Dorchester and District

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Dorchester and District u3a Groups

1st Monday Meeting     

Meets 1st Monday of the Month; Attendance £1.50
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre - Hall - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Contact chair@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Our Monthly Meetings are held in the Holy Trinity Centre Main Hall on the first Monday of each month except for August. Doors are open at 10.00 for members to chat and have a cup of tea or coffee. We start the talk and update from our Groups at 10.30 ​This is an opportunity to meet your committee members, socialise with other members and be entertained by our visiting speakers.

Antiques and Collectables     

Meets 2nd Friday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Sandringham Court - SC - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:30
Contact antiques@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details The Antiques and Collectables Group is a very friendly group of like-minded people. Each meeting we bring along a few items relating to the topic for the month and tell other group members what we know about the items. Sometimes these are inherited items with interesting family histories and other times they have been acquired simply because they liked the item. Occasionally a member may know nothing about the item apart from what they have found on-line. If you have nothing to bring for a particular topic that is fine. Come along anyway and see the fantastic range of items presented each month! Potential new members please contact the group leader before attending a meeting.

Archaeology     

Meets 4th Monday of the month; Attendance £1.00
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact 01305 549300
Details The group meets to listen to talks about local and worldwide archaeology topics provided by both invited speakers and group members who have some previous knowedge. There is usually the opportunity to ask questions and engage with the speaker over tea and biscuits. During the summer months we have outings to local digs, museums, archaeological walks and interesting sites. At Christmas we have treats such as a quiz or a film. The programme is organised by a steering group of 4 members.

Architecture Appreciation     

Meets 2nd Monday of the month; Attendance £1.00
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 11:00 to 12:30
Contact architec@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Meetings are usually member led. In summer we often have outside visits. This term we have had a walk round Poundbury and talks on medieval scratch dials and lighthouses. All welcome.

Art     

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 11:00 to 13:00
Contact art@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We are a very friendly and informal group of artists of very mixed experience and expertise, who tend to choose our own preferred style of art and media. New members will greatly appreciate the support and encouragement of the group in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. Members are to provide their own art materials and may bring their own refreshments. (Hand gel and cleansing wipes/cleaning sprays for the tables in the classroom are provided and members may bring/wear their own face masks they wish but not compulsory. The classroom can be well ventilated). As well as each session being primarily an active painting/drawing period, some sessions are set aside for en-plein-air outings, guest speakers and exhibitions.

Backgammon     

Meets 1st Friday of the month; Attendance £1.00
Venue - YMCA - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 11:30
Contact Peter Green
Details We are a friendly small group who play by local rules (explained). We swap partners after games to enable experiencing different strategies. Members can be beginners and soon learn quickly the rules but its the strategies counterbalanced by the throw of the dice that gives it that element of surprise and enjoyment.

Badminton     

Meets 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Charminster Community Hall - CCH - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact badminton@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We meet at Charminster Community Hall. We are a friendly group. See webpage for details. All are welcome but please contact GL first.

Bird Watching     

Meets 3rd Monday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Normally starts 09:30 to 10:45
Contact NULL
Details 

Booktalk     

Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Junction Hotel - Junc - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 15:30
Contact John Calvert 01305251144
Details Books come from the Library and so the numbers are limited. The books are chosen by the group once a year. For list of books contact group leader. It is possible to have tea coffee etc at the Junction Hotel

Bridge     

Meets Every Wednesday; Attendance 50p
Venue Sandringham Court - SC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 12:00
Contact Niall Simpson
Details Bridge for all standards, absolute beginners welcome. Chicago scoring.

Chess     

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 17:00
Contact kp1917@btinternet.com
Details Ken Pickering is the group contact

Computing     

Meets 1st Thursday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 15:00 to 16:30
Contact arh@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details The aim of our meetings is to provide an informal atmosphere where we can share, and hopefully solve, computer related difficulties. Often simple “Surgery” questions raised by our novices provide the most interesting and informative discussions with even the “experts” learning something new. In addition there is a presentation on a computer topic of general interest.

