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Issue 24-09 (03 May 2024)
Annual Showcase Event
Please reserve the date - Saturday morning 15th June 2024. Previously known as Meet the Leaders, this is your opportunity to explore new opportunities to enjoy all that u3a has to offer in the year ahead.
But it’s also an opportunity to spread the word about joining u3a. Current plans are to distribute flyers in Ilkley on the morning of the event supported by the Town Crier and to use a limited campaign of promotion via Facebook. Expect also to see coverage in the local press.
Members can help spread the word about u3a by taking flyers from the racks in Clarke Foley and the Core in Otley to give to friends, neighbours, and others who you think might be interested. Group Leaders will be contacted shortly so they can reserve space to promote their groups.
Summer Programme bookings open soon
Bookings open for all events on Tuesday 14th May. Over 30 different talks, visits and activities throughout June, July, and August. Full details in the next News Flash but you might like to note the following events in June:
- Monday 17th June: A visit to Holbeck an inner suburb of Leeds.
- Tuesday 25th June: A presentation ‘Who killed Van Gogh’ (2 pm in Clarke Foley).
- Wednesday 26th June: A presentation ‘Born of Fire’ Galapagos Islands (10:30 am Clarke Foley).
- Thursday 27th June: Fun with Handbell Ringing. (2 pm in Otley).
A good time to join our u3a
The Third Age Trust has launched ‘Friends Extra’ a website providing a range of offers, discounts and additional services. Use this link to read more. Anyone joining in May, June and July won’t have to pay a further subscription until July 2025.
Changes to Group Leader information on the website
For those who manage group activities, either as a leader or in a supporting role, there is a new section that gives support and guidance.
Login, select For Members and then “Managing a Group?” towards the bottom of the page. Alternatively, select this link for direct access. This is also where you can access contact details for your group members. We will shortly be providing a printed guide to this page.
For those who have access to the contact list of all members, follow the link “For u3a Managers” at the bottom of the page or select this link for direct access.
New Group updates
Go With - Otley
It’s been suggested that our members might be put off going to the theatre or the cinema because they don’t want to go on their own. Or maybe you would appreciate company on a day out or a trip to the shops in Leeds or Bradford.
The idea would be to create a group of u3a friends around Otley who would like to support each other by sharing experiences and activities. Interested but live too far from Otley? Enquire anyway and we could look into starting groups for other areas too.
Please email chair@ilkleyu3a.org and we will see if there’s enough interest to proceed.
Smart Phones & Tablets – Learning Together
This new group has three two-hour sessions planned for 10:00 am at Abbeyfield in the centre of Ilkley on Tuesdays 7th May 4th June and 2nd July. The group will then decide if it should continue to meet.
There is space for a few more to join. It’s likely to appeal to members who are:
- regular, almost daily, users of their device and so confident to experiment.
- happy to share their ignorance, knowledge, and experience with other members of the group.
- supportive of an environment where everyone learns together.
The upfront cost for all three sessions (to cover room hire and refreshments) is £15. If this is of interest, email John Parker (parkeralhambra@aol.com) before Sunday 5th May stating your device model (iPhone, Samsung Galaxy etc) and its operating system (Android, iOS etc).
Table Tennis on Monday afternoons.
A two-hour session every week at the Winter Gardens in the centre of Ilkley. This is an ideal venue and used by our other table tennis groups. Cost is dependent upon numbers but expected to be £2.50 - £4.50 per session, depending upon numbers.
The group will be open to players of all levels. We hope to get going on Monday 13th May although that’s not yet confirmed. Those interested in joining should email andrew.drury@outlook.com
Group updates
Walking Cricket They are particularly keen to attract more women to the group. So, with better weather on the horizon, why not give it a go? To learn more about the group and express an interest in joining, select here.
Online courses Included in our membership is the opportunity to join a series of online events run by our parent body, the Third Age Trust. Select here for the latest offerings.
Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners (online) This is a six-week course starting 10 am Thursday 23rd May, but registration closes on Monday 6th May. If interested, details on this link.
The Story of the Workhouse (online) This is an online presentation by one of our own members, Peter Higginbotham. Learn about welfare in England before 1948 with this online lecture 10 am Friday 17th May. Booking now open on this link. Listen to an interview with Peter on the latest edition of the u3a podcast. Select here.
Market Place
Select this link and then login to the website to read the latest entries. Click on the name of the poster to reveal their details and make contact. This is a member only facility requiring website login to access.
A folding table 6ft X 3ft 6ins free to a good home. Select here.
Floor standing lamp also free. Select here.
Extra income for our u3a. Book with Riviera Travel: Details here.
You can post your own items. Just use the above link or look under the News Tab on the website.
Diary dates
Drop-in from 10:30 am to 12 noon Friday 3rd and 17th May at Clarke Foley. Silsden on 23rd May and Addingham on 5th June. Full details on this link to our website.
Saturday Talk10 am 18th May. Our habitable planet, is it the only one? Details here.
Otley wellbeing walks Next one Thursday 9th May. More information on this link
Updates from our Social Media postings
Send a few pictures of a group activity and a couple of sentences to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk ) who will arrange everything. Thank you. The following links open on our Facebook page. Anyone can access. You don’t need an account.
Saturday Morning Talk. Lee Wellbrook stepped in to fill a last-minute change in the speaker programme and shared his passion for Blues music with a whistle-stop tour of its history from 1920 to the current day. See pictures on this link.
Piano Duets Group. Shared this wonderful picture from one of their meetings. Select this link.
u3a National Festival York 18th to 20th July
The u3a movement is holding its first ever Festival where members will be running a wide variety of activities, talks, sporting events, musical entertainment and workshops. Select here to read more and see details of the programme of events. (Note this is still subject to change.)
To book your attendance select this link: Programme bookings
If we organised a minibus for an all-day visit on Friday 19th July, would this be helpful? Please contact membership@ilkleyu3a.org to express an interest in the minibus option.
Random thoughts from Denise Marsden
I went to an hotel recently and they asked if I wanted the Black & White Room, or the Rainbow Room. I went with the Rainbow Room - I love a room with a hue.
Where does Captain Hook get his books? A second-hand store.
Best wishes
John & Christine
Email: Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org
From our good friends at the Manor House
We thought our members might like to see the wide range of activities available this summer. Select here for details
The latest edition of the Third Age Trust newsletter
Can be read on this link.
u3a Matters
A printed magazine delivered to your door five times a year. It has recently had a relaunch and is probably now more relevant to our members than it’s been in the past. Details on this link.
If you would like your own copy email membership@ilkleyu3a.org. Once you’ve finished with your copy, why not pass it on to a friend or put it in the u3a racks at Clarke Foley for others to read. It’s a good way of spreading the message about our wonderful organisation!
A request from our parent body
The Third Age Trust is developing its current strategy. A new group will focus on all aspects of recruitment but with a strong focus on attracting the next generation of members.
If this is something you feel you would like to be a part of, and/or have some experience of, please get in touch with Margaret Fiddes, u3a Trustee for Yorkshire and the Humber on margaret.fiddes@u3a.org.uk. Also cc Chair@ilkleyu3a.org so we are aware of your interest.
From u3a member & London Marathon runner Geoff Howard
The weather was perfect, the crowds were wonderful and my fellow 7+ hours charity runners were great company and massively inspirational. I’ve been very moved by the many messages of encouragement and thank you to all those who made donations to Outside the Box. Over £3,000 raised.