If listed as ‘Please register your interest by contacting me’ at the top of the individual group page, do not hesitate to do so. Your name will be put on a waiting list and we will try and get another group started as soon as there are enough members interested.
We have a new Petanque group starting up soon. As you will have worked out from the title it will take place on a Monday; it will be held at White Hall Bowls club in Clatterfield Gardens, Westcliff. Whilst Covid19 is still an issue, numbers will be limited so if you are interested please get in touch with Peter quickly to register with him and for further details.
Group Contact: John Abraham | |
Meets: Monday Morning 10:00am | |
Venue: MegaCentre Rayleigh Weir | |
Status: Please contact me if interested, we do have spaces Contact Me |
This new group has plans for their first table tennis session to take place on Monday 16th March for one hour from 10:00am to 11:00am.
Spaces available so please contact John using above button.
Rayleigh MegaCentre is the proposed venue and there are four table tennis tables available. The centre can provide bats and balls but you are recommended to bring your own bat if possible.
After this first session the group will decide as to whether they will make a 10 week booking (payable in advance) and whether to make it a one or a one and half hour session. If you want more information please contact John.
Do you enjoy Portrait Painting or maybe want to give it a go? Then we are hoping to get a new Portrait Painting Group underway in the New Year. (Some of you may recall that we had such a group running in the past.) Derek, one of our members who is an accomplished artist, is looking to get things started and is planning a meeting in the cafe at the Leigh Community Centre early in the new Year to discuss with all those interested. Please contact Derek for more details.
Meetings will take place from 10:30am to 12:30pm at the Leigh Community Centre on the 2nd and 4th Tuesday mornings of the the month.
Proposed new groups are listed at the top. If you have an idea for a new group, would like to start a new group, or have any group queries please contact me, Sally Dickinson (Group Coordinator)
Contact MeGroup Contact: Rowan |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre |
Meets: First Friday each Month 1.30 -3.30pm |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact Rowan Contact Me |
Art for Pleasure is a relaxed friendly meeting for anyone who is interested in coming together to paint and draw using a variety of suitable materials. We improve our skills and knowledge through discussion, books, handouts etc.
Each meeting has a ‘theme’ which members can interpret in their own way.
LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU!
New members are very welcome
The group is suitable all levels of ability
The ‘themes’ are merely to provide some ideas
Members ideas and input is valued
Please contact me if you need more information or wish to join our group.
Group Contact: |
Venue: |
Meets: |
Status: Currently on Hold |
This group is currently on hold. If you, maybe along with another member, wish to get it going again then please contact the Groups Co-ordinator for more information.
Group Contact: Richard Lytheer News & Events | |
Meets: COVID-19 -- SUSPENDED | |
Venue: out in the fresh air | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Bumblebees are in decline and conservation efforts can be supported and enhanced by understanding the populations and distribution of the various species. The Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BBCT) has developed a national surveying process which we plan to join. This will involve a small group undertaking a self-selected monthly walk of a set route and identifying and recording all the bumblebees we see.
We are especially lucky that the Thames Gateway is home to two rare species, the 'brown-banded' and 'shrill' carder bees, both of which have been seen on Two Tree Island.
We'll arrange for members to be given training to help you identify the bees you see.
If you want to be part of this exciting piece of work, have the chance to learn more about bees plus get a little bit of exercise each month or if you just want to learn a little more about what's involved, then please contact Richard using the button above.
Group Contact: Mary | |
Meets: 4th Thursday of each month 10.00 am | |
Venue: TruLeigh Scrumptious (opposite Leigh Library) | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
We are a small friendly group and we like to read a variety of books, ranging from classics to biographies to thrillers -- in fact anything goes! We take it in turns to come up with a list of books and decide between us which one we are going to read next, which seems to work well.
Group Contact: David White News & Events | |
Meets: 1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Why play Bridge? Well in the words of the novelist W. Somerset Maugham “Bridge is the most entertaining and intelligent card game the wit of man has so far devised”.
As a social game, bridge is unparalleled and a great way to meet new people. Bridge is good for the mind – a mental workout that stimulates both halves of the brain in equal measure. Playing bridge develops both logical and lateral thinking, it helps short and long term memory among many benefits.
At the start of 2018, we were able to get a Bridge for Beginners group underway. After two years of learning and playing, the group acknowledge they are far from complete but decided they are no longer beginners so a name change to simply "Bridge" might better describe where they are. If you want to join please contact the Group Leader to check level reached and see if it might fit with your standard of play.
Group Contact: Anne | |
Meets: 1st Thursday each month 7.30 pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Leigh Estuary U3A Canasta Group has been going strong since November 2017 and meet at a members home on the first Thursday of the month. We have 12 members and we usually get 8-12 members attending. It is a very friendly group and although we did start with 2 or three beginners and a few who hadn't played for some time, everyone is of a reasonable ability now.
Bearing in mind that usually Canasta is played in fours, we do sometimes have to adapt to three-handed Canasta!
Of course we do have varying rules of Canasta within the group which is interesting but we ask that everyone plays the same as the majority and the people we have taught.
Group Contact: Duncan Cooper Contact Me | |
Meets: 1st and 3rd Friday 1.30 pm | |
Venue: Naval and Military Club, Royal Terrace, Southend | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me on 01702 712805 |
This group is now up and running and intended for those members who have played Canasta before. Please contact Duncan if you are interested in joining.

Group Contact: Lynne Daughtrey | |
Meets: 1st and 3rd Monday in each month 2:00 - 4:00pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Already play canasta and looking to improve then contact me using button above to see if spaces.
