Our Interest Groups

Our Interest Groups are the heart of Chalfonts u3a. We have over 70 groups and the list is always expanding. They include Arts & Crafts, Cultural, Games & Sports, History, Languages, Outings & Social and Technical interests.

Click the + to open the Genre and then click on the Interest Group name to view more information.

At the bottom of this page, you can view the Interest Groups Schedule.

How to Join an Interest Group

Have a look at the schedule to see when the groups meet. You can join an interest group by emailing the convenor with your details, using the "Contact the Group Convenor" form on the individual interest group page. If you need any assistance please contact groupcoordinator@chalfontsu3a.org.uk

Directory of Interest Groups (PDF)

Our Interest Groups

Click the + to open the Genre and then click on the Interest Group name to view more information.

At the bottom of this page, you can view the Interest Groups Schedule.

How to Join an Interest Group

List of Interest Groups (PDF)

Interest Groups by Category

Arts & Crafts

Cake Decorating

The group sessions are aimed at the beginner, but anyone with an interest or experience in Cake Decorating is welcome.

Crochet

The Crochet group meets once a month on the first Thursday of each month from 2 pm till 4 pm in the Community Centre. If anyone would like to learn how to crochet, we are available to help complete novices, also if anyone would like to join our group we have some vacancies.

Creative Writing

Anyone interested in writing for fun, both fiction and non-fiction is welcome. We meet at Member’s homes or Madeira Café.

Guitar Group

Do you Play the guitar or want to learn?

To make new friends who share an interest in photography.
To develop your skills when using their camera.
To learn how to use light, composition, and focus so that you can take better photographs.

To provide a meeting place for members who are interested in any form of textiles or crafts, to meet up and share knowledge and ideas.
To meet in a social setting so that we can stitch and chat.
To inspire members to try different skills by providing tutor-led workshops or by attending local or national craft events.

Ukulele

We are a friendly, informal group - we just have fun making music. Most of us have been playing the ukulele for a couple of years, but we’re certainly not experts and still have lots to learn! We also have a few complete beginners and are happy to welcome new members of any standard.

Cultural

Book Club 1

Anyone interested in reading and discussing books is welcome. Our purpose is to have an enjoyable discussion and share our views, insights, and thoughts about the different books we have read.

Book Club 2

Anyone interested in reading and discussing books is welcome. Our purpose is to have an enjoyable discussion and share our views, insights, and thoughts about the different books we have read.

Book Club 3

Anyone interested in reading and discussing books is welcome. Our purpose is to have an enjoyable discussion and share our views, insights, and thoughts about the different books we have read.

Current Affairs

Anyone interested in reading and discussing current affairs is welcome. Our purpose is to have an enjoyable discussion and share our views, insights, and thoughts about the different topics we discuss.

Philosophy

Anyone interested in philosophy and discussing the subject is welcome. Our purpose is to have an enjoyable discussion and share our views, insights, and thoughts about the different ideas we have.

Poetry & Literature

To meet, read, enjoy and improve our knowledge of poetry and literature!

Games

Bridge

Bridge is a friendly group of Bridge players who enjoy purposeful duplicate Bridge in a convivial and relaxed atmosphere.

Bridge for Beginners

Beginners, no bridge knowledge required.

Cribbage

If you are interested in joining the group, please contact David Burbidge at cribbage@chalfontsu3a.org.uk

Cryptic Crosswords

To the inexperienced solver, cryptic crosswords can seem like complete nonsense. I recall looking at a cryptic for the first time (with the answers!), being completely lost by how the clues in front of me could possibly give the solution.

To solve cryptic crossword!
To learn new techniques
To practice your skill

To play Mahjong for fun!
To socialise and make new friends

Quizzers

The group will participate in externally organised quizzes, such as pub quizzes and charity/fund-raising quizzes.

To spend a friendly informal evening playing Rummikub in 2 or 3 groups depending on the number attending.
Rummikub is a game played with counters very similar to the playing cards Rummy and is easy to learn.

To enable U3A members to meet on a regular basis to play friendly but competitive games of Scrabble against each other.
We play two rounds each evening we meet, rotating the players each time we meet.
The majority of our members host our meetings in their homes on a rotational basis.

