What is the u3a? The u3a is an organisation that provides a fantastic way to keep active, make new friends and explore shared interests in a relaxed, friendly environment. With a huge range of interest groups: from art, languages and games to science, music and walking, we keep learning and having fun with other people. Anyone can join who is not in full-time employment.
Bicester u3a has a membership of around 370. We organise monthly talks, excursions, an annual holiday and some 50 assorted groups where people can share their interests. Our members come from Bicester and the surrounding villages. There is no waiting list, and new members are always very welcome. To join, please go to our Contact page.
Auction! Auction!
At our main 40th Anniversary Celebration next Tuesday 30th June in the Littlebury we will be holding a special auction of the painting of the Beatles by Paul Lillie which he performed live during his presentation at the June monthly meeting. Please come along and be prepared with your bids for this fine piece of art. The painting measures a stunning 1.5m x 1m (5ft x 3.25ft). So that no member is excluded, because our tickets for this event are sold out and they can't be at The Littlebury next Tuesday, anyone can place a best bid with our Chairman Garth Perkins by email up to 6pm on Monday 29th. This will then be included in the auction as an undisclosed bidder. Email Garth from our Contact Page.
Our Celebrations
Bicester u3a was founded in 1986 just four years after the u3a movement began in the UK. So this year we are celebrating 40 years of fun, friendship and sharing our interests together. Throughout the year we will be holding a number of events to honour this important milestone in our history.
Our Main Celebratory Event is taking place at the Littlebury Hotel on Tuesday 30 June starting at 12 noon. This event is for ticket holders only. Tickets are now sold out.
As part of their groups' Current Affairs 40th anniversary celebratory event Mary and Gill, the group leaders, invited Calum Miller, our local MP, to join them. He spoke about his journey to becoming an MP and how Parliament works, which was both fascinating and interesting. He answered questions on many varied subjects, including assisted dying and devolved parliaments as well as local concerns.
For more news, photos and reports of our celebrations, please visit the 40th Anniversary Celebrations page.
Other Recent News and Upcoming Events
!NEW! A contingent from our u3a has been on a holiday based in Chester from 7 June to 13 June. Please see report and photos here.
We are in urgent need of someone to fill the currently vacant role of Vice-Chair. Without volunteers for Committee posts our u3a cannot function. Bicester u3a needs you. Please contact a Committee Member if you can help keep our organisation going.
Sunday 5 July 2026 12:30 pm / 1:00 pm: Sunday Lunch at the Fox Inn in Souldern.
Those interested in the July Day Trip to Highclere Castle, please see this important update.
Photographic
The subject for the 2026 photo competition is "Architecture, buildings, structures or part thereof". More details.
Kathy Gelding and Richard Herbert were joint winners of the 2025 Photographic Competition. Read more here.
"Hello! My name is Bicesteria, but you can call me Bissie. I'm your friendly Bicester Blue Sheep Mascot."
We have added new photos to Bicester in Photographs. Bissie says, "Why not have a look?"