Do you belong to a local Facebook Group?

We have recently introduced u3a taster events (see link) and will be using social media to promote the talk on 21st February and the quiz on 12th March.

If you’re willing to share our post within your own Community Facebook Group, please reply to this News Flash with details. If sharing a post with others, please use the ‘share’ button at the bottom of the post.

Raising awareness of u3a

We regularly submit articles to the press. Here’s a report on a presentation to our Railway Group about the Otley Navvies Memorial

But it’s personal stories that really get noticed. A few words about your experience in being a u3a member can really help show how enjoyable and rewarding u3a can be. We’re hoping to share short member stories on our website and in future press articles. Your story doesn’t need to be long or polished, and adding your name or a photo is completely optional.

If you’re interested, just reply to this News Flash – we’d be delighted to hear from you. Select here to read how attending a short u3a course on Simon Armitage opened up a whole new chapter in the life of Peter Panteli, one of our members.

You may be interested to know that in January we welcomed 48 new members to our u3a compared to 27 in January 2025. So, the word is gradually spreading!

Proposed new groups

Thanks to everyone who completed the questionnaire in the last News Flash. We are analysing the results and looking at how best to respond and create groups that we hope will be popular choices.

These groups are at various stages of planning. To register interest, email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org and, when doing so, please include the group name in the subject line.

Canals of northern England Do you want to explore, learn, socialise and discover more about the canals of northern England – rich in industrial history and perfect for walking! Routes could include a pub or café stop. If you have any experience in canals, please indicate this in your email.

The World War II group is having its second meeting at Addingham Hub, 2pm to 4pm Tuesday 24^th February, then monthly. Go along to see how the group proposes to run a mix of presentations and informal chats pulling on examples from members’ relatives.

Karate group Initial sessions have been enthusiastically attended. More members welcome. Research evidence indicates that learning a martial art improves brain health and cognitive function, including enhanced executive function, memory, attentional control, and neuroplasticity. Go along and see how it can help you. Zetsurin Karate Club, Bay Horse Court, Otley. 2:30 – 3:30 Mondays and 10:30 –11:30 Fridays.

Exploring Psychology Together Have you ever wondered why we think, feel and behave the way we do? This group will explore fascinating topics about the human mind in a relaxed and friendly space. No prior knowledge is needed – just curiosity and a willingness to share ideas. With plenty of opportunity to learn from each other, with relevance to everyday life. If you’re interested in meeting to discuss how to get this group underway again, include a note of preferred days / times to meet.

NB. Although our existing psychology group is folding, this is an opportunity for a fresh start – maybe with a different format at a different time and place.

German Conversation II Open to anyone who wants to improve their fluency in German by engaging in lively conversation in the language. It’s not a formal German language teaching class but aims to accommodate members with varying levels of competency and allow them to practice their skills.

Meetings will be very informal and each one focusses on a specific topic to encourage members to learn new vocabulary, to stretch their knowledge and to learn from each other in a friendly and supportive environment. The current plan is to meet on Mondays 10:30 – 12:00 at Riverside Hotel in Ilkley, near the old bridge, alternating with Italian Conversation.

Calling all grade 2/3 musicians Would you be interested in practicing with people of a similar standard on a variety of instruments as a way of encouraging each other to practice and develop? At the moment this is merely an idea. The logistics would need to be worked out based on the level of interest and instruments played. The lady that has mooted the idea is learning the cello. If you think this idea might be viable, please express your interest and tell us the instrument you are learning.

Two short courses open for registration

Artificial Intelligence for Everyone. Understand how to use AI on our personal devices. Details on this link. Runs for 3 Wednesday afternoons during March. Nearly 30 members have signed up to take a similar course online provided by the Third Age Trust, our parent organisation.

Mindful Wellbeing. Runs for 8 fortnightly sessions 2pm Friday 6^th February to 15^th May Otley Town Partnership, Mercury Row, Otley, LS21 3HE. Details on this link.

Groups happy to welcome new members

Scrabble in Guiseley Next meeting 2 pm Thursday 5^th February at Everybody's, Guiseley, next to Morrisons. Then every fortnight. Details here or just turn up and say hello.

Calligraphy group Beginners are welcome and we have some materials to get you started. We all learn at our own speed but share ideas and advice in a supportive manner where we can. Select this link to learn more about the Calligraphy Group and to contact the leader.

Creative Writing This group meets on zoom every Friday 09.30 – 11.30am. Want to get started writing a short story or something longer? This is your chance to share your ideas and get some friendly constructive feedback. Each week members read out (and screen share) their contributions and these are followed by friendly and focussed discussion. Our approach, developed and refined by members, allows us to learn from each other in terms of style and technique. Details here

Summer Programme Plans just announced. Help organise an event from mid-June to end July. Email summerprogramme@ilkleyu3a.org with your suggestions. Want some inspiration? View Ilkley & District u3a Summer Programme 2025 here.

Online events. Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select the link to see the full range of talks including how hypertension drugs work, publications instrumental in the development of mathematics and exploring progressive rock. A huge range of topics every month.

Diary dates for our u3a

Drop-in sessions are an opportunity to meet some of our trustees, ask questions about u3a or bring along a friend who might like to join us. All very informal and free refreshments! Select here for more information on all our drop-in events. This month we have sessions in 

• Clarke Foley, Ilkley, Friday 6^th & 20^th February 10:30 am to 12 noon. 
• The Core, Otley, Friday 13^th February 10:30 am to 12 noon.
• St. Mary's Parish Centre, Burley in Wharfedale, Wednesday 18^th February 10:30 am to 12 noon.

