u3a Bury St Edmunds

Canasta Group 2
2026-01-19 13:45 - 16:30 (Europe/London) | 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.

Medieval England 12th to 14th Century - Group 2
2026-01-19 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.

Current Affairs
2026-01-19 14:00 - 16:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
Passion, argument, disagreements (politely), differences of opinion, fun and most of all laughter.
These are a few of the ways we express ourselves in discussing the issues of the day when we meet for a couple of hours each month. This is democracy at its local level, agreeing to disagree, debating the topics of the day and learning from opposite points of view.
As well as current news we often make time to introduce larger topics e.g., climate change, constitutional issues and world news that affects us all.

Scrabble
2026-01-19 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)
2026-01-19 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
2026-01-19 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-01-22 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.

Monthly Talk - The story of climbing Denali, the highest point in North America
2026-01-20 10:30 - 11:30 | The Apex, Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3FD, United Kingdom
In 2023 we enjoyed the wonderful story of climbing Everest from Amanda Richmond. With both Everest and Kilimanjaro ‘under her belt’, Amanda wondered if the Seven Summits (the highest point on each continent) were within her grasp. Amanda then climbed Denali in 2017 and this is her story of the ascent.
Denali in Alaska is the highest point in North America. Although only 6190m in height, it is super-tricky, mainly because of the difficulty of predicting cold, wind and snow. Denali is probably the most strenuous of the Seven Summits. It requires that climbers know advanced glacier skills, rope team travel, and involves heavier load carries.

Lunch Group 2
2026-01-20 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.

Italian Conversation
2026-01-20 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.

Archers Appreciation Group
2026-01-21 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.

Cribbage
2026-01-21 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)

The Other Wine Group
2026-01-21 16:00 - 18:00 | Member’s Home
Due to popular demand a second Wine Appreciation Interest Group has started.
We have capped the group at 12-13 to allow everyone to be involved and contribute in the discussions during the tastings.
We sample wines from the primary styles of wine to the more unusual from the top wine producing countries to the lesser known from around the world.
We sample 6-7 wines each month. We take turns to volunteer (optional) to research and bring the wine one month and guidance on groups of wine to sample can be provided.
All costs are shared, and we each pay £12 per head covering the cost of wines.

Italian Conversation 2
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-22 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

Racketball
2026-01-22 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
2026-01-23 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)
2026-01-23 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.

Recorder Consort
2026-01-23 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!

Badminton
2026-01-23 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
2026-01-23 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 The Skyliner Sports Centre 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.

Philosophy for All Group 1
2026-01-26 09:45 - 12:00 | Thomas Clarkson Centre, Hospital Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3JT
The group has been discussing issues in philosophy for over two years.
Some members have followed Bryan Magee’s excellent The Story of Philosophy. However, this book does not cover the most recent phase of the English language and European philosophy, so the newly constituted group is starting to explore these recent ideas and hoping to find a book that will help us with focus and detail. Our own ideas are always in view.

Chess
2026-01-26 10:00 - 12:00 | 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
2026-01-26 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
2026-01-26 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.