Country Walks Friday     

Meets Last Friday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Normally starts 09:30 to 13:30
Contact walkfri@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Monthly walks (with the exception of December) take place in various locations anywhere in Dorset. The walks are circular and between 8 and 10 miles. The maximum number of walkers is 25 on each occasion. In the Summer months we normally take a picnic lunch, but in other months there is a pub lunch option, for after the walk. No dogs are allowed on the walk.

Country Walks Thursday     

Meets 2nd Thursday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Normally starts 10:00 to 13:00
Contact patdes33@hotmail.com
Details Monthly walks taking place in various locations around Dorchester. Each walk is lead by a walk leader for that month. Walks are between 5-6 miles and circular and normally within 15 miles from Dorchester . The maximum number of walkers on each occasion is 25. A lunch venue is organised for each walk with the option of booking a lunch. No dogs are allowed on the walk.

Country Walks Tuesday     

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Normally starts 10:00 to 13:00
Contact Walktue@Dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Monthly walks taking place in various locations around Dorchester. Each walk is lead by a walk leader for that month. Walks are between 5-6 miles and circular and normally within 15 miles from Dorchester . The maximum number of walkers on each occasion is 25.A lunch venue is organised for each walk with the option of booking a lunch. No dogs are allowed on the walk.

Creative Writing 1     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 11:15 to 12:45
Contact 01305 250347
Details We are a friendly, informal and supportive group and we enjoy exercising our minds and writing skills. We start with coffee and tea and then read out what we have written, usually from homework set in the previous class. There are often discussions about writing and occasionally we do some improvised writing in the class. We write mainly for pleasure but do discuss entering competitions and some people are aiming at publication.

Creative Writing 2     

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:00
Contact 07583704782
Details 

Cryptic Crosswords     

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Contact 07812003975
Details An introduction to solving cryptic crosswords in a group environment. Encouragement to get the correct answer with hints and pointers. Reinforcement of method by round table explanation of each clue.

Dining Club     

Meets Varies; Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Contact dining@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Each month a club member volunteers to organise a group meal at a restaurant of their choice. Members are emailed details and contact the meal manager to make a booking. This is a very sociable club united by a passion for tasting global cuisines.

Family History     

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact Les Mould 01305262302
Details All aspects of Family History covered, mainly online but don't let that bother you we have booklets to help you get started. Meetings involve presentations with projects built in. We have access to the internet so any questions or brick walls can be investigated.

Folk Music - Playing for fun     

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Durnovaria Band Hall - DBH - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact folkmusic@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We play a wide range of folk music mainly from the UK, Ireland and America. Currently we have violins, accordion, melodian, percussion, guitars, ukulele, recorders, flutes, concertina and occasionally a cello. Music is provided on line and can be downloaded for printing with mp3s of each tune also available. If you would like to join our friendly group you will need to contact the group leader first in order to obtain the link to the music and the list of tunes for the current session. Please email folkmusic@dorchesteru3a.org.uk.

French Conversation     

Meets 2nd and 4th Fridays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:00
Contact frenchc@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We are a friendly group who want to practise our French conversation. We welcome all abilities and help each other . There is usually a topic for each meeting and you are welcome to prepare something on that topic before coming to the meeting.

French Get by in     

Meets 1st & 3rd Mondays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 13:30 to 15:00
Contact NULL
Details 

French Intermediate     

Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 15:30
Contact frenchi@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details The group is aimed at those with a basic knowledge of the French language, maybe gained at school some years ago or picked up from the occasional holiday in a French-speaking country. The emphasis is on variety and gentle learning, always with some fun thrown in!

