Dronfield & District

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Dronfield & District u3a Groups

60's Music     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 4th Friday 10am to 12 noon
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details The group meets for two hours on the morning of the last Friday of the month, the meetings being hosted at homes on a rotation basis by three of the members. The meetings each have a music theme such as weather, peoples names, places etc and we all choose songs to listen to. This works really well and generally we all do a lot of research to find obscure songs to listen to. The meetings are relaxed, fun, informal and there is no serious listening, rather we listen but also reminisce about the past and where we were at the time, concerts, clubs, buying records etc. There are usually quite a few musical anecdotes and, often we come away having learnt something - not easy to do in our later years. Just shows you can always find out something new.

Art Activities     

Meets 2nd Monday 2pm
Venue The Peel Centre, Dr Fletcher Room - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details The group enjoys exploring different art styles, materials and mediums and crafts in an easy-going, friendly environment. Each month we attempt a different topic or medium suggested by members - or do your own thing. It's all good fun and we are sharing skills and learning together.

Art Appreciation     

  Note that Art Appreciation is full and you will be added to a waiting list.

   
Meets 3rd Thursday of each month
Venue The Peel Centre, Dr Fletcher Room - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details Meetings are held in the Peel Centre at 2.00 pm on the third Thursday of each month =================================================== We are a small friendly group who wish to learn more about the wonderful world of art. The activities include invited speakers, gallery visits and we learn from each other.

Book 1 (Mondays)     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 2nd Monday
Venue Dronfield Library - map
Normally starts 12:30 to 13:45
Details THIS GROUP IS CURRENTLY FULL. PLEASE CONTACT THE COORDINATOR TO JOIN THE WAITING LIST. Whenever possible members from the waiting list are invited to join the group if current members are absent. We are currently meeting at an earlier time due to early closing times at Dronfield Library. This is a temporary measure. Our group philosophy is to read books by unfamiliar authors exploring a variety of genres. Dronfield Library loans us a set of 8 books each month which we read and discuss and we supplement these loans with our own reading choices at regular times throughout the year when we purchase books.

Book 2 (Fridays)     

Meets First Friday of the month.
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 11:00 to 13:00
Details To discuss books in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

Book 3 (Tuesdays)     

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month
Venue Dronfield Library - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 15:30
Details Currently full but you are welcome to join the waiting list

Bowls     

Meets Wednesday Afternoons. Weekly May - End Sept
Venue Coal Aston Village Hall - behind the hall - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details Meeting at Coal Aston Bowling Club Max 16 players on green at any one time Open toed footwear inappropriate

Bridge - Social     

Meets 2nd & 4th Mondays
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details We have a few casual hands of bridge. In order to improve our play, and to help newcomers to the game, we sometimes discuss the hand as we play it.

Bridge - Social (2)     

Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday each month
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 14:15 to 16:15
Details The Bridge Group-Social(2) evolved in June 2017 from the Bridge Group for Beginners which was launched in June 2016.This was a teaching and learning group using the Acol System to play Rubber Bridge, within a fun and friendly atmosphere This group meets in members' houses on a fortnightly basis.

Climate Matters     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 2nd Thursday 2pm
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details The Climate Matters group studies the current state of the Earth and what actions both globally and as individuals can be taken to prevent short and long term damage to the environment, and use of the Earth's resources. The group will link to the national u3a Climate Change Network

Croquet     

Meets Monday afternoons. Weekly from Mid May - End Sept
Venue Coal Aston Cricket Club - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details We meet at Coal Aston Cricket Club weather permitting and are all helping each other to learn the game for a fun afternoon of Croquet. Our pitch accommodates 8 people at a time and we work a rota system to allow everyone to have a game. The cost is £2 per session including tea/coffee and a £5 joining fee

Cycling     

Meets 2nd Monday and 4th Thursday of each month
Venue 
Normally starts 10:30 to 00:00
Details We meet twice per month April to October and once per month November to March. We ride between 10 and 25 miles on tracks/trails, old railway lines and very quiet roads such as the Monsal and High Peak Trails and round Derwent/Ladybower. Any type of bike is OK although a mountain/trail/hybrid bike is best for the type of rides we are doing. Only general fitness is required. E-bikes are also welcome.

Discussion     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 1st Thursday of each month
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details The topics for discussion are chosen by general consent. One group member starts the discussion with a presentation of facts and/or with a statement of their opinion on the matter. Issues discussed have included:The Boundaries Commission proposals; Which is the more effective way of changing behaviour - the carrot or the stick? Britain belongs in Europe; To Frack or not to Frack what is the question?; Is the quest for universal peace hopeless? How can we sustain the NHS? There is no strict protocol for the discussions. We have civilised exchanges where everyone listens to one person, then another person has something to say, wanting clarification or questioning what has been said. Some members listen more than others, while others have more to say. Everyone's opinion is valued, though it may also be questioned. The discussion will normally fill the first hour, and then will be given over to items that group members bring to the table for the second hour.

