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Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a is an active social organisation for anyone in or around Basingstoke who has retired, is semi-retired or has never worked and who would like to make new friends with similar interests and enjoy a wide range of activities in the local area. The u3a motto is Learn, Laugh, Live. Your local u3a Finished with the 9–5 or family commitments? Now it’s your time to explore, enjoy and connect. At our u3a, you can discover new interests, rediscover old passions, and—most importantly—have fun while meeting friendly, like‑minded people. Whether you love learning something new, sharing skills, or simply enjoying good company, there’s something here for everyone. We’re a welcoming community run by members, for members. Everyone is encouraged to join in—whether that’s helping to organise activities, leading a group, or simply sharing ideas. It’s all about learning together, laughing together, and making the most of every day. In this short film, we explain the benefits of becoming a member of the Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Find a Group Join our u3a Contact us Benefits of Membership DIscover our Groups Newsletter Monthly Meetings National u3a Volunteer News Edit Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a publishes a monthly newsletter, News Edit. If you have news or information to include in the News Edit, please contact the editor. Click below to see the latest and previous issue. Volunteer? As our u3a continues to grow, we want to ensure our community remains vibrant and well-run. To do that, we are looking for a few more friendly faces to help us behind the scenes. We are looking for members to volunteer for simple tasks that take the pressure off our core team, and a couple of new Committee members to join us in July 2026. If you’d like to get involved, please use the volunteering contact form. National u3a Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a is part of a national organisation which offers online learning, online interest groups, a blog, monthly podcast, summer schools and more. National u3a Website The website of the national u3a movement - offering online learning, online interest groups, a blog, monthly podcast and more Read More u3a Radio Podcast The u3a radio podcast, set up in 2020, showcases the amazing things happening across the movement. It’s created by a team of u3a members who all have radio experience and features interviews with members, interest group leaders, Trustees, national volunteers and Subject Advisers. Read More Interest Groups Online Interest Groups Online (abbreviated as IGO) is an online u3a community that gives you the opportunity to join groups, talks and courses from the comfort of your home. Note that this has a separate joining fee. Read More u3a Summer Schools u3a summer schools are organised by individual regions and nations, giving you the opportunity to spend a couple of days getting to know other members, learning new things and exploring topics Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a does not offer at present. Read More National u3a Friends Newsletter The u3a Friends newsletter shares news, learning opportunities and member stories from across the u3a movement. Signing up to the newsletter means you are up to date and in touch with all that's happening across the movement as it happens. You'll also gain exclusive access to our Friends Extra website - a range of offers, discounts and services. Each issue of the Friends Newsletter includes a link to the Friends Extra benefits website. Read More National u3a Learning A schedule of activities complimenting what is provided locally and connecting members across the UK Read More Science and technology book club Current issues Groups Once you have joined our u3a, you can join as many of our 90+ groups as you like (there is a modest additional charge for a small number of our groups) and take the opportunity to develop your interests, make new friends and enjoy yourself. We offer recreational and social activities plus a wide range of educational study groups, with a very friendly and informal atmosphere. The groups meet in a number of venues around Basingstoke and Old Basing. For more details, and to find a group that interests you, see more about Our Groups . A printable summary of the groups we run can be found here . New groups We are always looking to provide our members with more variety or to start a second group when a group is full. The committee member who is responsible for Group Development can be contacted via this contact form . If your particular interest is not covered, why not investigate the possibility of starting your own group? There is every chance that other members may be looking for a new challenge and keen to join a new activity. It is certainly not always necessary to be able to "teach"; you and your group can explore and develop your subject together. Recently added groups Coffee Group Cross Stitch Golf practice Introduction to Tarot Show More Members are invited to monthly meetings, usually including an external speaker on a topic of general interest, with tea/coffee and biscuits afterwards with the opportunity to talk to other members. Click here to see more details. Please note this will be in the Main Hall at Queen Mary's College , also the change of day and date. Next Meeting: Friday 18th September Luke Murphy MP Being an MP. This is not a political meeting. Luke will not be here as an advocate for the Government so please do not come with an agenda! He will be talking about what it is like to be an first time MP and his experiences in Parliament. He will be happy to answer questions on local issues.

