Discover the vibrant community of u3a in Basingstoke, UK. Join us to explore educational and social opportunities for retirees. Learn more today! About our u3a The Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a started in 1999 as Old Basing and District U3A. The original Certificate of Membership of the Third Age Trust is shown below, and the certificate congratulating us on 20 years' membership of the Trust is shown also. Click on either image to view a larger copy of the certificate. Our u3a changed its name in 2008 to reflect its increasing membership more accurately. We now have more than 1,000 members. In 2024, a few of our members (thank you!) kindly put together a digital document reviewing our first 25 years. It includes clips of some of our achievements and groups, and can be viewed by c licking on the last image.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Current issues group. We discuss a wide range of topics around current issues chosen by the members.  We have discussed the NHS, education, population growth, immigration, housing, climate change and the cost of living crisis, amongst many other topics.   Back to Groups Page Current issues Venue : Varies Date : 3rd 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 discuss a wide range of topics around current issues chosen by the members. We have discussed the NHS, education, population growth, immigration, housing, climate change and the cost of living crisis, amongst many other topics. We want to grow the group and are planning to invite expert speakers to help inform our debate. We also plan to expand discussions to include local and non-political issues. People come from a wide range of political viewpoints and we ensure that everyone is treated with respect, regardless of their opinion. We want to learn and grow by listening to each other Please contact me, Richard Hawkins, if you would like further information.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Tea and Coffee Social Group group. Meeting up with other u3a members for a chat over coffee or a cup of tea. This group in lovely surroundings is for meeting existing friends and making new ones. Back to Groups Page Tea and Coffee Social Group Group 1: When: 4th Monday of the month 2-4pm. Where: Sherfield Oaks Golf Club Group 2: When: 2nd Tuesday of the month 2-4pm. Where: The Holly Blue pub - Beggarwood Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Afternoon tea or coffee anyone? We have two social groups that meet for refreshments and a chat with u3a friends or to make new ones. The group leaders are there to introduce you to people, so you never need to feel the dread of being new to the group.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Walkers group. We meet for a walk at a variety of locations in and around Basingstoke, Back to Groups Page Walkers Date : Sundays Time : 13:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The group walks every Sunday afternoon starting at 1.00pm. We meet at a variety of locations in and around Basingstoke, which one needs to drive to. We do walk at a brisk pace - 2.5 miles an hour. Sorry no dogs are allowed. An email is sent out to all members towards the end of each week advising of the start location with address/post code/What3Words.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Meditation - Ancient Wisdom group. Meditation is a practice with deep roots in the wisdom traditions of the East. We’ll experiment with different styles of meditation and share reflections in an informal, non-pressured way. Back to Groups Page Meditation - Ancient Wisdom * Note that Meditation - Ancient Wisdom is full and you will be added to a waiting list. * Venue: Sherfield Oaks Golf Club 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 Meditation is a practice with deep roots in the wisdom traditions of the East. In this group, we’ll explore a variety of meditation approaches while gently introducing the ideas and philosophies that sit beneath them. We’ll experiment with different styles of meditation and share reflections in an informal, non-pressured way. Between sessions, there will be some light, accessible reading drawn from Eastern philosophy. Together, we’ll explore these ideas and consider how ancient wisdom can be applied to everyday life in the 21st century.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Music and words group. Music and Words is for people who love to share their passion for music and the written word.  It is an opportunity for members to take a couple of hours out of their busy lives, to sit, relax and listen to a programme of predominantly music, but may also include poetry or literature, put together by one of our members on a theme of their choice. Back to Groups Page Music and words Venue : The Parish Room, St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, Old Basing, RG24 7DJ Click here for website Date : 2nd Thursday in each month from October 2026 to July 2027 Time : 10:00 - 12:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Music and Words is for people who love to share their passion for music and the written word. It is an opportunity for members to take a couple of hours out of their busy lives, to sit, relax and listen to a programme of predominantly music, but may also include poetry or literature, put together by one of our members on a theme of their choice. The music is sometimes familiar, sometimes not so familiar, but always enjoyable and interesting. Members often say they enjoy researching and putting together their programmes and never fail to learn from the experience. Once a year we have an ‘Members’ Choice’ session. This gives members the opportunity to propose just one piece of music, poetry or literature and talk briefly about the reason for their choice. The music tends to be classical, but a variety of genres is welcomed. Support with providing music or presentation technology can always be provided to those who are willing to volunteer to present a programme for the group. The programme of monthly presentations planned for 2026/27 is shown below: 08 October, Time Signatures 12 November, My Life in Music 10 December, Christmas 14 January, From Back to Front 11 February, Composers in Concert 11 March, Composers’ Unfinished Works 08 April, Cat Connections 13 May, tbc 10 June, Members’ Choice (members to select one piece of music or words to be played/recited at the meeting) 08 July, Tangos and Tarantellas – Strictly Dance Music The programme of monthly presentations planned for 2026/27 is shown below: 08 October, Time Signatures 12 November, My Life in Music 10 December, Christmas 14 January, From Back to Front 11 February, Composers in Concert 11 March, Composers’ Unfinished Works 08 April, Cat Connections 13 May, tbc 10 June, Members’ Choice (members to select one piece of music or words to be played/recited at the meeting) 08 July, Tangos and Tarantellas – Strictly Dance Music

