Barn, St Andrew's St South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, United Kingdom
The MOTO group is for all u3a in Bury St Edmunds members who don’t live with a partner, single, widowed or divorced, to get together to make new friends and enjoy a variety of activities in company with others.
How the group works: All group members will be encouraged to arrange activities for the group – these could be meeting for coffee and a chat, walks, lunches or other activities.
So far we have arranged a trip to Newmarket races, a night at the opera in the cathedral, two theatre visits and regular Sunday pub lunches.
This group currently has space for new members , please contact the co-ordinator for further information.

German Conversation and Reading
2024-10-31 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.

Canasta Group 2
2025-01-06 13:45 - 16:30 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
Canasta originated in Montevideo, Uruguay in 1939.
Initially, you make melds of 3 cards of the same value which you build on to make a Canasta (7 cards). Cards have different values according to their face value. The purpose of the game is to reach 5,000 points. The more points you score, the more card values you need to put in an initial meld – in other words, you are handicapped. This is what makes the game interesting.
I have a copy of the Canasta card game that we would follow because I know that there are several different ways to play.
Beginners and new members are always welcome.

Archers Appreciation Group
2025-01-15 10:00 - 11:30 | Member’s Home
We are a friendly social group bonding over a Radio 4 programme woven into British culture for 75 years and which continues in popularity.
There are an abundance of storylines and topics discussed in our coffee morning style format. We laugh, speculate about plot lines and characters. We share our experiences where themes from the programme overlap our lived experience.
We are currently fully subscribed. A waiting list will be maintained.

Dementia Carers - Monthly Walk
2025-01-28 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.

Dementia Carers
2025-02-11 10:00 - 13:00 | Bay Tree Cafe, 11 St Johns Road, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SQ, United Kingdom
We are a recently formed mutual support group for family carers who are looking after someone living with dementia.
We meet on the second Tuesday of each month at 10am , upstairs in the Bay Tree cafe at 11, St John Street. Our meetings provide information with short talks from experts and providers, as well as providing an opportunity to exchange information and provide mutual support.

Lunch Group 2
2025-05-20 12:30 - 14:00
A second Lunch Group has been set up for people who enjoy socialising and eating!
We plan to visit venues in Bury St Edmunds and its surrounding areas, not too far out of town. We may car share to some venues.
Locations of meetings will be notified to group members.
The group is now full please contact Jill to be added to the wait list.

Angel Book Group
2025-08-06 13:30 - 15:30 | Oakes Barn, St Andrew's St South, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3PH, United Kingdom
With a shared obsession and love of reading, we are a small group who thoroughly enjoy discussing a diverse range of books. We have no set genre.
One of the joys we find of being in a book group is reading books we wouldn’t necessarily choose.
The Angel Book Group is now full. Should anyone like to be added to the waiting list then they should email Desme directly to be added to the waiting list.

Petanque
2025-08-07 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.
New members still welcome. Please contact group leader, Sue, for more information.

Bridge
2025-08-14 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.