Group Contact: Anne Owen News & Events | |
Meets: Various Days | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
VISITING ESSEX CHURCHES GROUP
This group is for people who are interested in church architecture and history and comparative religion. Members share organising the visits to places of worship. The group has visited many Essex churches of a variety of Christian denominations. We have also visited two synagogues, a mosque and a Sikh gurdwara along with Hindu and Buddhist temples.
March Visit by Penny & Brenda
Our March visit will be on Wednesday 11th March 2020 to the beautiful art nouveau church in Great Warley. The group will be offered coffee at 10:30am in the Church Hall and the visit lasts about 90 minutes. If anyone wants to book lunch at the near-by Thatcher's Arms Penny can do that for you. Penny and Brenda chose March as the daffodils & crocus's should be blooming in Miss Wilmott's Garden near-by. This is not to be missed if you have not visited it but is of course optional. If you want more details please contact Penny direct by using this link.
Group Contact: Pamela Waters News & Events | |
Meets: Various | |
Venue: Southend and Basildon Cinemas | |
Status: Spaces Available. Please contact Pamela |
This group is now up and running and they enjoyed their first cinema outing to see Red Joan at the Odeon, Southend.
Next trip is to see 1917 - During World War I, two British soldiers -- Lance Cpl. Schofield and Lance Cpl. Blake -- receive seemingly impossible orders. In a race against time, they must cross over into enemy territory to deliver a message that could potentially save 1,600 of their fellow comrades. The group will visit Basildon Cineworld Festival Leisure on Wednesday 15th January to see the 15.30 showing. Contact Pamela for full info.
If you are interested in watching a film with like minded people then please make contact with Pamela by using link above.
Group Contact: John Hanks | |
Meets: last Thursday in each month @ 2:00pm | |
Venue: private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This group explores Classical Music together. The group has restarted now with a new group leader so please contact John using button above if interested in joining.
Group Contact: Kris Mee News & Events | |
Venue: Private House | |
Meets: 4th Friday each month - 10.30 am | |
Spaces: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This group is currently full but meetings have been temporarily suspended, although book reading continues. When the current situation improves we will resume meetings in a members home. We take it in turns to choose the book and try to limit ourselves to those written before 1940 excluding War & Peace (too long), Virginia Woolf and James Joyce ('streams of consciousness' too baffling).
Group Contact: Lorna Reeve - to email use link below or phone 01702 478102 | |
Meets: By arrangement | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Ravenshead U3A have kindly shared their useful computer guides. Click on the *Computer Help Guides* link here.
Group Contact: Frances Devereaux (temporary leader) Reading List | |
Meets: 2nd Wednesday each month 10 - 11.00 am | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
We have lively discussions (very loosely based on some discussion questions/issues that I email before the meeting). We usually get between 8 and 12 people attending. People often do a bit of research on issues that have interested the group so there is a bit of information sharing that goes on between sessions.
I hope people are enjoying themselves - I know I am - lovely group and very interesting discussions (and lots of laughs!)
So far this year, the Contemporary Novels group have read:
January - 'Arthur and George' by Julian Barnes
February - 'Where My Heart Used to Beat' by Sebastian Faulks
March - 'The Little Red Chairs' by Edna O'Brien
April - 'Hagseed' by Margaret Atwood
May - 'The Poisonwood Bible' by Barbara Kingsolver
June - 'Notes from an Exhibition' by Patrick Gale
July - 'The Stranger's Child' by Alan Hollinghurst
August - 'Deaf Sentence' by David Lodge
To see the books that we have read since we started, please see the Reading List in link above.
Group Contact: Dave Rixon News & Events | |
Meets: Various days | |
Venue: Variable venues | |
Status: Currently Full Contact Me |
We have decided to change our group name from vigorous walking to Country Walks as this better reflects what we do.
Apart from the name change everything else remains the same.
Click on News & Events above for details of our walks.
This group has proved very popular with members wanting to get out and exercise and although the group is currently full with some 50 members, if you are interested please let Dave know using the button above and he will add your name to the waiting list. Then again, maybe time to start another walking group - if you want to get another group going do shout.
Group Contacts: Pat Lytheer and Amanda Archard News & Events | |
Meets: 2nd Tuesday each Month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting us Contact Us |
The Craft Group is a very friendly, informal group which welcomes members with an interest in any craft, whatever their level of ability.
In keeping with the spirit of the U3A, we are all willing to share our skills with each other. Although we generally work on our own individual projects, which include knitting, crochet, quilting, card making, embroidery etc, we also, on occasion, try a new skill as a group, led by one of our own members. Member-led sessions to date have covered Chicken Scratch, Quilting, Iris Folding, Gift bags and boxes.
We meet at Leigh Community Centre, from 2 - 4 pm on the second Tuesday of the month. To enjoy a sociable afternoon and maybe feel inspired to try a new skill, please contact the Group Organisers via the link above.
Group Contact: Lynda Examples | |
Meets: 1st Friday each Month 2.30 - 4.30 pm | |
Venue: Members' Homes | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Creative Writing for all abilities. Using memory and imagination and encouraging each other with our writing. For examples of our work click link above.
Please contact Lynda for details.
Group Contact: on hold | |
Meets: on hold | |
Venue: on hold | |
Status: on hold looking for new group contact to take over its running Contact Me |
Unfortunately this group has had to be placed on hold awaiting a new leader/group contact. If you are willing to take over the reigns then please contact the groups Co-ordinator using the button above.