Gardening     

Meets 1st Wednesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 11:15 to 12:45
Contact garden@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details gold club members, summer garden visits

Geology     

Meets 2nd Friday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorset Youth Association - DYA - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Contact geology@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Through Geology we come to understand the need to conserve and manage our fragile planet in a responsible and sustainable way. Only by studying Geology can we fully appreciate our distant past, the present and future. We aim to work co-operatively to deliver each session. No previous knowledge is assumed so come and join us! Reffreshments will be available during the break. Cost: 30p https://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/geology.html

German Beginners     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Contact 07799472153
Details From absolute beginners to those who feel they are not quite ready to move on to Intermediate German. The sessions are split into two halves so that we can accommodate a range of members, from the absolute beginners through to “very sound”. All participate in both halves. The beginners start from scratch and expand their knowledge quickly, while the more advanced enjoy re-visiting material and reinforcing their knowledge. It is all working well! Above all, the group is mutually supportive and newcomers quickly become regular group members.

German Conversation     

Meets 1st and 3rd Wednesday, Attendance 50p
Venue Members Homes - MH
Normally starts 10:00 to 11:30
Contact germanc@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details This is a group for people with a good foundation who wish to maintain or improve their fluency without following a set course. If you are not sure the level will suit you then please get in touch, come along and see what you think. You will find us a relaxed and supportive group. 
At the end of each meeting we decide the topic for the next meeting. It could be ‘German autumn poems’ or ‘bring an object to talk about’ or ‘my favourite place in the German-speaking world’ etc. (Not everyone has time to prepare something and that’s fine). Often we choose a topic in the news to discuss or we find a short story or article to share. Sometimes we play German Scrabble or verbal circle games, and we enjoy contributing questions to a quiz. We end each meeting with extended coffee and biscuits and the chance to chat informally in small groups.

German Intermediate     

Meets 1st & 3rd Fridays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:00
Contact germani@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Our interactive classes are attended by up to twelve very friendly and highly motivated members with a broad spectrum of interests. Classes cover a wide variety of topics ranging from essential grammar to key aspects of German lifestyle and culture, from translation to the spoken word, from crosswords to quizzes. Not forgetting exposure to German music, TV news broadcasts and even poetry.

History     

Meets 1st Wednesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 11:00
Contact 01305 853026
Details We continue to research subjects that appeal to each member ie.an epic, a personality, a century. We have a varied programme - all research projects are on the Blog on the History page on the Web Site.

History of Art     

Meets 1st Wednesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorset Youth Association - DYA - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact histart@dorchesteru3a.org
Details The History of Art group was formed in the summer of 2013, so we are an established group, led by Kelvin, Mike, Clive and David. Like many other groups we run the sessions ​co-operatively, with different members contributing. We have decided on an approach which covers individual artists and art movements. We have also organised several residential trips to 'art cities', both home and abroad. Each session consists of a presentation which includes a refreshment break. Refreshments include tea or coffee and a biscuit, cost 30p. https://www.dorchesteru3a.org.uk/history-of-art.html

Italian Beginners     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 09:15 to 10:45
Contact 01305 261494
Details First year Italian for survival holiday language. We are using BBC Talk Italian 1, 3rd edition.

Italian Elementary     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 11:00 to 12:30
Contact 01305 261494
Details This class might be for you if you have already done some basic Italian and want to improve your ability to understand the language and gain confidence in speaking. There is more listening, speaking and reading in the class as written work and written grammar can be undertaken between classes as needed. We have been using Al Dente 1 which includes some cultural input too and in the Autumn term will be meeting/using the ‘passato prossimo’ tense for talking about past events (new for some people, but revision for others).

Italian Level 3     

Meets Every Thursday; Attendance £2
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Classrooms - UC-LC - map
Normally starts 11:00 to 12:30
Contact italianl3@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details This is an informal group, with the emphasis on communication, as we take the opportunity to learn or improve our grasp of the Italian language. We do a variety of activities, including conversation around topics often agreed beforehand, listening comprehension passages, grammar and associated exercises, and reading.

