Art History/Appreciation
This Group deals with an appreciation of art through the centuries, and it has been convenient to concentrate our attention largely on the treasures of  the Ashmolean Museum, The Ashmolean offers a wide range of guided tours, based on objects which are on display in the permanent galleries as well as objects which are brought together in exhibitions. Even at the present time, when the Museum is undergoing a major refurbishment programme, there is still plenty to see. No intensive homework is necessary: the tour guide takes us through the subject (chosen by us), and questions are then largely at her discretion - only occasionally do we get a grilling!
The Group, potentially some 15-20 strong, but normally not numbering more than a dozen, at most, on any one visit, meets monthly at the Ashmolean on either the second Tuesday or the first Thursday, at 2.30 pm sharp. Members apply to the convenor (Terence Carter, 01865 863379) and then pay £2 (or more, if fewer than 7 people attend) on the day. It has to be stressed that if you apply to come and do not turn up, you may still be liable to pay, since the Ashmolean has a minimum charge.
Terence Carter

Bird Identification
The Bird Identification Group meets from 2.30 pm to 3.30 pm on the first and third Tuesdays of the month, at The Map House, Vernon Avenue, Oxford OX2 9AU. We choose a bird or group of birds to discuss at each meeting, and look at video clips, pictures and information about them, listen to bird calls and song, and attempt an informal quiz.  Group members are invited to contribute to each meeting by bringing any information of interest. 
Leaders Gilliane Sills (01865 721644) and David Fotherby (01865 514721).
Gilliane Sills.

Bridge
Playing bridge is widely recognised as an excellent way to improve your brain and keep it in good working order and, perhaps because of this, there is a thriving bridge group that meets twice a month.
The only conditions for joining this group are that you should have a basic knowledge of card play and the ACOL bidding system.  Thereafter, you will find that members of the group will be very willing to help you to improve your play and extend your knowledge of ACOL bidding.
Depending on numbers the group plays a mixture of Bridge games, mainly rubber and Chicago and, occasionally, duplicate.  The atmosphere is always friendly and welcoming with a hint of competition, just the way it should be if you are to enjoy this game, which is enjoyed by members of all ages.
Gordon Balme

Cinema Group
This group consists of 10 members. We choose a couple of films each month, mainly from the Phoenix programme, which we view independantly, and occasionally we choose a DVD. We try to select films which will give rise to a worthwhile discussion.
We meet on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 7.0 pm to discuss these films over a shared meal, taking turns to be host.
Although the group is full at the moment, guests are very welcome to join us occasionally. There is also a move afoot to start another group. If anyone is interested in being a guest or joining another group, please contact Chris or Liese on the number above.
Over the five years of its existence the group has discussed a wide variety of films, some comic, some tragic, many fictitious, a few documentaries and others telling real stories about real people. From foreign language films we have learnt about life in: Afghanistan, Australia, Bosnia, Canada, Chile, China, Denmark, Iceland, Iran, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Norway, Palestine, Poland, Russia, Turkey and, of course, the USA, Europe and the UK.
Some memorable films covered have been: 'The Road Home',( our very first film,) from China, which showed us the contrast between the old, impoverished, rural China and the brash, industrialised city of new China; the  American film 'Erin Brockovitch', that told of one woman's struggle for compensation from a multi-national corporation; 'No-Man's Land', a tragi-comedy illustrating the difficulties faced by the UN trying to keep peace in Bosnia and, on a lighter note, 'Sideways', the adventures of two middle-aged men on a wine tasting trip to California.
Films chosen for March are:
'Syriana', USA, about corruption in the oil industry.
'Capote', USA, the story behind the writing of Truman Capote's novel 'In Cold Blood'
'Tsotsi', South Africa, one  young African's struggle to escape from the consequences of the poverty trap.

Churches and Pubs
We are a group of around 20 members who take it in turns to select a church to visit, find out a little about it beforehand, and then book lunch at a local inn.  Sometimes it is possible to arrange for a member of the church to tell us something of its history.  At present it seems that the group is large enough for the pubs to cope with at once.  We shall probably have to operate a waiting list if others wish to join us.

Computer Users' Group
Our group is for members who have regular access to a computer, in their own home or elsewhere, and who welcome the support gained from sharing experiences with other users.  We meet twice per month at the home of the group convenor, where we can look at system management and a range of computer applications including internet usage.
Richard Sills

Digital Photography
The Digital Photography group meets from 10.30 am to 11.30 am on the second and fourth Thursdays of the month at The Map House, Vernon Avenue, Oxford OX2 9AU. We explore the facilities available on digital cameras, the use of software to enhance and combine photographs, discuss the composition of photos and present photos taken on specific themes. 
Gilliane Sills

Languages
This is a new group. The primary idea is to awaken interest in some less well-known European languages, and at present we are concentrating on Modern Greek. We are not confining our attention just to the study of the language, but we are also looking at thehistory of the country and its way of life. At some time in the future we shall look at Russian life and language, and then perhaps touch on other languages and cultures that are not often studied, such as Scandinavian languages, and Polish, Czech and others.
David Taylor

