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.

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. The main Bicester u3a is holding the following:

Our first major event of 2026 The Groups Showcase/Freshers' Fair on 24 January was a major success. Read all about it here!

Tuesday 30 June 2026: 40th Anniversary Main Celebration. Tickets for this event are now sold out. More information.

Each of our interest groups is conducting its own festivities in whatever way it wishes:

• The Art Appreciation Group celebrated Bicester u3a's 40 years on Thursday 9 April with a talk on five great but largely forgotten artists followed by Tea and Birthday Cake.
• Our Current Affairs Groups will be holding a meeting with our local MP Calum Miller in June.
• Our French Conversation B Group will be joining forces with our German Conversation Group for a Summer Garden Party in July.
• The Any Type of Good Music Group, as their celebration, listened to a selection of chart hits from 1986 as that was 40 years ago.
• Stitchcraft 1 is holding an Ascot Ladies’ Day to be held at home with a buffet, champagne and a sweepstake while watching the races on television. Hats are being decorated for the occasion on the 18 June.

• During their April meeting the Murder Mystery Book Group shared some bubbles and cakes to celebrate 40 years of Bicester u3a. They each dressed up as a character from a murder mystery book.

• The Wine Appreciation Group, as might be expected, celebrated our 40th Anniversary by raising a glass (or perhaps more).

Other News and Upcoming Events

We have a new group Needle Felt. More details.

Those interested in the July Day Trip to Highclere Castle, please see this important update.

Thursday 28 May 2026 2:00 pm / 2:15 pm: General meeting: Paul Lillie will talk about The Life and Works of The Beatles.

Sunday 7 Jun 2026 at 12:30 pm / 1:00 pm: Sunday lunch at Checkers, Weston on the Green.

We have added new photos to Bicester in Photographs. Bissie says, "Why not have a look?"

Kathy Gelding and Richard Herbert were joint winners of the 2025 Photographic Competition. Read more here.

The subject for this year’s photo competition is "Architecture, buildings, structures or part thereof". Photos must be submitted printed on 6x4 or 7x5 paper.