Jazz Appreciation     

Meets 2nd Monday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Sandringham Court - SC - map
Normally starts 10:15 to 12:15
Contact Alan Mcleish 01305 835569
Details We meet on the second Monday of the month at Sandringham Court DT1 2BL which is close to the Trumpet Major Public House in Dorchester. Each month we have a different speaker who talks about and plays the music of a particular type of Jazz or Blues. We are a very friendly Group and when you arrive you will be greeted with a cup of coffee or tea. Do come along and try us, you will be very welcome.

Kings Cribbage     

Meets 3rd Monday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 17:00
Contact kingscrib@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Kings cribbage is a board game based on the card game cribbage but played on a board similar to Scrabble. Whether you have played cribbage or not, you are very welcome to join the group. We will teach you how to play - it is easy to pick up. Do get in touch if you are interested.

Latin     

Meets 2nd & 4th Thursdays of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Members Homes - MH
Normally starts 10:00 to 12:00
Contact latin@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We are a small group and have just completed the Cambridge Latin Course and are now reading a 100 Latin stories. Our usual meeting times are 10.00 to 12.00 hours on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month.

Local History     

Meets 4th Thursday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue United Church - UCH - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:30
Contact 01305 269059
Details Everyone welcome to attend meetings in the United Church. If there is a site visit, there may be limited numbers and it will be on a first come/first served basis. Contact the leader for information.

Mah Jong Western     

Meets 4th Thursday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 17:00
Contact mahjong1@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details 

Mah-Jong BMJA Rules     

Meets Every Thursday; Attendance £1
Venue Frank Reynolds Community Centre - FRCC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact 01305816642
Details MAH-JONG (BMJA rules): This is an ancient Chinese game which can be played with 2, 3 or 4 players, with the basic aim of forming 4 sets of tiles plus 1 pair of tiles. It is not the computer game where you match two tiles against the clock. We are a very friendly group and you do not need a partner to play, so if you are looking to try something new with a challenge and have fun at the same time you are most welcome to come and join us. Do not worry if you have never played before, you will taught in easy steps by Martin and Debbie.

Maths and Physics     

Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 10:45
Contact mathsphys@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We hold a monthly meeting where normally a member gives a talk on a subject of their choice, but other events (e.g. video, brainstorming session, experiment) may also occur.

MOTO     

Meets Mondays except 1st; Attendance 50p
Venue Vivo Lounge - V - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:00
Contact moto@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We meet every Monday except the first one in the month, in 'The Snug' at The Vivo Lounge in Brewery Square for coffee and chat. Check the schedule for other events happening throughout the month. Members on their Own is suitable not just for solo people but also those who have partners with different interests, or are housebound. If you would like to enjoy our very sociable programme that each month includes Brunch, Lunch, Dinner, Sunday Lunch, a Walk, Cinema, Skittles any anything else that we might fancy doing, please come along to one of our Monday Coffee Mornings or email the contact above to be included on our mailing list.

Music Appreciation     

Meets Second Tuesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Signature House - SH - map
Normally starts 10:15 to 12:00
Contact kp1917@btinternet.com
Details Ken Pickering will do the Admin for this group

Petanque     

Meets Every Wednesday; Attendance 50p
Venue Sandringham Bowls Club - SBC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact 262505
Details We normally play each Wednesday afternoon throughout the year unless the weather persuades us otherwise.

Philosophy     

Meets 1st Tuesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Dorset Youth Association - DYA - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 13:00
Contact philosophy@dorchesteru3a.org.u
Details It is interesting that Plato (c. 427 – 347 BCE) urged people not to get involved with philosophy until later in life, after 50. Before that they should just get on with work, family and general living, but after that it was time to stand back and reflect. So now is, perhaps, the perfect time to join the U3A philosophy group. All are very welcome, including those that would like to just sit and listen. All of us have little experience and no formal education in philosophy (except Colin), so it is a case of group learning and sharing of knowledge and ideas, in the spirit of the U3A.