Join our u3a and come to our Monthly Meetings at Popley Fields Community Centre in Basingstoke. Discover forthcoming events and connect with the local community. Monthly meetings Meetings are held on the second Wednesday of most months. The usual timings are: 13:30 - tea, coffee and biscuits; time for chatting 14:00 - presentation 15:00 - Q&A; tea, coffee and biscuits to finish Please bear in mind that the lengths of individual presentations will vary. Popley Fields Community Centre Carpenters Down Basingstoke RG24 9AE Forthcoming events Friday 18th September Please note this will be in the Main Hall at Queen Mary's College , also the change of day and date. Luke Murphy MP Being an MP. This is not a political meeting. Luke will not be here as an advocate for the Government so please do not come with an agenda! He will be talking about what it is like to be an first time MP and his experiences in Parliament. He will be happy to answer questions on local issues. Wednesday 14th October Martin Heath Climate Change Martin Heath from Greener Basingstoke will address the meeting on the subject of climate change.

All Groups Our Groups Once you have joined our u3a, you can join as many of our 80+ groups as you like (there is a modest additional charge for a small number of our groups). The groups meet in a number of venues around Basingstoke and Old Basing. To view groups individually, by category, venue, day of the week and morning or afternoon sessions, use the buttons below. You can apply to join most groups by clicking on the "Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a groups" option on the Members Portal. If you would like to get in touch with the leader of a particular group, please use the "Contact Us" button at the bottom of this page and we will forward your enquiry to the relevant group leader. Some groups have a waiting list to join, and some groups are split: Across different times or venues Level (e.g. Beginners / Advanced) Details will be shown on the individual group page. If you have a question relating to an existing group, then please contact the Groups Facilitator via groups@basingstokeu3a.org Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a is a voluntary organisation, and our groups are run by members for members. We are often on the lookout for group leaders, and if you have knowledge of or interest in a subject that we do not cover, we can help you start a new group. Contact the committee member responsible for new groups for more information. Click for a 4-week grid showing all the groups by week Category Arts & Crafts Indoor Games Languages Lifelong Learning Music & Dance Physical Activity Wellbeing Day of Week Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Morning/Afternoon Morning Afternoon Venue Select Venue Reset Selection View Printable Group Schedule All Groups are displayed Art 4 All BCOT Luncheon Bingo Book club Canasta Creative writing Cross Stitch Easy Paced Walking Football Film group Gardening Health and wellbeing Introduction to Tarot Line dancing Mahjong Members on their own Music and words Papercraft Pickleball Pop the Question? Rounders Science and technology book club Singing for pleasure Square dancing Theatre Group Understanding legislation Walking Cricket Walks with your camera Art and craft Badminton Biography Bridge Coffee Group Cribbage Current issues Excursions and holidays Folk and country dancing German Hellenic life Italian Conversation Literature - old and new Meditation - Ancient Wisdom Military History Needles and Pins Patchwork and quilting Pilates Quiz group Rummikub Scrabble Skittles Strategic board games Transport Walk or Stroll in the park Walking football Wooly Crafters Art history and appreciation Ballroom dancing Board games Calligraphy Computer group Croquet Cycling Family history French Golf practice History Ladies who lunch Local and social history Meditation and energy skills Motorbikes Only Connect Photography Poetry appreciation Rose Gardening Science and technology Short mat bowls Spanish Table tennis Ukulele Walkers Walking netball I f your particular interest is not covered, or your chosen group is full with a waiting list, you could investigate the possibility of starting your own group, with support from the Committee available, to help you move forwards. It is certainly not always necessary to be able to "teach"; you and your group can explore and develop your subject together. The committee member who is responsible for Group Development can be contacted via NewGroups@basingstokeu3a.org

Discover Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Groups in Basingstoke, UK. Join diverse groups and activities to enrich your social life and learning experience. Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Groups Home Our Groups Venues Venue Map