Group Contact: tba | |
Meets: 2nd & 4th Friday of the month 1:30 - 3:30pm | |
Venue: Naval & Military Club, Royal Terrace, Southend | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This group needs someone to take it forward, if interested and willing to help please contact the groups co-ordinator.
NB: Days/times/location are not set in stone and can be changed to suit members if necessary.
Group Contact: Pat Wickham | |
Meets: 3rd Monday each month 3 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Various, see below | |
Status: Spaces available, please get in touch with the Group Contact Contact Me |
The Cryptic Crossword group aims to support members to improve their skills at completing Cryptic Crossword clues (i.e. those which are not just straight definitions).
Both those with existing skills and those who want to learn how to do crosswords of this type are welcome to join the group.
Group members bring along crosswords they are working on and blank crossword grids are provided for those who are beginning to learn.
More experienced members of the group support new learners.
We also have general discussion on the different types of clues and how they can be solved
Members are invited to nominate a Clue of the Month which they have found particularly clever, challenging or amusing!
The venue for the meetings is generally at cafes in the Leigh area. At present it is at the TruLeigh Scrumptious, (opposite Leigh Library), Broadway West.
Your Group Contact will e-mail members each month to confirm the meeting date and venue.
Please check with Pat before attending.
Group Contact: Barry Freshwater | |
Meets: 3rd Monday of the month 10.00 - 12.00 | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
A friendly group which encourages members to talk about any subjects that interest them. This creates added stimulus and variety in other areas besides our news reviews.
We are pretty full right now but please let me know if you are wanting to join us and I'll let you know once a space is available.
Group Contact: Moira Sweet 01702 710337 News & Events | |
Meets: Various Days | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
The group will enjoy bi-monthly(ish) visits to interesting venues using scheduled coach trips from local coach companies. Destinations will be within approximately two hours journey time.
I will be using Cooks Coaches for transport on all excursions, all their vehicles are air conditioned with a toilet. The pick-up points will be Chalkwell, Leigh Elms and Thames Drive, although if sufficient demand for other pick-ups these could be added.
I will also be using two companies with guides, Greatdays (www.greatdays.co.uk) and City and Village Tours (www.cityandvillagetours.com). Both companies have very good websites, so do take a look.
Please note: As of the March 2020 trip, I am changing payment arrangements. I will be taking a non-refundable deposit of £5 per person at the time of booking, with the balance being due about six weeks before departure. I will also limit each trip to a maximum of 40 people, and I will only do about six trips a year
UPCOMING TRIPS (please click on trip name for more details when available)
Group Contact: Trevor Matthews News & Events | |
Meets: Various on a Sunday | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please contact Trevor if interested Contact Me |
This second Sunday Lunch group got off to a start with lunch at the Southchurch Park Dining Rooms. Some wonderful home cooking that was enjoyed by everyone. Plans for 2020 were also discussed and organised.
February's lunch will be on Sunday 16th February at The Trading Rooms pub on corner of Crowstone Road and London Road for 12:30. Contact Trevor for more details.
This group does exactly what it says so if you want to enjoy lunch on a Sunday along with friends then please contact Trevor who will keep you informed of where and when.
Group Contacts : Richard Lytheer News & Events | |
Meets: Covid-19 -- SUSPENDED | |
Venue: Out and about | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Us |
Discovering Essex does what it says on the tin. We are a group keen to learn about the people and places of our County by visiting or, very occasionally, having a speaker. Essex, despite its reputation, is rich in history from the dawn-of-time right up until yesterday and we intend to discover some of it.
One month there might be a guided tour of a historical building, on another, a trip on an ancient vessel or we might find ourselves watching someone practising an ancient Essex skill or craft.
We all take turns suggesting and organising an event of interest which means there is something for everyone and we all enjoy ourselves whilst continuing to feed our brains a little (and usually, satisfying our bodies too!).
See our newsfeed for where we've been lately and click link for our latest 2020 programme (which is, of course, always subject to change!)...
Group Contact: John Walters News & Events |
Meets: 1st Tuesday of the month 2.00 – 3.45 pm |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Members of the group are now organising the sessions. Our objectives are explore and discuss people and their occupations, history events and locations that make up the area East of London. We do not restrict ourselves by looking at London’s East End only but will be exploring South East and North East districts as well as London’s sprawl into Essex.
Group Contact: Derek Murphy tel 01702-556680 |
Meets: 3rd Tuesday each month 10 – 12 noon |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre (please note this group are looking at changing their meeting venue, please check with Derek if any doubts about where you are meeting for any particular month) |
Status: Spaces available, please contact me Contact Me |
This group is for everyone who is interested in family history matters in all its many facets. It is not solely for research into ancestry but covers any matter which is related, however loosely, to family history generally.
If you have a family history matter/mystery that you would like the group to research for you please get in touch with the group contact mentioned above. Derek will be able to indicate what may be possible and talk to you about what information you already have or need to find to enable the research to commence.
Group Contact: Joan Murphy News & Events | |
Meets: 4th Friday of the month 2.30 pm | |
Venue: A member's home and alternate 'awaydays' | |
Status: Full but please register your interest. Contact Me |
Fashion comes quite high on the list of interests of lots of women, with this in mind we could see the need for another group dedicated to inspiring and furthering our knowledge. Meetings are taking place on the 4th Friday of every month. Alternate months 'AT HOME', an hostess from the group members at 2.30 pm to discuss future events. The other alternate months we will endeavour to have an' AWAYDAY' to anything fashion related that catches our eye.
This promises to be a valuable and informative time for us which will hopefully enable us all to make the most of ourselves and not fall into the trap of 'looking old'.
