What to Expect from Joining our u3a
If you are no longer in full-time work, a warm welcome awaits when you join in our activities. We are a self-help organisation.
Sign up now and your membership will run until 30 April 2025! The subscription cost is £13 or £10 if you are a full member of another u3a.
Click here to see How to Join.
The ethos of the u3a is member-led learning. We are a self-help organisation. u3a members draw upon their own knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other for pleasure. Bedale and District u3a offers settings in which members can meet with others by attending, supporting and helping to run current activities and creating new ones that meet their mutual interests.
See more information at What is u3a? page.
Monthly Meetings
We meet at Chantry Hall, Bedale, on the third Wednesday of every month from 10am until midday.
Refreshments are included in the £1 entrance fee. All members are welcome. Come and join the chat over coffee, hear the latest news from the committee and then listen to our speaker – there is a different speaker every month (except in April when we hold our AGM).
In the past, we have had speakers on many diverse topics –
- the ex-diplomat turned novelist who regaled us with tales from far-flung places
- the artist and micro-engraver who put a quote from Oscar Wilde on to the end of a fountain pen nib for Stephen Fry
- the couple who were cruise ship entertainers for many years
- the manager of The Tan Hill Inn - the highest inn in England - in the 1980s
- the list goes on and on….
See more information about future speakers on the Monthly Meetings page.
Interest Groups
Various groups have been started by people with a particular interest in an activity and they are run as a collaborative effort by the members. They facilitate opportunities for people to follow an interest, while having fun with other like-minded members. Some groups charge a small amount to cover the hire of venue or materials. Current Groups -
| Activity Groups | Country Dancing | Cycling | Social Group | Walks | |
| Arts & Music | Crafting | Creative Writing | Ukulele Group | Guitar Group | |
| Discussion Groups | Book Group | Discussion Group | Family History | Meet n Chat | |
| Games | Bridge | Chess |
There is also an annual Photography Competition. Last year's topic was 'Bridges of the North Riding'.
If you would like to get a flavour of Bedale and District u3a and meet some of its members before joining, you are very welcome to come to one monthly meeting and/or to one Group meeting as a visitor, although attendance may incur a small charge. Please contact the Vice-Chair to arrange this for you. Details of times and locations of both the monthly meetings and Group meetings can be found on the What's On page.
A magazine called 'u3a Matters' is published 5 times a year and is sent to your home address if you opt to receive it. The cost is included in your annual Full subscription.
We look forward to meeting you soon – further information at ‘How To Join’ page.
Bedale and District u3a is a registered charity - number 1182934