Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Calligraphy group. Make your mark with calligraphy and discover some of the things you can do with this pen script lettering. Our experienced teacher, Jane Hussey, helps beginners to develop their skills from scratch and helps the more experienced to extend their range of techniques and undertake creative projects. Back to Groups Page Calligraphy * This Group has a waiting list for new members at present * Venue : Parish Room, St Mary’s Church, The Street, Old Basing, RG24 7BW Click here for website Date : 3rd Tuesday of the month Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Make your mark with calligraphy and discover some of the things you can do with this pen script lettering. Our experienced teacher, Jane Hussey, helps beginners to develop their skills from scratch and helps the more experienced to extend their range of techniques and undertake creative projects.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Hellenic life group. Would you like to learn to speak Greek, learn something about Greece and Cyprus and the way of life and customs of the Hellenic people? The Hellenic life group celebrates Greek and Cypriot Life, language and culture. Back to Groups Page Hellenic life * This Group has a waiting list for new members at present * Venue : Brookvale Village Hall, Lower Brook Street, Basingstoke, RG21 7RP Date : First and third Thursday of each month Time : 2pm to 4pm Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Would you like to learn to speak Greek, learn something about Greece and Cyprus and the way of life and customs of the Hellenic people? The Hellenic life group celebrates Greek and Cypriot Life, language and culture. You will have the opportunity to: learn whilst having fun! familiarise yourself with the Greek Alphabet discover Greek words used in everyday English use common phrases and get by on holiday try traditional recipes and sample food and drink dance to Greek music, but no plate breaking! visit Greek restaurants and tavernas share your experiences of Greece and Cyprus explore the wisdom of the Greek philosophers Whether you would like to learn for travel or just for fun, you will quickly develop your language skills and make progress right from the start.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Film group group. The films shown are given a short introduction, and we are always happy to meet new people with an interest in film. No previous knowledge is required, and we are not very studious! We like to be entertained by cinema, so our group is an adventure in film appreciation and enjoyment! Back to Groups Page Film group Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : 4th Monday of the month Time : 13:30 - 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The films shown are given a short introduction, and we are always happy to meet new people with an interest in film. No previous knowledge is required, and we are not very studious! We like to be entertained by cinema, so our group is an adventure in film appreciation and enjoyment! We try to share members' interests in cinema and look at a broad range of films (such as from different genres, or from particular directors), and we usually try to include films we are not familiar with. The films we watch and topics we explore are decided by the group as a whole, and suggestions and discussions are always welcome.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Gardening group. Do you have a passion for plants and flowers or simply want to know more about what's going on in your garden?  There is so much to learn so our group love to come together and share knowledge of plants, seeds and all things horticultural.  We meet once a month from February to October with a winter break during November, December and January Back to Groups Page Gardening Venue : Brookvale Village Hall, Lower Brook St, Basingstoke, RG21 7RP Date : 4th Thursday Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Do you have a passion for plants and flowers or simply want to know more about what's going on in your garden? There is so much to learn so our group love to come together and share knowledge of plants, seeds and all things horticultural. We meet once a month from February to October with a winter break during November, December and January. During the meetings we hear about which gardening jobs are due, we might have a discussion topic or a short talk by a group member. We hope to have a guest speaker occasionally or to visit a garden. Each month we have a plant swap table, where members are invited to bring in and swap plants for free.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Photography group. Through a programme of talks, demonstrations and practical sessions we aim to improve the pictures we take. Back to Groups Page Photography Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : 3rd Tuesday of the month Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Through a programme of talks, demonstrations and practical sessions we aim to improve the pictures we take. We focus on the following topics: understanding our camera features improving composition understanding raw wildlife photography how to take interesting pictures of various weather conditions a practical session We also have a couple of sessions when we look at members’ photos.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Basic Modern Greek group. The group is for members who like a challenge or have a little experience with holiday Greek. Back to Groups Page Basic Modern Greek When: 1st and 3rd Thursdays in the month, 2pm to 3:30pm Where: Green room, upstairs in the Brookvale village hall Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The Group will use the BBC talk Greek book and other resources to practice reading, writing, listening and speaking skills. There will be homework which will be optional. The group is for members who like a challenge or have a little experience with holiday Greek.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Bingo group. This group is for bingo lovers and anybody that wants to play for the first time.  It's great for socialising and will be lots of fun and competitive, even though it's a game of chance.  Bingo has the added bonus of keeping the mind sharp. Back to Groups Page Bingo Venue: Popley Fields Community Centre Date/time: Last Wednesday of the month, 2-4pm Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings This group is for bingo lovers and anybody that wants to play for the first time. It's great for socialising and will be lots of fun and competitive, even though it's a game of chance. Bingo has the added bonus of keeping the mind sharp. We plan to play 6 games a session and will break for tea and coffee after the first 3 games. Don't forget to bring your dabbers!!