Group Contact: Heather Tetchner News & Events | |
Meets: Varies | |
Venue: Private House and out and about | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
If interested in finding our more about any of our planned trips then please contact Heather using link above.
- Mary Quant at the V&A Museum date to be confirmed
- ‘Out of the Blue’: 50 Years of Designers' Guild £15.50 or less if 9+ members attend – Wednesday April 5th
- 10th June meeting at Jenny’s house. Contact me for address.
- We are planning a "Behind the Seams" Tour in June/July to see what goes on and how they create those wonderful outfits for Strictly Come Dancing. If interested then contact Heather using button above to check on availability etc.
For details of past trips please see our News & Events page
Group Contact: Mary Pudney News & Events | |
Meets: 4th Tuesday each month, alternate months we go on a Fashion or Lifestyle adventure | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please discuss with the Group Contact Contact Me |
October 2020 - the group has been renamed Fashion & Lifestyle to reflect the wider range of topics we cover. If you want to know more please contact Mary using the link above.
Our "News & Events" page (link above) provides write ups and pictures of events we have visited or topics discussed.
Our latest Programme can be found on the "News & Events" button.
Group Contact: Andy Archard | |
Meets: 2nd and 4th Friday in the month 3 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Learn a second language like you always promised yourself you would.
Group Contact: John Wickham News & Events | |
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of the month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me Contact Me |
The group aims to enhance our knowledge of the works of this theatrical duo by talking about one of their operettas and where possible play a DVD or YouTube performance at each meeting. There may also be outings to performances of their work.
Gilbert & Sullivan Group are meeting Tuesday 17th September at 2.00 pm at Leigh Community Centre. Fancy escaping for an afternoon. We will be watching a DVD recording of The Sorcerer. Sit back and enjoy Sullivan's sparkling music and Gilbert's marvellous wit and cutting humour.
The villagers of Ploverleigh are preparing to celebrate the betrothal of Alexis Pointdextre, the son of the local baronet, and the blue-blooded Aline Sangazure Alexis reveals to his fiancée his plans that love should unite all classes and ranks. He has invited a representative, John Wellington Wells from a respectable London firm of sorcerers to Ploverleigh. Aline has misgivings about hiring a real sorcerer. Nevertheless, Alexis instructs Wells to prepare a batch of love potion, sufficient to affect the entire village, except that it must have no effect on married people. The village gathers for the wedding feast and the potion is added to a teapot. All of the villagers, save Alexis, Aline and Wells, drink it and, after experiencing some hallucinations, they fall unconscious. What can possibly go wrong!
Group Contact: David Kay News & Events | |
Meets: 1st, 3rd and 5th Thursday of the month 9:30am - 12:00 noon | |
Venue: St Peter's Church Hall, Eastbourne Grove, SS0 0QF | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me Contact Me |
The group's initial meeting was on the 17th October 2019 and is being well supported.
The group mainly comprises members who have no previous experience of the guitar although a few have been playing for many years.
The intention is to gradually learn the basics of playing melodies and simple chords to reach a reasonable standard and have fun doing it. There are a few spaces available so, if you are interested, please contact David using the above "contact me" link for further details.
Group Contacts: Liz and Neil Jaggers 01702 710056 News & Events | |
Meets: 2nd Tuesday and Wednesday of the month 7.30 - 10.30 pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting us Contact Us |
This is one group, but divided into two consecutive sessions, sharing the same programme. This means we can listen - and (hopefully)- learn of the history and development of Jazz from its origins to the present day in the comfort of our home. The programme is not chronological, but an eclectic mix to appeal to all tastes.
No live music, but we would typically have a mixture of DVDs, CDs and LPs.
The aim is for an enjoyable and sociable evening which runs from 7.30 until 10.00 - 10.30 pm with a halfway interval for refreshments and chat.
Group Contact: Tony Bullock, Jim Sanctuary and Tricia Thomas News & Events | |
Meets: 2nd Thursday each month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: The Stables, Leigh Road Baptist Church | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting us Contact Us |
Meetings currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic. Stay safe everyone.
During this pandemic, Jim is very kindly producing the Local History Link which is emailed to group members. If you have stories to share or just want to comment please contact Jim.
Local History is an opportunity to find out more about the town and surrounding area where we live.
Previous Talks:
Our talk on 12th March 2020 was "Paintings of our town from the Beecroft Art Gallery Collection" a very interesting talk for both local history and art lovers, thanks to Jim and Tony.
We have been taken on an illustrated tour of some of the town's notable buildings outside of those that are listed, thanks to Jim for that interesting look at a few buildings that are often overlooked.
In September 2019 we had Jim Gaillie from Battlesbridge Antiques visit and not just tell us a bit about the Centre, how it started etc but set us a fun quiz showing us a number of unusual objects and asking us to work out what they were. If you missed the meeting and want to have a go then details are on our News & Events page, link at top.
At our July meeting, and following a bit of research undertaken, a number of members gave brief talks on the history of a few local Essex villages. Some fascinating facts were unearthed.
At the May 2019 meeting the group were delighted to have Ken Crowe (ex head of Southend Museums) come and talk to us on the 2003 discovery of the Anglo-Saxon grave at Prittlewell. The tomb is reckoned to date back to around 580AD. Many of the excavated artefacts are now on show at the Southend Central Museum.
A fascinating insight into the discovery and work around recovering what turns out for the UK some unique Anglo-Saxon artefacts. The talk was very well received and if you have not yet seen the exhibition then you must get along to the Museum.
