Camera icon 28 PHOTOS
  • Chippenham Park March 2026

  • Christmas 2024

  • Acting "The Walking Group" play

  • Visit to The Abbeygate cinema

  • Visit to West Stow Hall

  • Trip along the Orwell estuary

  • Finding out about 'Blood Bikes'

  • Bressingham

  • Black Bourne Valley nature reserve

  • Celebrating Autumn

  • Conkers!

The Bury St Edmunds group was founded in 1967, in the early days of the organisation, and has been continually active since then. The group averages around 20 members and aims to meet on alternate Wednesdays. Whilst our meetings are, as a rule, in members’ homes in the evening, there are also quite likely to be daytime activities & visits, which may be on any day.

We plan our programme twice a year, when members meet to suggest and agree on a wide variety of topics and activities for meetings over the following six months.

For example, you might find us:

Visiting a local Nature Reserve to see how well conservation and rewilding have changed the landscape.
Investigating a country or region such as the Caribbean, its history and culture – and tucking into delicious examples of its food, brought along by members.
Choosing an Unsolved Mystery to investigate and puzzle over; or simply ‘something coloured Green’.
Discovering facts about Castles, or Bridges, Natural Structures or the Sea.
Discussing Keeping Fit and Health – how have our habits and our perception changed over time?
Researching the advantages and risks of developing AI technology.
Gathering together to listen to an engaging talk given by a local speaker.
Sharing personal stories as we chat whilst taking part in a walk which suits everyone, very probably with lunch or tea & cake at the end ☕🍰
Being entertained at the theatre or out for a meal.
Enjoying some seasonal frivolity, acting out a Christmas pantomime or playing games.

The possibilities are endless, and suggestions for events are always welcome.

We also have a Book Group consisting of around a dozen of our members, which meets roughly every six weeks, currently on a Tuesday at 2pm between normal group meetings, to discuss a chosen book. All members are most welcome to join this group.

Latest updates from Bury St Edmunds

Upcoming events at Bury St Edmunds

Rivers

15 Apr 2026

We’ve already investigated the sea, walls, castles, bridges, piers, natural structures, and others…. This is another great topic to get…

Local icon
Organised by Lynn, BURY ST EDMUNDS group

Exploring RSPB Lakenheath Fen 🪿

29 Apr 2026

We will take a walk around the Lakenheath Fen Reserve, hopefully led by a warden. Wear sturdy shoes and bring…

Book Group: “Long Island”

5 May 2026

Meet at 2pm in the Apex cafe to share our thoughts about “Long Island” by Colm Toibin. “A man with…

Vanity Through the Ages 🪞

13 May 2026

What exactly is Vanity, and how has the concept evolved through the ages? Is it different in 2026 from that…

Local icon
At Carole's, BURY ST EDMUNDS group

Iceland – the NWR Country theme 2026 🏔️

27 May 2026

Have you been? Seen the Northern Lights? Experienced the bubbling geysers and the smell of sulphur?We will research the history,…

Planning Meeting 📄

10 Jun 2026

Thinking caps on, people. Come up with some more interesting topics for our next programme. Our programme is what we…

Book Group: “The Marriage Portrait”

16 Jun 2026

Meet at 2pm in the Apex Cafe to share our thoughts about “The Marriage Portrait” by Maggie O’Farrell “Winter, 1561.…

Local icon
Organised by Janice, BURY ST EDMUNDS group

Sudbury Silk Mills 🐛

26 Jun 2026

The family-run company Sudbury Silk Mills has been at the forefront of silk weaving for over 300 years, producing luxury woven fabrics.…

Book Group: “James”

28 Jul 2026

Meet in the Apex Cafe at 2pm to discuss “James” by Percival Everett “The Mississippi River, 1861. When the enslaved Jim…

Book Group: “Birdcage Walk”

8 Sep 2026

Meet at the Apex Cafe at 2pm to share our thoughts about “Birdcage Walk” by Helen Dunmore. “It is 1792…

Downloads

Bury St Edmunds Book Group - books read since 1997

NWR Programme 2026 Jan-June'26 - web version