Book Group 1
2025-09-09 10:30 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | St John’s Centre, The Centre, St John’s Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1SN, United Kingdom
Our aim is to promote friendship by reading a wide range of books from the classics to contemporary fiction.

Government and Politics
2025-09-09 11:00 - 12:30 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
We are a lively and participative group with members offering to lead discussions on a range of issues.
From our pre-Referendum start in 2016, our lively and participative group has discussed a wide range of policy issues and the current and future Government and political implications arising.
In recent times, we have extended our discussions of international issues such as Ukraine and Israel/Palestine, focussed on the Economy and Defence, and held annual meetings with West Suffolk Council. We are due to discuss Identity cards and the NHS.
We aim to report a summary to the wider u3a membership through the newsletter and continue to circulate opinion pieces within the group.

Medieval England 12th to 14th Century - Group 2
2025-09-15 14:00 - 15:30 | Risbygate Sports Club, Westley Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3RR
The course will cover English Medieval History from the reign of Henry 11 ( 1154- 1189) to Edward 11 ( 1307-27).
This covers events & developments of key importance right up to the present – the foundation of the English legal system, Magna Carta, & the English Parliament.
We will of course compare the achievements & failures of each monarch. For example, was King John ( 1199-1216) the worst king in English History?
In addition, we will cover the role of women, including the medieval ideal of womanhood. In similar mode we will look at William Marshal ( d. 1219) as the Ideal knight.
This will lead to a study of medieval Chivalry.

Monthly Talk - My Military Flying Career
2025-09-16 10:30 - 11:30 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
This month we welcome retired Wing Commander Adrian Childs; a man who has truly seen the world during his exciting career as a fighter pilot, with operational tours on Lightning, Phantom and Tornado aircraft. Soon after gaining his Wings in 1967, he set off for Cyprus. The mid-seventies found Adrian in New Brunswick, Canada, returning later to Scotland and thence to Germany. Back in the UK Adrian was delighted to fly in the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight Hurricane and Spitfire. But yet more travel beckoned, now with several years based in Malaysia. In retirement, he joined the RAF Volunteer reserve training young air cadets. Adrian’s fascinating talk includes many photographs and video clips taken during his tours of duty.

Greek Classical Literature
2025-09-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Quaker Meeting House, St Johns Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, United Kingdom
Western theatre has its roots in the theatre of Ancient Greece. Written over 2,000 years ago, the Tragedies deal with the big themes of love, loss, pride, power, and the relationship between man and the gods.
We read and discuss the plays and share any information we discover from other sources.
We are currently reading Ted Hughes’ translation of the Oresteia by Aeschylus
We meet at 10am on the 3rd Thursday of the month in the Margaret Kemp Room at the Quaker Meeting House.

English History
2025-09-24 14:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Spaul Room, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
We are looking at the era of English History 1714 – 1914 covering the Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian periods. Exploring subjects such as Arts and Culture, Notable People, Government, Law and Order and Science and Industry.
Topics are chosen by those group members who wish to present a topic, with group discussion encouraged.
There is limited availability for new joiners, please contact Maggie by email (log on required for contact details)

Teatime Talk - Care4Calais
2025-09-25 13:45 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
Jane Basham, former CEO of two East Anglia community organisations, will talk about her experience as a volunteer with Care4Calaiswhich supports refugees. Jane will collect donations of clothing and other items on the day.
The Teatime Talk will take place on Thursday 25 September 2025 at 1.45pm at the Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3JT
Contact David Dawson for further details if you would like to come or make a donation (Login required)

Bowls (Indoor Bowls)
2025-10-10 13:30 - 15:30, 2025-11-14 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.

A Further Wine Interest Group
2025-10-16 17:00 - 18:30 | Member’s Home
Due to ongoing popular demand, a third Wine Appreciation Interest Group has started.
This group is capped at 10 due to it being hosted at a member’s home and to allow everyone to be involved and participate in the discussions during the tastings.
We will sample 6 wines each month, with group members taking it in turn to select, research and bring the wine for the monthly tasting.
Members will each bring their own tasting glasses, and all costs are shared with a cap of £12 per head each month to cover the cost of the wines.

Monthly Talk - Just What Can The Media Say About You?
2025-10-21 10:30 - 11:30 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
What right have we all to a private life in 2025? The media can be seen as intrusive and destructive, but how far in law are they permitted to go? Award-winning editor Ian Murray calls on 45-years of newsroom experience to explore and explain what is and what is not permissible to report through examples of famous names who have found themselves in the eye of the storm. How fashion icons, sports stars, politicians, royalty and celebrities have fought for their and our privacy to be respected. And from Phillip Schofield to Sir Cliff Richard the battles are far from over.
At 25 Ian was considered to be the youngest newspaper editor in Britain. He occupied the editor’s chair of several daily and weekly publications in the UK’s regional press. He is a former vice-chair of the UK’s Defence and Security Media Advisor Committee (‘D-Notice Committee’) as well as being a founding member of the UK Government’s Committee for the Safety of Journalists.