Pickleball     

Meets Weekly Mondays; Attendance £2
Venue St Osmund's Sports Centre - StO - map
Normally starts 17:00 to 18:00
Contact pickleb@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Pickleball is a paddle sport for all ages that combines elements of tennis, badminton and table tennis. We currently have a waiting list - please email as above if you would like to find out more information or join our waiting list. We are currently playing indoors on 2 courts so numbers restricted. We have paddles that can be borrowed so new players can try before they buy.

Pins and Needles     

Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Members Homes - MH
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact Libby Wood
Details 

Play Reading     

Meets 1st Tuesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:30
Contact playread@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Play sets are borrowed from Dorset library service. There is a variety of different themes. We read the whole play during the afternoon.

Poetry Appreciation     

Meets 3rd Thursday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 13:00 to 15:00
Contact 07890588881
Details Poetry appreciation involves recognising and appreciating in a positive way the skill that went into crafting it. There are no right answers when you respond to a poem, and very few wrong ones, and one person's opinion is just as valid as another's. We read and discuss the poems as a group (which is frequently easier than as an individual).

Portraiture     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Members Homes - MH
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:30
Contact portrait@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details A small group of up to 7 in a real studio with tables and some easels. Bring your favourite materials. Pencil, charcoal or neopastels are recommended for the fairly short poses that we usually set up. No experience necessary.

Quiz     

Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue St George's Church Hall - StGCh - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact quiz@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We all know how essential it is to keep as physically fit as we can, but it's also as important to regularly exercise the brain....and a quiz does just that. Join up with others to make a team and answer a few questions. You may be surprised at what you do know....and anyway, we learn more when we don't know all the answers. We cover a variety of topics, and the style varies from question and answer, to multiple choice and sometimes a picture or music round. There are no prizes - it's just for fun. We meet on the 3rd Wednesday of each month (except in August when we take a break ) between 2pm and 4pm in St George's Church Hall Fordington, and free parking is available at the hall. New members are always welcome.

Reading for Pleasure 1     

Meets 2nd Tuesday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Dorchester Library - Lib - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 15:30
Contact Julia Denham 01305852626
Details A group of keen readers who enjoy lively and friendly discussion about books. We borrow sets of 10 books from the library so have to limit our membership to that number. We try to choose a wide range of genres - fiction in all its forms of course but also biography, travel, history, even a bit of science! Attendance fee 50p

Reading for Pleasure 3     

Meets 3rd Thursday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Dorchester Library - Lib - map
Normally starts 10:30 to 12:00
Contact reading3@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details Our books are chosen from selected titles supplied by the Library and have a lively discussion each month. Unfortunately we are limited by the number of books which can we receive from the Library and have our full quota of members.

Rummikub     

Meets 1st Wednesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:30
Contact rummikub@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details A fast moving board game requiring both strategy and luck played with numbered tiles from 1-13 in four different colours together with 2 jokers. Easy to learn and fun to play. Beginners welcome.

Russian Studies     

Meets 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 10:00 to 11:30
Contact russia@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We discuss Russian history in some detail - currently we are considering the rule of Stalin, and will gradually be moving forwards to the present day. There is a lot of politics, but we also look at the economy, culture, and indeed anything which people find interesting. The group leader often uses resources to help understanding. We operate fairly informally.

Science     

Meets 3rd Wednesday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 11:30
Contact 01305813935
Details The U3A Science group has a broad remit. As well as revisiting topics that people will have experienced at school or later in life, from a modern perspective, we also aim to keep abreast of recent subjects of contemporary interest.

Scottish Country Dancing     

Meets Every Tuesday; Attendance £2
Venue Dorchester Rugby Club - RC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact scotdance@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details This popular and sociable group meets weekly to dance Scottish. Scottish Country Dancing has particular advantages over many other forms of dance. The steps and basic formations are easily learned but can build into dances of considerable complexity as dancers become more adept. It makes no gender distinction in its movements. You do not need to come along with a partner. It is very sociable. There is always someone to dance with and it encourages teamwork. It is full of patterns that help with and encourage memory. The music for dancing is wonderful and the dancing is good for body, mind and the soul. It is also great fun. You do not need any special “gear” just a pair of flat soft shoes and comfortable clothes. You do NOT need a sword (it is country dancing not sword dancing) and the men do NOT have to wear a kilt (that is optional).

