At Home Groups – Active Now have this buff Background

2019 Groups Still Active Now - have a Pink Background

Groups awaiting End of Restrictions have a Yellow Background

To join a group that is active now please see here:-.

At Home Groups – Active Now:

At Home Art History

Convenor: Joan Emerson

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Joan

Meetings: Email

Venue: To be arranged

Time(s): Monthly

"The Art History group have formed an ‘At Home - Art History’ group during the pandemic period, doing an Art Project a month at Home, for interest and fun, and to learn from each other. The results are then circulated monthly. The March project is to find one or two paintings featuring dogs that you particularly like, and why. If you would like more information please contact me, Joan Emerson, at emerjosi@msn.com. We still have a couple of places available – why not join in? If you would like to see an example of a typical submission (they can be very concise) please let me know. Suggestions for the April theme are welcome please.")

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At Home Broadcasting

Convenor: John Grantham

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click to Email John

To see Information and Current Suggestions Click HERE

Meetings: Email

Optional occasional Zoom discussions

"This group is for radio lovers. It may contain members who still regret the demise in 1991 of the Listener magazine! We aim to make sure no really good radio programme slips past. When we meet on Mondays on Zoom we will have before us the radio highlights for the coming week. We’ll select a couple of programmes to listen to so we can compare notes on them next Monday. We’ll also swap notes on interesting programmes we’ve heard that others may have missed, so they can be caught up with on BBC iplayer. A programme that captures our imagination may lead us to read up a bit further on the subject, so we can share any extra knowledge. To discuss, or to join the group, please contact John Grantham at john.grantham4@btinternet.com A Zoom link will be sent for you to click on and join the discussion.To see the current Radio highlights please click Done and then click on the HERE which follows 'To see Information and Current Suggestions'.")"

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At Home Classical Music

Convenor: Peter Eaglestone

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Peter

Meetings: Email

Emails sent out weekly, with links to YouTube videos

Time(s): Weekly

"We are benefitting from a service provided by Peter Eaglestone for U3A’s ‘Musical Appreciation I’ group, and other personal friends, where he introduces – with written commentary – one or two pieces of (mainly) classical music that he finds particularly moving and is happy to share. If you would like to benefit from this please Email Peter on classicalmusic@bridportu3a.org.ukto request his weekly Email send-out and the link to the YouTube version(s) of his selected piece(s)."

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At Home Creative Writing

Convenor: Sandy Spencer

Telephone: 01308 425715.

Email: Click here to Email Sandy

Meetings: Email

On Line Zoom

Time(s): Fortnightly Friday 2.00pm

"Once a month an Email is sent to group members with information about creative writing, hints, sources of help etc. Fortnightly we select a topic for writing a story, with an emphasis on a particular aspect of the writing, e.g. characterisation or point of view. When the writer has completed their story they Email it to all the group and there is then a reading out of the contributions and a group discussion on Zoom. If you would like to join in this activity, please Email Sandy at creativewriting@bridportu3a.org.uk"

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At Home Dorset Museum

Convenor: John Grantham

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email John

Meetings: Email

Venue: By Email

Time(s): To be arranged

"The Dorset County Museum has been transformed by an exciting redevelopment, facilitated by a grant of £10.3m from the Heritage National Lottery, and opens in Dorchester under its new name of ‘The Dorset Museum’ when it is allowed to by the government. Although the ‘At Home – New Dorset Museum’ group will not be organizing visits there – these will be up to individual members – we will our time before it opens studying the key features and exhibits the new Museum has to offer…. covering one or two of the main exhibits per month. These will include newly acquired exhibits on Elisabeth Frink, and new recently-discovered letters written by Thomas Hardy’s second wife that give a new insight into their marriage. Our study will be via the internet; from bulletins released by the Dorset Museum, its detailed website and any special inputs by them to our group; plus insights from previous employees/volunteers who worked there.A small group is already forming – please contact dorsetmuseum@bridportu3a.org.uk if you would like to join the group. Places."

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At Home Exploring Art

Convenor: Karen and Cliff Herbert

Telephone: 01308 422035.

