Subscription renewals

Okay, we know the renewal is not due until 31^st July but if you can renew now it saves us chasing payment later and it also helps smooth out the work of the Membership Secretary. Please renew online if at all possible.

1.    Select here to find our website

2.    Login with your email address and password

3.    Select your name at the top of the screen

4.    Scroll down the page with your details and follow the instructions to renew.

Thank you. If you really can’t renew online, please pay at any of our drop-in sessions (details below) or at our annual Showcase event on 21^st June.

Learn how to sail without getting on a boat!

If you want to learn to sail remote control model yachts, there are two 4-week courses on four consecutive Sunday mornings. The first course starts on 29th June, and it’s repeated starting on 3^rd August. Expert tuition on Weecher Reservoir, which is situated just east of Dick Hudson’s Pub (postcode BD16 3BE). Just £10 for four sessions. Limited places. For much more detail about what’s involved, including pictures, select either of the above links.

If you have a hobby or skill to share, read on

We’re always looking to add new groups, especially if you’re able to help with their organisation. Get in touch using this form. If you’re concerned about the ongoing commitment of a group, you could try running a short course for, say, half a dozen sessions if you have a passion for a subject and want to share it with others. It’s a limited commitment and there’s plenty of help to get started. Email shortcourses@ilkleyu3a.org with your thoughts and ideas.

Spare places on visits

Nunnington Hall, York, Tuesday 24th June

Join the Historic Houses group visit picking up from Ilkley, Burley and Otley. Cost just £26. NT members get free entry into the Hall and only need to pay £15 for transport. Nunnington dates from the 16th century and is famed for its picturesque location, organic walled garden, resident peacocks and the Carlisle collection of miniature rooms. It’s also currently hosting the British Wildlife Photography Awards Exhibition.

Contact susanward29@icloud.com to book your place asap.

East Lancs Railway and Transport Museum, Bury, Thursday 10^th July

Join our good friends from Cookridge & Horsforth u3a for a day trip. Cost just £29. Details on this link to their website.

If interested email Barbara Stearn chu3amembership@gmail.com. Pick up on Station Road, Ilkley (outside Boyes) will be arranged for anyone interested.

Groups with vacancies

Latin The response to the mid-May update on this group has been so positive, we are now running two groups. One for beginners and one for those that have some grasp of the language . Select the above links for more information and to contact the leaders who will also be attending the showcase on 21^st June.

Fibre Arts A new group for those who enjoy working with fibre/yarn - knitting, crochet and similar crafts. Current members have different levels of experience and are happy to share ideas and skills. While there’s no formal teaching, we’re all learning from each other and complete beginner knitters are welcome. Alternate Thursdays, 2-4pm Red Lion Hotel, Main Street, Burley in Wharfedale, LS29 7BT. Select here for information and to contact the organisers.

Canasta Come and join yet another group in Otley. Every fortnight 1 - 3pm at Otley Courthouse starting Wednesday 4th June 2025. This venue is free, but we ask that you support the Courthouse by buying a drink. As the group grows it will move to a larger venue which will entail a small cost towards room hire. Contact Poppy Campbell (poppycampbell@gmail.com) if interested.

Purple Heather Patchwork & Quilting Meeting at the Baptist Church Ilkley on Kings Road, close to Clarke Foley. 1^st & 3^rd Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Beginners and more experienced members are welcome. Please contact groups@ilkleyu3a.org to express an interest.

Film Discussion Group 2 We meet every two weeks on Tuesday afternoons in the basement of the Bar T‘at Pub (opposite Clarke Foley).  Members all watch the same film during the previous two weeks and meet to share our views.  Within the group we have a wide range of knowledge so anyone with an interest in movies will learn from our discussions. More information here . Interested?  Email neil@nebstone.co.uk

A conversation group for fluent French speakers This group has been running since 2017 but not as part of u3a in recent times. They meet every week at the Wheatley Hotel in Ben Rhydding at 10:30 am Thursday mornings for around two hours. French is spoken at a reasonably advanced level so not suitable for those with limited fluency. If you’d be interested in joining this group, please contact Patricia Phillips (email mbp.phillips@talktalk.net or phone / text 07712 261564).

Table tennis on a Thursday morning A couple of places are available for those with some experience of playing. Details on this link to the website including contacting the organisers.

Online events

Organised through our parent body and free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. A wide range of topics includes AI in Healthcare and Discover the joy of playing Bridge.

Diary dates

Select here for more information on all our drop-in events.

Drop-in Ilkley Friday 6^th June 10:30 to 12:00.

Drop-in Otley Friday 13^th June 10:30 to 12:00. 

Showcase event (aka Meet the Leaders) Saturday morning 21^st June

Digital drop in

Next session is Friday 6^th June 10:30 to 12 noon at Clarke Foley. Bring your fully charged devices along with any passwords and we will do our best to resolve any specific questions. These sessions are about resolving issues, not teaching you how to turn on your phone!

Join u3a today and annual subscription lasts 14 months

If you join u3a on or after 1^st May, your next renewal date will be 31^st July 2026. So, this means 14 months of membership for the price of 12. If you know anyone who’s thinking of joining, you know what to tell them!

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.

Hill & Dale Spring Fling Outing 2025 (A Christmas lunch with a difference)

Historic Houses visit kiplin Hall

Thank You supper pictures (Every year the Trustees invite key volunteers for a meal)

Dales Striders (Pictured on the summit of Smearsett Scar)

Otley Music Festival (Starting Friday 6^th June)

Please continue to send group news, photographs and anything else of general interest for u3a members to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk). This all helps explain u3a to a new audience.

Market Place for u3a members

For the following items, log in and use the website link for more information. Make contact directly with the poster by selecting their name to get their email and phone number.

Curly Hill Scout Camp Site & Centre volunteer opportunities

Wharfedale Festival - discount for u3a members

TV Unit on Castors

Hoping these raise a smile

I get nostalgic about camping trips we had as children.  I’m living in the past tents.

What’s another name for a sleeping bag? A nap sack.

What did the camper realise when he burnt his canoe to keep warm? You can’t have your kayak and heat it.

Best wishes

John & Christine Email: Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org

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.

Summer Programme events with spaces available in June

Select the following links to log in for more information and to book a place. Alternatively call into a drop in or see us at the Showcase on 21^st June.

Tour of Ilkley Playhouse 10^th June

Fun with Handbells 19^th June

Walking Cricket Taster Sessions starting 20^th June

Sheffield Tram Train and South Yorkshire Transport Museum 26^th June Ceilidh dancing  27th June

Tales from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 30^th June

For a list of all Summer Programme events throughout June and July, select here.

Latest newsletter from Third Age Trust

Select here to read. If you’re interested in receiving this directly, please use the link on the newsletter to register.