Discussion Group

Status:Active, open to new members
Group leader:
Group email: Discussion group
When: Monthly 2:00 pm
1st Thursday of the month
Venue: Zoom

About the Group

It started on Zoom during Covid in 2022 but once we were allowed to meet face to face we decided to continue meeting on Zoom.

Individual members take it in turn to choose a topic for each meeting and then introduce it to the group. Discussion can be lively, but friendly and non-confrontational. As you can see from the topics discussed over the years, the choices are wide ranging and often topical.

Our discussions are sometimes serious, often light-hearted, and regularly wander away from the core topic, but everyone is allowed to have their say. We will never change the world, but we enjoy talking about how we would if we could!

Although we meet on Zoom, once a year we have a meal followed by a face to face meeting at a local pub. 

We welcome new members – ring Sue and she will add you to our Group so you can be told about our next topic and sent the Zoom link.

A little before the day when you introduce your Topic you send the Topic and any supporting information to the Group Leader who circulates it to the Group.  It is a discussion, not a debate, and as such is informal. Of course, the planned Thursday can often be disrupted by outside influences – grand-children, appointments, dogs, computer-failure, forgetfulness, and life in general but the show does go on!

Topics Discussed in 2026

MonthMemberTopic Discussed
JanuaryDerkIs Christmas too commercialised?
FebruaryDavid F.We have a crisis of accountability. How so?
MarchRuthWhat is a 'Just War' and is it legal?
AprilShelaghThe ethical Implications of space travel and colonisation.
MayLesleyDo we have, or want, full "Freedom of Speech"?
June

Topics Discussed in 2025

MonthMemberTopic Discussed
JanuarySueWhat is Truth? How can you determine what is true?
FebruareyTerryBritain and America: Why So Special? “Special-relationship”
MarchLynThe Nanny State
AprilDavid F.Human Rights: Should every human have equal rights?
MayShelaghIs Artificial Intelligence a threat?
JuneLesleyTo (BBC) Licence or Not to Licence? That is the Question
JulyMerylIs American democracy weakened because of the actions of President Trump on his return to office for a second term?
AugJohnDo you think that the UK is, or feels like, a wealthy country?
OctDavid S.What makes a good life?
The discussion followed our annual get together at the Rising Sun in Woodcroft.
NovTerryAssisted Dying
DecLynIs there a reading crisis in young children?

A Selection of Topics Discussed in Previous Years

Topics Discussed
Wine in Pints? Will this add to the confusion between Metric and Imperial units?
Should the government provide a guaranteed basic income for all citizens?
Education, education, education.
In view of the dangerous situation in Europe should we consider time limited conscription?
What is the right to self-defence and are there limits to the right? Ranges from us as householders to the Israel government!
Can there ever be an end to Poverty in our society?
Should 16/17 year olds vote in general elections in the future? Should Voting in General Elections be compulsory?
Members of the Group were invited to propose their own Private Members Bill for the new parliament. The Group then voted on whether to accept it or not.
What is the impact of ‘fake news’ on society in the 21st Century?
Should we judge the past with present-day values? What we might regard as offensive today - sexist, or racist, or homophobic for example - might have once been considered ‘’the norm’’.
What can be considered a Work of Art? What can be considered NOT to be a Work of Art? What criteria should we use to define a Work of Art?”
My country’s values are different to yours. Prompted by the Quatar World Cup.
Why read fiction?
Just make loads of money and it doesn’t matter how.
Should Charity begin at home?
It's a man's world. Discuss!
Is the UK a democracy?
Happy Birthday NHS. Should we be having a "celebration party" or preparing for a "wake"?
AI – Fear it or embrace it?
Mega civil engineering projects – shouldn’t we expect overrun? Do we owe a debt to future generations to complete them?
Can war ever be ethically justified?
Was the toppling of the Colston statue in Bristol justified?