Email: Click here to Email Karen

Meetings: Email

Venue: From Home

Time(s): Monthly

Go back to Group Menu"The Exploring Art group have formed an ‘At Home – Exploring Art’ group during the pandemic period, doing a short Art Project a month at Home, for interest and fun, and to learn from each other. The results are then circulated monthly. The March project is firstly to estimate the full £ sales value of the newly discovered van Gogh painting ‘View of a street in Montmartre’ – as depicted via the link below (Sotheby’s estimate is £6.9m). The auction is to take place on 25 March 2021. And the second part of the monthly project is to find a van Gogh painting you really like (a couple if you like) that is hopefully not among the say dozen best known of his paintings, which we will probably know already, and to say why you like it. If you would like more information please contact us at karen.herbert1@hotmail.co.uk If you would like to see an example of a typical submission please let us know.The link for the newly found van Gogh can be found on the "links" page of our site.:")"

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At Home German Conversation

Convenor: Veronica Butler

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Veronica

Meetings: On Line

Venue: On Line Zoom

Time(s): Monthly, 10.30am, first Thursday of Month

"The German Conversation group have formed an ‘At Home – German Conversation’ group during the pandemic period, which meets monthly on Zoom for about an hour. We select a theme and take it in turns to talk on it a bit, and then have some general conversation. This is a way of keeping in touch with the language until the day when we can all meet up together again, and carry on with our main group (which used to meet physically at the George Hotel.) If you would like more information please contact me at veronicavhb@btinternet.com"

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At Home Haiku Writing

Convenor: Sandy Spencer

Telephone: 01308 425715

Email: Click here to Email Sandy

Meetings: Email

Venue: At home

Time(s): Fortnightly Second and Fourth Saturday

"The Haiku group will initially operate by Email. We will study and write Haiku, sending our work by Email to all the members on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month. Subsequently offering each other comments and suggestions by Email. Eventually we hope to publish our Haiku on the website as At Home Limerick club does now.."

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At Home History

Convenor: Gwen Kinghorn

Telephone: 01308 482270

Email: Click here to Email Gwen

Meetings: Email + optional Zoom

Venue: At Home

Time(s): Monthly

"Each month members prepare a summary of up to three pages, on the life of a famous public figure – past or present: each member chooses who they wish to write about. Contributions are Emailed to the coordinator by the 3rd Friday each month and the coordinator then circulates all contributions to all members. Comments on the chosen figures can be Emailed back to the coordinator who in turn sends them out to members. They can be fascinating ‘combined Emails’ to open. Some of the figures we have already featured have been Montgomery, Freud, Dahl, Castro, Gorbachev, Einstein, Kenneth Allsop, Enver Hoxha, Thomas Masterman Hardy, Tony Hancock, Pope Pius XII, Mary Mallon, Mendel and John Reith. When the time is right we hope to run both the ‘At Home’ group and the face to face group concurrently. The face to face group will have shorter presentations and feedback at the meeting."

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At Home IT Self Help

Convenor: Mick Holgate

Telephone: 01305 562822.

Email: Click here to Email Mick

Meetings: On Line

On Line Zoom

Time(s): Monthly first Thursday 10.30 am

"Dealing mainly with Windows, but using its combined knowledge, we are happy to try and help with any IT difficulties using other systems. The group hopes to be able to offer assistance with IT problems of any sort. Pre-Covid, the group met at Litton Cheney Village Hall but is currently using Zoom to convene regular sessions again. The group sessions are open and welcoming to any U3A members that would like to join us. Please contact Mick in the first instance."

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At Home Limerick Club

Convenor: Ann

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Ann

Meetings: Email

Email your limericks in - see above link

To see Current Contributions Click HERE

Time(s): Weekly, every Saturday - with new first line challenge for the following Saturday.

"We are a small group of regular and occasional contributors who write limericks for fun and amusement. Each week a first line is suggested to “kick-start” a limerick - but it’s just a suggestion and writers can adapt the line or think of their own - and then take the limerick in any direction they choose. Local and topical references are welcomed. Some members write a limerick using the suggested first line and then another with their own first line. Every Saturday the previous week’s contributions are posted on the “At Home Limerick Club” webpage (with authorship protected and identified by the writers’ initials only) and a new first line for the following week is suggested. There is no pressure to submit a verse(s) every week and the contributions are not publicly assessed, criticised or ranked in any way. "

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At Home Non-Fiction Club

Convenor: John Grantham

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email John

Meetings: Email

Venue: Zoom Discussion

Time(s): Every 2 months

"This group chooses interesting/unusual non-fiction books every couple of months. Having read the book we discuss it on Zoom. (To do this you have only to click on a link we send you and you can join in.) Books we have read are ‘How to Feed a Dictator’, ‘Airhead’, ‘The Secret Barrister’ and we are now reading David Nott’s ‘War Doctor’. To apply to join please email to nonfictionclub@bridportu3a.org.uk Places currently available."

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At Home Opera

Convenor: Alan Hobby

Telephone: 07528 105977

Email: Click here to Email Alan

Meetings:On Line

Venue: Email and monthly Zoom discussion.