History

Family History

We aim to explore the excitement of our family history and share our research methods and discoveries so we can learn from each other.

Family History 2

We aim to explore the excitement of our family history and share our research methods and discoveries so we can learn from each other.

To initiate a discussion about a topic of history
To encourage all members to make suggestions on topics of interest
To encourage interaction of group members in the discussion

Languages

French Fluent

Increase our vocabulary
Improve our pronunciation
Learn about French culture, politics etc
Meet together as a friendly support group

French Conversation Intermediate 1

To develop our French conversation skills with others who are looking to improve their spoken French.

French Conversation Intermediate 2

To develop our French conversation skills with others who are looking to improve their spoken French.

To meet, listen and enjoy speaking German!

We are all complete novices but want to learn Italian. We encourage each other, have lots of coffee and biscuits and are determined to keep practising and improving!

We are all complete novices but are very much enjoying learning Italian, none of us are finding it easy but we encourage each other, have lots of coffee and biscuits and are determined to keep practising and improving!

To meet, listen, speak and enjoy learning to Spanish!
To learn more about Spain.

To meet, listen, speak and enjoy learning the Spanish language!

To meet, listen, speak and enjoy learning to Spanish!
To learn more about Spain.

To meet, listen, speak and enjoy learning to Spanish!
To learn more about Spain.

Outings & Social

Ballroom Dancing

The aim of the group is to improve our skills and it is not a free dance session so our teacher instructs us each week in various dance steps therefore you need to be able/prepared to take instruction. The sessions are broken down into sections of free dance, practice, and tuition from our excellent teacher.

Coffee Mornings

Meet up for Coffee and Croissant once a month at the Greyhound Inn.

To offer members the opportunity to visit places of interest within two hours of Chalfont St Peter.
Where possible a private guide is booked for each venue and frequently we are able to offer lunch and/or tea within the price.
To broaden our knowledge and learning.
To enjoy great days out and socialise with fellow members.

To visit a wide variety of gardens suggested by members, mainly focussed on local gardens but including some which are further away.
To gain ideas, inspiration and knowledge from our visits which will help us become better gardeners in our own gardens.
To broaden our appreciation of gardens through visits and through possible talks out of season.
To focus our local visits mainly on those gardens which are open only for group.
.visitsTo socialise with other group members, encourage discussion and enjoy sharing our views with each other.

To arrange walks around London with a guide.
To meet other members of our U3A.
To socialise with group members to get to know them better.

To give members the chance to try out activities they haven’t tried before.
To share their adventures with like minded members.

New Members Coffee Mornings

The New Members Coffee Morning runs monthly at Gerrards Cross Community Association, East Common. You will meet other new members and members of the committee who can answer any questions you may have.

To meet, sing and enjoy Old Time Music Hall Singing!
The object is to perform in retirement homes.

To sing and discover songs that we all enjoy singing.
To improve our singing technique.
To share our performances with others.
To encourage discussion and enjoy sharing our views with each other

To offer members the opportunity to visit the theatre within two hours of Chalfont St Peter.
To provide a comfortable way to get to the theatre by coach.
To enjoy great days or evenings out and to socialise with fellow members.

Weekend Group

We are a relatively new group, established in February 2023, and at our inaugural meeting, we agreed that initially, we would schedule a monthly event on either a Saturday or Sunday.

To meet up with other wine lovers.
To learn about wine tasting and what it entails.
To enjoy a sociable evening with like-minded people who have an interest in wines from around the world.

To meet up with other wine lovers.
To learn about wine tasting and what it entails.
To enjoy a sociable evening with like-minded people who have an interest in wines from around the world.

Physical

Badminton

You should be able to play at least at a basic level as games played are doubles.

Ballroom Dancing

Birdwatching

We meet on different days each month. Venues are easily reachable and we try to car share with options to stay for lunch. Both Tony Micallef and Dennis Hotton are experienced bird watchers and enjoy sharing their knowledge with us, a fun group to be part of as we learn so much.

Cricket - Mixed Walking

We play cricket at the Chalfont St Peter Cricket Club in the summer and at the Chalfont St Peter Leisure Centre in the winter months.

