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.
Our Main Celebratory Event took place at the Littlebury Hotel on Tuesday 30 June. Please see Helena's report here.
For the Pub Quiz Group's 40th Anniversary special event, I donned the quiz master's hat and compiled a quiz for 10 other members of the group. To make it like a real pub quiz we all had drinks and crisps. Although everyone complained about the deviousness of the questions, they all did really well. But the outright winners were Sylvia and Alice, the "Merry Widows" team who gained an extra 10 points for working out the 5% question in the 1% Club round. - Alison
For more news, photos and reports of our celebrations, please visit the 40th Anniversary Celebrations page.
Other Recent News and Upcoming Events
New day trip to Hampton Palace (members only) - 30 September 2026. Details here.
!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.
Tuesday 14 July 2026 10:00 am: Short walk from Lower Heyford
Thursday 23 July 2026 2:00 pm/2:15 pm: General meeting. It is our Annual Fun Quiz organised by Gill Hawkins. We meet, as usual, at the Clifton Centre.
Sunday 2 August 2026 12:30 pm/1:00 pm: Sunday lunch at Kirtlington Golf Club
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?"