To check this month’s operas Click HERE

Time(s): Monthly fourth Wednesday

"If you just listen to opera, you miss 2/3 of the experience, especially if you're not fluent in the language being sung. The music may be spectacular but who is singing? What’s going on? What are they singing about? A live performance is best but a video with subtitles is a decent alternative, and far cheaper. Operas are hilarious, dramatic, uplifting, poignant, soulful . . . certainly not always screechy women, fat men, doom and death. They are selected each month from free performances on YouTube, giving us the chance to view them in our own time. Operas may be chosen because they are favourites or because they are new and unknown to us and we want to broaden our experience. They all have English subtitles, making it easy to follow the action. We share our views, comments and suggestions 'live' on Zoom on the 4th Wednesday of each month at 10.30am. If you would like to join us, please contact Alan Hobby by Email."

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At Home Poetry & Verse Group

Convenor: Linda Moore

Telephone: 01308 423510 (answerphone in place)

Email: Click here to Email Linda

Meetings:On Line

To see Current Contributions Click HERE

Time(s): Weekly

"We have fun creating humerous or reflective verses for publishing on the U3A website each Saturday. Poetry, short-verse and riddles - all up to 6 lines are very welcome and one liners too. Local and topical references are welcome. A topic is suggested each week. There is no pressure to submit each week and the verses are not critiqued in any way. Contributors are only identified by their initials. Contributions via Email please. 'To read last week's verses press Done. Then click HERE to the right of 'To see Current Contributions.' More information from the convenor Linda Moore.

The next topic is 'The Emerald Isle' but feel free to choose your own topic. The deadline for contributions is Thursday 11 March 2021 with publication on Saturday 13 March 2021.")

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At Home Political Discussion 1

Convenor: Jim Basker

Telephone: 01308 538149

Email: Click here to Email Jim

Meetings: On Line

Zoom Discussion.

Time(s): Monthly second Friday 10.30am

"In 2020 and 2021 we are looking at important political problems in UK such as the politics of housing, civil service, economic growth, Brexit, the problems of different countries including particularly at the moment the USA, the climate crisis, and other issues that may become topical in the week or two before we meet. There is no obligation to undertake fundamental research in advance, though a little knowledge will help discussion.Discussion is by Zoom – we send you a link before we ‘meet’, and you click on it and join in.We currently have a couple of places available. "

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At Home Puzzles for Fun

Convenor: Ray Stamford

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Ray

Meetings: Email

Venue: At Home

Time(s): Monthly

"Join the group of Puzzlers and try to solve some puzzles sent out in the first week of the month. The puzzles are selected for their fun value – and are aimed to appeal to Puzzlers keen to use their reason and to ‘exercise the mind’. To see an example of a month’s puzzles without committing yourself, please Email me and I’ll gladly send them to you. Equally, if you have any particular puzzles you think could be included in the monthly selection please let me know."

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At Home Thomas Hardy Poetry

Convenor: John Grantham

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email John

Meetings: On Line

Venue: At Home

Time(s): Monthly

"Each month we select two or three Thomas Hardy poems to look at and to express our views on. The results are then circulated by Email to all participants and there can then be further Email ‘discussion’. You don’t have to be an expert! Please send your views to thomashardypoems@bridportu3a.org.uk and suggest a poem for us to study next time. ")

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At Home Understanding Android Phones

Convenor: Robin Amswych

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Robin

Meetings: On Line via Zoom

Time(s): 5 x Tuesday pm’s 4.30 – 5.30pm, starting 23 Feb

"The aim of the group is to help those who have an Android Smart Phone to understand, and be able to use, all the functions on it. The groups will be small – no more than 6 members at a time - in order for us to be able to try things out together and so really learn. We will use Zoom, so we can see demonstrations. It could be that we will need up to 5 x 1-hour sessions to feel really confident of our use and to make the best of these phones. Suitable for Beginners or for those currently using just some of the functions.")

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At Home Zoom Chat Monday am

Convenor: John Grantham

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click to Email John

Meetings: On Line

Venue : Zoom (we can help you tune in)

Time(s): Weekly Monday 10.00 am

"With just one click of a link that we can send you, you should be able to join in on a coffee-time chat – using Zoom - with other members on Mondays at 10.30am….for 30-60 minutes. (You can tune in and then leave when you want to if you have other things to do). Sadly due to Restrictions we’ll all be brewing our own coffee, but the chat will be communal. Discussion will be mainly about anything interesting that happened last week (including excellent broadcast programmes that members may be able still to see On Catch-Up) and interesting things happening this week, whether in broadcast programmes or events in Bridport and/or U3A. Additionally any tips on enjoyable things to do in these times will be welcomed. To join in please Email me at zoomchat@bridportu3a.org.uk by the Sunday night before and I’ll send you the link to click at 10.00am on the Monday. (Please don’t worry about the technology – we can guide you simply). All very informal.."

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2019 Groups Still Active Now

Architecture 1

Convenor: Diana Coleridge

Telephone: 01308 424431

Email: Click here to Email Diana

Meetings: Outside

Venue: Variable according to weather.

