u3a

Chipping Norton

Our Groups

We have many Special Interest Groups for our u3a members. These meet regularly, typically once or twice a month, in some cases weekly, and often in the group leader's or group member's home, in which case the available space will probably determine the number of members.

Other kinds of groups meet outdoors (e.g. Walking, Garden Visits), or at a sporting venue (e.g. Bowls, Table Tennis) or a cafe (e.g. Lunch). Some groups may also use Zoom or similar.

Alternative venues include any suitable and freely available space around the town, such as a room in a pub or coffee shop or public building - click on the groups below to see the range of venues already in use.

What do group leaders do? Click here to see what's involved.

We would love to hear from anyone wishing to create a new group, and will be delighted to provide help and advice. Many new groups arise because of a u3a member's interests. Contact the Groups Coordinator to get going.

For more information about groups that interest you, click on their names in the list below. Don't be put off if a group is full. Contact the Groups Coordinator, because there may be a waiting list for that group, or another similar group

Here are some further suggestions:

  • Start a new version of the group. This has already happened with several of the groups below.
  • Start a completely new group. Do you have an interest or activity that you'd like to share with others?
  • Take over a dormant group. A few groups are paused, usually because their leader has stepped down. Could you reactivate a group by taking on the role?

Some of the group displays at a typical open day

A Crafts group display
An Open Day at the Town Hall
French and Italian groups
Jenny presents her group
Reading groups display
The Garden Visits group

Groups listed alphabetically

  • Art History and Appreciation
    Status: Active
    Coming soon. Click on this group and contact the group leader now!
  • Bowls
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Thursday afternoons
    Meets weekly
  • Bridge
    Status: Dormant
    Awaiting leader and venue!
  • Circle Dancing
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons 2:30 pm-4:00 pm
    In the Beech room at Glyme Hall
  • Craft
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Monday afternoons
  • Creative Writing
    Status: Active
    Monthly
    The date of each meeting is decided at the previous meeting.
  • Cricket Lovers - NEW
    Status: Active
    The group meets monthly from April, but visits and playing/watching cricket will occur at various times.
  • Croquet
    Status: Active
    Weekly on Tuesdays 3:00 pm
    Weekly sessions begin on 14 April 2026!
  • French Conversation
    Status: Full
    Fortnightly on Monday afternoons
  • French for Returners
    Status: Full
    Fortnightly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am
  • French Improvers
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am
    Third Wednesday of each month
  • Garden Visits
    Status: Waiting list
    Monthly on Sundays
    April to September
  • Global Affairs
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Wednesdays
    First Wednesday of the month, before the u3a speaker meeting
  • Italian Explorations
    Status: Active
    Mornings 10:00 am
    Third Tuesday of each month
  • Italian Project
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am
  • Jazz and Blues
    Status: Full
    Monthly on Wednesdays 2:00 pm
    Third Wednesday of each month
  • Knitting for Charity
    Status: Active
    Monthly
    Varied times
  • Local Gardeners
    Status: Active
    Fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons 2:30 pm
    Our first meeting is on 13 April 2026
  • Lunch
    Status: Active
    Monthly 12:30 pm
    The second Tuesday of each month
  • Mahjong
    Status: Active
  • Painting
    Status: Waiting list
    On Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm
    Twice a month: first and third Tuesdays
  • Play Reading
    Status: Full
    Monthly afternoons 2:00 pm
    First Tuesday of the month
  • Poetry
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm
    The second Thursday of each month
  • Pub Walks
    Status: Active
    Mornings, second Tuesday and last Friday of each month, March to October
  • Reading 1
    Status: Full
    Monthly afternoons 2:00 pm
    Fourth Wednesday of each month
  • Reading 2
    Status: Active
    Monthly afternoons 2:30 pm
    Fourth Wednesday of each month
  • Science and Technology
    Status: Active
    Monthly on Fridays 3:00 pm-5:00 pm
    The last Friday of each month
  • Social Cycling
    Status: Dormant
    Needs members. Contact us!
  • Table Tennis
    Status: Full
    Weekly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am
  • Talk4Fun
    Status: Active
    Normally, Wednesday mornings
  • Walking 1
    Status: Waiting list
    Fortnightly
    The second and fourth Thursday of each month
  • Walking 2
    Status: Full
    Fortnightly
    First and third Thursday of each month
  • Walking 3: Shorter Walking Group
    Status: Dormant
    Seeking members before it can start . . . !