To meet with likeminded people who enjoy riding their bikes
To take exercise
To meet socially with other members who enjoy cycling

To have a relaxed time hurling a few bowls down a rather lush green lawn!
To meet like minded friends who don't take life (or Lawn Bowls) too seriously!

To arrange walks around London with a guide.
To meet other members of our U3A.
To socialise with group members to get to know them better.

Pickleball

The Pickleball group is now up and running. We start outdoors on Tuesday 1st November using Chalfont St Peter Tennis Club’s newly built Pickleball court. From 29th November, we will move indoors to the Chalfont Leisure Centre.

Pickleball 2

The new group Pickleball 2 expects to start in mid-January. Please register your interest now using the online form on the Pickleball 2 web page.

To provide the opportunity to enjoy a healthy Pilates class with guidance from a trained person.

To provide the opportunity to enjoy a healthy Pilates class with guidance from a trained person.

Short Mat Bowls

Why not finish off a busy week with a relaxing but competitive game of short mat bowls?

To meet with like minded people to enjoy a gentle (not too competitive) game of table tennis
To make new friends
To win at all costs! (Only kidding.)

To meet with like minded people to enjoy a gentle (not too competitive) game of table tennis
To make new friends
To win at all costs! (Only kidding.)

To meet with like minded people to enjoy a gentle (not too competitive) game of table tennis
To make new friends
To win at all costs! (Only kidding.)

To make the Tai Chi arts available to all
To promote the Taoist Concept of Health through the practice of the Taoist arts
To promote cultural exchange
To help members use Tai Chi for their health and well being

To make the Tai Chi arts available to all
To promote the Taoist Concept of Health through the practice of the Taoist arts
To promote cultural exchange
To help members use Tai Chi for their health and well being

To provide the opportunity to enjoy a healthy walk through our wonderful local countryside, with conversation along the way.

To provide the opportunity to enjoy a healthy walk through our wonderful local countryside, with conversation along the way.

We walk two to three miles on as flat a ground as we can find. It suits those who want to get out and about in nature but don’t want to go on a hike. It suits those who are less able.

The group is made up mainly from members of members of the other CU3A walking groups but the weekend is advertised across the whole membership.

These are not advanced classes, so no experience is needed.
We are taught by qualified and fully insured yoga teachers.
We practice different yoga positions and stretches, rather than "flow" Yoga.
There is a period of relaxation at the end of the class.

These are not advanced classes, so no experience is needed.
We are taught by qualified and fully insured yoga teachers.
We practice different yoga positions and stretches, rather than "flow" Yoga.
There is a period of relaxation at the end of the class.

To have fun learning some dance steps to music and getting some physical exercise in the process. A moderate level of fitness is needed to take part

Technical

Computing

To learn basic, intermediate and more advanced computer skills
To learn how to make the most of your personal computer
To make the best use of the Internet and personal computers and their software.

To learn basic, intermediate and more advanced computer skills
To learn how to make the most of a personal computer
To support users of the macOS computer operating system.

To learn the basics of the iPad
To learn how to make the most of your iPad
To develop your skill level, over time, to advanced level
To socialise and make new friends with likeminded people

To make new friends who share an interest in photography.
To develop your skills when using their camera.
To learn how to use light, composition and focus so that you can take better photographs.

Science: Earth and Space group

The Science: Earth and Space group now encompasses Earth Science (including Geology/ Fossils /Volcanoes etc), Space Science (including Astronomy, Planetary Science, Space Exploration etc) and Natural Science (including Natural History), so if you are interested in any of these, this is the group for you!