Scrabble     

Meets 2nd Monday of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 17:00
Contact scrabble@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We are a lively, friendly group who enjoy an afternoon of fun playing Scrabble.

Short Tennis     

Meets 1st & 3rd Wednesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Stratton Village Hall - SVH - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:00
Contact shortten@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details A small friendly group, new members and beginners very welcome. Lifts from Dorchester can be arranged if required. If playing for the first time you may borrow a racket and balls are supplied. We have just the one court so an opportunity to sit out, rest and chat. If interested in joining please contact Group Leader, Peter Scaife.

Singing for Pleasure     

Meets 2nd & 4th Tuesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Sandringham Bowls Club - SBC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 11:30
Contact See Newsletter
Details This is a friendly group where we sing for enjoyment and have fun in our sessions. Our songs range from popular music to traditional airs. New members are always welcome.

Spanish Conversation     

Meets 2nd & 4th Wednesdays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Upper Classroom- UC - map
Normally starts 14:30 to 16:00
Contact spanishc@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details We are an informal group which meets twice a month to practise our Spanish by discussing a range of topics. We can cater for a broad range of levels of fluency, from intermediate onwards, but the group is not suitable for beginners or anyone looking for formal tuition.

Table Tennis     

Meets 2nd & 4th Fridays of the month; Attendance £1
Venue United Church Hall - UCHh - map
Normally starts 14:00 to 16:00
Contact steveghowes@outlook.com
Details All welcome from beginners to accomplished players. We have 2 tables and we are looking for a third. The session is very friendly with a tea and biscuits at half time.

Theatre Outings     

Meets 3 or 4 Outings per year. Attendance 50p
Venue - Various
Contact theatre@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details See event details for list of outings. Members may bring along a non member friend who pay an extra £1.00. We have in the past visited theatres in Bath, Salisbury, Exeter, Southampton Chichester and Newbury. We go to matinees and usually arrive at the venue at least 2 hours before the performance starts. We go to plays and musicals, suggestions of events always welcome. We usually support the Weymouth Youth Theatre and obtain tickets for their show in November at the Weymouth Pavilion. Last date for booking for The Kite Runner 30th November.

Topical Issues     

Meets 2nd Thurs (Zoom) & 4th Thurs LC; Attendance £1
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre LC and Zoom - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 10:45
Contact 01305753566
Details Discuss issues of the day which have been circulated in advance to those on the mailing list.

Travel Tales     

Meets 4th Monday of the month; Attendance 50p
Venue Holy Trinity Parish Centre Lower Classroom - LC - map
Normally starts 15:00 to 17:00
Contact travelt@dorchesteru3a.org.uk
Details At Travel Tales we hear about interesting destinations all over the world as seen through the eyes of our speakers and fellow members.

Weaving     

Meets 2nd Wednesday of the month; Attendance £2
Venue Dorchester Community Church - DCC - map
Normally starts 09:30 to 13:00
Contact 07748730399
Details We use rigid heddle looms in this weaving group, but you are welcome to bring your table loom if you have one. If you are a beginner, equipment can be provided and members weave scarves, bags, rugs and wall hangings. New weavers are welcome to try out this popular craft with us, and you’ll find in our small friendly group there is as much conversation as weaving!

Wine Appreciation     

Meets 3rd Tuesday of the month; Attendance £10
Venue Members Homes - MH
Normally starts 19:30 to 21:30
Contact Niall Simpson
Details Group to sample various wines and exchange information about wines, suppliers and prices. Contact phone number and email address in Newsletter.