Downham Market & District

Interest Groups

A message from your Group Co-ordinator

We have lots of lovely groups within Downham Market U3A, from Table Tennis to Philosophy. We have Book Groups and Lunch Groups, Afternoon Tea, Walking, Sewing, Current Affairs, Ukulele and Jazz; we have Poetry and Writing for Pleasure, Spirituality, Sociology and many, many more.

I encourage you all to look through the list to see what is available, and then try one or two. It does not matter how mobile you are or whether you drive. There will always be someone available to give you a lift!

You will meet lots of people, make new friends. Keeping your mind active is always good. At the Lunch groups we chat, learn about other U3A groups, set the world to rights and have a laugh. Some of the groups are more structured, but all of them, I can promise you, are fun. Lots of friendships are made within the U3A and spill out to the rest of your life. I went to the pictures with a group of friends last week who I never would have met had it not been for the U3A. So, come on - give it a go! You will have fun!

While on this subject, we have room for many more groups, so come on - share your skills, share your knowledge, or get some people together to learn a completely new subject. You don’t need to be an expert - you can use books, Google and other research materials, and learn together! There may appear to be lots of red tape involved in running a group (what with the large folder we give you!) but I promise that is just for reference and you really don’t have to worry! It is only there for peace of mind.

As group leader, you will just need to arrange a venue and let your group know the date of the get- together. If the group is held in yours or another member's house, a cup of tea is always appreciated - everyone chips in 50p to help. If you need a different venue, each member pays a subscription to cover cost of hall, equipment etc. but that is usually only 2 or 3 pounds.

Groups that spring to mind are line dancing, astronomy, computing, astrology. Obviously, dancing would need someone in U3A who knows ‘how’ and you would need a venue: the others could be held in homes, with members learning together using Google or books. Computing would be best with someone with some knowledge. What about an amateur dramatic group? You could put on a performance a couple of times a year at the monthly meeting, If you have any ideas at all come talk to me, I will help you all I can to get started.

I am at most monthly meetings sitting at the back with a table and pretty box (my suggestion box) never had anything in it yet! Come talk to me, bring me your ideas I will do my best.

Stephanie Dent

To find out more about the activities of each group, click on its blue link below.

For more information from group leaders, please click on the bird at the top right of each group's page.