Interest Groups Schedule & Calendar

Interest Groups Schedule

Group Name	Week in Month	Day	Time
Badminton	Weekly	Thursday	10:00-11:30
Ballroom Dancing	2nd & 4th	Tuesday	10:00-12:00
Birdwatching	Varies	Varies	Varies
Book Club 1	3rd	Monday	2:30-4:30
Book Club 2	4th	Tuesday	2:00-4:00
Book Club 3	2nd	Tuesday	2:00-4:00
Bridge	1st & 3rd	Wednesday	1:30-4:30
Cake Decorating	2nd	Tuesday	2:00-4:00
Chess	TBC	TBC	TBC
Coffee Mornings	Varies	Varies	10:00-11:00
Computing	2nd	Thursday	2:00-4:00
Computing macOS	2nd	Monday	2:00-4:00
Creative Writing	Varies	Monday	10:00-12:00
Cribbage	1st & 3rd	Monday	1:00-4:00
Cricket - Mixed Walking	Weekly	Tuesday	10:00-11:00
Crochet	1st	Thursday	2:00-4:00
Cryptic Crosswords	Weekly	Friday	10:00-12:00
Cryptic Crosswords Too	bi-monthly	Friday	10:00-12:00
Current Affairs	4th	Wednesday	2:00-4:00
Cycling Longer Routes	last	Monday	10:30-1:00
Excursions and Outings	Varies	Varies	Varies
Family History 1	1st	Tuesday	10:00-12:00
Family History 2	4th	Wednesday	2:00-4:00
French Intermediate 1	bi-monthly	Monday	9:30-11:30
French Intermediate 2	2nd & 4th	Tuesday	10:15-12:15
French Fluent	bi-monthly	Tuesday	2:00-4:00
Garden Visits	Varies	Varies	Varies
German-Conversation	Fortnightly	Second and fourth Thursday	2:30
Guitar Group	2nd & 4th	Wednesday	2:00-3:30
History	2nd	Thursday	2:00-4:00
iPad User Group	2nd	Wednesday	10:00-11:00
Italian Beginners	Weekly	Tuesday	14:15-15:30
Italian Beginners Plus	Weekly	Monday	10:30-12:00
Lawn Bowls	Fortnightly	Tuesday	10:00-12:00
London Walks	bi-monthly	Varies	Varies
Mah-Jong	Weekly	Wednesday	10:30-12:50
Mindfulness	TBC	TBC	TBC
New Experiences	Varies	Varies	Varies
New Members Coffee Morning	Monthly	Varies	Varies
Old Time Musical Hall Singing	Varies	Varies	Varies
Philosophy	Monthly	3rd Thursday	14:00-16:00
Photography	1st	Monday	10:00-12:30
Pickleball	Weekly	Tuesday	1:30-2:30
Pickleball 2	Weekly	Tuesday TBC	1:30-2:30 TBC
Pilates	Weekly	Mondays	1PM - 2PM
Poetry & Literature	1st	Thursday	10:15-12:15
Quizzers	Varies	Varies	7:00 PM
Rummikub 1	last	Tuesday	7:30 PM
Science & Technology	Monthly	1st Friday	3PM - 4:30PM
Scrabble	3rd	Wednesday	7:30 PM
Short Mat Bowls	Weekly	Friday	2:00-4:00
Singing for Pleasure	Weekly	Thursday	10:30-12:00
Spanish Beginners 2	TBC	TBC	TBC
Spanish Conversation	2nd & 4th	Wednesday	3:30-5:00
Spanish Improvers 1	2nd & 4th	Wednesday	10.30 - 12.00
Table Tennis 1	Weekly	Tuesday	3:30-5:00
Table Tennis 2	Weekly	Wednesday	5:00-6:30
Table Tennis 3	Weekly	Tuesday	1:30-3:00
Tai Chi beginners	Weekly	Friday	11:00-12:15
Tai Chi	Weekly	Friday	12:30-13:45
Textiles & Crafts	3rd	Thursday	2:00-5:00
Theatre Trips	Varies	Varies	Varies
Ukulele	Weekly	Monday afternooon	02:00
Walking 2-6 Miles	Varies	Varies	Varies
Walking 6-10 Miles	Varies	Varies	Varies
Walking Strollers	bi-monthly	Varies	Varies
Weekend Group	Varies	Varies	Varies
Wine Appreciation 1	1st	Wednesday	7:30 PM
Wine Appreciation 2	3rd	Wednesday	7:30 PM
Yoga	Weekly	Tuesday	11:15-12:15
Yoga 3	Weekly	Friday	2:00-3:30
Zumba Gold	Weekly	Tuesday (20 Aug - 1st Oct)	10:30-11:15

Interest Groups Calendar from Beacon (work in progress)

Interest Groups Calendar