We offer a wide range of activities for members and the list is growing. Some groups learn from each other, through sharing their knowledge, skills and experience, others share common interests (e.g. poetry, walking, playing an instrument), a few groups have a teacher/tutor and several arrange external visits.
Do browse through our list of groups below to see which ones might interest you. You can click on a individual group name or first choose a category, day or venue that interests you and that will give you a list of groups to choose from. Either way, clicking on an individual group name will open a page with more details about the group and who to contact.
To Join a Group The only way to join a group is by contacting the Group Leader in advance. Clicking on a Group's name in the list below will take you to the Group's page and you will see the group's contact details at the top, click on the Leaders name or on the Group email and you will be able to send a message to the Group Leader. Some leaders lead more than one group so please make sure you include the group's name in your message.
Many groups don't have size limits and are keen to welcome new members. All groups, who have spaces, let you attend a meeting to see if the group suits you before committing yourself. If you are not a member of the u3a yet, you can still try out the group before joining. See Join Us for details.
If you are a member of another local u3a which is part of our South Warwickshire u3a Cluster, then you can join any of our groups without needing to join Shipston u3a. Check if your u3a is included in the SW Cluster.
if you are a Member of any other U3A you are invited to join any one Interest Group indefinitely without joining the Shipston u3a. If you would like to join more than one Interest Group, you are asked to join SoSA u3a as an Associate Member.
What if the group is full or inactive or your interest isn't covered?
If unfortunately the group you are interested is full, do contact the group leader and ask to be added to their waiting list. You could also consider starting a second group on the same topic.
If the group you are interested in is inactive, could you revive it? Contact our Interest Groups Co-ordinator who would be happy to discuss this with you.
Have you got an interest that isn't covered by our groups? Please consider starting a new group, our Interest Groups Co-ordinator is happy to provide all the help and advice you need to get your new group going.
Please use the Contact page to get in touch.
Would you like to know more about what the groups are up to?
Please see the monthly UPDATE newsletter distributed to all members, for the latest program details and news from each group.
Our Groups
Groups listed alphabetically
-
Allotment Group
Status: Full
You can work on the allotment when you choose -
Art Appreciation
Status: Active
Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
1st Wednesday of the month -
Book Group
Status: Waiting list
Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm-3:00 pm
On the 2nd Tuesday -
Bridge - Social
Status: Active
Weekly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:30 pm -
Classical Greek Improvers
Status: Full
Weekly on Monday afternoons 4:30 pm
Our meetings last about an hour -
Current Affairs
Status: Active
On Tuesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
2nd & 4th Tuesday -
Drawing and Painting Group
Status: Active
On Friday mornings 10:00 am-12:30 pm
meeting on the 2nd and 4th Friday of the month. -
Family History
Status: Active
Monthly on Monday mornings 10:30 am-12:30 pm
The first Monday of the month -
First Thursday Walking Group
Status: Active
Monthly on Thursday mornings 9:30 am
We walk on the 1st Thursday of the month, meeting at the start of the walk -
French Beginners
Status: Active
Weekly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm-3:00 pm -
French Returners
Status: Waiting list
The first and third Monday each month 10:30 am-12:00 noon -
Garden Visits
Status: Active
Visit timing as arranged, often we are out from 10.30-16.00 -
History
Status: Active
Monthly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm
we meet on the 4th Wednesday, in winter at St Edmunds Church -
Improve Your Spanish
Status: Active
Weekly on Friday mornings 11:00 am
Normally an hour but if there is a guest tutor, 90 minutes -
Information Technology (IT) Group
Status: Active
On Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
2nd Monday of the Month -
Italian
Status: Dormant -
Knitting & Craft Group
Status: Full
On Tuesday afternoons -
Lunch - Monthly Group
Status: Active
Monthly on Thursday afternoons 12:30 pm
on the 3rd Thursday of the month -
Mindfulness and Meditation
Status: Active
Weekly on Monday afternoons 3:00 pm-4:00 pm
Occasionally we meet in person -
Nature Group
Status: Active
Monthly on Tuesday mornings 10:00 am
Meeting on the 2nd Tuesday, for about 2 hours -
Orchestra
Status: Active
Weekly on Tuesday mornings 9:45 am-12:00 pm
Mostly term time -
Photography
Status: Active
Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Meets every 3rd Monday of every month -
Pilates 1 & 2
Status: Active
Weekly on Tuesday mornings
The lesson lasts for an hour -
Playreading 2
Status: Full
Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 2:30 pm
we meet on the first Tuesday -
Playreading 1
Status: Full
Monthly on Friday afternoons 2:00 pm
The meeting lasts 2-2.5 hours -
Poetry
Status: Active
Monthly on Friday mornings
usually towards the end of the month, date flexible -
Recorder Ensemble
Status: Active
Fortnightly on Monday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm
1st & 3rd Monday -
Scrabble
Status: Active
Weekly on Wednesday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:00 pm -
Seated/Chair Pilates
Status: Active
Weekly on Tuesday afternoons 12:30 pm-1:15 pm -
Shipston Five Milers
Status: Active
Fortnightly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am
2nd & last Wednesday -
Singing for pleasure
Status: Active
Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm -
Spanish Beginners'
Status: Active
Weekly on Wednesday mornings 10:30 am-11:30 am -
Table Tennis
Status: Active
Weekly on Thursday afternoons 1:00 pm-3:00 pm -
Theatre and Cinema Group
Status: Active
Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:30 am-11:30 am
we meet on the 2nd Wednesday of the month -
u3a borrowers
Status: Active
On Thursday mornings 10:30 am-11:30 am
we meet on the last Thursday -
Ukulele - Misspent Ukes
Status: Active
Weekly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm -
Walking Rugby Group
Status: Active
Weekly on Tuesdays 10:00 am -
Wine Appreciation
Status: Active
2nd Wednesday evening of the Month