If you are no longer in full-time work, a warm welcome awaits when you join in our activities. We are a self-help organisation.

The ethos of the u3a is member-led learning. We are a self-help organisation. u3a members draw upon their own knowledge and experience to teach and learn from each other for pleasure. Bedale and District u3a offers settings in which members can meet with others by attending, supporting and helping to run current activities and creating new ones that meet their mutual interests.

Interest Groups

Various groups have been started by people with a particular interest in an activity and they are run as a collaborative effort by the members. They facilitate opportunities for people to follow an interest, while having fun with other like-minded members. Some groups charge a small amount to cover the hire of venue or materials. See Groups page.

There is an annual Photography Competition with closing date in November. This year's topic is "Insects, Creepy Crawlies or Garden Pests".

A magazine called "u3a Matters" is published 5 times a year and is sent to your home address if you opt to receive it. The cost is included in your annual Full subscription.

Monthly Meetings

All members are welcome. Come and join the chat over coffee, hear the latest news from the committee and then listen to our speaker – there is a different speaker every month (except in April when we hold our AGM). We meet at Chantry Hall in Bedale on the third Wednesday morning of every month. Refreshments are included in the £1 entrance fee. See more information about future speakers on the Monthly Meetings page.

In the past, we have had speakers on many diverse topics –

• the history of the British Passport
• tales of a former immigration officer
• the ex-diplomat turned novelist who regaled us with tales from far-flung places
• the artist and micro-engraver who put a quote from Oscar Wilde on to the end of a fountain pen nib for Stephen Fry
• the couple who were cruise ship entertainers for many years
• the list goes on and on….