How Groups Work
Study groups are organised by subject and each subject group is listed on this website.  Go to Groups by Category tab and the Group Index tab to find out more details about a specific subject.

• If you want to join a new group that is advertised, please contact the Group Organiser to find out more about the group and how it runs.  The members carry out research and make presentations to the others and you will need to decide if you wish to contribute in this way.  Everyone in the group helps with the work and shares in its success.
   
• Make sure you can attend all or most of the sessions.  If you have to miss a meeting, please let the Group Organiser know as soon as possible.  If you decide to leave the group, tell the group Organiser in order to free up a place for another member. 
  (N.B. :   Group Organisers :  please let the Web Team know about any vacancies which may arise, so that we can advertise the vacancy to members on this website. Just as importantly, please let us know when those vacancies are filled.)
  Use the link below to contact the Group Development Team.    
• If there are no current vacancies in the subject of your choice, leave your name and contact details with the  Group Organiser as members may leave groups during the year or, if there are a number of people interested in a subject, with their help we will try to start a new group.  Please go to the National Subject Advisors tab for further details.
   
• If you are an existing member of a continuing group, you should inform your Group Organiser if you wish to remain in the group for the forthcoming year.  You must be a current U3A member to join any group. Further information for Members and Group Organisers can be found in the Group Organisers’ Guide and under Study Groups.

Our Insurance Policy covers U3A members and the occasional non-member.  Sevenoaks U3A allows non-members intending to join our U3A to attend group meetings or outings as guests on a one-off basis.

NOTE: Below is the list of all our subject groups. To find out more about any specific group, click on the link for that group and it will take you to the Category page.  Please then click on the tab for the group you are interested in.

• Group Timetables:  This section provides a listing of when each current study group meets
  Click on each day of the week tab to find details

 GROUP VACANCIES - SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS

Vacancies in various Groups come and go throughout the year.  If there is a Group that you are interested in joining, please see the contact details for the Group Organiser in the relevant section of this website under Group Categories or the Group Index (Tabs above) or in the Handbook. 

 If there are any vacancies, it will usually say “New Members Welcome”. Alternatively contact the  Group Organiser directly

For Open Groups (see Tab above) there are not normally restrictions on numbers attending. They are normally open to all U3A members but enquiries should be made to the appropriate Organiser before attending.

Sevenoaks U3A runs a wide range of groups which are open to all members of the U3A this means that members can just turn up on the day but for those groups that operate as teams please check with the Group Organiser.

Open Groups are for all Sevenoaks U3A members.  You do not have to sign up for these groups as you would with specialist groups. Just turn up on the day

PLEASE NOTE
Car parking is always difficult at both Otford Village Memorial Hall, St Nicholas Churh  and the Bat & Ball Community Centre, so please share cars if it is at all possible.

Review of agreement on Groups shared by Sevenoaks U3A and Knole U3A

In 2010 Knole and Sevenoaks U3As drew up an agreement to set up shared groups. The agreement has worked well and we believe that we should continue to collaborate, wherever there is mutual benefit.
Groups can be advertised to members of the other U3A as shared groups where:

• There is a specialist subject group which cannot attract enough support in one U3A to be viable, and there is no parallel group in the other U3A; or
• There would be difficulty in meeting the hire cost of a hall or other facilities; or
• Having more members will significantly reduce the meeting costs per head;

Group Organisers who wish to offer spaces in groups which meet the above criteria should continue to contact Elaine Knight-Elston  Groupdev@Sevenoaksu3a.org.uk first and she will discuss the proposal with Knole.

These arrangements only apply to Sevenoaks and Knole members. In time we may need to set up similar agreements with other local U3As and these will be assessed on a case by case basis depending on their membership status.

If you would like to pursue your favourite subject in greater depth, the U3A would like to hear from you.  This would be an opportunity to study a subject in greater depth than is currently possible within the current U3A group set-up.

The range of subjects to be offered depends entirely on what U3A members want, but there is the potential for all kinds of exciting develpoments in informal adult education.

The U3A Trust is initially seeking to run pilot groups, making use of the internet.