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Papercraft group. Paper is an amazingly versatile material which lends itself to many applications. The Papercraft group will, with the aid of scissors and glue and some patience make a variety of attractive and amazing items  Back to Groups Page Papercraft Venue: Brookvale Village Hall Date: 3rd Wednesday in the month Time: 14:00 to 16:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Paper is an amazingly versatile material which lends itself to many applications. The Papercraft group will, with the aid of scissors and glue and some patience make a variety of attractive and amazing items The group is limited to sixteen members so that each has sufficient attention from the class

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Poetry appreciation group. Each month members decide on the poet or theme for the following month. The main organiser for that month - usually the member who has volunteered to host the session - leads with some information on the poet/theme. Other members bring a related selection of poems for reading out and discussion. Recent poets studied include T.S. Eliot and Gerard Manley Hopkins. Back to Groups Page Poetry appreciation Venue : Members Home Date : 4th Tuesday of the month Time : 14.00 - 1600 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Each month members decide on the poet or theme for the following month. The main organiser for that month - usually the member who has volunteered to host the session - leads with some information on the poet/theme. Other members bring a related selection of poems for reading out and discussion. Recent poets studied include T.S. Eliot and Gerard Manley Hopkins.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Table tennis group. We are a friendly group playing Table Tennis for fun and we welcome new members who have had some recent experience of the game.  We have four tables and usually play doubles, so up to 16 members are always active. Back to Groups Page Table tennis * This Group has a waiting list for new members at present * Venue : Everest Community Academy, Oxford Way, RG24 9UP Click here for website Date: Every Friday Time : 15:00 - 17:00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings We are a friendly group playing Table Tennis for fun and we welcome new members who have had some recent experience of the game. We have four tables and usually play doubles, so up to 16 members are always active. This group is not suitable for beginners.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Family history group. Each meeting generally takes the form of a presentation by a group member on a family history topic, followed by questions, tea, and an open discussion. In the discussion, there is the opportunity to ask for advice or to tell the group of your research successes. Back to Groups Page Family history Venue : Christ Church , Reading Road, Chineham, RG24 8LT Click here for website Date : Last Wednesday 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 Each meeting generally takes the form of a presentation by a group member on a family history topic, followed by questions, tea, and an open discussion. In the discussion, there is the opportunity to ask for advice or to tell the group of your research successes. The next meeting is on Wednesday 29th April 2026. The topic to be advised later. The Topic for the next and subsequent meetings this academic year will be chosen from the following list: Searching Parish Registers Other Records beyond Census BMDs and Parish Registers Finding Death Records How to Search War Records Reserved Occupations Sorting Meaningful Information from Noise on FH Websites Advanced DNA Matching Tools DNA Matching Organisation & Strategy Researching School Records Members Talk(s) – Requires Volunteer Member(s) Norfolk & Suffolk County Records Census Records for Fishermen & Mariners Devon & Wiltshire County Records

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Art and craft group. Our group does drawing, painting in all media and various crafts such as card making, cross stitch, beading etc.  There is no formal tuition but exchanges of ideas and tips. Back to Groups Page Art and craft Venue : Ridgeway Community Centre, Blackdown Close, RG22 5BN Click here for website Date : 2nd and 4th Tuesday Time : 14.00 to 16.00 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings Are you interested in exploring your creative side? Are you new to art and craft and just want the opportunity to talk to others with more experience? Maybe you have done art and crafts before and would like to hone your skills? Would you like to meet like-minded people and make a new friend or two along the way? Our group does drawing, painting in all media and various crafts such as card making, cross stitch, beading etc. There is no formal tuition but exchanges of ideas and tips.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Spanish group. The Spanish Group is in four levels, ranging from complete beginners to upper intermediate level.  Back to Groups Page Spanish Venue : St. Leonard’s Centre, Rectory Road, Oakley, RG23 7ED Date : Every Friday Time : Level 1 - 09:45 - 11.15 Level 2 - 09:30 - 11:00 Level 3 - 09:30 - 11:00 Level 4 - 11:00 - 12:30 Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings The Spanish Group is in four levels, ranging from complete beginners to upper intermediate level. Level 1 is for beginners Level 2 is for people who have learnt Spanish for at least one year and will use “Pasos Book 1” as a text book. Level 3 is for people who have either studied “Pasos 1” or a similar text book or have a reasonable knowledge of basic Spanish including the use of past and future tenses. Level 4 is for people, who have been on Level 3 or are at a similar level. Current Activity We run at 4 levels, all every Friday morning, which run in different rooms at St Leonard’s Centre, Oakley, from 9.30 to 12.30. Each group runs for 90 minutes. Level 1 starts at 9:45; Levels 2 and 3 start at 9:30; the advanced group (Level 4) starts at 11:00. The dates are until Easter and then until the end of the school term. Level 1 for beginners in the Wootton Room, and are studying “Exito” Book 1 from the Beginning. Level 2 use “Pasos Book 1” as a text book, starting from about the 6th chapter, meeting in the Malshanger Room. Level 3 , held in theMalshangar Room, continue with the study of “Pasos 2” from the beginning. We are also trying to extend our conversational skills. Level 4 We start the class listening to a record of a song and then do a lighthearted grammar or vocabulary exercise. We then read an article in Spanish and then discuss it We are very flexible and often rely on our more advanced students to help out with both the lower and higher levels. We are a self-help group who appreciate the teaching and other contributions of native and fluent speakers which are offered from time to time. Any help from Spanish speakers is always welcome! There is a friendly and relaxed atmosphere in all the groups.