Local Groups for Readers
TeaBooks
TeaBooks runs friendly monthly book groups for people over 60, with books borrowed through the library so members don’t need to buy them. The Oxfordshire groups, first set up by the charity Bookfeast, are now run by Age UK Oxfordshire, and there are groups in Wantage. Sessions cost £1 (the first is free). For current venues and times, call Age UK Oxfordshire on 01235 849434 or see Age UK Oxfordshire’s book groups page.
Wantage Library Book Groups
Wantage Library hosts several book groups for adults, including a Thursday reading group. New members are welcome, and members can suggest titles. Days and times change, so contact the library for current details.
Wantage Library, Stirlings Road, Wantage OX12 7BB. Tel: 01865 815197
Wantage Library Book Group – Children’s Group
Check the library website for details and dates. The library runs reading activities for children from time to time; ask at the library or check Wantage Library’s page for what’s on.
Museum Book Group
A book group has met in the coffee shop at the Vale & Downland Museum in Church Street. Please check with the museum reception (Tel: 01235 771447) whether it is currently meeting.
Groups for Writers
Wantage Writers’ Group
A small, informal group for writers at every stage, from beginners to published authors, to share work, tips and encouragement. It meets at Wantage Library on the second Wednesday of the month, 2pm to 3.30pm, and is free. Contact the library for details.
Abingdon Writers
A group of writers and novelists, several of them published or self-published, who meet online by Zoom on the second and fourth Tuesdays of the month at 8.15pm to read and critique each other’s work. Prospective members can attend a few meetings free first.
Faringdon Writers Group
Faringdon Writers has been going since 2014. It is a friendly group with members of all levels, including published and self-published authors and poets. It meets on the third Tuesday of the month, 7pm to 9pm, at the Faringdon Business Centre, Volunteer Way, Faringdon. Find them on Facebook as Faringdon Writers.
Freehand Writers
The Freehand Writers was founded in 2007 as a forum for Oxfordshire-based writers of fiction, verse and drama. It was begun by graduates of Oxford University’s Diploma in Creative Writing but is open to anyone. The group meets monthly in central Oxford, and members take turns to chair.
Writers at Blackwell’s (formerly Group 2012)
A writing group in Oxford run by The Oxford Editors, started in January 2012 with Blackwell’s Bookshop. See their website for meeting dates.
Writers in Oxford
A membership society for published authors, offering events, networking, support and a members’ directory. Potential new members apply via the website with their publication details.