Group Contact: Victor Beadle News & Events | |
Meets: 1st Wednesday in the month 10 - 12 am | |
Venue: Various | |
Spaces: This group is full at the moment, Local walks 2 may have spaces Contact Me |
When Liz Simmons sadly gave up her role as GC of this group, after an illness, the members got together and decided that they wanted the group to continue but in a slightly different way.
Although I am Group Contact, the members run the group themselves, taking turns to organise and contact the other group members. This has been working extremely well and everybody seems quite happy with the arrangement.
We have also extended our range of walks by going out as far as Danbury and Rettendon, very adventurous for us, but the tea cakes were good. The tea cakes are mandatory, of course, but only after we've finished the walk, usually a maximum of three miles.
Our latest walk was around Rochford via Stambridge Mills and alongside the river Roche (see photo). As we came back, we met the proprietor of our coffee stop who turned tail and rushed back into the shop to put the kettle on.
We are full at the moment but join the waiting list anyway.
Victor
Group Contact: Group on hold | |
Venue: | |
Meets: | |
Spaces: Contact Me |
Group currently ON HOLD. If you are interested in trying to get the group up and running then please contact the Groups Co-ordinator using the button above..
Group Contact: Allison Llewellyn | |
Meets: Various | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Spaces available, please contact Allison Contact Me |

Allison’s group embarks on visits to all sorts of interesting destinations; they visited the Old Operating Theatre and Borough Market last September and The Royal Opera House in October. On Friday 15th November the visited the World Wildlife Photographer of the year exhibition at the Natural History museum.
If you are interested in joining her group and visiting places of interest in London then please contact Allison.
The group met on Monday 9th December to plan trips for 2020. The proposed list of visits is below. Final dates depend on opening days, group numbers, times etc:
January - Guildhall - library, possibly tag on Tower Bridge
February- Sir John Soames Museum
March - Bank of England, Silver Vaults and Temple of Mithras
April - Royal Albert Hall Tour -if available
May - Greenwich - choose your own
June- Lambeth Palace plus secret gardens walk led by Bob on 10th June ( 2 trips this month)
July - Geffyre Museum
August - London walk to be discussed
September - Buckingham Palace
October - Houses of Parliament
November - Old Bailey and Appeal Court
December - Kew Gardens - to view the lights so a late pm trip.
Group Contact: Lorna Reeve 01702 478102 News & Events | |
Meets: Various | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
The group organises monthly trips by train to London. The group uses tubes, buses or short walks to get to the various locations. Contact Lorna for further details of any trips or with ideas of where you might want to visit.
Group Contact: Judy 01702 713748 News & Events | |
Meets: Last Wednesday each month 12.30 pm | |
Venue: Various eating establishments | |
Status: There are currently no spaces available in this group. Please register your interest with Lunch Group 2 or contact me for any other information. Contact Me |
The main aim of the group is to ‘do what it says on the tin’.
It has been a long time since this blog was updated but the of restaurants we have tried continues unabated. We continue to average 26/27 members at each lunch and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find new restaurants who can cope with the numbers successfully.
With that in mind, all our members put forward their two favourite restaurants and from that input I have now drawn up a ‘Favourites’ list of 10 restaurants to eat our way through!
Today, we visited the No. 1 choice, Baboush, in the Ridgeway, Chalkwell, a much talked about and maybe, mis-understood Turkish restaurant. For those of you who have never had the opportunity to see the fascinating decor, not to everyone’s taste, should look at the attached photo and a visit to the ‘golden’ toilets is a must! The food is delicious, arriving Mezze style and as we work our way through the courses finishing with the delectable Baklava, we try not to think about the calories. A true experience.
Our ‘Christmas’ meal at the end of November was to another favourite on the list, The Royal Tiger, at Rettendon. This was our third visit.
And now 2019 ...... where did that last year go?
Group Contact: Lynda Mead News & Events | |
Meets: Last Thursday of the month | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: There are currently no spaces but please register your interest by using the contact button alongside Contact Me |
If you enjoy eating good food and sharing some friendly, interesting company then we are the Group for you. We aim to eat at restaurants that offer a good variety of different cuisines at reasonable prices. I took over in November 2018 and we now have a list of restaurants from which group members can make a choice. We aim to eat in the local area and have been to a variety of venues including Leigh Bistro (European), Damak (Turkish), Il Palazzo (Italian), Peterboat (Pub Grub) and had a delicious Xmas meal at the Royal Oak at Stambridge. I look forward to hearing from anyone who would like to join our waiting list - please use "contact me" button above.
Group Contact: Chris Wright | |
Meets: 1st Monday each month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Mah Jong is a game of skill, strategy and calculation and involves a degree of chance. The game is played with a set of 144 tiles based on Chinese characters and symbols.
We are looking for two more members, and it doesn't matter if you are a beginner or have played before.
Please contact Chris by using the button above
Group Contact: David White | |
Meets: 3rd Monday of the month 10 - 12 am | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me. Contact Me |
I can hear you questioning yourselves … how can maths ever be fun?
But did you know that the writers of The Simpsons included numerous high-brow maths references in the show, on account of how many of the main writing staff had a detailed knowledge of maths.
Think about that … the most popular TV show in history, an animated comedy, had a writing staff packed with maths experts. The fact that mathematicians are behind the most successful comedy in history does somewhat annihilate the stereotypical view that maths, and by extension mathematicians, are no fun, or "humourless".
So, if you can see past the stereotype, if you like exercising your brain, if you enjoy figuring things round and round till the penny drops; then join us for some fun solving and discussing of mathematical, logic and other puzzles.