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Cross Stitch group. We will be welcoming members of all levels of experience of Cross Stitch and those who want to have a go for the first time! Cross Stitch is very versatile; from key rings and bookmarks to landscape pictures via greeting cards and motifs. Cross Stitch Back to Groups Page We will be welcoming members of all levels of experience of Cross Stitch and those who want to have a go for the first time! Cross Stitch is very versatile; from key rings and bookmarks to landscape pictures via greeting cards and motifs. We will have available lots of patterns and designs for you to try and for complete beginners a small starter kit. Venue: Hatch Warren Community Centre, Longcross Lane, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke, RG22 4XF Day: Tuesday morning every 4 weeks Time: 10.00 – 12.00 The first four meetings will be: 22nd September 20th October 17th November 15th December Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings

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. Music and words Back to Groups Page 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. 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 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 Bridge group. We run four Bridge groups: · Beginners Bridge · Bridge for Improvers · Bridge Very Relaxed Duplicate · Duplicate Bridge Bridge Back to Groups Page We run four Bridge groups: · Beginners Bridge - an 18 week course for people wishing to learn bridge (starting on Thursday 3rd September 2026) · Bridge for Improvers (new course runs for 20 weeks on a Monday from 2pm to 4pm, starting in September 2025) · Bridge Very Relaxed Duplicate (relaxed duplicate playing session, running every other Tuesday from 2pm to 4pm) · Duplicate Bridge (see below) We play competitive bridge one afternoon a week in a friendly and unintimidating atmosphere. All are welcome to drop in and play. Results are available as soon as play stops and are emailed to all players. On your own? Most players arrive in pairs, but if you would like help finding a partner, please use the "Contact Us" button below to send us a query which will be passed on to the group convenor. Other notes and presentations Other links that may be of interest (further suggestions are welcome): English Bridge Union Beginners Bridge Venue : Group leader's home Time : 9:30 - 11:30 Date : Every Thursday for 20 weeks, starting on 8th January 2026 Bridge for Improvers Venue : Basingstoke Bridge Club, Maydene, Sherborne Road, Basingstoke RG21 5TG Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Date : Every Monday for 20 weeks, starting in September 2025 Very Relaxed Duplicate Bridge Venue : Online, using Real Bridge Time : 14:00 - 16:00 Date : Every other Tuesday, starting on 6th January 2026 Duplicate Bridge Venue : Sherborne St John Village Hall, Kiln Road, Sherborne St John, RG24 9HP Time : 13:00 - 16:30 Date : Every Thursday Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings

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.  Creative writing Back to Groups Page * This Group has a waiting list for new members at present * 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. Samples of our work are on our Podcast page . 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. 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

A social organisation for anyone in or around Basingstoke who has retired, is semi-retired or has never worked and who would like to make new friends with similar interests in the local area. The U3A motto is Learn, Laugh, Live.

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a Coffee 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. Coffee Group Back to Groups Page Meeting up with other u3a members for a chat over a latte, americano or a lovely cup of tea. This group in lovely surroundings is for meeting existing friends and making new ones. When: 4th Monday of the month 2-4pm. Where: Sherfield Oaks Golf Club Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings

Basingstoke - Old Basing u3a BCOT Luncheon group. Have you ever looked at an artwork and wondered about its meaning, about the artist, the context or the techniques involved? If so, then you’ll enjoy the Art History and Appreciation group. BCOT Luncheon Back to Groups Page This luncheon is open to ALL paid-up members of our u3a. Forms for each lunch are available from the group leader in the weeks leading up to the event. This is a pleasant social event with good food and good company. Venue : Robert Newman restaurant, Basingstoke College of Technology, Worting Road, RG21 8TN Click here for website Date : Meet once a term, on a Thursday. Time : From 12:15pm until about 3pm for a 3 course meal. Please note that you need to be a member of Basingstoke-Old Basing u3a to attend these meetings

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. Family history Back to Groups Page 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 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