Members of the U3A organise informal learning groups of similarly minded members to participate in their chosen activities. The aim is to share knowledge, skills and experience in an enjoyable and productive way.

Groups which are presently formed and active are:

The “Bridge for Beginners” group has 12 members and we find we can play and enjoy the game while all the time learning from each other. Meetings are held at members’ homes.

If you already play cards and want to broaden your horizons you will find that bridge can be challenging, but also a lot of fun.

For more information please contact either Don or Cyril.

Are you interested in facing the challenges of strategy, determination and concentration which each game of Chess represents? It is a most effective means of maintaining your mental alertness and imagination.

The Chess Group comprises a wide range of abilities which offers equally rewarding experiences to those who have not played for 30 years as to those who have played regularly.

The result of the friendly social context of the Group is to provide the understanding and support which each member requires to enable them to improve their ability while at the same time enjoying their game. New members will be made most welcome whatever their level of ability or experience.

Grange School - A schedule of 2-3 session modules on a number of the above described topics will be prepared; set at beginner and intermediate levels and will be published term by term. CUSS members will be welcome to attend session that interest them and the schedule will be flexible enough to allow for modification according to members wishes while retaining the overall content. The experience of the group varies widely and members are welcome to contribute in any way on the topics discussed with the emphasis on practical usage of PCs and problem solving. The schedule will be published at monthly meetings, using the e-mail service described below and probably on this AVU3A web-site.

E-Mail Computer Users Support Service - The Aylesbury Vale U3A CUSS Group have set up a simple system to allow people to ask questions or describe problems about their use of Personal Computers. This has now been made available to ANY member of the Aylesbury Vale U3A for use at any time. You can e-mail your question or comment to U3AAVCUSS@freelists.org and it will be distributed to all current members.

DO NOT WORRY about not being able to describe your problem or that you may think the problem is not important enough - just send an e-mail to the list address U3AAVCUSS@freelists.org and give some detail to describe your need or problem and if another member can help, we will.

Cribbage is a card game which has been popular in Britain since the 1600's.

It has been described as "a most elegant and enjoyable pastime with just the right combination of skill and luck".

Our friendly group meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month in members' homes from September to April.

All standards welcome.

The topics for each meeting are decided on the day and members come to the meeting with a possible topic in mind. No other preparation is necessary. Although the topics are serious, humour plays its part in making sure that we do not take ourselves too seriously.

The host acts as chairman, and it is the chairman of the day who decides which topics we discuss. The chairman’s role is to ensure that everyone has a chance to contribute, that no one hogs the meeting, to keep things moving and, if necessary, play devil’s advocate.

All that a member of the group is required to do is bring with them their views on what is happening in the world. (But don’t expect everyone to agree!)

New members can join us from time to time, subject to the need to restrict the size of the group, not only because of the restraints of accommodation but also the need to ensure that everyone is able to have their say.

Are you interested in many of the issues that are covered by news and current affairs programmes on the radio and television and by newspapers? Do you find yourself holding views on these issues that you wish you had an opportunity to develop and express? Are you open-minded enough to listen to the views and experience of other people and consider the merit of their arguments?

Current Affairs 2 encourages you to think for yourself about the issues which make the news, particularly those which may affect the quality of life of everybody today and in the future. There is no party politics.

Normally you bring to the meeting a slip of paper handwritten with a current topic for discussion which is of most interest to you. These slips are provided to the chairman at the beginning of each meeting who is then able to judge the areas of interest for the day and guide the meeting accordingly. The chair rotates around the group for each new meeting.

We have room 4 in the Grammar School booked through to next year with ample parking close to the room.

New members will be most welcome.

Our object is to learn more about the basic elements of technology. We have been running D&T for three years and have enjoyed the facilities offered by the Grammar School.The approach has been flexible and the choice of materials and project is left entirely to the individual.

We have tried to obtain additional periods for U3A members who have shown interest. Unfortunately, this does not seem possible at moment.

The current group of members have a wide range of  backgrounds and experience and are willing  to help each other in their respective projects.

The aim of the group is for people with a shared interest to meet and encourage beginners and to generally discuss what are fast becoming dying crafts.

This is a very friendly group, and new members will always be made welcome.

