u3a Bury St Edmunds

Book Group 2
2026-03-09 10:00 - 12:00 (Europe/London) | JD Wetherspoons, The Corn Exchange, Bury St. Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1LG, United Kingdom
Our Group members decide on a range of books that they would like to read and discuss over the coming months. This results in a wide and enjoyable selection.

Art Appreciation
2026-03-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Moreton Hall Community Centre, Symonds Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP32, United Kingdom
We are a friendly and enthusiastic group of art lovers who discuss and study all aspects of the history and appreciation of art. Our meetings vary from talks by group members, studio visits to local artists, trips to art exhibitions, and occasionally an outside speaker. Our trips can usually include lunch or coffee, so we are able to meet socially outside the meetings.
The atmosphere is very informal, so people who are keen to learn are as welcome as those who have some background knowledge.
We meet at The Moreton Hall Community Centre where there is plenty of parking.

Chess
2026-03-09 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
2026-03-09 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.

Medieval England 12th to 14th Century - Group 1
2026-03-09 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.

Scrabble
2026-03-09 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)
2026-03-09 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
2026-03-09 15:00 - 17:30, 2026-03-12 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.

Craft Group
2026-03-10 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
2026-03-10 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.

Dementia Carers
2026-03-10 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.

Book Group 1
2026-03-10 10:30 - 12:00 | 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
2026-03-10 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.

Cribbage Tuesday Group
2026-03-10 12:30 - 16:00 | The Fox Inn, 1, Eastgate Street, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 1XX, United Kingdom
An oversubscription of the popular Cribbage 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.

Italian Conversation
2026-03-10 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.

Italian Beginners Conversation
2026-03-10 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.

Poetry Reading
2026-03-10 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.)

The British Isles: Poetry and History
2026-03-11 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
2026-03-11 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

Cribbage
2026-03-11 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)

Art History
2026-03-11 14:15 - 16:00 | 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.

Italian Conversation 2
2026-03-12 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.

Bridge
2026-03-12 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
2026-03-12 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.
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
2026-03-12 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.

German Conversation and Reading
2026-03-12 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
2026-03-12 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
2026-03-12 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

General Quiz
2026-03-13 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.
