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Issue 26-06 (19 March 2026)
Welcome to all of our new members
An enthusiastic group attended our first welcome meeting of 2026 earlier this month. Members not able to make the first one, please join us next Monday. Details on this link.. Note new time. Welcome To New Members (5pm to 7pm Monday 23rd March at Clarke Foley, Ilkley)
A new short course open for booking
Select this link to see details of an Introduction to Croquet which runs 4 weekly meetings on Tuesdays 28 April and 5, 12, 19 May from 2pm to 4 pm at Ben Rhydding Croquet Club. This annual course is always popular, so early booking advised.
If you’re interested in any of the following, please contact newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org
Gig Buddies Do you enjoy attending local live music events? If so, you might like to join this proposed new group. It aims to unite music fans across a wide range of music genres, whilst supporting local musicians and smaller venues. A taster visit is arranged to Burley Social Club ,Wednesday 25th March. Entry is free and a seven-piece jazz band is performing. A couple of Ilkley u3a members will greet you at 7.45pm for 8pm. The venue allows for socialising during the performance. Suggestions for future visits encouraged. The group will communicate using WhatsApp but so we know who is coming to this first event, please email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org .
Racquetball Taster session: 10:40am Thursday 26th March, Otley Squash Club .Based at Cross Green. No charge. Equipment and coaching available. Clean court shoes required. Beginner friendly and no experience required. Great exercise and easier and less intense than squash - larger, bouncier ball and slower rallies.
Psychology A discussion on how to move the group forward - where and when to meet, format etc. So, if you're interested in joining, come along to hear more. 2pm Tuesday 31st March at Outside the Box café, Ilkley.
Back Nine Golf Otley See link for details . 2pm to 4pm Tuesday 24th March. This is a taster session with a view to making it a regular group, so there will be a bit of discussion. A few spaces still available. No equipment needed, all is supplied including golf simulators. (Darts and pool also available.)
Canals of the North An initial meeting 2pm Tuesday 7th April at Clarke Foley Community Hub in Ilkley for a discussion about how the group will run - meeting times, format and future plans.
Dog Walking Group We'll get together to discuss logistics if enough interest.
Walking Book Group. Do you like walking and reading? Let's do both. Discuss a book whilst out in the fresh air getting some exercise. We’re sure refreshments will be found too, to allow further discussion. Details to be worked out if we get enough interest.
Women's Circle/Men's Circle Separate groups! Topics chosen by the membership, focused on conversation, support and shared experience.
Folk and Early Music Whether you're a musician (playing contemporary or early instruments) or a singer who would like to perform on a regular basis, we’re looking to establish a new group.
Sunday Social Dining It seems members of u3a like to eat. With two Sunday lunch groups full, we'd like to start a third. Meet and eat and make new friends, all at a local establishment. The aim is for the group to decide on venues reachable by public transport.
Groups with spaces
The following groups all have spaces. Select the link to find out more information and to contact the group leader.
Thursday Table Tennis One free space. Very friendly group, some TT experience is beneficial.
Readers Group one Two free places. Will appeal to anyone interested in reading a variety of mainly fiction. A friendly group who enjoy good discussions!! Monthly 2pm Tuesday St John’s Church, Ben Rhydding.
Online events
Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select the link to see the full range of talks including how deafness influenced Beethoven’s compositions, British aviators in World War I and staying safe online.
Taster events are a great way to introduce more people to u3a
Just under 40 attended the 1980s themed quiz on 12th March. Details of our publicity and photos from the event are on this link to our website. Our grateful thanks to the More to Life Group who suggested this event and organised everything. Well worth the effort. Nine new members on the day and a further five promising to join online. Even better, we all had a great time. Plenty of nostalgia and laughter.
For the talk on the English Civil Wars in Yorkshire at 10am on Saturday 21st March, simply come along. This is a perfect opportunity to bring a friend or potential new member and introduce them to everything u3a has to offer.
Can you use a spreadsheet?
Thanks to those who responded to this item in the last News Flash. A few more would be helpful. With the increase in the number of groups, our finance team needs additional help to monitor our bank account receipts, make authorised payments and ensure these transactions are recorded accurately.
Being able to use a spreadsheet is essential and some sort of financial acumen would be helpful. Rest assured, it won’t be just you with these responsibilities. They’re undertaken as part of a team, under overall guidance of our Treasurer. If you’re interested, email chair@ilkleyu3a.org for a no-obligation chat.
Summer Programme plans
Thanks to those who have already responded. We need more events to fill the programme and add variety. If you can organise an event, a visit, a talk etc. from mid-June to end July, email your suggestions to summerprogramme@ilkleyu3a.org
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. We are at Clarke Foley, Ilkley, Friday 20th March from 10:30 am to 12 noon.
Following the first Burley in Wharfedale Drop in, that was held in February, we’re holding our second meeting on Wednesday 15th April 10.30-12.00 in the Garden Room at St Mary’s Parish Centre. It was great to see so many in February and we’d love to see you all again in April. Perhaps bring a friend with you. Details here.
We are also at Guiseley 1:30 pm Wednesday 1st April and Otley 10:30 Friday 10th April.
Monthly social and talk for March
English Civil War in Yorkshire Doors open 10 am Saturday 21st March. This is a free event provided by u3a as part of your subscription so simply come along and maybe bring a friend or two.
A request for our help from Nell Bank.
This charity just off Denton Road in Ilkley runs outdoor learning events mainly for children (details on the link ). They need volunteers on 8th, 9th and 10th April to help with an Easter Egg hunt.
The day starts at 8.30am with refreshments and training; families arrive at 10am. Volunteer roles may include registration, café, supervising water play, toddler trail, Easter Egg hunt and art activities or running an Easter Egg tombola. The day usually finishes by 3.30pm. Training, lunch and refreshments are provided, and no DBS is required. Volunteer using this link .
Other diary dates
Ilkley Hydros The Story of Ilkley’s Health Resort Heritage is an exhibition running from 28th February to 5th April. Weekends only. At Ilkley Manor House and curated by Ilkley Civic Society. Select the link for more information. A ‘must see’ event for anyone interested in the history of Ilkley. There is also a talk and coffee morning on the hydros. Friday 27th March . Select the link for details.
Join a coach trip to Doddington Hall and Gardens near Lincoln. Organised by our friends at Bradford u3a. Wednesday 24th June. Pickups in Shipley and Bradford. Full details on this link.
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 the possibility of home visits, select the 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 20th March 10.30am to 12:00.
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. Burley library also has similar sessions on Tuesday 3rd, 17th and 31st March from 1.30 pm to 3 pm.
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.
Our Gardening Group visiting Moss & Moor
The Voyagers Group visit Bishop Auckland
Walking for Fitness discover High Royds Country Park in Menston
A reminder that the cost of postage stamps will rise shortly
First session report on the short course: Artificial Intelligence for everyone
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 also on Instagram.
Market Place for u3a members
A reminder that members can buy, sell or give away items via our Market Place. Log in and use the link for details of the following posts. Make contact directly with the poster by selecting their name to get their email and phone number. Subscribe to receive notification of new postings.
Ilkley Mobiles - Discount offer for u3a Members Computer and mobile phone repairs.
Two for the price of one tickets at King's Hall, Ilkley The Manfreds 17th September.
Rotary Great Ilkley Duck Race Saturday 18th April - promoting ticket sales for charity.
Hope these bring a smile
Why are dogs bad at dancing? They have two left feet.
Why did the dog chase its tale? It was trying to make both ends meet.
Why can’t dogs use the tv remote control? They always hit the paws button.
Best wishes
John & Christine
Email Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org or call 0300 102 4549 (local rate).
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