The music is chosen by members of the group who provide their own selection, sometimes complete works and sometimes just movements from favourite composers’ works.

The numbers in the group have been limited but by moving to Church of the Holy Spirit it will be possible for more people to join us from September,- we should like to have 15 – 20 members to ensure that it remains economically viable.

The first meeting will be on September 18th 2007 at 2pm.

A friend is someone who appreciates your kind of music!

The group now meets every other Tuesday at 10 a.m. The group was formed last year and we are full of enthusiasm. If you enjoy any type of needlework and you would like to share it with us, please give us a call.

Initially we will do our own thing, but occasionally we will work together. Lots of mutual support and assistance, and we love to learn new skills.

Future viewings will include Verdi’s “Falstaff” starring the newly acclaimed Juan Diego Florez, and Donizette’s “La fille Du Regiment”

*Our meetings are scheduled so that they do not clash with Music I Like and Gardening.

Anyone wishing to join our small group, or perhaps to sample a session, please contact the group leader.

A social group for people who are on their own but would like to join friends in a social setting.

We meet at the Shoulder of Mutton public house next to the station in Wendover on the 3rd Thursday of each month at 11.00. Members come along to the meeting bringing with them one suggestion for an outing which they would like to attend and offer it to the group. It can be a theatre visit, a concert, a weekend away a holiday, a cinema visit, a meal out, or a Sunday lunch – any kind of event which they and other members would enjoy.

Once offered members show interest or not in a particular event. The person offering is the organiser of that particular event. Sometimes more than five people will be interested – at other times it may be a small number. Usually a variety of events is offered at any one meeting.

Contact the Convenor if you would like any further details.

In 2007 we visited Syon House, the BBC Television studios, the Black Country Museum, Stamford & Burghley House with the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich and Crossness Pumping Station visits still to come. Hopefully there will be something organised for Christmas.

We are always on the look out for new ideas so please make your suggestions. Unlike many other organisations, we do accept cheques so please bring cheque books to the meetings so that you can reserve yourself a place. We look forward to you joining us.

Members are encouraged to take photos and to exhibit their results at our meetings. Set subjects provide some stimulation, and it is interesting to see the great variety of prints that can result from the same theme.

We are learning by observing the work of others at Exhibitions, in the Press, and on TV, as well as from our own efforts.

The more we learn, the more we are able to “see”, and we hope make better use of our own cameras.

New members are always welcome, beginners included.

The play-reading group meets every Tuesday morning at Stoke Mandeville Methodist Church in Eskdale Road.

We try to read one complete play per week and recent plays have included Oscar Wilde’s the Importance of Being Ernest, JB Priestley’s An Inspector Calls, Terence Rattigan’s Separate Tables, Noel Coward’s Blithe spirit and plays by Alan Aykbourn and Tom Stoppard.

The library in the town centre has hundreds of play sets with well known titles and authors, so we are spoilt for choice.

We welcome new members so if you are interested, please ring Barbara Fraser for more details

We bring to our meetings the work of a particular poet, or a theme previously agreed. This allows a fortnight in which to research and choose material.

Reading our choices at our meetings enables us to practice delivery and serves to introduce new poets and poems to members of the group. Sometimes, we jog memories undisturbed since schooldays. Generally, poems of a humorous nature prevail, and we are sometimes guilty of recounting personal anecdotes.

We have room for one or two additional members, and suggest a trial 'sit-in' prior to making a commitment.

Since September we have chosen poems on the themes of optimism, the moon, emotions, recreation, friendship, buildings, ships and happiness among others. Shapes and toys seemed to create the most difficulties and the theme of outdoors proved the most popular so we shall try that again next year.

We have a break from May to mid- September. Suggestions for the coming year are rolling in and include ice, wood, water, fabrics, longing, wisdom and, perhaps most appropriately, success or lack of it.

We have been meeting for 9 years now and although we sometimes repeat a theme, we haven’t run out of poems yet. As we meet in members homes, numbers are limited and the group is still full, but do not hesitate to contact us if you are interested in poetry

We have guest speakers, and make use of source material from videos tapes and our library. Subjects recently covered included interpersonal relationships, self-esteem and conversation. We also had a talk by a JP, and a discussion about sentencing.