Time(s): Monthly Third Tuesday

"We normally meet once a month in the snug of The George and have been studying architecture starting with pre-Egyptian and having reached Sir Christopher Wren. We have also been on some interesting trips relating to our study. At present we have been able to continue meeting in gardens and being socially distanced. The winter is going to present a problem but we hope to find a covid-secure hall where our group may continue. We have a small group of 6 so are hopeful the guidelines enable us to carry on meeting."

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Bird Watching

Convenor: Marilyn Stevens.

Telephone: 01308 456223

Email: Click here to Email Marilyn

Meetings: Outside

Venue: Varies

Time(s): Monthly Second Wednesday 9.00 am at Football Ground Car Park

"On the second Wednesday of every month the group visits local bird watching venues, these maybe reserves with hides or areas known to be good for bird watching and can include a special ride on the Seaton Tram, a boat at Exmouth or visit to Brownsea Island. Members take it in turn to organise the visits and the all important lunchtime venues. We aim to have a yearly programme planned in advance. Under Covid restrictions our programme was suspended so we created a “What’s App Group” to communicate any sightings of interest to each other and keep in contact. In September we also restarted group visits and hope to continue these in multiple groups of 6. We are not currently visiting any sites with hides or enclosed spaces and are exploring the idea of concentrating on one area to record the birds seen and note any changes as winter comes. The group no longer goes to a pub for lunch, but weather permitting we take a picnic. This will change when restrictions are lifted."

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Book Group 2

Convenor: Helen Jones

Telephone: 01308 482602 (Please leave a message)

Email: Click here to Email Helen Jones

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Email

Time(s): Monthly second Tuesday 2.00pm

"Normally, we meet on the second Tuesday of the month at 2pm. We meet in our homes to discuss books previously suggested by the group and access copies of the chosen books ourselves. We are an informal group with several long-standing members. Currently, as we are unable to meet and there is no collective appetite to meet using Zoom, we have a monthly Email to keep in touch where we share recent books we have enjoyed and other news. We very much hope to resume our meetings as soon as circumstances permit. "

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Book Group 5

Convenor: Keith Windsor

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Keith

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Email

Time(s): Monthly Friday 10.30am

"We read and review one book each month. Books are selected from the Dorset Library Reading List by members. At present we are sharing reviews by Email until we can safely meet for group discussion."

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Book Group 6

Convenor: Liz Basker

Telephone: 01308 538149

Email: Click here to Email Liz

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Zoom.

Time(s): Monthly first Friday 10.30 am

"We meet, currently via Zoom, on the first Friday of the month. We're a mixed group and read a diverse selection of books – fiction, non-fiction, biography – chosen from the Dorset Library Book Group list. Each member of the Group selects one title a year and the rest are selected by discussion from the group's second choices. We have lively discussions, sometimes agreeing about books, sometimes differing but always in a good humoured way. When life returns to normal we may well be recruiting again but for now there are no vacancies."

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Exploring Art

Convenor: Karen and Cliff Herbert

Telephone: 01308 422035.

Email: Click here to Email Karen

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Email

Time(s): Monthly third Thursday 10.30 am

"We are a friendly, collaborative group of art lovers who meet on the third Thursday of the month at 10.30am, usually at the Group Convenors' home, occasionally at the home of a group member, and once or twice a year we enjoy a group outing. We enjoy sharing our research on individual artists and art movements with one another, as well as pooling a monthly update of exhibitions, days out or courses we may have attended. We work together to produce a rolling programme that we will all enjoy. Recent topics studied include Impressionism, Post Impressionism, Garden Art, Dutch Still Life, Fauvism, Wyeth/Hopper and Matisse, and upcoming topics include Narrative Art, Women Artists, the Newlyn School of Artists and Viennese Artists. The group is full but do please contact Group Convenor and ask for your name to added to the waiting list. It may be possible to form another group.."

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Family History

Convenor: Marilyn Stevens.

Telephone: 01308 456223

Email: Click here to Email Marilyn

Meetings: Normally Face to Face at present on Zoom

Venue: Varies

Time(s): Monthly first Wednesday 2.00pm

"We are a new group just setting up. We will meet on the first Wednesday of each month at 2pm, initially by Zoom. Our first meeting will be on Wednesday 6th January at 2pm. We are a small group with a wide range of experience. Initially our aim is to share our collective knowledge to help us all be more organised, less random in our research and move us all forward."

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Gardens and Gardening 1

Convenor: Pat Grafton

Telephone: 01308 898264

Email: Click here to Email Pat

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Zoom

Time(s): Monthly second Monday 2.30pm.

