Our website has a festive look.

Select this link to view. With thanks to Neil Stevens for his artwork. To open this News Flash in your website browser, select here.

An update following our AGM

All the resolutions were passed. A report and pictures can be seen here

Thanks given to those trustees standing down and congratulations offered to four new trustees who are now getting to grips with new responsibilities. In due course, the website will be updated and details of roles published in News Flash. Richard Bell remains as our Chair (chair@ilkleyu3a.org), David Eadon becomes our Treasurer (treasurer@ilkleyu3a.org), Caroline Walker is our Secretary (secretary@ilkleyu3a.org). Liz Billings is our Groups Coordinator. (establishedgroups@ilkleyu3a.org / newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org). Jean Smith remains as Membership Secretary (membership@ilkleyu3a.org) although she’s no longer a trustee as her nine-year term ended at the AGM.

An online Advent calendar promoting groups in Otley and Guiseley

Andi Petch of the Otley Sewing Collective has created an online advent calendar. Select here to view and open a new window every day!

Membership report to October 2025

Every year we analyse membership trends. The latest report can be read by our members by selecting this link. (login required). Highlights reveal a continual and steady growth in membership and that 51% of our membership is over 76 years old. See the next item on raising awareness of u3a amongst younger retired people.

Raising awareness of u3a

Articles about u3a helping to support the transition from work to retirement have been published in the Bradford T & A, Wharfedale Observer and Ilkley Gazette since the last News Flash. Details can be seen on this page of our website.

Groups happy to welcome new members

Tai Chi in Otley There are two sessions every Thursday (2:30 pm and 4 pm) The group is aimed at beginners and meets at the Chippendale Centre in Otley. More information here.

The cost is £30 (for any 5 out of 7 classes) for the instructor plus £1:50 as a contribution towards room hire. All payable in advance. If interested, email Steph Lee leesteph48@gmail.com

Calligraphy This new group is experimenting with learning together but without a real expert as a tutor. So far, it’s working well and they are all sharing ideas and offering helpful constructive advice, when needed. So, If you’re a complete beginner, that's fine – they’re all learning together and no prior expertise is needed. More information here.

They meet 2 pm to 4 pm alternate Thursdays (even weeks) at the Ben Rhydding Sports club, near the garden centre as you travel from Ilkley to Otley on the A65. To express an interest, email Angie Grain (angiegrain@aol.com )

Online events

Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. The usual wide range of topics includes everything you need to learn about BT swapping over our landlines to take advantage of digital technology.

Diary dates for our u3a

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

Singing for Pleasure group hold their annual concert 10am to 11:30 am today 2^nd December at St Johns Church, Ben Rhydding. Free entry. Coffee and mince pies add to the festive spirit.

Drop-in Friday 5^th December10:30 am to 12 noon Clarke Foley, Ilkley

Our Christmas Cracker is on Saturday 13^th December at Clarke Foley. This is the 2^nd (not 3^rd) Saturday of the month. Note all available places have been taken.  To join a waiting list, hoping for a cancellation select this link to our website.

Other diary dates

A new roof for Ilkley Manor House. Learn more on Friday 5^th December at 10.15 am for coffee and a presentation about the vital repairs to this historic building. Details on this link.

Otley Christmas Tree Festival 10^th to 13^th December (12:00 to 5 pm) Our thanks to Otley Sewing Collective who are leading the u3a’s entry into the Otley Christmas Tree Festival this year at the Parish Church. Do pop in and see all the splendid trees. More information here

Organ Recital at 12:30 on Friday 12th December St Margaret's Church. Details here

Solve your smart phone or tablet problems

Ilkley: Clarke Foley LS29 9DZ 5^th December 10.30am to 12:00.

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

Guiseley: Guiseley Theatre, The Green, Guiseley, LS20 9BT from 1pm to 2:30 pm on 15th December.

No appointment needed. Just bring your fully charged devices along with any passwords and volunteers will do their best to resolve any specific questions.

(The session in Guiseley is run by Age UK with support from local volunteers.)

If you need help to get started with your smart phone or tablet, help is available from AbilityNet. Select this link to find more details. They will help with issues such as turning on your phone and getting connected to the internet.

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.

Northern Towns Christmas lunch. The first of the festive season. Please send your pictures and very short (3 sentence) report to Helen. Details below.

Publication of Samuel Lister biography. u3a member Chris Cobley draws attention to Bradford's 'inventive genius' Samuel Lister, who also had strong connections with Addingham.

Report on the u3a First Aid Course. You never know when these skills might be required!

Our Tappers (AKA Guitar Plus group). Ilkley Live send thanks for a donation.

Highlighting our coverage in the local press Note the emphasis on seeking newly retired younger members. Also featuring Chris Cobley’s new book on Samuel Lister.

A request to organisers of group festive lunches

Please send photographs, with a couple of sentences and details of the venue to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk). This year pictures of table decorations and the food alongside members enjoying themselves. This all helps explain u3a to a new audience. The foodie pictures are particularly popular on Instagram, where we have only recently established an account.

Quite a few of our existing members use Instagram and, importantly, so do many in the age group 50 to 65, a key demographic for potential recruitment. You will need an Instagram account to see our posts but do give it a try and opt to follow us. Select here to access.

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. Don’t forget you can subscribe to receive notification of new postings.

Looking for a contact to arrange a visit to a working woollen mill

Thanks to Margaret Barrans and Denise Marsden for these Christmas Cracker jokes

What do snowmen do on holiday?  Chill out.

What did the snowman say to the other snowman?  Can you smell carrots?

Why did nobody bid for Rudolph and Blitzen on eBay?  They were too deer.

Who gets the sack every time he goes to work?  Father Christmas.

Best wishes

John & Christine

To contact us about anything in this News Flash, 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 edition of the national newsletter:  Read it here.

The Yorkshire & Humber u3a Summer Programme is out

The school is held at our usual venue, Hawkhills near Easingwold, from afternoon Monday August 24th to lunchtime Thursday 27th 2026. More information and arrangements to book can be seen by selecting this link.

Looking for a group that doesn’t exist?

Our 140 groups were all started by someone saying, ‘what about ---' If you have a passion for a subject and want to share it with others, there’s plenty of help to get started. We’re always looking to add new groups, especially if you’re able to help with their organisation. If you’re interested in setting up a new group, Get in touch using this form.

If you’re concerned about the ongoing commitment, try running a short course for, say, half a dozen sessions. Email shortcourses@ilkleyu3a.org with your thoughts and ideas.