Wishing everyone a Happy and Healthy New Year

Do you have a story about what u3a means to you?

We’d love to hear it! A few words about your experience can really help show how enjoyable and rewarding u3a membership can be. We’re hoping to share short member stories on our website and in future press articles.

Your story doesn’t need to be long or polished, and adding your name or a photo is completely optional. If you’re interested, just reply to this News Flash—we’d be delighted to hear from you.

Select here to read how attending a short u3a course on Simon Armitage opened up a whole new chapter in the life of Peter Panteli, one of our members.

What sort of additional groups would you like to see in our u3a?

We are looking to increase the number of groups we offer to our membership. So, what better way than to ask what sort of topic you would find of interest. Please select this link and answer a few questions to help us.

To learn how we intend to use this information, select here.

Introducing u3a Taster Events – a great way to share u3a

We’re pleased to introduce our new Taster Events, a friendly way for friends and relatives to find out what u3a is all about. They’re relaxed, enjoyable sessions—ideal for welcoming potential new members, especially recent retirees. Our first two events are now open; select for details .

• 21^st February monthly talk: Just come along as usual and feel free to bring a friend. There’ll be a welcome desk for newcomers with questions or who’d like to join our u3a.

• Afternoon Quiz – Thursday 12 March: Places are limited, so booking is needed. The quiz has an 1980s theme and promises a fun, social introduction to u3a. Select here for further information and to register. Existing members are very welcome to attend on their own or with u3a friends, although we’ll be keeping some places for newcomers who want to find out more about us.

Learn more about Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Following the last issue of News Flash, 114 members expressed interest in AI courses. To ease pressure on face-to-face sessions, we have contacted everyone responding suggesting registering for an alternative of an online course run by our parent body, the Third Age Trust.

The course runs on Zoom over four Mondays at 2pm, starting 2 February. Members of our AI group attended an earlier course in October and found it clear, engaging, and eye-opening, covering everything we plan to offer when we run our own courses. Details and registration are available via this link.

For those who prefer in-person learning, the AI team will meet late next week to decide next steps. Look out for updates in the mid-month News Flash.

New groups

Bridge for beginners group is restarting. First weekly meeting is 10:30am to 12:30 noon Monday 12^th January 2026. Contact details here. Once you understand the game, there are currently 3 other groups running where you can improve your skills. Details of these and other card-based groups can be found on this link .

Discover Mindful Wellbeing Online. A message from Jacqui Wellbrook: Join the Centre for Mindful Life Enhancement’s flexible self‑taught course, inspired by the NEF (New Economic Foundation) Five Ways to Wellbeing report. Learn at home, at your own pace—2 hours a week for 8 weeks, or 1 hour a week over 16. Details on the course available here.

If enough start together, we’ll meet fortnightly or monthly to share experiences and try meditation. I’m no expert, but I believe in the benefits—come explore them with us. Contact Jacqui Wellbrook (jacqui.wellbrook@gmail.com ) to express an interest in meeting up with others.

Groups happy to welcome new members

Philosophy – Musings: Discuss topics suggested by the members once per month at Ilkley Library. Details and contact information here . Next meeting 10am Tuesday 26^th January.

Rangers Walking Group: Meet alternate Thursdays. Those without cars welcome. Select here for more information . The walks will be 10 to 14 miles. If you’re interested in joining, email Andrew Drury andrew.drury@outlook.com

Patchwork & Quilting group: Meet on 1st and 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:30pm to 4:30pm at the Baptist Church on Kings Road Ilkley. Very close to Clarke Foley. More details on this link. Next meeting 15^th January.

Proposed new group -Karate

Want to improve fitness, balance, self-confidence, or learn self-defence while having fun? If you can walk up two flights of stairs to the venue, you are fit enough to start. Sessions will be held weekly at Zetsurin Karate Club in Otley .Dates and times to be confirmed once interest is known. The cost will be pay-per-session, under £10 for a 90-minute class, including venue hire.

Coaching provided by a European medalling Karate expert alongside an experienced tutor aged 70+, with low-intensity training adapted to our demographic. No special clothing is required. Ccomfortable, loose, tracksuit-style clothing is sufficient. Karate uniforms can be purchased later at a discounted price if desired. To register your interest, contact newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

Online events

Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. Topics include building confidence in later life and from Roman Britain to the Dark Ages. Many other lectures in January. All part of your subscription.

Diary dates for our u3a

Drop-in today Friday 2^nd January 10:30 am to 12 noon Clarke Foley, Ilkley

Also drop ins at Guiseley (6^th January) and Otley (9^th January)

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

Learn about a mobile police museum. Saturday talk on 17^th January. Details here

Other diary dates

St. Margarets Church Organ recital Friday 2^nd January.

Solve your smart phone or tablet problems

Ilkley:Clarke Foley LS29 9DZ Friday 2^nd and 16^th January 10.30am to 12:00. Details here

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

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

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.

Do you live at or near the following post codes?

LS29 8JP:  LS29 8EP:  LS29 8SF

LS29 9AA:  LS29 9AL:  LS29 9NQ:  LS29 0QA

We have members living in all these districts without email. They currently receive a copy of News Flash via Royal Mail. So, it would be great if others could deliver a printed copy through the letter box. Helps our coffers and gives you an opportunity to get involved. It’s what u3a is all about!

All you need is a printer. You will be sent a special version of News Flash to be printed at home. Email membership@ilkleyu3a.org if you can help. Thanks.

This list is slightly shorter than when last published in the pre-Christmas issue of News Flash. Our thanks to Raymond Williams and Paul Johnson for volunteering to print and deliver to their neighbours.

Looking for a safe place to keep warm?

Select this link for a map of places offering this free facility. Search by post code for the nearest.

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. Thanks so much to all the groups sending pictures and updates on their festive lunches. Much appreciated.

More to Life Christmas meal. At Red Lion in Burley. This group is one of the driving forces behind our new taster sessions for potential members and has organised the 1980 style quiz. Details here.

The Grove Ukulele group. Pictured at one of several seasonal concerts.

Voyagers Christmas lunch. Kings Hall in Ilkley. Great pictures and memories of the past year.

Celebrating Bradford City of Culture. A link to Bradford u3a celebrating history of the city.

Promoting Andy’s Man Club. A safe space to talk about feelings, fears and much else.

Report and pictures from our Christmas Cracker

£109.57 raised for Otley Food Bank at the Christmas Tree Festival

A request to organisers of group activities

Please send photographs, with a couple of sentences and details of the event to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk). This all helps explain u3a to a new audience. 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.

Craven Accordion Orchestra looking for a drummer or percussionist. Kit provided.

Thanks to Pam Harris for the last Christmas Cracker jokes until December 2026

What do snowmen have for lunch? Icebergers

What do snowmen wear on their heads? Ice caps

Why is it cold at Christmas? Because it's in Decembrrrrrr

Why does a foot make a good Christmas present? It's a great stocking filler

Season’s Greetings

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.

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.