"Put a bunch of keen gardeners together and they talk gardening – they also eat cake, preferably sitting in a garden when the weather allows! Which is what we do, meeting in various members' homes and walking around their respective gardens each month. It's a very informal set-up; we are a self-help group, discussing topics suggested by members, helping one another with problems and, from time to time, visiting outside gardens, both public and private. The group is full but do please contact Group Convenor and ask for your name to added to the waiting list. It may be possible to form another group. "

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German for Beginners

Convenor: Pamela Blackwood

Telephone: 01308 868583 Mobile : 07502477717

Email: Click here to Email Pamela

Meetings: Online

Venue: At Home via Zoom

Time(s): Weekly Wednesday 10.00 am.

"The Beginners German group is at present meeting weekly using Zoom .We meet on Wednesday mornings from 10-11.30 am but will be changing to Mondays in the New Year. Pre-Covid, we met fortnightly in Member's homes in rotation. The members all want to use German on holiday or when visiting family members or friends who live in Germany, so we try to build listening, comprehension and conversation skills as well as learning grammar."

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Geology

Convenor:Vincent Sheppard

Telephone: 01308 485763

Email: Click here to Email Vincent

Meetings: Outside

Venue: On Jurassic Coast

Time(s): Monthly Varies

"Bridport U3A Geology group is currently active and running geological field trips along the Jurassic Coast World Heritage site. We are meeting in groups of up to six people including the Group Convenor to study the rock type and formations along the coast. We are able to review knowledge that has been learned during the lecture series with hands on experience looking at the different rock formations and structures. Each field trip is run several times to accommodate those that are interested. Over the winter months it may be more difficult to run the field trips due to weather constraints. In May I will be starting up zoom sessions with a revision of our early lectures. If you wish to join then you would be most welcome."

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Italian Intermediate

Convenor: Mary Ibbotson

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Mary

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Zoom.

Time(s): Fortnightly Fridays

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Knit and Natter

Convenor: Karen Herbert

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Karen

Meetings: Online

Venue: Zoom

Time(s): Fortnightly first and third Wednesday 10.00am

"Knit and Natter will meet by Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday morning of each month. Bring your own knitting, or for new knitters we can suggest a simple piece to start. Crocheters welcome too! With show-and-tell we will offer help when needed, or just chat."

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Music Appreciation 1

Convenor: Paul Tebbutt

Telephone: 01308 425945.

Email: Click here to Email Paul

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Zoom.

Time(s): Monthly second Monday at 2.00pm

"Whilst most of our sessions relate to classical music, we occasionally include a look at other genres, including folk and jazz. Each session is member-led on a rotational basis. "

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Short Walks (3-5 miles)

Convenor: Louise Heatley

Telephone: Please Email

Email: Click here to Email

Meetings: Outside in small groups

Venue: Various

Time(s): Monthly Third Tuesday 9.30am

"This group meets on the third Tuesday of the month, gathering in the Co-op car park at 10am. Walks are from 3 – 5 miles and will include hills and stiles but have a fairly leisurely pace. Car sharing to the start of walks will be arranged informally between members when we gather. We aim to start and finish walks near a pub so that members can choose to have a pub lunch together at the end if they wish. "

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Walking (5-7 miles)

Convenor: Mary Thomas

Telephone: 07796 787006.

Email: Click here to Email Mary

Meetings: Outside

Venue: Local Walks

Time(s): Monthly third Thursday 10.00 am

"We meet on the third Thursday of every month and walk 5-7 miles. We usually end in a pub for lunch although this is optional and probably won’t happen during the Covid Pandemic. Members take it in turns to lead a walk, usually in pairs, and to arrange the pub"

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Wine Appreciation

Convenor: Bruce Perry

Telephone: 01308 458661.

Email: Click here to Email Bruce

Meetings: Member's home

Venue: Varies

Time(s): Monthly Wednesday 7.00pm

"We are a friendly group that meets in Member's homes, tasting wine in a systematic way - by region or grape - with the emphasis very much on enjoyment and learning by experience. Nobody is an expert or wine buff, and all opinions are equal. The main focus is on good value mid price wines and costs are shared between those attending each meeting. The group is full but do please contact Group Convenor and ask for your name to added to the waiting list. It may be possible to form another group."

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Groups awaiting End of Restrictions

Architecture 2

Convenor: Diana Coleridge

Telephone: 01308 424431

Email: Click here to Email Diana

Meetings: Outside

Venue: Variable according to weather.

Time(s): Monthly Friday afternoon

"We have been looking at many aspects of architecture chosen at random by the group and have incorporated trips into our programme. We have looked at The Baahaus, Frank Lloyd Wright, Art Deco, Castles in Dorset, Zaha Hadid, The Stirling Prize and Elizabethan houses to name but a few. During Covid -19 we did continue meeting as 6 in a garden but have decided to wait now until next year, unless a hall becomes available and also as we are currently 8, need an increase in the number of people who are advised as safe to meet."

