Issue  21-18 (13 September 2021)

Group updates

Express an interest to re-join a group for 2021, Select here and then choose the group name from the list. This will open up an information page (shortly to be updated) but the contact details to re-join are correct.

Film Study Group.  Select here to find out more.  Mike Johnson hopes to start the new programme on Friday 24th September but needs more members to justify hiring his traditional venue at St. Margaret’s Church Hall and maintain a subscription at no more than £15.

Please use these links to email either Mike Johnson or Anne Clarke as soon as possible if you want to join or continue with your membership of this longstanding group. Alternatively give Mike Johnson a ring on 01943 605282.

Exploring English is a look at how the English language has developed and changed. Where have words come from? Where do we go from here? Lots of discussion and audience input, and a break for a cup of tea. Starts Monday, 20th September at 2.00pm in The Dales Room, Christchurch. Contact Ann Johnson on 01943 605282 or email ilkleyjohnsons@icloud.com

The Play Reading Group has its first fortnightly session on Monday 20th September (2.00 - 4.30 at Ben Rhydding Methodist Church Hall LS29 8AY). Enjoy reading through a varied selection of plays from authors such as Ayckbourn, Chekhov, Priestley and Stoppard. No experience required and definitely no lines to learn! For more information use this link to email Peter Higginbotham.

Select this link for details of the Peacebuilding Group. Richard Thackrah will be restarting this group in October. Richard is also running a six week course on:

’Eyewitness accounts and awards: Ilkley and District civilian and military heroes during the First and Second World Wars'.

Use this link to email Richard Thackrah or call him on 01943 831032 for further details on both groups.

Select this link for details of the Literary Classics Group. They plan to return to face-to-face meetings on Wednesday mornings from 6th October and would welcome one or two new members. Use this link to email Campion Rollinson for more information.

Meet the Leaders held Saturday 11 September

Marten Koopmans writes: There was room for more visitors as the whole of the Clarke Foley was used with representatives from around 50 groups and several trustees also in attendance. Many groups signed up new members. It was good to meet fellow members and group leaders to exchange experiences about the lockdown and the restarts of groups.

So a welcome return to some form of normality.’ It offered a good showcase of what our u3a branch has to offer with a dozen visitors joining our u3a on the day.

Monday 27th September. Prof Tim Benton at Clarke Foley on Climate, Politics and COP26

Tim Benton is a major figure in the Climate Action movement. He has worked with UK governments, the EU and G20 and is a Chatham House fellow. We are fortunate that he lives in Wharfedale and has accepted our invitation to come and talk to us in the run up to COP26.

In conjunction with the u3a’s Environment Forum, Climate Action Ilkley has booked the large hall at the Clarke Foley Centre on 27th September. The hall opens at 7:15pm and the talk starts at 7.30.

The audience will be limited to 70 to ensure adequate spacing. Unfortunately we can’t share the talk via Zoom this time. Use this link to read more about the talk and to register your attendance.

Our next Saturday talk is on 18th September.

Something in the Aire is presented by u3a members Stuart Campbell and Trevor Thewlis and looks like a fascinating subject. Read more details by selecting this link. Note we are re introducing the £2 entry charge to cover costs.

All about WestNet

As many of you will know, we have close links with the local u3a groups in Bradford, Keighley, Skipton (Craven) and Settle and, if there’s room, we can all attend each other’s groups. Read more information here.

Bradford u3a are restarting their biography group at 2 pm Wednesday 22nd September at the Bradford Club, only a short walk from Bradford Forster Square Station. The topic is Marlon Brando. Use this link to email John Kendall for more information.

Ever wondered who does what in Ilkley u3a?

With around 1,600 members, our organisation relies on many people working together to make things happen. Select this link to see who does what. Or type a few key words into the search box at the top of the website home page.

The best laid plans…

In our last News Flash, we announced a prize draw featured on our website to win tickets to see The Moody Blues tribute band at King’s Hall. The tickets were kindly donated by Bradford Theatres and we were fortunate to get some really good local media coverage.

However, the concert has now been rescheduled for 23rd June 2022. So we have written to all the prize draw entrants explaining the postponement and confirming the draw will be held next year with a closing date of Friday 20th May 2022. (Only 8 months to go!)

I won the gold medal at a weather forecasting event - I beat the raining champion!

What did Mrs Claus say to Santa when he asked what the weather forecast was for Christmas? It looks like rain, dear.

Why should you be careful when it’s raining cats and dogs? You might step in a poodle.

Regards

John & Christine

Email NewsFlash@ilkleyu3a.org

PS.

Spare places for a local heritage railway trip (Wednesday 22nd September)

The Railway Group have reserved all seats on the 13:30 return service from Embsay for the hour-long round trip to Bolton Abbey. Select this link to read details of the unique 1903 Electric Autocar that will be operating this service. The visit includes light refreshments and possibly a guided tour of historic carriages stored at Embsay. Cost £14. Use this link to email Graham Peacock to express an interest by Friday 17th September.

If you missed seeing the interview with our chair, Angie Grain, it’s still available on this link.

Come and say hello to members who will be representing u3a at the Otley Farmer’s Market on Sunday 26th September from 10 am to 12 noon.  Details here