Upton & Lytchett

Groups

Details of the groups currently available are given below.

We are always looking for new groups and group leaders to expand the variety of interest areas we offer, so if you have an interest or skill to share, please contact the Groups Coordinator via the link on our Contact Us page.

ANCESTRY
Meets 1st Wednesday of month 2.30pm-4.30pm at Lytchett Matravers Library, High Street, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6BG. Group Leader: Jean Nutt
Research your family tree. Access to ancestry.com software via the library. Help and information given.
Please note that this group is organised by Purbeck u3a.

ASTRONOMY
Meets Thursdays 3pm-5pm at Sandford Community Hall, Keysworth Drive, Sandford, Wareham BH20 7BD. Held in conjunction with Purbeck u3a. Group Leader: Alan Bagley
A programme of 26 meetings / lectures / demonstrations on Astronomy spread over 3 academic terms by Graeme Nash.

Topics covered are far ranging and structured covering for example the history of astronomy from the dawn of civilization to the present. He covers the origins, formation and structure of our own planet and the solar system. This leads on to a series of talks on Cosmology describing the structure, development and origins of our universe and finally speculative theories of the end scenario.

Meetings are much more than a formal lecture format. Graeme welcomes and encourages audience interaction and always entertains us with his wit, erudition and above all his abundant infectious enthusiasm.
This group will incur a payment to Purbeck u3a, who host this group.-

BIRDWATCHING
Meets Mondays fortnightly 10am-12. Group Leader: Sarah Wall
A friendly group visiting the local area and occasionally further afield.

BOARD GAMES
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays 10:15am-12:15pm at Upton. Group Leaders: Jackie Taylor and Jan Schwarzin
A friendly get-together to play Rummikub, Upword, Scrabble and various other games.

BOOK GROUP
Meets monthly on Mondays 3pm-4pm at Upton Central Café, The Triangle, Upton, Poole BH16 5PG. Group Leader: Sheila Twelvetrees
Meet once a month to discuss the ‘Book of the Month’ – chosen each month by a different member of the group. Members have to pay for the cost of books supplied from the Upton Library.

BRIDGE
Meets every Monday 1:45pm-4:45pm at Bulbury Woods Golf Club. Group Leader: Tim Smith
Players of all abilities learning from each other in a friendly spirit. The Bridge group welcome beginners and our group leader would be pleased to arrange a few games to help them understand the game.

CHESS
Meets fortnightly on Thursdays 2pm-4pm at the Baker's Arms pub, Lytchett Minster. Group Leader: Anne McMullen
A small chess group for both beginners and those with experience of the game. Tuition available.

CLASSIC BOOK GROUP
Meets monthly on Wednesday afternoon at leader's house - Group Leader: Jim Clark
Explore the world’s classic literary canon

CLASSIC CARS & BIKES
Group Leader: Neil Hoskison
A friendly get together on the first Thursday of the month at 2pm in the Rose & Crown, Lytchett, any U3A member with an interest in classic cars or motor bikes welcome. You don’t have to own a classic, just come along for a chat and have a coffee or a pint. We let you know at each meeting the local car and bike events for the coming month.

COFFEE & CAKE
Thursday mornings in local cafes. Group Leader Brian Levell

ART & CRAFT GROUP
Meets fortnightly on Wednesdays 10-12noon at Lytchett Matravers. Group Leader: Shelagh Wilcox
A mixed group, art, knitting, crocheting. patchwork, etc. If you have an interest bring it to the group to expand their knowledge and yours.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
Meets 1st & 3rd Tuesdays 10am-12pm at Lytchett Matravers Library, High Street, Lytchett Matravers, BH16 6BG. Group Leader: Alan Bagley
Friendly and lively group discuss the topical and often contentious issues of the day from a wide range of political perspectives.

DISCOVERING WESSEX
Meets every Wednesday at Upton. Group Leader: Niki Prior
Researching and then visiting many of the beautiful villages and towns of Dorset and adjacent counties to discover their history and sample their pub lunches. Entry fees need to be paid on occasion.

ENJOYING POETRY
Meets monthly on Friday morning at Upton. Group Leader: Ruth Williams
A friendly get together to read and enjoy all types of poetry.

