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 380. We organise monthly talks, excursions, an annual holiday and over 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 Membership Secretary.
Our 40th Anniversary Celebrations
Bicester u3a – the Story
A full history of our wonderful u3a has finally arrived. As part of our celebrations for the 40th Anniversary, Charlie Wrench has been busy researching and compiling the history of our beloved organisation. He has spent many many hours working on this, and the fruits of his labour are well worth perusing. It makes a very interesting and informative read. Well done and huge thanks, Charlie! To go to the history, click on the above title/link. There are various hyperlinks in the Notable Events section to particular occasions that Charlie has also researched and written up along with photos, such as the celebrations for the previous main Anniversaries. Please also take the time to look at those extra pages.
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Come and Sing - Christmas
As a final event for the 40th Anniversary we are having an afternoon singing carols and Christmas songs, enjoying mince pies and mulled wine and wearing our best Christmas garb on Monday 21st December at St Edberg's. More information here. - Anthony
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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 took place at the Littlebury Hotel on Tuesday 30 June. Please see Helena's report here.
The Book Club celebrated our 40th Anniversary with a tour of the Bodleian Library - more about their visit on this page.
For more news, photos and reports of our celebrations, please visit the 40th Anniversary Celebrations page.
Other Recent News
Next year's residential holiday will be in Derbyshire - full details here.
We have a new group: Wine Appreciation 2 starting Wednesday 11 November 2026 - full details here.
We have a new group: Tai Chi Chih - full details here.
On Wednesday 30 September 2026 a group of members enjoyed a Day Trip to Hampton Court. More photos here.
Helena Tuckwell has produced a wonderful bumper August Newsletter in celebration of the 100th issue of the Newsletter. You can read it 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.
Upcoming Events
Sunday Lunch on 1 November 2026
12:30 pm for 1:00 pm. Venue: Denis's in Bicester.
Thursday 26 November 2026 at 2:00 pm: General meeting
Photographic
The subject for the 2026 photo competition is "Architecture, buildings, structures or part thereof". Submissions are now closed.
The first viewing is at the Clifton centre on 22 October.
The second viewing and voting is at the Clifton centre on 26 November.
There will be first, second and third prizes, which will be awarded at the Christmas Lunch on 10 December.
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?"