Study Groups and Activities
The groups below are organised and run by the members of Fleet U3A for the benefit of similarly minded members who wish to learn a new skill or to share their knowledge and experience. Click on the group title to see a description of its activities.
(Registered members who have logged in will see full details of the group, including dates, venues, contact information, etc. )
Art 1 - Anyone can paint better
| A group of 20 people who already paint in watercolour but need to understand how colours, tone and composition operate - those things that make a painting work. One term of still life and two terms of landscape. |
Art 2 - Acrylics
| Basically, we cover the various methods of using acrylics; how to compose a picture using linear perspective and ordinary perspective. We also cover use of colour and basic drawing. Most people work from photographs and I show them how to change the photo to make a more appealing picture. In the warmer weather we try to go out to sketch and paint. We also have a few jokes and lots of laughs. |
Art 3 - Watercolour Improvers
| Group members will have normally been painting for a few years and will understand such basics as drawing, composition, design, colour mixing and brush techniques. We explore both traditional and abstract watercolour painting. |
Art 4 - Painting together in watercolours
| A small group, restricted by accommodation but diverse of interest and always welcoming to new participants, sharing their experience and knowledge to enhance their own particular application of watercolours. It is intended that one meeting each month be devoted to a particular aspect of working with watercolours with advice/examples from an accomplished local U3A artist. |
Art 5 - Do your own thing
| This group is the founder Art Group within the Fleet U3A which, although under the general guidance of the Group Leader, tends to be an informal group of mainly watercolour painters where all members help, criticise and encourage each other. |
Art 6 - Explore Ways to Paint
| A small group for those with more experience sharing their knowledge of materials and techniques. No formal tuition given. |
Art 7 - Taking risks
| We are a friendly happy group who are willing to share our successes (and failures!) with each other. We work in a variety of media, for example, acrylics, oils, watercolours, pastels, etc. We undertake an exercise every fortnight, such as working in one colour, using large brushes, or charcoal drawing. We are very fortunate to have someone in our group with an art background who guides us along the right paths. |
Art 8 - New Painters
| We are 12 people who do not own any old equipment and so we really are starting. There is an initial outlay for 9 paints, 2 brushes and paper – all bought at a discount price! Progress is really exciting. One year only in this group. |
Art 9 - Learn to Draw
| A very popular programme for 20 people. One year only in this group. We cover every aspect of making a mark, from small smudgy ink images to large charcoal drawings. Hard work but a lot of fun. |
Art 10 - Watercolour Painting
| The class consists of a group of watercolour artists who have various levels of experience, from beginners to some who have been painting for quite a while. We cover most subjects from flowers and still life to landscapes, which we paint from photographs. We also do drawing in crayons, pencils and charcoal. We sometimes make animal portraits as well. |
Art 11 - Watercolour Intermediate & Advanced
| The aim of this Group is to take artists who have had some experience in watercolour and then to enhance their skills to a higher standard. At present the class is full and there is a waiting list. |
Art 12 - Moving Forward from Basic Water Colour
| Revisiting basics - drawing, colour mixing, tone, composition and various techniques - of which the most important is PRACTICE! Demonstrations. |
Art 13 - Painting Structure & Technique
| Consolidate all you have learnt to make a picture. Main topics covered are Composition, Drawing, Tone and Colour. Water colour preferred medium for classwork. One year course. |
Ballroom Dancing 
| There is a professional tutor and the waltz, jive, social foxtrot and cha cha cha are among the dances being taught. |
Belly Dancing
| Surprise yourself and your friends (and improve your health) by enjoying gentle Egyptian belly dancing - don't worry, no bellies need be visible! |
Bowls (Indoors)
| All levels of experience catered for. Appropriate footwear required otherwise stockinged feet. Limited numbers. |
Bowls (Outdoors)
| Summer only. All levels catered for. Appropriate footwear required. Bring your own woods. |
Bridge Advanced
| This group is for experienced players and gives practice at playing under club conditions. |
Bridge Beginners
| This is a highly structured course aimed at those with little or no previous experience. Each lesson gives about an hour of interactive learning followed by supervised play. |
Bridge Improvers
| This is a highly structured course aimed at those at those who have completed “Beginners” or are of comparable experience. Each lesson gives about an hour of interactive learning followed by supervised play. |