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Book Group 4

Convenor: Sylvia Henry

Telephone: 01308 426581

Email: Click here to Email Sylvia

Meetings: Meeting Room

Venue: See 'More'

Time(s): Monthly second Tuesday 2.00pm

"Book Group 4 meets once a month in the afternoon usually at The Market House on West Street in their “snug”. We are expected to purchase a drink - coffee or tea - so there is no charge for the use of the room. We order our books from the library choosing from their ‘multiple copies’ lists and we attempt a democratic choice by everyone ticking books they would like to read. It doesn’t always work but we take the view that the point of belonging to a book group is to read books you might not otherwise have chosen from the shelves or the book shop! Some books promote a lot of discussion but we always have an interesting chatty meeting."

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Canasta

Convenor: Alan Hayball

Telephone: 01308 458778 / 07792 663312

Email: Click here to Email Alan

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: St.Swithun's Church Hall.

Time(s): Weekly Monday Afternoons 2.30pm

"We are a Group (Currently 24) of like minded individuals who get together each Monday afternoon notionally to play Canasta but in reality to have a good chat and many laughs. Canasta is a competitive card game invented nearly 100 years ago in South America and is played in individual groups of 3,4 or 6. At first sight the game appears complicated and with many rules but we find that most new players pick it up within 2/3 sessions. Having grown over the 5 plus years that we have been in existence we have moved location 3 times to accommodate that growth. Until the onset of Covid-19 we were playing at St.Swithun's Church Hall. We were contributing £1.00 each week to cover the rental of the Hall.We are happy to offer tuition to any new players."

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Cribbage

Convenor: Liz Basker

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Liz Basker

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Greystones, Walditch

Time(s): Alternate Tuesdays

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Crime Fiction

Convenor: Ann Langridge

Telephone: 01308 425 867

Email: Click here to Email Ann

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue:To be arranged.

Time(s): Monthly Thursday 2.30pm

"We aim to explore the genre of crime fiction from its early beginnings and transformations to the present day. Crime fiction from other countries will be included to give an international perspective. This is an informal group with titles suggested by its members with the only caveats that the choice must be an enjoyable read - and a crime novel!."

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Cryptic Crosswords

Convenor: John Burgass

Telephone: 01308 455741

Email: Click here to Email John

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: External venue

Time(s): Weekly Tuesday 11.00 am

"Our group of six meets every Tuesday morning for a couple of hours upstairs in the Beach and Barnicott over a cup of coffee and cryptic puzzle! We are getting better and sometimes together manage to complete two crosswords during the session. At the moment we cannot meet but when things are back to some sort of normality we will be hoping to start up again."

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French Conversation

Convenor: John Burgass

Telephone: 01308 455 741

Email: Not used. Please phone John

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: External venue

Time(s): Fortnightly Thursday 11.00am

"French Conversation is “dormant” until we can meet again as a large (12 or more) group on alternate Thursdays at 11.00 a.m. at The Market House in West Street. When we can resume, John Burgass will lead our lively group of French speakers who contribute enthusiastically to our conversations. We discuss news items of interest and reading passages in French and often enjoy playing a home-made version of “Taboo” and other games. Convenor: John Burgass. Telephone: 01308 455 741. Administration: Maggie Jamieson: Contact details : Email: frenchconversation@bridportu3a.org.uk "

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French-Speaking Lunch Club (Les Gourmets)

Convenor: Chantal East

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Chantal

Meetings: External venue

Venue: Varies

Time(s): Monthly Last Monday 12.00 noon

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French Speaking Scrabble

Convenor: Chantal East

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Chantal

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's home

Time(s): Monthly First Wednesday 2.30 pm

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Gardens and Gardening 2

Convenor: Pat Grafton

Telephone: 01308 898264

Email: Click here to Email Pat

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Various

Time(s): Monthly First Thursday 2.00 pm

"Not meeting at present. Put a bunch of keen gardeners together and they talk gardening – they also eat cake, preferably sitting in a garden when the weather allows! Which is what we do, meeting in various members' homes and walking around their respective gardens each month. It's a very informal set-up. We are a self-help group, discussing topics suggested by members, helping one another with problems and, from time to time, visiting outside gardens, both public and private. This group currently has places."

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Gardens and Gardening 3

Convenor: Gillian Summers

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Gillian

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Various

Time(s): Monthly first Wednesday 2pm

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German Conversation

Convenor: Brian Follett

Telephone: 01308 422920

Email: Click here to Email Brian

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Members' homes

Time(s): Monthly first Friday 12.15pm

"Up to our last Meeting as a Conversation Group in March 2020, the structure of each Meeting has been for each member to be prepared to speak in German for about 5 - 8 minutes about a pre-arranged topic, which then stimulates discussion and conversation. The Meetings take place in the Snug Bar at the George Hotel opposite the Bridport Town Hall, for a snack lunch from the menu and a drink, from 12.15 to 2.00 pm. on every first Friday of the month.."

