Issue  21-15 (16 July 2021)

Do you have copywriting or creative writing skills?

Or maybe you have a background in journalism. We’d love to have some new faces in the editorial team of The EYE before we start planning the November edition.

We’d also like to ask you what you thought about the last edition and what you might like to see next time. There’s an online version available to view on this link. Email editor@ilkleyu3a.org by 31st July to give your thoughts and maybe offer to join the team. Thank you.

Have you re-joined u3a for 2021/2022?

A friendly reminder that your £13:50 subscription is due by the end of July. There are still around 700 members who have not renewed so please help both our treasurer and membership secretary by renewing now. Select here for various ways to pay.  

More new groups announced

Art group meeting in Otley: No formal teaching is envisaged but this will be an opportunity to share ideas and skills in a relaxed setting away from everyday pressures. For further information please email Lynda Drummond.

Patchwork & Quilting Group Meeting twice a month starting 1 pm on Thursday 9th September at Bridge Street Church, Bridge Street, Otley,  LS21 1RW. The hire charge of the venue will be shared amongst the group members.  Approx. £8.00 per session depending on the size of the group.

The group should appeal to new and experienced quilters who enjoy sharing their knowledge of this craft with other like-minded people. Email Kathryn Thompson or text/call her on 07515 975852.

Pilates Group meeting in the dance studio adjacent to the main Ilkley car park. Starting 2.30 pm Wednesday 1st September and led by a fully trained teacher. £30 for 10 sessions payable in advance by bank transfer. To join and take up one of just two available places, email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org.

Why not start up your own group?

If you have a particular hobby or interest, there are bound to be others who share your passion. If you have an idea for a group, email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org with a few details and someone will be in touch to help you every step of the way.

Summer Programme updates.

Read a brief report and see images of events over the past 10 days by selecting this link. We have had some splendid press coverage. The following events have vacancies so click on the links for more information and to book your place. Or visit Clarke Foley drop in today (Friday 16th July) from 10:30 am to 12 noon.

Richard, the Northern King: An examination of Richard III and the allegations that we all think we know something about. 10:00 am Saturday 17th July.

Exploring Yorkshire's Arts: Angie Grain shares her thoughts on local galleries including some with small and quirky collections which are well worth exploring. 2:00 pm Monday 19th July.

Visit the blue plaque sites in Ilkley: An informative tour exploring the locations of the Blue Plaques and learn about the history of the town. £5 donation to Ilkley Civic Society payable on the day. Bring your headphones to use with our new audio tour guide system. 10 am Tuesday 20th July.

Circle Dancing Taster: Join Janet Lockwood who is an experienced teacher of Circle Dancing. An enjoyable time is promised. 10:30 am Wednesday 21st July.

Church and Town – A Heritage Talk and Tour: Carry Lynott will talk about the rich heritage of All Saints Church and its important place in the story of Ilkley. 2 pm Thursday 22nd July.

The History of Lighting: The history of lighting through tallow, candles, gas electricity and the modern LED with u3a member Mike Bamford. 10am Friday 23rd July.

For details of other events through to the beginning of August, select here. There are also places just released for the coach trip to Liverpool on Thursday 9th September.  More details just after the corny jokes at the bottom of this email.

Introducing our new audio tour guide system

Members will be pleased to learn we have just upgraded our audio tour guide system to something much lighter in weight but with improved sound quality. Any of our u3a groups can use the system on trips at no charge. Read all about the benefits and how to book for your next trip on this link.

The new system will be used on various trips organised as part of the Summer Programme. The old system is being offered to other u3a’s in Yorkshire so their members can benefit in the future.

Raising the profile of u3a

Ilkley u3a is attending a volunteer and member recruitment fair, part of the Burley Summer Festival, on Sunday 22nd August at Grange Park in the centre of Burley in Wharfedale. Two requests for help:

• 1.    An hour or two of your time from 11 am to 3 pm to chat with potential members about u3a.
• 2.    If anyone has a portable gazebo type shelter we could borrow, that would be really helpful.

Email Jean Smith if you can help with either of these requests.

Climate Action Ilkley

A recording of a recent u3a Zoom talk on Climate Change is now also available on the Climate Action website. Select here and scroll down the page to watch the video and to get more information about various local initiatives being taken.

Anyone for snooker?

Three hours of snooker plus tea and coffee for £3.50; the cheapest in the area and only available to members of Westnet. If you’re interested, please contact Bernard Exley of Bradford u3a on 01274 633133 or 07977300147. Thursday afternoons at The Bradford Club, 1 Piece Hall Yard, BD1 1PJ, just five minutes’ walk from Forster Square Station.

Newsflash volunteers

Thank you so much for all those kind members who have volunteered to print and deliver the Newsflash each fortnight to a member without email. We still need volunteers for the following areas: Ilkley (LS29 8QU and LS29 8SF), Addingham, Menston and Otley. If you can help, please contact membership@ilkleyu3a.org.

A cheese sandwich walks into a pub and orders a beer. The barman says, ‘sorry, we don’t serve food here’.

Q. What do you call an alligator detective? A. An investi-gator.

Q. Why shouldn’t you write with a broken pencil? A. Because it’s pointless.

Select here for more jokes just added to the humour page on the website

Regards

John & Christine

Email NewsFlash@ilkleyu3a.org

PS.  Following the change of date some places are available on the Summer Programme Liverpool Trip on 9th September. 

Liverpool offers a myriad of fascinating opportunities. The famous Albert Dock, with its shops and cafes; the ferry ‘cross the Mersey and a fine view of the waterfront; the Three Graces’, beautiful buildings on the waterfront including the Royal Liver Building; ascend St John’s Beacon (the radio tower) for a panoramic city & harbour view; two magnificent cathedrals and two art galleries - the Walker Gallery and Tate Liverpool as well as a wealth of museums - The Maritime Museum, The Slavery Museum, The Museum of Liverpool, The World Museum and The Beatles’ Story

Our coach will pick up from Otley, Burley, Ben Rhydding, Ilkley and Addingham

Book on this link, at the Drop-In this morning or by post to: Summer Programme, 2, Warlbeck, Ilkley, LS29 9RH