Our Groups

Our groups are listed below. Full details of group location and contact details are available upon joining Cheltenham U3A.


Group Details Time
1
2Ambling
By arrangement
3American Art
2nd Wed 10 - 12p.m
4Art 1
1st & 3rd Fri 9:45am
5Art 2
Every Tues 2p.m
6Art 2
every Tuesday at 2 pm
7Art Appreciation
3rd Tues 2.30
8BadmintonThe group meets weekly. Sessions are run on 3 pre booked courts, starting with 10 minutes stretching warm up exercises then play, changing partners after each game. Ability is from beginners upwards.Every Wed 9:00am
9Ballroom Dancing
Every Wednesday 2p.m-3p.m
10BiographyMembers take it in turns to present a biography of any subject from any angle. We take about 8 people a year so your turn will not come up too often! Presentations often lead to lively discussion. New members welcome.2nd Mon 10:30am
11BirdingWe visit bird watching areas, which could be anywhere, and learn about the species that we see, using field guides. We often visit local areas for a morning’s walk, but sometimes go further afield and have either a picnic or pub lunch 2nd Wed 10:00am
12Board & Card GamesThe group researches and plays board and card games, ancient and modern, for two or more players. Preference is given to skill-based games rather than chance-based games. New members are always welcome.1st & 3rd Thu 2:00pm
13Book Club 1A very friendly and informal group. We read a wide variety of books, both fiction and non-fiction, contemporary and traditional. Books are selected by the members and one book is presented and discussed at each meeting.2nd Tue 10:30am
14Book Club 2
3rd Thu 2:30pm
15Book Club 3We generally choose modern authors, mostly novels and read a book a month to discuss at the meeting. The library is the main source to keep costs to a minimum.1st Mon 10:30am
16Book Group 4
4th Thurs 2.30-4p.m
17BotanisingWe go out for field trips, mostly to local spots, in search of interesting and beautiful plant life, taking our flower books to try to identify what we find.Tue am by arrangement
18Bridge (mixed ability)The group play duplicate bridge in a friendly atmosphere; tuition if required is given by an English Bridge Union teacher.Every Wed 2:00pm
19Bridge 1This is a social group which regularly play Chicago Bridge together.2nd & 4th Sat 1:15pm
20Bridge 2Bridge for players with some experience. A friendly atmosphere. We are constantly trying to improve our skills!Every Mon 1:30pm
21Bridge for Beginners 1
Mon 10:00am
22Bridge for Beginners 2
Alternate Mon 2:30pm
23Bridge Improvers
Every Tue 1:30pm
24Bridge Improvers 2meet at Christchurch Malvern Road (Harwood Hall)Every Friday 2p.m
25Bridge, SocialA group for those who wish to play bridge in a social atmosphere.Mon 1:15pm
26Card Making
By arrangement
27Chamber MusicWe listen to and discuss chamber music, largely by composers from the 18th to 20th centuries. Members of the group (if and when they wish!) bring their own CDs and give short introductions to their music. In this way we have a very varied programme.4th Wed 10:30am
28ChoirA friendly group who enjoy singing together, and singing to senior groups.Every Mon 2:15pm
29Computers beginnersA series of 4, weekly lessons with the aim of teaching ‘non computer literate’ members to use a computer. The course is tailored to each student’s needs by his/her individual tutor.Mon 2:00pm
30Concert PartyWe are a friendly group - we enjoy entertaining older people around the county.1st & 3rd Mon 4:00pm
31Cookery 1Small groups, meeting monthly in members' homes in rotation, to enjoy a lunch prepared by the members and to discuss cookery techniques, share recipes and learn about unfamiliar ingredients as well as enjoy general conversation.By arrangement
32Cookery 2We attend cookery demonstrations and have a light lunch afterwards.by arrangement
33Crime Book ClubThe aim is to read books by as many different authors as possible, and to see crime films and plays.By arrangement
34Current Affairs
2nd Thursday 10a.m - 12p.m
35Dancercise
Every Fri 10:30am
36Digital Photography
By arrangement
37Early Authors in TranslationThe Greeks and Romans had a lot to say about life, living, history, politics, philosophy and science. And, of course, their literature is often profound, relevant and beautiful. 1st & 3rd Tue
38Economic TheoryThis newly formed group is initially looking at the particular aspects of economic theory as taught in schools or to business students and will then use this knowledge to analyse and discuss topical issues of economic policy.Mon, every 3 weeks
39English Country DancingMembers of the group are taught a selection of dances each week with tea provided half way through. All are welcome.3rd & 5th Fri 2:00pm
40Family & Social History
3rd & 4th Wed 2:00pm
41French BeginnersThe group covers basic conversational French with additional basic grammar. There is a lot of enjoyment and plenty of room for all.2nd & 4th Wed 10:00am
42French Book GroupThis group reads books in French and discusses them in French. It meets about once every 6 weeks to allow books to be read.1st Thursday 3.30p.m
43French ConversationThe group meets for practice of conversational French, discussing subjects offered by group members, and correction of inaccuracies in the use of the language.2 Weds per month 10:00am
44French IntermediateA fun, self help group whose aim is to expand and practise French vocabulary through conversation.Alternate Weds 2:30pm
45French Starters
1st & 3rd Wednesday 10.00 - 12.00
46Garden Visits
By arrangement
47Gardeners
1st Tue 10:15am