Calligraphy I & II
| We learn the art of writing in both broad and narrow scripts. We cover colour, art work, illumination and simple book binding. |
Card Games
| This Group will play card games (other than Bridge) starting with Whist and progressing to other card games that members of the Group can play together. Examples could be Solo, Canasta, Crib, Clag etc., No experience is necessary and the idea is to teach each other a variety of card games. It is expected that initially Whist will be the game of choice. |
Creative Writing
| For each meeting the members produce an original piece of writing to an agreed theme and format; it could be a poem, a play, a story, or even a chapter from some larger piece of work. We meet and each in turn reads out their masterpiece. We then comment with praise and constructive criticism. It is always light-hearted and fun. |
Current Affairs
| This is a group of some 20-30 people, comprising both men and women. Most subjects of news that come via the various media methods are discussed and opinions are shared. It is, perhaps, the one time that you get a chance to air your views on any subject. Respect and courtesy is accorded to everyone on their particular view or opinion. This makes for a lively discussion and much learning from the many professional skills that have been acquired through work or hobbies shared within the group. |
Cycling
| This Group rides out from Fleet on a Thursday morning once every three weeks. Rides are typically 10 to 12 miles long at quite a gentle pace, with a halfway break for refreshments and chat. The routes used comprise off-road tracks, cycle lanes or quiet roads; however short stretches on main roads are sometimes unavoidable. Our rides pass through many quiet corners of countryside, many of which are hidden away in this area. |
Digital Imaging
| Learn how to use your computer to improve your digital photographs or to renovate those old, torn or creased family photographs. This is a practical hands-on group using the computers at a local school. |
Ebay
| A new group to show its members how to safely and efficiently buy and sell on the major online auction website - Ebay. |
English Literature
| We read a book each term. At each meeting the group will explore the book by reading dialogue, points of interest, discussion and research. All members are encouraged to take an active part in choosing a book and leading the discussion. Books chosen may be from any country and any period of history. |
Europeans
| What sort of Europe do we want and why? What should be Europe's boundaries - geographic, political and economic? On these and many other questions we strive to separate reality from rhetoric. All are welcome to join this lively discussion group. |
Family History for Beginners
| This is a six-week course from Sepember to December to give newcomers to Family History a “kick-start” in the use of basic research areas. The afternoon sessions will demonstrate how to use the internet to undertake research. |
Family History on the Internet
| This is a self-help group. Members exchange their widely varying experiences on Family History topics. We meet 9 times a year, usually on the third Monday of the month. |
Family History Workshop
| This is a self-help group. Members exchange their widely varying experiences on Family History topics. We meet 9 times a year, usually on the third Monday of the month. |
Financial Affairs
| The group meets to discuss items of financial interest culled from the press and from personal experience. We meet on the first and third Mondays of the month. |
Flower Arranging
| Initially there is a demonstration of flower arranging and the techniques involved, followed by practice in the following weeks. The theme will be "Christmas" and the flowers used will be both fresh and artificial. Newcomers with no previous knowledge are very welcome to this friendly group. |
French (Advanced)
| This Group is for people who have sufficient fluency to converse reasonably well in the language. At Group meetings we read and translate items from French magazines and talk about recent events, particularly holidays in France. Several meetings are led by two French ladies who help us to improve our accents and develop our vocabulary. |
French (Intermediate)
| For those with a basic knowledge of French and for those who want to improve their fluency in the language. We use a French publication, Panorama 2, as a course book. Classes take the form of reading, discussion, practical activities and practice in using the language. |
Gardening
| There are talks on various aspects of gardening and group discussions amongst ourselves. We also feature outings to gardens, both local and further afield. You don't need to have a garden, or even any expertise to enjoy this! There are plant sales at meetings and also “Bring and Buys”. |
German for Beginners
| No description has yet been received. |
German Conversation
| A basic knowledge of German is required. We offer a mixture of conversation about selected topics, translations and role-playing. |