Dry Stone Walling     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Monthly, on pre-arranged Tuesdays or Thursdays
Venue 
Normally starts 10:00 to 16:00
Details We believe we are the world's first and only u3a Dry Stone Walling Group. The Group was set up some 8 years ago with the cooperation of the Ranger Service of the Peak District National Park. We are currently meeting in two groups each group meets monthly, on pre-arranged Tuesday or Thursdays. Meetings start at 10am and finish around 4pm or earlier in winter months. There are no charges and equipment is provided, other than personal protective clothing and footwear. For more information, to see examples of our work, or to contact the group coordinator, see the Dry Stone Walling page on our website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36252

French     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 1st, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Thursdays
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 13:30 to 15:30
Details This group is aimed at intermediate to advanced French speakers. We usually commence by talking in French about our recent activities and then proceed to study and practice an aspect of French grammar. We translate from English to French and vice-versa and look at a text of topical interest. We try not to be too intense!

Friday lunch club     

Meets 2nd Friday every month
Venue 
Details Monthly lunch club at Dronfield and district venues. Meets on the second Friday of the month.

Garden Visits     

Meets 3rd Tuesday, unless otherwise arranged
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre Car Park
Normally starts 10:00 to 16:00
Details We learn about gardening by visiting public gardens in the region - depending on opening times these may be at different times and/or on other days of the week. Details are provided in the schedule.

Gardening Growers     

Meets 4th Monday of each month, 2-4pm
Venue Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall Unstone - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details This group focuses on the practical aspects of growing all types of plants and vegetables with members sharing their expertise and knowledge. Each monthly meeting includes a discussion about previously agreed topics. The group usually meets in members' homes but over the winter it is meeting in the Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall in Unstone. Members pay £2 per meeting to cover room rental costs. For more information see the Growers page on the website: http://www.u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/50858.

Genealogy     

Meets Second & Fourth Thursday
Venue Dronfield Library - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 15:30
Details Relaxed, friendly and with varying skills, we aim to help each other discover our ancestors and research their lives. Experienced members assist those new to research, share their knowledge and help when we're stumped. No such thing as a brick wall? It is useful for members to have access to a computer and Internet databases for their research. The Library has wifi and the group is encouraged to bring laptops and tablets/iPads to meetings in order to connect to genealogy websites. We have a projector for demonstrations or for visiting speakers.

Geography     

Meets 1st Tuesday
Venue The Peel Centre, Edwin Lucas Hall - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details Armchair travellers- members sharing travel experiences

German Advanced     

Meets Meet on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 09:30 to 11:00
Details Advanced German meets on the 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month, starting at 09:30 in the facilitators home. The sessions last 90 minutes without a break. This is a small committed membership suitable for those that are at A'level or equivalent.

German Intermediate     

Meets Meets on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month.
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 11:10 to 12:40
Details Meets on 2nd, 3rd and 4th Tuesday of the month unless it is a five week month. Then it is the 3rd 4th and 5th Tuesdays. It is expected that some basic knowledge of German will be known.

History     

Meets Fourth Wednesday 10 am
Venue The Peel Centre, Thomas Taylor Hall - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details Layer by layer history has piled up beneath your feet. Its effects exist all around you. If you are interested in discovering what history has done for you, then the History Group is your key to unlocking the secrets of the past.

International Folk Dance     

Meets Wednesdays
Venue Fred Hopkinson Memorial Hall Unstone - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details This is a group for anyone interested in dancing or looking for some enjoyable exercise. Traditional dances are found all over the world and we include those mostly from Eastern Europe, Israel, Russia, Greece and other European countries. We choose dances with authentic music from local villages or regions as they would be danced or performed by the communities themselves. Partners aren't needed since most of the dances are in lines or circles, neither is any previous experience because we teach and lead simple dances which are easy and enjoyable to do. The cost covering hall rent and tea/coffee varies each quarter depending on the number of sessions and group members.

Line Dancing for Beginners     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesday in the Month
Venue The Peel Centre, Edwin Lucas Hall - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details This Session is designed to give complete beginners an opportunity to 'have a go' for fun, light exercise, social gathering and easy dancing. There are a couple of places left for anyone wishing to join in January

Make Music     

Meets TBA
Venue Member's Home
Details Anyone interested in creating music (either by voice, instrument or both) is welcome. For those wanting to learn to play guitar I can give lessons using my instruments for their initial tuition. All other practical instruments (harmonica, violin, portable keyboard etc)are welcome. Singers can accompany musicians and all genres of music are welcome; folk/blues/pop/classical and everything inbetween

Maths For Fun     

Meets 1st Thursday of each month
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details This group meets in a member's home each month. We look at maths topics such as theories, historical aspects, the use and misuse of statistics, and recreational maths problems and puzzles. We are taking part in the National U3A weekly Maths Challenge puzzles which are available to all U3A members.