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Get it off your Chest !

Convenor: Maggie Harwood-Lindley

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Maggie

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: To be arranged.

Time(s): Monthly first Monday 10.00am

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Hikers (8-10 miles)

Convenor: Diana Coleridge

Telephone: 01308 424431.

Email: Click here to Email Diana

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Outside Various

Time(s): Fortnightly Friday Mornings if possible

"Prior to Covid-19 we were a group of 15 who walked all day each fourth Friday of the month covering up to 10 miles with a pub lunch half way round. Our walks have covered most areas of West Dorset including many hills, valleys, woods and sea-cliffs We have been on a few walking holidays in Wales and have one booked for next year. At the moment we are adhering to government guidelines and six of us who are careful about self-isolating are walking on a fortnightly basis weather dependent, and are able to have lunch in a pub garden having walked about 6 miles. At present the group is full but do please contact Group Convenor and ask for your name to added to the waiting list. It may be possible to form another group. "

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Isn't That Interesting !

Convenor: Alan Hobby

Telephone: 07528 105977

Email: Click here to Email Alan

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Varies

Time(s): As arranged.

"We visit local enterprises to see what they do and how they do it. Visits have included wood, metal and plastic engineers, glass workers, net makers, fish, tea, wine, cider, cake and cheese producers, printers, weavers, a stone mine, boat builders, a farm, the Houses of Parliament, water works, anaerobic digesters, a waste recycling centre and, of course, a sewage farm."

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Lunch Club Tuesday

Convenor: Jane and Eric Stubbs

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Jane

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: New venue to be arranged

Time(s): Monthly third Tuesday 12.00

"Our lunch group meets on the third Tuesday of each month. The members take turns in arranging the venue so that everyone eventually gets to a place of their choice, which could be a pub, café, restaurant, or even a hotel. The group is informal and friendly so topics of conversation range widely.")

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Mahjong

Convenor: Diana Coleridge

Telephone: 01308 424431

Email: Click here to Email Diana

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Bradpole Village Hall

Time(s): Monthly first Monday 2.00pm

"Prior to Covid-19 our mahjong group met every first Monday of the month in Bradpole village hall. We are usually about 16 people and play for a couple of hours and enjoy tea and biscuits and a social time together. Anyone can join, beginners welcome when we are able to start again."

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Music Appreciation 2

Convenor: Alan Hobby

Telephone: 07528 105977

Email: Click here to Email Alan

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's home

Time(s): Monthly second Tuesday 2.30pm

"Our aim is to explore interesting music. Much of it is Western classical music from the sixteenth century to the present day but we've also wandered into jazz, brass bands, folk . . .Each afternoon follows a programme compiled and presented by a member, for example on a specific theme, composer or instrument using CDs, DVDs, online videos or live music. We hope to cater for all tastes: perhaps you have a particular passion for an aspect of classical music that you are willing to share, a collection of recorded performances that others might like, or would like to listen to and discuss music in a friendly atmosphere."

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Needlework for Pleasure

Convenor: Jane Stubbs

Telephone: 01308 898002

Email: Click here to Email Jane

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's home

Time(s): Fortnightly Fridays 2.00pm

"Needlework for Pleasure is what the title suggests. We are an informal, self help group. Often people bring along an unfinished project, either of their own (maybe long abandoned) or sometimes inherited. Between us we have a variety of types of work on the go, ranging from canvas work, freestyle embroidery, plain sewing, and knitting."

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Nutrition and Homoeopathy

Convenor: Jenny Malyon

Telephone: 01308 898768

Email: Click here to Email Jenny

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's home

Time(s): Various monthly

"This group meets in Burton Bradstock monthly on the second Wednesday of the month at 2pm. The group is led by a qualified, practicing Homoeopath and Nutritionalist and we discuss a topic chosen by the group at each meeting. We generally discuss all health related matters as they arise and that are of interest to the group. The range of topics varies and covers issues relating to particular diseases, body systems, nutritional topics and the philosophy and practice of homoeopathy. Physical, emotional and mental health are covered as they are requested, or arise and the actual use of homoeopathic remedies for first aid use is discussed. No previous knowledge or experience is necessary and members joining the group might have had experience of using homoeopathy or not. For more information please contact Jenny Malyon on 013088987868. "

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Philosophy

Convenor: Stella Blacklaws

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Stella

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: To be arranged.