German Improvers
| We help each other to gain confidence in writing, reading and speaking German. We use an adult learners' course book, audio tapes, CDs, and video programmes. Grammar and sentence construction are, of necessity, covered in our weekly sessions but we also enjoy learning about everyday life in Germany and covering situations which we are likely to encounter whilst on holiday there. |
Gym
| For information on facilities available, please contact the Group Leader |
History
| A themed approach to history discussions and research, i.e. personalities, religious conflicts, inventions and discoveries. Political influences. Details to be decided by the group. |
International Folk Dance
| We enjoy folk and national dances from many countries. Most of them do not require partners. The dances are taught or revised each time. They are great fun, have lovely music, and provide some useful exercise. |
Keep Fit
| This is a fun way to exercise to music, with a mixture of movement and stretching. You work at your own pace. The programme is designed to suit older people. |
Line Dancing I & II
| We are learning various dances with a patient and very pleasant instructor. We enjoy the “work out” and also have lots of fun. The music is varied and the Group members find it very enjoyable. |
Mah Jong
| This fascinating game originated in the East and a number of our members have played it in various countries during their lives. However, full tuition is given to beginners and, although the rules are complex, we play for fun and make sure that the more experienced players help the novices. In that way everybody gets a good game! |
Making Greeting Cards 1 & 2
| A group that works together to produce greetings cards. No previous experience is required. Everything is provided for a small charge. Techniques will be demonstrated and skills and equipment will be shared. |
Maths for Fun
| We could call this Group ‘Modern Maths - Keeping up with your Grandchildren’. As part of the Government initiative to improve Adult Numeracy, detailed course notes are available which we will use in this Group. There are two levels of Adult Numeracy covering Numbers, Shapes, Statistics and Graphs, Angles and some Algebra. There are two tests available which members may like to take to gain a National Award. We will use everyday examples and would expect the Group to continue until June 2010 when GCSE Maths could be achieved if desired. We are asking for Lottery funding to cover the purchase of 10 new laptop computers that will contain easy to use examples and notes. These can be taken home to read additional notes and try some of the examples. In this way we can cater for different rates of learning. No in depth knowledge of computers is required. |
Music Appreciation
| This group aims to please all who not only enjoy listening to classical music in its widest sense but who also appreciate hearing something about the music, its background and its composer. We meet on alternate Thursday afternoons and all are welcome. |
PC for Beginners
| This group is for those who have little or no knowledge of how to use a modern PC. You will learn all the necessary basics together with some word processing, etc. |
PC for Improvers
| This group is for those who have a basic understanding of how to use a modern PC but would like to know more. Emphasis will be on getting tasks done effectively using the Microsoft Office software. |
Pétanque
|
This is the game of French Boules played in almost every town and village in France. No experience is necessary to play this highly addictive game of leisurely skill. All equipment is provided courtesy of Crondall Pétanque Club. |
Photography
| The Photography Group's aim is to inspire. We are a very friendly group and are all passionate about our chosen hobby. The meetings consist of tuition and discussion on a particular technique, which is suitable for both film and digital capture. We take a break for tea and then hold a general discussion about our latest pictures, new equipment, new toys, etc. We also have days out to places of interest. See some of our photos . |
Photography - Introduction to Digital Imaging
| This course attempts to cover the basics from Digital Camera selection, camera settings through Importing to Computer and Archiving to CDR and then on to simple Image Manipulation on the computer. We cover resizing for e-mail, Cropping, Using Layers, Red Eye Removal, Exposure Level Adjustments and Cloning to remove imperfections. Each week's techniques and tips will be demonstrated using a computer and a projection screen. Course notes will be provided so that you can practise at home after the session. |
Pilates A, B & C
| Pilates (pronounced pi-lah-tees) is a form
of exercise which build's your body's core strength and
posture. This is done through a series of stretching
and conditioning exercises. Think of holding your arms
out to your side for as long as you can. Or sitting down
with your legs out in front of you and raising them just
above the floor. Pilates uses these types of exercises
which are great for your muscles and help prevent injury.