Numbers have to be limited as we meet in members' houses. Unfortunately the group is full at the moment. However, please let us know if you are interested, so that you can be included if there is a vacancy.

Decisions are democratic, with the aim of giving enjoyment and to try out friends' recommendations, especially of books and authors we might not normally choose for ourselves. Sometimes we might indulge in a video or DVD.

Anyone interested should ring Ann Johnson.

We play pieces written or arranged for four or five parts.

The players provide the instruments, which are made mainly from a synthetic material. Recorders produce sounds ranging from the high pitch of the descant to the deep mellow sound of the bass, and are satisfying to play in consort. We still have room for one or two newcomers but suggest that the group might not be suitable for those without any experience in reading music.

The heated outdoor pool, beautifully warm throughout the winter, provides a novel and enjoyable experience. We can round off the afternoon with a few minutes in a heated jacuzzi, then a drink and a chat in the café.

We do not swim during the school holidays.

We are not experts, but enthusiastic bowlers.

We meet at Jardines Ten Pin Bowling Centre - off Market Square every week except public and school holidays.

For further information please phone the group leader.

This group was started in 2006, and so far visits have been made to three London Theatres and Milton Keynes (which also included a backstage tour). Performances we have seen include ‘The Producers’, ‘Guys and Dolls’, ‘Porgy and Bess’ and ‘The Unexpected Guest’ – an Agatha Christie drama.

The organisation through which the tickets are purchased offers special rates for seniors, so it is possible to bring a companion whose age qualifies them – although preference must be given to U3A members.

Due to the type of bookings made it is necessary that the participant’s payment (by cheque) is made at the time of booking.

For London trips a lunch may be offered at a group price – this is optional. Transport is arranged through a local coach company. Members enjoy our trips and the coach is usually well booked.

Please let the group leader have any trip suggestions.

We have been most fortunate in the calibre of our guides who have gone to a great deal of trouble to make the visits interesting, enjoyable and informative.

The sessions are open to all and everyone is most welcome.

Each walk is advertised at the Wednesday monthly meeting.

We usually meet at 10.00 at a location within ten miles of Aylesbury, and then set off to enjoy a circular stroll in the beautiful Buckinghamshire countryside.

The walks normally cover around four miles and avoid steep hills, although a few stiles have to be negotiated. We finish at a pub for lunch for those who require it.

No experience or special equipment is required although waterproof footwear is recommended for coping with mud and wet grass. New faces can be sure of a warm welcome and friendly company, so why not give it a try?

Details of each walk are announced at the preceding Wednesday monthly meeting.

Normally the walk does not exceed 4 miles and is taken at a very steady pace with a break for lunch and often tea. We sometimes include a 'mini-visit' to a place of particular interest.

Whilst there are many 'regulars', there is no membership of the group so we are always pleased to see new faces. Visits are announced at the monthly Wednesday meeting. For safety and comfort considerations the group size is limited, the numbers depending upon the nature of the walk.

By using the Travelcard we are able to roam over the whole of London and its suburbs. Traditionally, we now have an August "Mystery Walk", an evening "Christmas Special" and in January we make very full use of our travelcard by exploring the limits of the area using train, bus, tram etc.

Over the many years that this group has operated it has covered much of London finding many of the lesser known gems off the beaten track thanks to the expertise and in-depth knowledge of our regular leaders Bill Gibbings and Norman McRae.

If you enjoy playing cards, but haven't played whist, you will certainly find the game absorbing and enjoyable. It is a friendly game and everyone is welcome whether they are beginners or experts.

Whist was the forerunner to contract bridge, and will help anyone who would like to play that as well.

Please ring me to find out the date of the next mmeting. Alternatively you can see me at the monthly meeting or make your enquiry at the Group Information Table.

Wildlife and Nature Watch Group meet wherever the Seasonal Nature Activities are taking place once a month. 

Activities include: bird watching, nature walks to watch deer, see wild flowers.  Hopefully a couple of lectures a year.   Day trips to various centres. Announcements about times, places and dates made at General Meetings each month.

Would welcome any special nature knowledge

The host each month will continue to select the wine for that particular meeting. The tasting will be based on either grape variety or country.

The group is full at present, but if anyone is interested in wine tasting, they could put their names on the waiting list.