Saturday Morning monthly talk.

How to Save the City. Doors open 10 am Saturday 21^st February. This is a free event provided by u3a as part of your subscription. It's an ideal way to introduce friends to u3a so please bring a guest or two. We will have members available to explain u3a and help people to join if they like what they see. Save the City talk details by selecting the link.

More help required at the monthly talks

We need some more help to greet visitors, prepare and serve refreshments and look out for those who arrive by themselves ensuring they feel comfortable and able to chat with others. That does not mean having to attend every month but three or four times in a year will really be appreciated. Please email Jean Smith (membership@ilkleyu3a.org)

Love Golf but not walking.

Struggle with the cold, wet, or long walks? Want to enjoy golf in a relaxed, social setting indoors? Come along to our taster session at Back Nine Golf, Otley. Tuesday 24th March, 2pm to 4 pm.

Two Golf Simulators, Interactive Darts, Pool Table, Coffee, Snacks & Drinks. The whole venue will be ours, with plenty of space to chat and relax. If the session goes well, we’ll launch a regular u3a golf and social group. Cost: around £8 per session in the future. The taster session is probably free! Interested? Email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

Other diary dates

Andys Man Club Ilkley Meets Abbeyfield’s Riddings Road Ilkley LS29 9BF every Monday evening at 7pm. This is a men’s suicide prevention charity, offering free to attend peer-to-peer support groups across the United Kingdom and online. They aim to end the stigma surrounding men’s mental health and help men through the power of conversation.

‘Let's Talk Climate’ An initiative to give people the confidence, motivation and skills to have positive, hopeful conversations about climate. Free online workshop 7:30 pm Tuesday 24th February. More information on the website of Climate Action Ilkley. Select the link to view.

Ilkley Soroptimists are holding a keeping safe event Saturday 7^th March St. John’s Church Hall, Ben Rhydding. LS29 8PN. From 10 am to 3pm. Drop in or stay all day. Select here for more information.

u3a Festival 2026 tickets available soon. Subscribers to Third Age Trust Festival Updates will be the first to know. Select here to update your preferences and receive these emails.

YAHR u3a Summer School runs from 24th to 27th August. 10 wide ranging courses on offer based at the usual excellent venue of The Hawkhills, Easingwold, YO61 3EG. Select the link for details and to download a registration form.

Solve your smart phone or tablet problems

For help on the basics like turning on your device and connecting to the internet, help is available from AbilityNet. This is a charity specifically aimed at getting more people to take advantage of being online. For more information on AbilityNet, including possibility of home visits, select link.

For help with specific queries, the following drop in facilities are available. No appointment needed. Just bring your fully charged devices along with any passwords and volunteers will do their best to resolve any specific questions.

Ilkley: Clarke Foley LS29 9DZ Friday 6^th February 10.30am to 12:00. Details here

Otley: Chippendale Centre LS21 3AA, every Monday 9.30am to 11.00 am. Details here

Similar schemes run in Addingham, Guiseley and Rawdon. Select the links for more information.

Recent posts from our Facebook page

The following links open on our Facebook page. You don’t need an account to view these posts. In case of difficulty, there is further guidance at the foot of this newsletter. Thanks so much to all the groups sending pictures and updates on their festive lunches. Much appreciated.

How much do you know about terracotta? A talk to our Northern Towns Group attended by over 60 members. So much to learn. The group will be visiting Leeds to see for themselves in March.

'Go With' groups join for a post-Christmas meal. Learn more about how these groups help individual members socialise with meals, cinema trips, theatre visits and more. Select here.

Highlighting a newspaper article on a talk to the Railway Group on the Otley Navvies’ Memorial.

Fitness Hub Quiz team receive an award. For attendance! Did you know we have an online quiz team. Details here. No limit on numbers.

Promoting our new Karate Group meeting in Otley

Highlighting a newspaper article on Peter Panteli  One of our members credits u3a with helping to discover a hidden talent leading to publication of a book of poems.

Reporting on our last monthly talk in January. Great pictures!

Sprechen sie Deutsch? Promoting our new German conversation group.

Please send photographs, a couple of sentences plus event details to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk). This all helps explain u3a to a new audience. We are now on Instagram. Select here to access.

Market Place for u3a members

Log in and use the website link for details. Make contact directly with the poster by selecting their name to get their email and phone number. Subscribe to receive notification of new postings.

Nathan TV unit and nest of tables for sale

Hope these bring a smile with thanks to Kathy Allsop

What’s the one thing I can’t deal with? A deck of cards stuck together.

Why should you never brush your teeth with your left hand? Because a toothbrush works better.

What has five toes and isn’t your foot? My foot.

Best wishes

John & Christine

Email Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org or call 0300 102 4549 (local rate).

Trouble accessing our Facebook page?

You don’t need an account to view the posts. To use Facebook as a guest, ensure the links take you to the Facebook page via a web browser. When prompted to log in or join Facebook, select ‘Not Now’ or close the prompt using the ‘x’ in the top corner. NB. These links will try to open the Facebook App if it’s installed on your device. Delete the App so the link uses a web browser to open. Then follow the above guidance.

Latest news letter from Third Age Trust: Select here