Where members have suggested new group ideas they will be posted on this page. If you have ideas pleaee contact the Group Development Officer details below.

Elaine Elston-Knight

This News from the Groups section provides updates on Group Activity. It will be updated periodically

Sevenoaks U3a - Summary of Group reports - June 2021
Aviation
The group did not meet after the initial lockdown in March until October 2020 when we started meeting monthly on Zoom.  We agree a topic for in advance of each meeting and look for material to support the subsequent discussion.  Recent topics include: biofuels; drones; hydrogen as a fuel; additive manufacture (3-D printing); revival of supersonic airliners.  Recently we have also watched DVDs of aviation interest.  Currently we are a small group and would welcome one or two new members.  We meet in the morning of the third Friday in the month. 
Group  Organiser:  Frank Matthews  aviation@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk
Book Circle - Wednesday
We read mainly modern fiction, but not exclusively. We meet in members’ homes from May to October. Books are chosen by members plus suggested titles from Sevenoaks Library.
New Members Welcome
Group  Organiser:  Mary Arthur or Anne Evans  booksweds@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

The Industrial Heritage Group has continued to meet on Zoom throughout the lockdowns.  In the last few months we have had presentations on such diverse subjects as the History of Winemaking in SE England, Orchards in Kent, Industry in the Ashdown Forest, Gunsmiths and Electric Traction on the rails. We have a good program which will take us through to December. and will cover more eclectic subjects such as Pins and Needles, Joseph Lucas and the History of Astronomy.
Group  Organiser: David Gardener                              iheritage@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

Garden Group 2
Throughout both Lockdowns the group continued to hold monthly Zoom meetings to discuss future gardens to visit, and found sites we could visit on line and then discuss.
A few members did book and visit gardens that were part open.  Most members are keen gardeners, including those who don’t garden now, all enjoy the outings.
We sometimes manage two gardens in one day if they are close to each other.
Group  Organiser:  Cherry Moss                                  garden2@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

German – Language and Culture  - This group meets monthly via Zoom.  We subscribe individually to the publication ‘Presse und Sprache’ which prints topical articles from German newspapers which we read aloud and discuss.
Group  Organiser: Isabel White                                 germanculture@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

London Studies 1 - Meeting monthly using Zoom, we have taken it in turns to talk about either a London-based topic, or reviews of past visits and visits we had planned to take last year & hope to make in due course. Also we have had talks about the work of particular London architects and about people commemorated by Blue Plaques & statues. 
Group  Organiser:: Diana Goymer              londonstudies1@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

Tai chi
During the lockdown relaxation period last summer, when it was permissible to meet outdoors, we continued having sessions on the patio at the back of my house. Everyone was masked & suitably distanced. We have now started again recently in the open air again. but depending on the governmental policy may soon be able to meet again at St. Edith's church hall every Wednesday morning.    
New members need to be familiar with the ‘24’ form and, if not, it is suggested they start by joining the Sevenoaks Adult Education Centre to learn this form.
Group Organiser: Magdalen Kit Fong-Fry               taichi@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

Wire and Beaded Jewellery Making
This Group has continued in fine form throughout the Lockdown, not only exchanging emails and texts but also directly using Zoom and recently even in the garden (suitably distanced).  We enjoy exchanging ideas, learn and help each other or even sometimes with the help of a professional jeweller.
The first ‘proper’ meeting will be in June on the 2nd Wednesday.
Group Organiser:  Cherry Moss                           jewellery@sevenoaksu3a.org.uk

Other Groups
The following Groups have already restarted or are looking forward to restarting very soon, showing the person to contact if you wish to join. Contact details are in our Handbook.
Snooker.                                                            David Gardner
Crossword.                                                       Sheila Bonnett
Chess                                                               Magda Sweetland
Digital Image Manipulati on 1, 2 and 3           Janet Austin
Researching Family History                             Jean Stirk
Folk dancing                                                    Peter and Lyn Nixon
History of Transport                                        Michael Harwood
History of Art                                                   Lyn Mead
Wot is Art?                                                       Lyn Mead
Migration of people                                         Lynda Alleeson
Poetry 2                                                            Hilary Walker
Issue Dated 23 May 2021
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