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Rummikub group. We have three very friendly groups meeting to play Rummikub and socialise. Each group welcomes both beginners and experienced players alike. The groups at Chineham and Kempshott are larger with about 30 players and the group at Popley has about 12 players. Refreshments are available at each group for a nominal charge. Back to Groups Page Rummikub * All Groups have waiting lists for new members at present * Rummikub – Chineham Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT (www.basingstokeu3a.org/venues/christ-church ) (Shaftsbury Room - enter main door, turn right, straight down the corridor). Click here for website Date : 3rd Friday of the month Time : 14:00 - 17:00 Rummikub – Kempshott Venue : Kempshott Village Hall, Pack Lane, Basingstoke, RG22 5HN ( www.basingstokeu3a.org/venues/kempshott-village-hall ) Date : 2nd Thursday of the month Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Rummikub – Oakridge Venue : Oakridge West Community Association, Upton Cres, Oakridge, Basingstoke RG21 5SN (www.basingstokeu3a.org/venues/oakridge-west-community-association ) Date : 2nd and 4th Monday of the month Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings We have three very friendly groups meeting to play Rummikub and socialise. Each group welcomes both beginners and experienced players alike. The groups at Chineham and Kempshott are larger with about 30 players and the group at Popley has about 12 players. Refreshments are available at each group for a nominal charge.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Biography group. We read a mixture of recent and earlier biographies suggested by group members. These will often be available in paperback or on Kindle. Usually, one member introduces the selected book to start our discussions. Back to Groups Page Biography Venue : Old Basing Pavilion Room Date : 1st Wednesday of October, November, December, February, April and June Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings We read a mixture of recent and earlier biographies suggested by group members. These will often be available in paperback or on Kindle. Usually, one member introduces the selected book to start our discussions. Next year our programme is as follows: 7th October 2026 Introductory meeting - members are welcome to recommend any biographies or memoirs of their choice 4th November 2026 Eternal Boy: the Life of Kenneth Grahame by Matthew Dennison 2nd December 2026 The Autobiography: the Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie 3rd February 2027 Politics on the Edge by Rory Stewart 7th April 2027 Another World: the Oxford Years by Melvyn Bragg 2nd June 2027 Enough Said by Alan Bennett

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Scrabble group. A light-hearted morning for those with a love of making words. Beginners and experienced players are most welcome. Back to Groups Page Scrabble Venue : Shaftesbury Room. Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : 3rd Monday of the month Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings A light-hearted morning for those with a love of making words. Beginners and experienced players are most welcome.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Creative writing group. Are you someone who has always felt you have a short story or even a book in you? Then our small, friendly group could be just what you need to improve your technique and discuss your problems with sympathetic, like-minded writers. Most of our members enjoy writing for fun and we share our writing in a relaxed, supportive setting.  Back to Groups Page Creative writing Venue : Izita Kerr Room, The Oakridge Hall for All, Oakridge Village, Forsythia Walk, Basingstoke, RG21 5RL Date : 1st and 3rd Thursdays Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Are you someone who has always felt you have a short story or even a book in you? Then our small, friendly group could be just what you need to improve your technique and discuss your problems with sympathetic, like-minded writers. Most of our members enjoy writing for fun and we share our writing in a relaxed, supportive setting. While those members with greater expertise willingly provide assistance within the group, this is not a teaching group for absolute beginners. We do expect potential members to be able to demonstrate a knowledge of creative writing or to be able to submit a sample of their work to ensure that the group is suitable. Access to a word processor is highly desirable. People wishing to join the group are requested not to turn up to a meeting but to contact the group leader in the first instance.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Theatre Group group. Back to Groups Page Theatre Group Venue: Will be production led, but may be in Basingstoke, Reading, Newbury (Watermill), Southampton, Woking or London Post production discussion venues to be arranged. Times: Based on production availability Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings This is a group for all theatre lovers. Visiting several theatre productions every year, the group will convene shortly after seeing the play to discuss the production, the story, the actors, the sets etc. It's always fun to go with more people and hear other people's views. The group uses a secure app to encourage communication, discussion, and ideas. Members wishing to go to other productions, may also use it to find others interested in joining them. Booking and travel arrangements are the responsibility of members, although in the future, we may introduce block booking arrangements. We also encourage car sharing to help those with transport issues. Current production visits planned: The Nightmare Room Haymarket 21-23 May 2026 Murder Before Evensong Watermill Theatre Newbury 25 Sept -14 Nov. 2026 The location for post theatre trip meetings, will be confirmed nearer the time.