Nominations to join the Management Committee at the AGM

Our AGM will be held Saturday 21^st November. Details will be sent to all members along with details on how to cast your votes. After the formalities we will be entertained by Leeds Waits, an early music group re-creating the borough musicians of Leeds 1530-1835. More details here.

We need additional Trustees to augment our management team in 2027. If you’re interested, select here for the nomination form which you should complete and return to chair@ilkleyu3a.org by Tuesday 20th October at the latest. If you would like more information about the role, please contact the chair who will arrange for an informal chat.

New member briefing. Places available 28^th October

We hold regular meetings for new members to explain the opportunities provided by your subscription. There are a few places available at the next one so, if you have not been to one before, just select the link to register. The venue is Clarke Foley, near the central Ilkley car park: 10:15 am Wednesday 28th October.

Christmas Cracker booking now open

Saturday morning, 12^th December. Always a popular event so early booking advised. It is certain we will run a waiting list so if you register and then cannot attend, please do cancel so others may take your place. u3a Christmas Cracker bookings here

New Group: Artificial Intelligence for Everyone

This new group is for those who already use AI for a variety of tasks on their personal computers and mobile devices. Meeting on the 3rd Monday morning of each month at Clarke Foley. Details and contact information for the u3a AI group here. Note this is not a tuition group.

If you are curious about personal use of AI, read on. AI is best described as an assistant that can help with hobbies, problem solving, analysing spreadsheets, enhancing old family photographs and even suggest improvements to newsletters! There’s an online course run by our parent body starting Monday 2nd November. Details and booking here. No charge. All part of your annual subscription.

Interested in joining our u3a online quiz teams?

At 7 pm on the last Wednesday of each month, Ilkley & District enter a couple of 4 member teams to compete against other u3a teams in a quiz organised by Ayr u3a. Started in Covid, it has continued to meet via Zoom ever since. Read more about our participation on this link to our website.

If the idea of joining one of our teams appeals, just reply to this News Flash. Some teams clearly have some really good quizzers in their ranks. We do not. We enter for a bit of fun and learn a few new things along the way.

Autumn events of interest

u3a monthly Saturday social and talk. 10am Saturday 17^th October when the topic will be Ancient Trees and Ancient Woodland in Yorkshire. Select here for more details

Join in the celebration of Otley Common on its first birthday with a special Open Day – and Ilkley & District u3a will be there! The venue has quickly become an important home for a number of our activities, including Table Tennis, Circle Dancing, Calligraphy, Tai Chi and World War 2 Group.

Come along, enjoy the celebrations and visit our u3a display. Members of our team will be there throughout the day, so do stop for a chat – and perhaps bring along a friend who would like to discover what u3a has to offer. Saturday 17th October from 11am to 3 pm. More details here.

A screening of People's Emergency Briefing. This powerful film has been seen by many u3a members in local screenings. An opportunity to see it for yourselves. 7pm Friday 23rd October at Christchurch on the Grove in Ilkley. Free entry. Just turn up.  More details here

A pagan view of Verbeia. An invitation from our friends at Ilkley Manor House for their regular coffee morning talk. Friday 30th October. Details and tickets here.

YAHR workshop on Running Outdoor Activities and Travel Groups. The aim is to give help and guidance on organising these events.  It is a free event with lunch included and is open to all our members who might already organise visits and those who might like to do so. Monday 23rd November 2026, 10am to 3pm in centre of Leeds. An opportunity also to meet and share ideas with members of u3a elsewhere in Yorkshire. More information and booking on this link.

On line presentations from u3a

The usual interesting mix of topics, all of which are available to join as part of your recently paid annual subscription. The full list of u3a online events on this link including the history of Pirate Radio, the logistics of efficient parcel delivery and David Hockney.

Of particular interest is a presentation by one of our own members who will explore the rise, sound, struggles and legacy of Stax Records. Please join Lee Wellbrook on Thursday morning 5th November. Details and booking for Lee's talk here.

Coffee mornings. All invited

No need to book. Just drop in and chat with any u3a friends who happen to be around. Maybe an opportunity to bring a friend? Details here.

·         Everybodys Guiseley 10:30 am to 12 noon Wednesday 28^th October

·         Courthouse Otley 10:00 am to 11:30 am Monday 2nd November

·         Clarke Foley Ilkley 10:30 to 12 noon Wednesday 4^th November

Regular and digital drop ins

Clarke Foley Ilkley Friday 16^th October (10:30 am). Details here.

Also helping to celebrate the first anniversary of Otley Common on Saturday 17th October where we have a presence from 11am to 3 pm. Details here.

All very informal and free refreshments! Meet some of our trustees, ask questions about u3a or bring along a friend who might like to join us.

Our digital drop-ins, where we help to resolve specific queries about smartphones, tablets and laptops, alongside the Ilkley drop ins. Next one is Friday 16^th October (10:30 am). Details here.

Market Place for u3a members

Members can look for, sell or give away items via our Market Place. This facility is also available to promote approved activities that might be of interest to our members.  Select here to create a post.

Please make contact directly with the poster of each item. Adding replies to the forum page may not get read.  Select the poster’s name to show email and phone number.

Wheeled walker and a fold up commode for free

200th Edition of Encyclopedia Britannica  Excellent condition. Charity donation please.

Grey Desk extendable £75 ono With a picture.

Oak bookcase £100 With a picture.

Bridge Drive to support the RNLI  Monday 26^th October in Bramhope

17 inch blade Qualcast electric cable hedge cutter - Free

Free to good home - glass topped oblong table with base, Ikea, modern

Afternoon Concerts Kings Hall Thursdays 5th, 12th and 19th November

Use social media? Help spread the word about u3a

If you see one of our Facebook or Instagram posts that interests you, please like it and share it. Every like tells Facebook and Instagram that the post is worth showing to more people, while sharing it introduces u3a to your own friends and contacts. Just a few seconds of your time can help us reach people who may never otherwise hear about the opportunities u3a offers.

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.

Celebrating Otley Common’s first birthday

The u3a Tappers Group performing at the reopening of Ilkley Library

An update on our Walking Cricket Group as it moves indoors for the winter months.

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.

If you use Facebook, please ‘Like’ our posts—it helps Facebook show them to more people in our local community.

Your views are helping shape our u3a

Thank you to everyone who completed our recent survey about the future of Ilkley & District u3a. There was a strong positive response with some areas of improvement identified. We appreciate the time you took to share your experiences and suggestions.

Your responses highlighted the importance of helping members find activities that suit their interests, making it easier to get involved and ensuring that information about opportunities is clear and accessible. They also underlined the value of friendship and connection alongside learning and shared interests. The trustees are now considering the findings and working towards an action plan to address the issues raised. Although the responses represent a relatively small proportion of our membership, they provide useful insights to help guide that work.

We hope these raise a smile!

What’s the Cheshire Cat’s favourite drink? Evaporated milk

Why do cats prefer wizards to witches? Sorcerers sometimes have milk in them.

Why do cats like lying on computers? To keep an eye on the mouse.

What do snowmen like to do on holiday? Chill out!

 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.