Group Contact: Ian Hutcheon | |
Meets: 3rd Wednesday of the month 2.30 - 3-30 pm | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting us Contact Me |
Anyone interested in joining - please contact Barbara Zybutz by using button above
Group Contact: John |
Venue: Truleigh Scrumptious, Broadway West, Leigh |
Meets: First Monday each Month 10:30am |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact John Contact Me |
A current affairs group for everybody to discuss, deliberate, consider, moot or address the issues of the day. It is quite delightful. A great way to start each month.
If you love to chat about things going on then please get in touch, look forward to meeting you.
Group Contact: Pamela Walters News & Events |
Venue: Whitehall Bowling Club, Clatterfield Gardens, Westcliff |
Meets: Every Wednesday 09:45 - 11:45am |
Status: Please register your interest Contact Me |
We have a great time and there is help on hand if needed. Boules are
provided.
This is only a small group and, whilst currently full, please register your interest with Pamela if you like the idea of joining as soon as vacancies arise.
We do play on an outdoor rink and play every week, weather permitting, we aim to keep meeting throughout the Winter months and you can always warm up with a coffee in the Club House.
Group Contact: Victor Beadle News & Events |
Venue: Whitehall Bowling Club, Clatterfield Gardens, Westcliff |
Meets: every Thursday afternoon from 2pm - 4pm (except for the third) |
Status: Please register your interest Contact Me |
We now have a second group up and running.
If interested then please contact Victor using the button above.
Group Contact: Derek | |
Meets: 4th Friday of the month 10.30 - 12.00 | |
Venue: TruLeigh Scrumptious Cafe, Leigh | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact Derek Contact Me |
This group has been going for several years now.
We started an OU syllabus more recently.
If this interests you then please get in touch.
Group Contact: David White News & Events | |
Meets: 2nd Friday in the month 10 - 12 noon | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre (LCC) or out-and-about | |
Status: We have vacancies Contact Me |
We are a small group of keen photographers of varying experience and equipment. Our informal monthly sessions include a mixture of external 'shoots' and meetings at LCC, where we review our efforts, cover technical issues and sometimes just chat (strictly relevant subjects, of course). You can view some of previous shoots via the "News & Events" button above.
Our latest timetable of events can be downloaded on the link to be found on the "News & Events" page.
We also have a closed (i.e. private) Facebook page (administered by Graham) where members can post pictures. Please get in touch via FB to join and request to join the group
We welcome new members of all levels of ability (and kit!). We do have spaces if you wish to join us, in which case please get in touch using the "contact me" button above.
At our December 2019 meeting, Sue and Ruth treated us to a very "photographic" quiz. If you missed the meeting but want to see how well you might have done then you can try for yourself here.
Our sessions are currently on hold due to the coronavirus pandemic - further details will be provided as and when the situation changes.
Details below are all provisional and subject to the coronavirus situation.
We are meeting outside the Sarah Moore pub, Elm Road, Leigh for a stroll to Old Leigh as our May outdoors session and our photos from that walk along with Leisure and Architecture photos will be reviewed at our LCC meeting on 12th June.
In July we will be visiting Battlesbridge and reviewing those photos along with your Furniture submissions in August.
Group Contact: Steve Scroggs |
Meets: 1st Monday of each month @ 10:30am |
Venue: Private House |
Status: Spaces available, please contact Steve Contact Me |
A newly formed group that held their first meeting on Monday 1st April. Spaces available so if you want to get involved please contact Steve.
Group Contact: Sue Wright 01702 831711 | |
Meets: 4th Monday in the month 2.00 - 5.00 pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
We do what it says on the tin!
Since we began in June 2013 we have read a variety of plays, some suggested by members, some well known, occasionally favourites of mine. We started with J. B . Priestley's " Dangerous Corner", then Agatha Christie's, " The Mousetrap". Several of us had never seen it. "Ten Times Table", an Alan Ayckbourne was next, then Rattigan's "French Without Tears", and Paul Doust's "Cold Comfort Farm". Rather more serious was Wesker's "Chicken Soup and Barley". Then for Christmas a one act version of "Scrooge the Miser", an excellent read and time for festive goodies. "Darling Buds of May" by H. E. Bates was a fun afternoon and my favourite last week was Noel Coward's "Waiting in the Wings".
Next month we await Tom Stoppard's Arcadia. Variety is definitely the spice of our lives!
We are now fully subscribed and have a waiting list. If you would like to be added, or are interested in becoming part of a new, similar group, please get in touch and let us know.
Group Contact: Solveig Doyle | |
Meets: 4th Tuesday in the month 2.00 - 4.00 pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact Solveig Contact Me |
If interested then please get in touch
Group Contact: Bee | |
Meets: 4th Wednesday each month 10.30 - 12.00 | |
Venue: Members' homes | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
- is for people who like to read poetry, but may have not had the time or motivation to do so of late. Recently we decided that individual members would choose a poem, find out a little bit about the writer and introduce it to the group - this has worked really well so far.
To make it easy for everyone we have also decided to work from an anthology called The Rattle Bag edited by Seamus Heaney and Ted Hughes, so even if you do not have a computer, you still have access to the chosen poem and can think about it before we meet. Of course the local library can help here if you want to do some research.
In recent months we have looked at the poems of John Keats and Robert Frost, and John Betjeman and Carol Ann Duffy (two very different Poet Laureates). At the meeting in September we discussed metaphor in poetry and this theme continued with a look at three poems by Robert Frost and two of the Metaphysical poets. We have also discussed sonnets and what they are.