Local History
This group was formed to explore the history of local people, places and events.  A chosen subject is studied by all members using a variety of sources from libraries to the Internet.  At the monthly meetings members combine their snippets of history and discuss the subject together.  Recently, we have explored the Wesleys, Eynsham Abbey, Street Names of Old Oxford and the Oxfordshire Yeomanry.                                                                                                                                                                            Philip Stevens

Music - any Classical
Hearing Aids are quite advantageous to some of us, but a "Listening Aid" is far more useful and that is what this Music Group tries to be. There is a great deal of difference between hearing and listening and at our meetings we have the opportunity to sit back and really listen to music both familiar and not so familiar. There is a choice spread over about five centuries and since the start of this group we have listened to works by well over one hundred different composers.
We meet at 2.15pm on the third Thursday of the month at the homes of members who are able to present a programme of their choice. This is often in the form of a theme such as music from a particular country, works of a certain composer and sometimes the study of one instrument or group of instruments. The presentation is entirely up to the host or hostess.
It is not necessary to be able to host a meeting in order to be a member of this group. The only qualification is the wish to enjoy music in the company of like-minded friends and possibly suggest ideas for future programmes.
To give an idea of the diversity of themes, here a few examples of meetings we have had over the years:
  The development of stringed keyboard instruments from Clavichord to modern concert grand with examples to   show their attributes.
  Music associated with Italy and Spain but not necessarily by their respective national composers.
  Organ music - not necessarily played on the organ!
  Unusual works like the concerto by Albrechtsberger for Jew's Harp and orchestra. Surprisingly tuneful!
  "Humour in Music", for example Mozart's "Musical Joke" and one particularly funny item - the "Laughing Song" from Johann Strauss's "Die Fledermaus", (sung by the great Florence Foster-Jenkins?).
After the last item we can not claim to listen to only "serious" music.
More members would be very welcome.
Jack King

Spanish
This group started as a "Spanish for beginners" group in March 2000 and with the enthusiasm and hard work of its members it has graduated to an advanced level.   Unfortunately there is no more room for new members at present but if anyone is keen to improve their Spanish there are two groups in the Oxford U3A who will welcome new members.   Details are available from me.
Elia Brown

Tenpin Bowling
Tenpin bowling is a new group that started in February 2006.  It meets at the Oxford Bowlplex (next to the Oxford United Kassam Stadium) on the 4th Thursday of the month.
The idea is that the group should have some gentle exercise coupled with some easy-going competition, although the easy-going bit is hard to maintain sometimes.
Sessions start at 2 pm and last for no more than 2 hours.  There is a charge of £2 for each game, which can last for almost an hour depending on the number of players.
Gordon Balme.

Visits
We endeavour to arrange two or three visits each year.  Over the years we have organized trips to Ely Cathedral and Cromwell's House, the Portsmouth Docks including Southsea, Slimbridge and Prinknash Abbey, Thames River Launch from Westminster Pier and Greenwich, Woburn Abbey, The Cotswolds and Lavender Fields, Snowshill Manor, Kelmscott Manor.
   Art Galleries :    The Royal Academy, The Queen's Gallery at Buckingham Palace, Tate Britain, Somerset House.
   Museums :        The Pendon Museum, Cogges Manor Farm and Museum, the Oxford Science Museum,
the Buckingham Railway Centre at Quainton.

We have now joined with the Cherwell U3A in order to interest sufficient members to fill a coach.  Unless we can rely on over 40 members for an outing it is not economic to travel by coach.  There are occasions when we can use our own cars for local visits.  Also, from time to time, we are invited to join trips organized by the Oxford U3A or the Cumnor Horticultural Society if space allows.

In the New Year we shall be considering proposals for our future visits. Do please support your U3A and book early.  The days out so far have proved most enjoyable.
Joan Airey

Walking Group
The Walking Group meets on the second and fourth Fridays of each month at 10 am, weather permitting, for 4 to 6-mile walks around Oxfordshire and its neighbouring counties, although occasionally we travel further afield, by car or even by coach, to places like Box Hill, The Malverns, Hay-on-Wye and the Dorset Coast. The walks are largely on footpaths, with all that that implies (mud, fairly steep gradients, nettles/undergrowth and difficult stiles from time to time), making boots or strong walking shoes essential. Most walks are circular, although a few are linear, usually necessitated by the lack of suitable footpaths: these are the real fun walks, which necessitate much organisation of cars and personnel by the convenor (Terence Carter, 01865 863379), but all is generally well on those occasions if we follow the golden rule of "not more than two people per car, please!".
Over the years, we have covered large sections of the Thames Path, the Oxford Canal Towpath and the Ridgeway, as well as walks much nearer home, and we usually find somewhere new to go. Each walk ends at a suitable hostelry, where those who wish can stay for lunch. Visitors and prospective members are welcome, but we do have a rule: no dogs allowed!
The Group numbers about 15-20, although not all members appear on any one occasion. It is not necessary to pre-book: just turn up at the stated location on the day, and come and try us out if you wish.
There is just one rider: if bad weather threatens, you must ring the convenor (or the named leader of the walk) on the day, to check that the walk is going ahead: otherwise, you may have a wasted journey...and remember, it is never the convenor's fault if you turn up and nobody else is there!
Terence Carter