The Group Leaders are Alan Murray and Maureen McCoy

The Literature Group meets on the First Thursday of the month at 1.30pm at the Salvation Army Centre.

We look at all aspects of Literature, from ancient to modern — from a variety of points of view. Having concentrated on British and American fiction for many years, in recent years we have looked at a number of novels/writers from other cultures and will try to do the same in the future.

Refreshments can be purchased on arrival.

For 2025/26 we covered the following topics:

Summer Reading
Alexander Pope
Travel Writing
Christmas and Winter
The Literature of War through the Ages
Westerns
Agatha Christie
Mental Health
Jane Austen

In 2026/27 we are hoping to cover the following topics:

3rd September      Summer reading

1st October      The 100 Best Novels

5th November      Adventures at Sea

3rd December      Christmas (stories, poems etc.)

7th January      War Correspondents

4th February      Rudyard Kipling 

4th March       Food Writing

1st April       Comparative Journeys / Chinese Literature

6th May       Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Grey

3rd June       Planning

Most sessions are led by a group member with some speakers from other U3A Groups and also occasional external speakers.

Sessions can include close reading of a particular novel or poem and/or a DVD/film clip which may provide biographical information, or outline the historical context for a novel and author's work etc. The main idea is to offer an introduction to a novel, poem, author or period which may lead members to wider reading, sometimes in areas new to them.

We are a small group at present so looking to recruit new members. All that is required to join is an interest in Literature and in sharing your reading experiences, interests and views. Come along and try it.

For further information contact the Group Leader through a message on this site, or find contact details on your membership sheet or timetable. We will continue to take account of the best format for meetings in changing circumstances.