48Genealogy
By arrangement
49German Conversation
2nd & 4th Thursday 10.30a.m
50Handbell RingingWe teach and develop the art of handbell ringing so that the group can function as a team and give concerts when requested.Tue 2:30pm
51History from Primary SourcesThe group studies the lives of individuals, well known and less well known and the times they lived in, from letters diaries etc.2nd Mon 10:00am
52Italian AvanzandoThe group started its studies two years ago and now practices and learns with some grammar, ‘prep’ and games1st & 3rd Wed 2:00pm
53Italian Beginners 1
1st & 3rd Thu 10:30am
54Italian Beginners 2
1st & 3rd Wed 10:30am
55Italian for ConversationReading, translating and recounting for members who have studied all the basic grammar of the language.1st & 3rd Wed 10:30am
56Jazz/Swing Musicians Jam Session
1st & 3rd Mon 1.30p.m
57Latin
1st & 3rd Mon 10:00am
58Latin 2
1st & 3rd Monday 10a.m - 12p.m
59Literature and SocietyDoes literature affect or reflect society, or does society affect or reflect literature?1st Thu 10:00am
60Literature ReadingsWe choose our subject and all arrive with our 2 chosen readings of poetry or prose. Subjects are likely to include Love, Money, Spring, Autumn, a specific country, animals, childhood, friendship. 3rd Wed 2.15p.m
61Local History & ArchæologyThe group programme includes talks and discussions on subjects connected with the recent and not so recent history of Cheltenham and the surrounding area.2nd Thu 10:30am
62Mah Jong
2nd & 4th Wed 2p.m
63Modern HistoryThe group studies the political, military, social, philosophical and cultural aspects of the major events and periods of the last 250 years of world history. Members take their turn to give a talk/presentation and lead subsequent discussion.1st Tue 2:30pm
64Music Appreciation 1The group covers Classical music in the widest sense, and listens to LP, cassette or CD from Purcell up to music of the present day.2nd Thu 2:00pm
65Music Appreciation 2We have a structured music programme, either single composer or other themes such as various instruments. After listening to the music there is either a talk or discussion. Members may participate at their own choice.2nd Wed 10:15am
66Music Appreciation 3Discussion and introduction from the piano of composer's work in one genre eg. Beethoven Sonatas, Haydn Trios.2nd & 4th Wed 2:30pm
67Music Study
1st & 3rd Mon 2:30pm
68Out For Lunch
3rd Tue 12:30pm
69Philosophy 1
3rd Wed 10:15am
70Philosophy 2The group meet to discuss philosophical ideas and to study the great philosophers in chronological order. Some reading is required by members although no previous knowledge is necessary.1st Tue 10:00am
71Piano DuetsWe meet to play members’ choices of music to suit their taste and ability. We aim to enjoy playing what we know, to get to know a wider range of music and benefit from practice. Diffident and confident players are equally welcome!2nd & 4th Wed 2:30pm
72Play Reading 1
1st Wed 1:45pm
73Poetry AppreciationWe do not write poetry! We read poetry together, from mainstream and classics to some modern poets.2nd Fri 10:30am
74Pop/Rock Musicians Jam Session
2nd & 4th Mon 1:30pm
75Recorder ConsortA beginners group and a consort group. Beginners can progress into the consort group which performs under a guest conductor.Every Mon 10:00am
76Science & Technology
2nd Fri 10:00am
77Scottish Country DancingMembers of the group are taught a selection of dances each week with tea provided half way through. All are welcome.1st, 2nd & 4th Fri 2:00pm
78Scrabble 2
1st & 3rd Wed 2:00pm
79Sewing Crafts
2nd Thurs 10:30am
80ShakespeareThe group meets to read and discuss Shakespeare’s plays, usually devoting two meetings to each play.3rd Fri 7:30pm
81SlimmersThe group meets weekly, with weigh-ins and general discussion and mutual help.Every Fri 10:30pm
82Social IssuesThe group meets to discuss a wide range of issues: social, environmental, political and philosophical. Due to the often widely differing views of participating members we rarely reach a consensus!4th Wed 10:15am
83Spanish Conversation 1For intermediate level learners. Conversation and selected readings of Spanish literature.1st & 3rd Tue 2:30pm
84Spanish Conversation 2For intermediate level learners. Our conversation centres on discussions of topical news items, each introduced by an individual group member. From time to time we are joined by an external Spanish teacher to help our language skills1st & 3rd Tue 2:30pm
85Spanish Conversation Intermediate
2nd & 4th Tue 2:00pm
86Sunday Lunch
3rd Sunday 12.30p.m
87Table Tennis
Every Thu 2:00pm
88Table Tennis 2
Every Tues 2p.m
89TennisThe group meets weekly. We are exploring the possibility of also playing on summer evenings. The group would welcome new members of any ability.Every Mon 10:00am
90Theatre
See programme
91WalksThe walkers group normally meets twice a month on Saturdays, usually at 10.00 a.m. The circular walks are 4 - 5 miles long followed by lunch in a nearby hostelry.Twice monthly Sat 10:00am
92World LiteratureMembers read pre-agreed author/book. Each book is usually introduced briefly by one member, and then discussed by the whole group. We do stress that each selection should be read in advance by members who attend the meeting.4th Fri 10:30am
93Writing for Pleasure 1A subject is chosen and each group member brings their story to the group, the following week, where it is read out and discussed.2nd Thu 2:00pm
94Writing for Pleasure 3
2nd & 4th Mon 2:00pm

 

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