We are a very friendly group, and individuals are free to suggest where we might go next so that everyone's taste is catered for.
Bee
Group Contact: Chris Robinson News & Events | |
Meets: 1st Tuesday each month 10.00 - 12.00 | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me Contact Me |
The subjects for the next three meetings of the Psychology Group are:
tba
Anyone interested in joining please email.
Group Contact: Ian Spacie | |
Meets: 1st Wednesday each month 2.30 - 4.30 pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
For those with an inquisitive mind. You hear something, or read something, and you wonder why it is. It intrigued you to the extent that you want to find out more. You look it up on the Internet, or look it up in a book, perhaps in the library. One thing leads to another and suddenly you come across some obscure fact or event of a historical nature, probably not the sort of thing you would read in a conventional history book. It's "Quirky History" and you want to share it with someone. And that's exactly what we do in the group. Meeting during the afternoon on the first Wednesday of the month in the informal setting of the home of one of the group, we talk, we discuss, and we share, the topics we have discovered.
You might like to join us just to see and hear how it all works out. You might like to make it a monthly commitment!
Group Contact: David White | |
Meets: 2nd Monday of the Month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: The Stables, Leigh Road Baptist Church, Leigh | |
Status: Places available. Please contact me Contact Me |
We meet on the ground floor room of the Stables at the rear of Leigh Road Baptist Church; accessed via Chalkwell Park Drive at south end close to Leigh Road.
If you love the challenge of a quiz then join us on the second Monday of each month for a fun session of questions and answers. Don’t worry, you are not left to answer questions alone as we play in teams, mixing the teams for each session. Members volunteer to set the quiz and we share that load throughout the year. Whoever is setting the quiz, sets the format for that session so we get a variety of ideas coming through. This is not University Challenge and we keep it at that fun level.
It is a great way to meet new people at the same time as learning something new (or maybe a reminder of something you have forgotten).
We currently have spaces so please get in touch and join in the fun.
Group Contact: tba | |
Meets: tba | |
Venue: tba | |
Status: ON HOLD |
This group is currently on hold and looking for another group leader/contact to take up the challenge of taking it forward.
If interested in helping out please contact our Groups Co-ordinator
Group Organiser: News & Events | |
Meets: No set day | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: ON HOLD |
Sadly, we have put this group ON HOLD and really would like to find a new Group Leader/Contact to take over what has been an exciting and popular group. If anyone is willing to help out then please contact the Groups Co-ordinator
In the meantime, members can continue to enjoy previous events via the "News & Events" button above and remember:
Serendipity - A happy accident or pleasant surprise – specifically, 'the accident of finding something good or useful while not specifically searching for it'.
Objective: to explore and have fun!
The idea: To visit places of interest ideally unusual, that the majority of us haven’t visited before. No coach trips. We will jump on the train at Leigh/Chalkwell and have a fun and informative day, may be London, may be anywhere! To be serendipitous and be prepared to change our plan and take advantage of an opportunity that occurs.
Our days are variable, sometimes on a Saturday, usually every 2 months unless something occurs to take advantage of more frequently.
Please click on News & Events above for the adventures we have had so far!
Group Contact: Mike Smith | |
Meets: 2nd and 4th Tuesday in the month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Whitehall Bowling Club, Clatterfield Gardens, Westcliff | |
Spaces: Spaces available. Please contact Mike Contact Me |
Short Mat Bowling is played indoors. No previous experience is needed and woods are provided.
Currently the group has decided to pause the indoor bowling activities in preference to outdoor bowls and will reconvene on 10th September. For more information contact Mike using link above.
In the mean time, anyone can sign up for the summer grass season, just ask at the club. You will need to join the green bowls section but again any questions - ask Mike.
Group Contact: Mick Miley | |
Meets: 3rd Monday of the month - 1.30pm | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
Group Contact: Corinne Taylor | |
Meets: 3rd Tuesday of each month - 2.00 - 4.00 pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This is a group who welcomes absolute beginners along with those who have some knowledge of the language. We are using the BBC Talk Spanish book to assist our learning while mainly focusing on conversation. The group is currently full but you are welcome to come along to one session as a taster and then join this group when spaces become available. Please contact me if you are interested in joining.
Corinne
Group Contact: Sheila Byde | |
Meets: 1st Monday of each month, 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Private House | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting John Contact Me |
Group Contact: Mavis Miller | |
Meets: Various | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting Mavis Contact Me |
Group Contact: Trevor Matthews | |
Meets: Aiming for 3rd Sunday in month but special events may dictate otherwise | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please contact Trevor if interested Contact Me |

Group Contact: Peter Andrews 01702 710014 | |
Meets: Every Wednesday morning | |
Venue: Rayleigh | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
We must emphasise that you do not have to be a good table tennis player to join. The emphasis will be very much upon enjoying the game, having some fun whilst at the same time having some regular exercise and keeping active.
If you are interested or would like to know more then please contact Peter.
Group Contact: Marilyn Abraham - 01702 712230 News & Events | |
Meets: Every Friday morning | |
Venue: Rayleigh | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
We must emphasise that you do not have to be a good table tennis player to join. The emphasis will be very much upon enjoying the game, having some fun whilst at the same time having some regular exercise and keeping active.
If you would like to know more then please contact Marilyn.
Group Contact: Laura O'Connor and Iris Judd | |
Meets: We meet on the second and fourth Friday of each month from 1:30 - 3:00pm | |
Venue: Southend and District Reform Synagogue, 851 London Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, SS0 9SZ | |
Status: Currently full but if interested please contact us as we do hold a waiting list Contact Us |
Please contact us for more information.
