Subscription update

For those joining the u3a on or after 1^st May, their next renewal date will be 31^st July 2026. So, this means 15 months of membership for the price of 12. If you know anyone who is thinking of joining, you know what to tell them!

During June, we will be encouraging existing members to renew online, but if you prefer to pay by cash or cheque, you can do this at our annual showcase event on Saturday 21^st June.

Groups looking for new members

Recorder playing for fun. This is a small group meeting on third Tuesday afternoon each month, rotating between members’ homes. They play a variety of music so if you have your own instrument and music stand, this is an opportunity to get playing again even if you last played a long time ago! To find out more, contact Rosie Carne on 07598 785917 or email rosie.carne@yahoo.co.uk .

Calligraphy. This a new group starting 14:00 Thursday 2nd October 2025 and then fortnightly at Ben Rhydding Sports Club, Coutances Way, Ilkley LS29 8AW. The cost will be kept as low as possible, enough to cover the cost of room hire. There is no expert tutor, so we will (in true u3a fashion) attempt to work as a self-directed group, So you’ll need to bring your own materials and instruction books etc. and we’ll try our hand at doing something that approaches calligraphy. If this sounds interesting, the person to contact in the first instance is Angie Grain angiegrain@aol.com

Flat Green Lawn bowls restarts 13:45 Monday 28^th April 2025 and every Monday until late September. Venue is Ben Rhydding Bowls club, Coutances Way, LS29 8AW. Coaching will be given to beginners. Bowls, shoes & equipment can be provided. More details about the group available by selecting this link to our website. Or contact Peter & Yvonne Kierman on 01943 601474 / petermkierman@hotmail.com.

The 6-mile walkers. Walks within 25 miles of Ilkley starting at 10.30am Thursday 1^st May and then every fortnight throughout the year. Members need to be capable of walking 5 to 7 miles, possibly with some hill climbing, but the aim is to avoid steep climbs or descents if possible. It is hoped members will take turns to plan and lead walks in order to share the burden of this task. Lift sharing is encouraged with group communication via What’s App messaging system. Contact Norman Simpson by email normansimpson51@gmail.com.

Understanding Latin. The best way to learn Latin is the Cambridge Latin Course. Our Understanding Latin group goes through this every three years.  In October a new three-year cycle starts so this is an ideal time to join. Contact John Cockshott jcockshott60@gmail.com for more information. If you already have a good grasp of Latin, why not join the advance group? Use the above link for details or visit the group at the showcase on 21st June.

Beyond Ilkley

Each year we publish an interesting survey about our membership. Login to the website and select this link to see the details. To reflect the fact that many live and attend groups beyond Ilkley, we have dedicated information for Otley, Silsden and now Guiseley and Yeadon. Select here to see what is happening locally.

Online events

These are organised through our parent body and are free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. A never ending range of topics includes the assassination of President Kennedy, what the forthcoming changes in our telephone landlines will mean for you and Cryptic Crosswords (history and how they work).

Diary dates

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

Drop-in Ilkley Friday 2^nd and 16^th May. 10.30 am to 12 noon.

Drop-in Otley Friday 9^th May 10.30 am to 12 noon. 

Tales of the Dales. 10:15 am Friday 25^th April. Join our friends at Ilkley Manor House for coffee and hear Lucia Smith’s lively story of her quest to paint all the Yorkshire Dales and what she discovered. Details and booking on this link.

Saturday talk Note change of date to 26^th April to avoid the Easter weekend. The topic is The History and Environmental Impact of Dealing with the Dead by our own member, Sue Stevens. More information on this link to our website.

AGM of YAHR (our local regional association). To be held 12^th May. Details on this link.

Our annual showcase event (aka Meet the Leaders) is on Saturday morning 21^st June

Digital drop in

Next session is Friday morning 10:30 to 12 noon 2^nd May at Clarke Foley. Select here for more information.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!

A digital world accessible to all

AbilityNet is a pioneering UK charity transforming the lives of older and disabled people by building a digital world that is accessible to all. Select this link to read more about their service.

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.

Railway Group visit Darlington (ahead of 200^th anniversary of first passenger railway service)

Otley members meeting for coffee (A regular monthly event. Details of the next one here)

First meeting of the Guiseley Film Appreciation Group (learn more about the group here)

Official opening date for the new Ilkley Fountain (By Alan Titchmarsh 11am 30^th April)

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.

Bramblecrest Bistro Set, (See picture on the post to appreciate this item)

Hoping these raise a smile with thanks to Denise

I was really obsessed with the moon. But it was only a phase.

What do painters do when they're cold? Put on another coat!

Knock! Knock! Who’s there? To. To who? To whom.

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.

Join a coach trip to Holker Hall, Cumbria on Wednesday, 25^th June

Our friends at Bradford u3a are running this trip and invite us to join them. Details on this link. Cost £38. Deadline for booking 30^th April. For a booking form including how to pay, select here.

Summer Programme update

We have over 40 events planned starting 10^th June with a tour of Ilkley Playhouse. Then a series of walks, guided tours and a visit to Sheffield to ride the trams. Not to mention a variety of talks at Clarke Foley. Full details and the opening of bookings from early May.

Be aware of the Amazon email scam

Towards the end of 2024, several members had their email accounts hacked. Everyone in their list of contacts received emails asking if they had an account with Amazon and could they please buy a gift card. We have heard that similar emails are circulating again. Do not get caught!

Did you get an invite to a “thank you” supper?

We need to confirm catering numbers so a response indicating yes or no would be appreciated as soon as possible. Thank you. If you cannot locate your original invitation and wish now to accept, just reply to this News Flash.

Ilkley needs you!

We have been asked by the Ilkley Community network to highlight a variety of community volunteer roles that need to be filled. Details on this link.

Our u3a is also dependent upon volunteers to keep the organisation functioning. Learn more about our ethos and principles here. There will be a volunteer desk at the showcase event on 21^st June where we can match your skills to many of the roles that need to be filled. Or for an informal chat, just reply to this News Flash.