EXPLORING DORSET AND BEYOND
Meets Tuesdays. Group Leader: Maggie Hoskison
Visiting our beautiful countryside including coffee and a lunch stop. Entry fees may need to be paid on occasion.

FRENCH CONVERSATION
Meets every Thursday 10:30am-12:30pm at Upton. Group Leader: Bonita Vincent
A conversation class for those with a reasonable level of French - not for beginners.

GARDEN VISITS
Group Leader: Jackie Hull
Once a month visiting an open garden chosen by one member of the group including a stop for lunch when we plan our next venue and date.

GERMAN CONVERSATION
Meets Every Monday 2–4pm. Group Leader: Rosmarie Tinsley
A conversation class for those with a reasonable level of German, meeting in Upton.

HISTORY OF ART
Meets every 4th Wednesday 2pm-4pm at Lytchett Matravers Library, High Street, Lytchett Matravers BH16 6BG. Group Leader: Sally Bridges
A study of various aspects of the subject and opportunities to share information on group members’ favourite works of art.

LOCAL HISTORY
Meets alternate Wednesdays 10am-12noon. Group Leader: Gill Clayton
Researching and recording village life in the past.

MAH JONG
Meets every Monday 10am-12noon at Lytchett Matravers. Group Leader: Rosie Johnson
For beginners and accomplished players who meet together for friendly games – in Lytchett Matravers. A second group is looking for members in order to re-form.

NATURE GROUP
Meets fortnightly 10-12noon on Mondays. Group Leader: Sarah Wall
Walk in the countryside and observe birds, plants and animals.

PETANQUE
Meets every Friday 1:30pm-3:30pm at Upton Country Park. Group Leader: Warrie Philps
A friendly game - bring your own boules.
Note: there are charges for parking in the car park at Upton Country Park.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Meets the first Thursday in the month from 2-4pm at Lytchett Sports Pavilion, and out and about. Group Leader TBA.

PLAY-READING
Meets on the last Monday of the month at 14:30 in Upton. Group Leader - Jean Rickard

POTTERY
8 weekly sessions on Monday mornings each term (3 per year) in the Group Leader’s own studio in Lytchett Matravers. Group Leader: Frances Fortescue
Find your creative streak by trying wheel throwing, coiling, slabbing, and hand building sessions. Learn how to fire, decorate and glaze. Additional charges for each 8 week course: £10 plus £5 (minimum) per person per session will be payable for materials

SINGING FOR PLEASURE
Meets fortnightly on Wednesdays 2pm-4pm Carey Hall, 10 Mistover Road, Wareham BH20 4BY. Group Leader: Paul Martin
This group is organised by Purbeck u3a. Any member with a love of singing can join. There are no auditions. We sing a mixture of songs from different eras, including songs from the musicals, all accompanied by Rod on the piano. This group will incur a payment to Purbeck u3a, who host this group. Payment is also required for materials.

SUNDAY LUNCH GROUP
Group Leader: Judy Eldergill
Enjoy Sunday lunch once a month in the company of u3a members at different locations.

SWIMMING
Meets every Monday pm at Hamworthy Park Junior School Ashmore Crescent, Poole BH15 4DG. Group Leader: Terry Wing
Enjoy a swim in Hamworthy School swimming pool. No instruction will be given and members of this group must be competent swimmers. Swim caps must be worn - both male and female. No lifeguard will be present and no responsibility will be accepted by the u3a for your safety
For safety reasons, only a limited number of spaces are available. An additional charge will apply.

TABLE-TENNIS
Meets fortnightly on weds afternoon at Lytchett Sports Pavilion. Group Leader: Grahame Brooks

TAI CHI
Meets every Tuesday 10:45am-11:45am in Lytchett Matravers Village Hall High Street, Lytchett Matravers BH16 6BG. Group Leader: Heather Argent
Starting October 2023, the second year of a two-year course for Beginners (the second year is Advanced) of the Chinese method of exercise and movement to promote health and well-being in mind, body and spirit. Note: a top-up fee of £5 per person is payable at the commencement of the year.

TAI CHI WORKSHOP
Meets Tuesday mornings 09:30am-10:30am in Lytchett Matravers Village Hall High Street, Lytchett Matravers BH16 6BG. Group Leader: Heather Argent
For those experienced in Tai Chi and who have completed the two-year course. Note: a top-up fee of £5 per person is payable at the commencement of the year.