Time(s): To be arranged

"This group is currently inactive but we are hoping to be able to have some members on a Zoom link. It's not clear that this will work for philosophy (Zoom is notoriously stilted ). We like more of a cut and thrust discussion. Members may not have an up to date computer to enable us to use Zoom. It was ruled out completely initially, but we are just considering it again."

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Play Reading 1

Convenor: Peter Holloway

Telephone: Please Email

Email: Click here to Email Peter Holloway

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's home

Time(s): Monthly third Thursay 10.00am

"We meet on the third Thursday of the month at 10am in a member's home. All members of the group take it in turns, on a rota basis, to set the parts of the play. Plays are selected from across various genres including crime, comedy and farce. No reading preparation is required before the sessions.."

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Play Reading 3

Convenor: Paddy Rayner

Telephone: 01308 459822.

Email: Click here to Email Paddy

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Various

Time(s): Monthly first Wednesday 2.00pm

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Poetry for Pleasure 1

Convenor: Sue Jones

Telephone: 01308 425350

Email: Click here to Email Sue

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: New venue to be arranged

Time(s): Monthly second Tuesday 10.30am

"P4P exists to allow its members to share their enjoyment of all kinds of poetry, and to discover new poetry that others bring along. We read each other poems and talk about them, or about matters arising. We’re not very active at the moment, though some members are exchanging poems by Email. I hope to resume meetings when circumstances allow.
‘World is suddener than we fancy it. World is crazier and more of it than we think, Incorrigibly plural…’ From ‘Snow’ (Louis MacNeice. 1907-63) ")

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Poetry for Pleasure 2

Convenor: Sue Whipp

Telephone: Please use Email

Email: Click here to Email Sue

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Zoom.

Time(s): Monthly second Tuesday 10.30am

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Political Discussion 2

Convenor: Robin Amswych

Telephone: 07850 885490

Email: Click here to Email Robin

Meetings: On Line

Venue: Zoom

Time(s): Monthly fourth Friday 2.00pm

"The Politics 2 discussion group hold lively debates on topical and long term political issues. We hold a wide range of views and opposing opinions are listened to with understanding and respect. We have held some Zoom meetings during the Pandemic, but we have now suspended these for the winter.."

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Rummikub

Convenor: Jill Harrison

Telephone: 01308 538852

Email: Click here to Email Jill

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Member's homes in small groups

Time(s): Fortnightly Tuesday 2.15pm

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Science Discussion

Convenor: David Roman

Telephone: Please Email

Email: Click here to Email John Tassell

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Various

Time(s): Monthly Monday 2.00pm

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Singing (Bridport U3A Singers)

Convenor: Heather Harvey

Telephone: 01308 425219.

Email: Click here to Email Heather

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: St John's Ambulance Hall, Rax Lane.

Time(s): Fortnightly Thursdays 10.30am

"Before Covid restrictions we were a well established, very friendly mixed group of about 60 happy and enthusiastic singers, enjoying the well documented benefits of belonging to a choir. Unfortunately we are currently unable to get together and have lost our Musical Director. Members are determined to restart as soon as restrictions permit and will be seeking someone to lead us. Please get in touch if you can help."

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Skittles

Convenor: Valerie Gierth

Telephone: 01308 420301.

Email: Click here to Email Valerie

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: The Lord Nelson

Time(s): Fortnightly Wednesday 6pm

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Spanish Intermediate

Convenor: Maggie Jamieson

Telephone: 01308 422920

Email: Click here to Email Maggie Jamieson

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: A Member's home

Time(s): Weekly Wednesday 2.30 pm

"During Covid restrictions we are enjoying communicating via a group 'string' of Emails in Spanish about every 2 weeks. When we can all meet again we shall look forward to our weekly Wednesday 2.30 pm sessions at a member’s house. We started learning Spanish together as “Beginners” in November 2013, working from a grammatically-based course book - Hugo’s “Spanish in 3 Months” – teaching ourselves! Several years later, we have covered tenses and many other grammatical features. At this stage we feel that we need to consolidate what we have learnt and to acquire more vocabulary, so we enjoy preparing pratice material for one another, using any resource that gets us speaking Spanish. "

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Strollers 1 (4-5 miles)

Convenor: Ro Windsor

Telephone: Please use Email.

Email: Click here to Email Ro

Meetings: Face to Face

Venue: Outside Various

Time(s): Monthly Wednesday

"We meet at 9.30 a.m. at the Co-op car-park in Sea Road North. Car sharing will be available wherever possible but cannot be guaranteed so please contact the Group Convenor prior to a meeting if you require transport. Walks will be about 4 to 5 miles and designed to observe the wealth of wildlife around us. Given our local coast and countryside, walks may well include uphill sections and/or stiles. This group has a waiting list but if you are interested in joining, or for more details, contact the Group Convenor."

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