Teatime Talk - Mods and Rockers - a moral panic
2025-10-30 13:45 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Fursland Room, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
A talk by Jack Fawbert
Please contact David Dawson (Login required) if you would like join us.

Trip - VISIT TO DELAPRÉ ABBEY AND 78 DERNGATE IN NORTHAMPTON
2025-11-05
Final outing of 2025 to Delapré Abbey and 78 Derngate in Northampton.

Please note this trip is SOLD OUT and there is a long wait list.
Full details are available via this link.

French for Beginners
2025-11-10 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.

Bird Watching
2025-11-12 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
New members with any level of experience are welcome, however, although we are full and with a short waiting list, in practice we continue to admit new members, as attendance is variable. If you would like to join please contact the Group Leader in the first instance so that we can confirm there is space for you to join us on an outing.

Cribbage
2025-11-12 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.
This group is now full. If you would like to be added to the waiting list please email the Group Leader.
When we meet: 12 noon on Wednesdays, fortnightly. (Please contact me for actual dates)

Art History
2025-11-12 14:15 | Tudor Kitchen at The Guildhall, 79 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1NX
We look at all aspects of painting, sculpture etc and the history behind it. We present a topic and then discuss it during the meeting. There is always a lively discussion in which you are welcome to participate or simply sit back and enjoy.
The group meets once a month on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at the Tudor Kitchen at the Guildhall.
This group is now full but if you would like to go on a waiting list then please contact the group leader.

Italian Conversation 2
2025-11-13 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.

Bridge
2025-11-13 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.

Creative Writing
2025-11-13 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.

Music for All Ages
2025-11-13 10:00 - 12:30
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.

German Conversation and Reading
2025-11-13 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
2025-11-13 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.
The group is currently full with a waiting list.
We meet weekly on Thursdays, 11.00am to 12.30

Racketball
2025-11-13 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. Please send an email to the group leader if you would like to join us.
Cost-£3.00/session
Unfortunately, we cannot take new members as we have access to only one court at this time and do already have a waiting list.

Petanque
2025-11-13 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.

General Quiz
2025-11-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Oddfellows Hall, Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1NX, United Kingdom
This is a very sociable group which meets every month.
Ordinarily, you work in a small team. No prizes. No losers. Just light-hearted sociable fun with 10 rounds of quickfire questions and answers.
98% of all questions are answered by someone so don’t be shy; come and check us out.
If you’ve got the answers to most of the questions and you’ve had fun then I’ve done my job.
The quiz format has been changed somewhat, so you should see some improvements, it’s still all fairly light-hearted fun!
Please be sure to allow time to buy a drink before we start at 10am.
We meet at the Oddfellows Hall, on Whiting Street, Refreshments available. Admission is free although we do ask for a voluntary donation to Parkinsons UK.

Spanish Conversation
2025-11-14 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.

Recorder Consort
2025-11-14 14:00 - 16:00 | Culford Village Hall, Culford, Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6DN
Usually, a recorder consort features playing pieces in four parts – descant/soprano; treble/alto; tenor; bass – but more or fewer instruments are often used and the most fun is to be gained by being able to play all of the instruments. Learning to handle recorders is not usually a problem for adults and it is a matter of learning where the notes are from fingering charts and practising how to co-ordinate breathing, tongueing and fingering. In this group a few members play more than one instrument.
Music can be supplied and can be taken away for practise between sessions. Your own recorder and music stand would be needed. Plastic instruments can be purchased inexpensively.
Recorder consort playing demands fairly good sight reading skills so a familiarity with music notation is necessary before you consider joining this group but you don’t need to be an expert to join in!
The Recorder Group has almost reached maximum capacity for the time being but we are happy to hear from anyone who would like to be put on the waiting list. Please also email secretary@u3aburystedmunds.co.uk where you can be added to a list for a second group.

Badminton
2025-11-14 14:15 - 15:45 | Abbeycroft Leisure Centre, Beetons Way, Bury Saint Edmunds, IP33 3TT
Maybe you used to play badminton many moons ago and feel you would like the chance to take it up again.
You do not need to be county standard as the emphasis is on enjoyable social sport.
We meet at the Abbeycroft Leisure Centre on Friday afternoons where four courts are available to us. In a typical session, we have 16-20 players.

Pickleball
2025-11-14 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.