Photography     

Meets 3rd Thursday or as arranged
Venue The Peel Centre, Dr Fletcher Room - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Details This is a group for anyone interested in photography. No skill is required to join and participants learn from each other. Our aim is to make more use of our equipment, improve our photography and enjoy it. Indoor workshops are used to learn the basics: use of controls, basic and advanced shooting techniques, composition, lighting and have more fun with photography. We use a laptop to view each others photos and discuss the results. Meetings are not always held indoors. Weather permitting, we have 'field events' where we can put our workshop theory into practice. Most of us learn best by seeing and doing. Venue costs are shared amongst the members either on a monthly or 6 month basis. ***** To contact the coordinator please send an email from the Groups page of our website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups *****

Pickleball (Tuesdays)     

Meets Tuesdays (weekly)
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre - map
Normally starts 14:15 to 15:00
Details A great opportunity to give this very popular sport a go. It's a cross between Badminton, Tennis & Table Tennis played over a low net with a bat and plastic ball. We will meet weekly due to popular demand. If you would like to come along, please email the relevant Group Coordinator from the Groups page of the website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups

Pickleball (Wednesdays)     

Meets Wednesdays - weekly (term-time only)
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:00
Details A great opportunity to give this very popular sport a go. It's a cross between Badminton, Tennis & Table Tennis played over a low net with a bat and plastic ball. If you would like to come along, please email the relevant Group Coordinator from the Groups page of the website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups

Rummikub & Canasta     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Every Tuesday evening
Venue Member's Home
Normally starts 19:00 to 21:00
Details We are a small friendly group who meet to play Rummikub every other week and Canasta on alternative weeks. The group is full at the moment, but the co-ordinator is more than happy to retain a waiting list.

Short Mat Bowls - Tues     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Starts 3rd Oct. Tues weekly term-time only
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:05
Details This new Group will start on the 3rd October 2023 and meet weekly during term-time only. If you are interested, please email the coordinator from the Groups page of the website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups

Short Mat Bowls - Weds     

Meets Starts 4th Oct. Weds weekly, term-time only
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:00
Details This new Interest Group will start on 4th October 2023 and meet weekly during term-time only. If you are interested, please email the Coordinator from the Groups page of the website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups

Social Studies     

Meets 4thThursday of each month
Venue The Peel Centre, Dr Fletcher Room - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details Each meeting will have a topic, chosen in advance and visits may be arranged to places of social interest. Members share the cost of room hire.

Spanish Conversation     

Meets (usually) 2nd and 4th Wednesdays at 16:00
Venue The Peel Centre, Dr Fletcher Room - map
Normally starts 16:00 to 17:30
Details This group is for people who have previously learned Spanish and just want to keep in practice. We talk Spanish in pairs or larger groups, discuss videos we have watched, do grammar and vocab exercises, read aloud and attempt translations together.

T&V Beverley and Hull     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Tuesday 16th April 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to Beverley and Hull on Tuesday 16th April. Cost £14 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's February monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

T&V Chester     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Wednesday 15th May 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to Chester on Wednesday 15th May 2024. Cost £14.50 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's March monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

T&V Knaresborough & Harrogate     

  We regret that this group is full.
   
Meets Friday 21st June 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to Knaresborough and Harrogate on Friday 21st June 2024. Cost £14 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's April monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

T&V Nat Arboretum & Lichfield     

Meets Thursday 18th July 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to the National Arboretum and Lichfield on Thursday 18th July 2024. Cost £14.50 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's May monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

T&V Nottingham     

Meets Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to Nottingham on Wednesday 23rd October 2024. Cost £12 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's July monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

T&V Saltaire & Skipton     

Meets Friday 20th September 2024
Venue 
Normally starts 09:00 to 00:00
Details Coach trip to Saltaire and Skipton on Friday 20th September2024. Cost £14.50 per person. Booking will open at the u3a's June monthly meeting. For more information see the Trips and Visits page of the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/36243

Ten Pin Bowling     

Meets Monday afternoon in term time
Venue 
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Details Meet at Chesterfield Bowl first and third Mondays in a month. A social occasion with regular, short bursts of exercise.

Thursday Lunch Group     

Meets 3rd Thursday
Venue By arrangement at chosen Restaurants and Cafes
Normally starts 00:12 to 00:00
Details This group meets once a month for lunch and friendship. The venue for each month is chosen by members at the previous meeting. Costs vary and are payable direct to the venue. Unfortunately this group is full.

Trips And Visits     

Meets NULL
Venue 
Details Trips are now being planned for 2024. If you have any suggestions for possible trips please email the Trips and Visits Coordinator via the Trips and Visits group page on the website https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/groups

Walking     

Meets Walk Details are on our page on the website
Venue Dronfield Sports Centre, Back Car Park
Details Walk details are sent out to members that wish to receive them. The programmes are also available on the Walking part of the DDu3a website: https://u3asites.org.uk/dronfield/page/98398 The Walking Group aims to foster happiness and friendship between members by virtue of a common interest in the healthy and enjoyable pursuit of walking. The Group organises a rolling programme of walks designed to appeal to walkers of all abilities. All walks are classified by grade and pace. Walking group members are asked to pay £1 a year to cover the purchase of first aid kits and walking guides. Newcomers are welcome.