(Full Group listings below)
It only takes two people to begin a group – one to teach and one to learn (in theory) but you don’t have to be an ‘expert’ to lead.
This is exactly what the u3a was set up for – to teach one another and enjoy the time we spend doing it!
Running a group doesn’t have to be onerous and the committee is here to help you.
The groups are the lifeblood of the u3a and reflect the interests of our members. Recently we’ve added Italian, French, Creative Writing and Scrabble groups.
Group leaders can be contacted via the link on their individual pages.
Groups listed alphabetically
-
Bridge
Fortnightly on Tuesday afternoons 1:30 pm-3:30 pm
Starting 28 April 2026 -
Canasta
Fortnightly on Thursday afternoons 2:00 pm-4:30 pm
Every other Thursday -
Coffee and Chat
Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:30 am-12:30 pm
Last Wednesday of the month -
Craft and Chat
Monthly on Wednesday mornings 9:30 am-11:30 am
Last Wednesday of each month -
Crafting class (Jungalow Crafting)
Monthly on Thursday mornings 10:00 am
Last Thursday of each month -
Creative Writing
Monthly on Wednesday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
First Wednesday of the month -
Current Affairs
Monthly on Monday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
Third Monday of each month. -
DIY
Meeting days currently vary and sessions are usually 2 hours -
Family History
Monthly on Fridays 2:00 pm
Second Friday of each month -
French, Advanced
Mornings 11:15 am-12:15 pm
Please see group write up for dates of sessions. -
Gardening
Monthly on Thursdays
Oct - April, on the third Thursday of the month 10:00 am - 12 noon. May - Sept, dates vary for trips. -
Italian for Beginners
Mornings 10:00 am-11:00 am
Please see group write up for dates of sessions. -
Local History
Monthly on Tuesdays 1:15 pm
Third Tuesday of the month. We start at 1.15 pm with refreshments before the talk which begins at 1.45 pm -
Luncheon Group
Monthly on Friday afternoons 1:00 pm
Last Friday of each month -
New Members (and not-so-new members!) Coffee Morning
Monthly on Tuesday mornings 10:30 am-12:00 pm
Fourth Tuesday of the month -
Play Reading
Monthly on Tuesday afternoons 2:00 pm
Third Tuesday of the month -
Reading Group 1
Monthly on Wednesdays 2:30 pm
Second Wednesday of each month -
Reading Group 2
Monthly on Friday mornings 10:30 am
Second Friday of each month -
Rummikub
Monthly on Friday mornings 10:00 am-12:00 pm
First Friday of each month -
Scrabble
On Monday afternoons 2:00 pm
Second and fourth Monday of each month -
Walking Group - Friday
Monthly on Fridays 9:30 am
Third Friday of each month -
Walking Group - Intermediate
On Monday mornings 10:00 am
First and third Monday of each month
Darlington u3a groups
South Durham u3a and our neighbours, Darlington u3a, have a reciprocal agreement which means that members of each u3a can attend a selection of groups organised by the other. Obviously members of South Durham u3a will have priority should our own groups be oversubscribed and ditto for Darlington u3a members in their groups.
Darlington u3a groups which have room for more members are listed below. You don't have to join their u3a group - just pay the small fee at each meeting:
Arty-Crafty Club 2pm, 1st & 3rd Wednesday of each month £2
Canasta 10:30am, each Wednesday £2
History 2pm, last Wednesday of each month £2
Line Dancing 10am, each Thursday £3
Mah Jong 1pm, 2nd & 4th Monday of each month £2
Rummikub 11:15am, 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month £2
Social Bridge 10:30am, each Monday £2
Tai Chi 9:45am, each Friday excluding 1st Fri in month £5
Wild Flower Walks 1:30-3:30pm, one Tuesday per month
Wine Appreciation 2pm, last Friday of each month £8