WALKS.....
There are several walking groups - see below

COUNTRY WALKS
Thursday mornings. Group Leader: Rosie Johnson
Will usually be 5-7 miles long, at a moderate pace, suitable walking boots recommended. The walks, starting in the morning, are usually followed by a pub lunch or, occasionally, include a picnic along the way.

GARRY’S 3-4 MILE WALKS
Monday mornings. Group Leaders: Garry + Wendy Williams-Lucas
Three-to-four mile walks near to Lytchett Matravers, Upton and the surrounding area starting and ending on a bus route.

WEDNESDAY WALKS
Wednesday mornings. Group Leader: Andy Jenkins
4-6 miles anywhere in the Dorset countryside, usually planned to end with a pub lunch.

Group List
Ancestry group
Wednesday p.m.
Wednesday p.m.Art for all
Wednesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Wednesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Astronomy
Thursday p.m.
Thursday p.m.Bird Watching
Monday a.m.
Various
Monday a.m.
Various
Board Games (various)
Tuesday a.m.
Upton
Tuesday a.m.
Upton
Book Group
Monday p.m.
Monday p.m.
Bridge
Monday p.m.
Monday p.m.Chess
Thursday p.m.
fortnightly
Thursday p.m.
fortnightly
Classic Books
Wednesday p.m.
Monthly
Wednesday p.m.
Monthly
Classic cars & bikes
Thursday p.m.
1st Thursday of each month
Thursday p.m.
1st Thursday of each month
Coffee and Cake
Thursday a.m.
Thursday a.m.Country Walks
Thursday a.m.
Thursday a.m.
Craft Group
Wednesday a.m.
Wednesday a.m.Current Affairs
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Discovering Wessex
Wednesday a.m.
Wednesday a.m.Enjoying Poetry
Friday a.m.
Upton
Friday a.m.
Upton
Exploring Dorset
Tuesday a.m.
Upton
Tuesday a.m.
Upton
French Conversation
Thursday a.m.
Upton
Thursday a.m.
Upton
Garden Visits
 
 Garry's 3-4 mile walks
Monday a.m.
Monday a.m.
German Conversation
Monday p.m.
Upton
Monday p.m.
Upton
History of Art
Wednesday p.m.
4th Wednesday
Wednesday p.m.
4th Wednesday
Local History
Wednesday a.m.
Wednesday a.m.Mah Jong
Monday a.m.
weekly, Lytchett Matravers
Monday a.m.
weekly, Lytchett Matravers
Nature Group
Monday a.m.
fortnightly
Monday a.m.
fortnightly
Petanque
Friday p.m.
Upton Country Park
Friday p.m.
Upton Country Park
Photography
Thursday p.m.
First Thursday 2-4pm
Thursday p.m.
First Thursday 2-4pm
Play-reading
Monday p.m.
last Monday in month in Upton
Monday p.m.
last Monday in month in Upton
Pottery
Monday a.m.
Monday a.m.Singing for Pleasure
Wednesday p.m.
fortnightly
Wednesday p.m.
fortnightly
Sunday Lunch Group
Sunday p.m.
once a month on Sunday
Sunday p.m.
once a month on Sunday
Swimming
Thursday a.m.
Hamworthy
Thursday a.m.
Hamworthy
Table Tennis
Wednesday p.m.
Fortnightly
Wednesday p.m.
Fortnightly
Tai Chi
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Tai Chi Workshop
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Tuesday a.m.
Lytchett Matravers
Wednesday Walks
Wednesday a.m.
Wednesday a.m.
Timetable Summary
Day MorningAfternoon
MondayBird Watching   Garry's 3-4 mile walks   Mah Jong   Nature Group   Pottery   Book Group   Bridge   German Conversation   Play-reading  
TuesdayBoard Games (various)   Current Affairs   Exploring Dorset   Tai Chi   Tai Chi Workshop    
WednesdayArt for all   Craft Group   Discovering Wessex   Local History   Wednesday Walks   Ancestry group   Classic Books   History of Art   Singing for Pleasure   Table Tennis  
ThursdayCoffee and Cake   Country Walks   French Conversation   Swimming   Astronomy   Chess   Classic cars & bikes   Photography  
FridayEnjoying Poetry   Petanque  
Sunday Sunday Lunch Group