At first you learn the importance of movement with breathing.
As you get better, exercises are combined to create a
flowing continuous movement. Pilates is practised on a mat and is taught in our class with a professional and sympathetic instructor so that we can exercise within our individual capabilities. Pilates is beneficial for general fitness, to improve posture, release stress, and improve co-ordination. |
Pub Quiz
| A group where we participate in a “pub quiz”, in small teams, formed on each occasion that we meet. It is primarily a social event aimed at having a fun time. |
Reading for Pleasure
| A group for book-lovers who would like the opportunity to widen their literary enjoyment through reading a mixture of fiction, non-fiction, classics and poetry. The group meets monthly to discuss the latest group choice of reading. No previous experience necessary – just a love of reading, a desire to discuss the monthly book choice and a willingness to share your previous reading experiences. A friendly and enjoyable literary afternoon. | |
| Venue | Elvetham Heath Church (Crèche) |
| Day/Time | Wednesday, 14:00 |
| Contact | Jean Stephenson (Tel: 657411) |
| Dates | Sep 10. Oct 8. Nov 5. Dec 3. Jan 7. Feb 4. Mar 4. Apr 1. May 6. Jun 3. |
Salsa Beginners and Salsa
Intermediate
| There are two Salsa groups, of differing abilities. They are taken by a dance instructor, James Montgomery. Both men and women attend. The dance rhythms are Latin American. Salsa is good exercise and the atmosphere is one of fun and enjoyment to pleasant music. |
Science and Technology
| A wide range of subjects are presented by both in-house and guest speakers. These cover such diverse topics from Nuclear technology to Darwin and evolution. |
Scrabble
| We have all levels of ability. We use both 2 and 3 letter word sheets and play in twos, threes and fours. Scrabble boards are provided but it helps to have a dictionary. We usually have a group of about 15 but we can accommodate more. Please come and try your hand (and your brain)! |
Shakespeare
We aim to celebrate all things Shakespearean
by:
|
Spanish (Absolute Beginners) - year 1
| This will start with the basics; future lessons will depend upon the level of expertise we reach at the end of each session. As the objective is to give people a basic knowledge of the language and how to speak it, anyone who already has more than a rudimentary knowledge could find the lessons very slow. |
Spanish (Beginners) - year 2
| This follows on from Year 1, but is still at a fairly rudimentary level. |
Steam & Transport
| A group designed for railway and transport enthusiasts in general. Our programme consists of talks by members and by visiting speakers. We also arrange visits to sites of interest. |
Table Tennis
| We play doubles and any new players are welcome. Just turn up and pay £1 at the reception desk. Limited numbers, so check with Group Leader first. |
Tai Chi
| This consists of slow carefully measured movements that help with breathing and balance. It produces a feeling of calm and relaxation. We have a professional tutor for this group. |
Traditional & Modern Jazz
| We are a group who all enjoy listening to jazz of all types. We have some very interesting talks on various aspects of jazz and are always pleased to welcome new members to the group. We also have occasional visits to hear live groups. |
Travelogue
| Travelogue comprises a large friendly group, meeting to enjoy talks about countries, people and the beauties of nature, illustrated by films and stories of travel adventures. Come along for ideas and advice on holiday destinations or just to enjoy the adventures of others and the friendly company. |
Using the Internet
| This group concentrates on providing its participants with the skills needed to search and make best use of the internet. It encompasses the most useful internet features, such as the web, email and newsgroups. It also addresses many of the useful and emerging technologies. All group members have individual access to an internet-enabled PC. |
Visits
| We arrange coach trips to places of interest. These usually run on a monthly basis. In addition, we have two annual breaks of four or five days, usually one in the UK and one overseas. Bookings are taken on a first come first served basis at the U3A monthly meetings at The Harlington Centre |
Walking
| Country walks of between five and six miles. Occasional longer walks lasting all day, usually with a stop for lunch at a pub. Boots or strong footwear essential. |