No previous experience of tap dancing is necessary. Meetings fall on second and fourth Friday of every month.
Group Contact: Trevor Mathews News & Events | |
Meets: Various days and times | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Spaces available. Please contact me Contact Me |
When indicating interest in a show, payment by the deadline will guarantee you a ticket. Please include a stamped addressed envelope with your cheque.
Please note that all tickets booked and paid for are your responsibility to sell in the event that you can no longer attend. I will of course direct any enquiries in your direction.
See our News & Events page for details of future trips planned. A few details of trips in near future are included below.
Forthcoming Trips:
Advance notice of planned trips (contact Trevor to get your interest booked in early):
27th February 202 - THE CROFT - Matinee performance at The Palace Theatre. Tickets £24.50
29th February 2020 - Priscilla - Queen of the Desert at Palace Theatre - fuller details to follow
April 2020 - Beautiful (The Carole King Musical) at Palace Theatre - fuller details to follow.
7th May 2020 - Prince of Egypt - Dominion Theatre London - more details here. Cost including travel - £60
May 2020 - & Juliet at Shaftesbury Theatre, London. Tickets incl coach £52. More details on News & Events page
Thursday 23rd July (7:30pm) at Palace Theatre, Westcliff - THE MIKADO - tickets £21; front stalls rows G, H & I - see News & Events page for more details or contact Trevor.
Enjoy having a look through and let Trevor know if you are interested in booking. Please make sure you send a cheque by the deadline (cheques payable to Leigh Estuary U3A) and if you could include an SAE, it would be useful. Thank you.
Trevor
Group Contact: Graham Lipscombe 07929 316205 News & Events | |
Meets: 1st Tuesday of the month | |
Venue: Private house and on location | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This group explores anything and everything that might loosely be associated with a transport theme including aeronautical, buses, coaches, trains along with anything that floats.
Visits Planned:
January - Amazon Fulfilment Centre
February - Waterman's Hall, 16-18 St Mary at Hill Billingsgate, London EC3R 8EF
March - Biggin Hill Memorial Museum
For full details of our 2020 Programme and details as to who is organising please see link on News & Events page
Group Contact: Lorna Reeve 01702 478102 News & Events | |
Meets: Various | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Spaces in the group available. Please contact me Contact Me |
If you'd like to join the group to be kept informed of any future trips, then please contact me.
Lorna
Group Contact: Marion Collins 01702 476831 News & Events | |
Meets: 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month 2 - 4 pm | |
Venue: Leigh Community Centre | |
Status: Please contact me if interested, we do have spaces Contact Me |

Our aim is to learn simple chords to accompany popular songs.
This group comprises a mixture of abilities ranging from well seasoned musicians to complete novices. We meet twice a month for a session that is guaranteed to be fun and always very uplifting to the spirits. As Plato said “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.”
We occasionally put on performances for local events such as the celebration of 400 years at the Dutch Cottage (Canvey), to performing at Nazareth House (Southend), and for the Home Sweet Home Care Group in Leigh.
Contact Marion if you are a beginner, want more experience, or are just after more information.
If you are looking for the vigorous walking group then please note we have changed the group name to Country Walks. Please see Country Walks tab for information on this group.
Group Contact: Sue Sullivan News & Events | |
Meets: Various days and times | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please contact me to register your interest Contact Me |
Our first visit was in April 2018 to Warley Place, formerly a famous garden, but now managed as a nature reserve by the Essex Wildlife trust. After a pub lunch most of the group visited the "Arts and Craft" church as it was only a mile down the road and open that afternoon. I attach a picture of the group outside the church.
In May there was no organised visit but a number of members went to Writtle Agricultural College on 24th, as they were open under the National Open Garden Scheme.
Our June visit was to Beeleigh Abbey Gardens near Maldon, where roses were one of the main features.
In July we visited South Shoebury Hall and enjoyed a fine display of agapanthus.
In August we went rather further, visiting Marks Hall Arboretum. This was a very large, interesting site so we were unable to see all of it in one tour.
Our final visit was to Horkesley Hall in September where we had a lovely tour, followed by homemade soup and cake.
In October there was no organised visit, but members were notified of free open days at Beth Chatto's garden and RHS Hyde Hall.
We have enjoyed lovely weather for all our visits and most places provided refreshments. Many thanks to all who organised a visit during 2018.
Group Contact: Frances Coombs News & Events | |
Meets: 4th Wednesday each month 10.30 - 12.30 | |
Venue: Various | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
On our wildlife walks we look at the natural world, taking short, fairly slow walks round local open spaces such as the parks, the woods, the marshes, even the streets. We are looking at nature in every form - animals, birds, trees, flowers, insects, and little things like fungi and lichens. We share any knowledge and identifications, and use books when this fails. The aim is to enjoy the wildlife, increase our knowledge, maybe find new places, take photos and generally get the most out of our precious open spaces.
We usually finish up having coffee together.
Our last walk was to a chilly Chalkwell Park.
No walks during lockdown but to see the photos that members have been sharing please see the News & Events page.
Group Contact: Barbara Zybutz | |
Meets: 2nd Monday of the month - 7.30pm | |
Venue: Private house | |
Status: Please register your interest by contacting me Contact Me |
This is a small group and currently full. Please use the contact me button above to add your name to the waiting list.
The group is very warm and friendly, with each person contributing in a different way. We have lots of laughs, not necessarily from the consumption of alcohol, so don't get the wrong idea!