Welcome to Chorley u3a
Chorley u3a is a member of the Third Age Trust. The u3a brings together retired and semi-retired (third age) people to pursue educational, social and creative interests on a self-help basis in a friendly environment. The u3a is a UK-wide voluntary movement providing educational, creative and leisure opportunities in a friendly and information environment for members of the community no longer in full-time employment. The u3a model is low-cost, member-led and self financing. The emphasis is on inclusion, enjoyment and pursuing interests together. Our membership is over 400 and new members are always welcome.
What do we do?
General Meetings - Chorley u3a holds monthly meetings, with speakers and refreshments, in St George’s Church Hall, Chorley, usually on the 4th Monday of the months, starting at 1.30pm. The format is usually news, speaker and then informal chat over a cup of tea or coffee. There is limited parking available at the Church Hall, accessed via Halliwell Street.
Interest Groups - Chorley u3a also has many interest groups. These meet once or twice a month and members can join as many or as few as they wish. Groups use a variety of venues in the Chorley area. To find out more, click on the Groups tab at the top of the page. Individual groups may make a small charge to cover running costs such as room hire and equipment.
How do I become a member?
Anyone who is retired or semi-retired can be a member, regardless of age. We draw members mainly from the Chorley area, but some are from further afield such as Horwich, Leyland and the boundaries of Preston. You can have dual membership. This means you can hold a second membership of another u3a group at half price.
The annual subscription runs from January to December. In 2026 the cost is £10.00, or £5.00 for Associate Membership if you are already a full member of another u3a (the dual membership mentioned above) or if you join half way through the year.
For more information and a link to our Membership Form, please click HERE.
News from Chorley u3a
Snappers' Group Leader Competition Success
The leader of our Photographic Group, Paul Williamson's photograph of the Gardening Group on a day out at Yewbarrow House and Gardens in Cumbria was Highly Commended in a competition organised by the NW Regional u3a. The competition was for photographs of u3a members enjoying themselves and Paul submitted this photograph. All the winning photographs can be viewed in the latest NW Newsletter, just CLICK HERE to view it.
Click HERE for more information on The Snappers. Take a look through our other groups for more photographs of our members enjoying themselves.
Visit to Tabley House, Knutsford, Cheshire
On Thursday 14th April a group from Chorley u3a visited Tabley House in Cheshire. One of our members, Keith Smith, is a volunteer guide at the house and he was able to give us a really interesting tour of the house.
For more pictures from the day, visit the Day Trips Group Page
Elsewhere across the u3a Movement
All u3a members nationally can receive copies of u3a matters - the magazine for u3a members. The magazine, which used to be called Third Age Matters, has recently undergone a makeover with a fresh new look.
It is published five times a year and posted direct to members’ homes in an environmentally friendly paper wrapper. It is full of stories about members and u3a activities, plus celebrity interviews and features on technology, recipes, travel, competitions, and a lively and popular letters section.
u3a matters is available to all our members as part of their annual membership. If you don't currently recieve a copy, or currently do but would prefer not to, please contact our membership secretary.
Have you listened to u3a Radio? The u3a Radio Podcast showcases the amazing things happening across the movement. Why not give it a go by clicking HERE for more information
Out and About in Chorley
This page is maintained by Erik Johannesen