Happy to chat to folk about u3a?

We need help from our members from 8 am to 10 am Monday 8th to Friday 12th June to introduce u3a to the next generation of retirees. Many of our newer members tell us they simply didn’t realise what u3a had to offer until someone pointed them in the right direction. During the busy Lexus Tennis Tournament week, we have a great opportunity to change that.

We’ll be giving out flyers at Ilkley Railway Station to help raise awareness of u3a amongst commuters and visitors – especially those approaching or newly enjoying retirement. As an added incentive, 50 lucky people will win a free takeaway tea or coffee from La Stazione at the station café.

We’re looking for friendly volunteers to hand out flyers and have the occasional short chat with passers-by. No hard selling – just helping people discover the opportunities, friendships and activities that u3a offers. Could you spare just a couple of hours to help? Just reply to this News Flash as soon as possible indicating availability. Be reassured, we will only be giving out flyers as part of a small team with a designated team leader. You will not be left on your own!

Visit Scampston Hall and Gardens Friday 26^th June

Join our Historic Houses Group visit to Scampston Hall at Malton.  Select the link for details of the hall and its gardens. Total cost £48 which includes travel by coach from Ilkley, Burley-in-Wharfedale or Otley and a guided tour of the privately owned house, which is only open to the public for a brief period during the summer months or by special arrangement.

The outstanding four acre walled garden is set within the 18th century walls of the original kitchen garden and was designed by the Dutch garden designer Piet Oudulf in 1997.  Highlighted in Monty Don’s Great British Gardens and described as “majestic” he urges anyone who loves gardens to visit. 

To book your place email susanward29@icloud.com indicating your preferred pick-up point. Further details regarding payment and travel times will be provided on confirmation you have a place.

Pictures from recent visits by the group are now on the website. Select here to view.

Our Summer Programme of events booking now

Already some events are full and running a waiting list. So please select this link to register for events you would like to attend.  

We have selected a few events to be tasters for potential members. So, if you have friends and neighbours that you think might be interested in u3a, have a look at this list for potential invites.

Here are direct booking links to some of our more popular events. What are you waiting for?

The World of Diplomacy – more than just Ferrero Rocher (2 pm Wednesday 24^th June, Ilkley)

Art & AI talk An exploration of AI’s ability to read emotion (10 am Tuesday 30^th June, Ilkley)

Disco Taster Session (Just what you expect. 2 pm Wednesday 1^st July, Ben Rhydding)

William Morris 1 and William Morris 2 (both lectures 10 am Thursday 2^nd & 9^th July, Silsden)

Interrailing in Europe Yes, it isn’t just for the youngsters. Hear from a couple of members who regularly use these rail passes on holidays. (10:30 am Friday 10^th July, Ilkley)

Traditional Afternoon Tea An informal opportunity to meet, eat and chat. (3:30 pm Saturday 11^th July, Otley)

Craft Workshop Diamond Art Crystal Painting (10 am Tuesday 21^st July, Ilkley)

Art of the Stone Age An illustrated talk (2 pm Wednesday 28^th July, Ilkley)

Subscription renewals due soon.

You can help spread the workload for our membership secretary by renewing early. Visit the website on this link and login. Then click on your name and follow the instructions to pay online.

Further information about renewals can be found here. You can also renew at our showcase on Saturday 20^th June. See next item.

Our annual u3a Showcase is Saturday morning 20^th June

Group Leaders. Please take up the invitation to attend so we can plan properly. This is the opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public that retirement does not mean sitting at home and watching TV. Select this link to learn more Ilkley & District Showcase.

Groups with spaces

Singing for Pleasure. Meets weekly 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesday mornings at St John's Church in Ben Rhydding. They use sheet music but as not everyone can read music, those who can will help those who can't - plus the choir master, Brian Mason, sends You Tube links of the songs and the parts for each section. All music is provided. Subscription £25 per term covers hire of hall and the music.

There is a taster session as part of the summer programme on 7^th July. Details on this link. So do give it a try. The group are particularly keen to recruit a few more male voices.

Calligraphy.  A small group sharing and learning new skills. More details on this link.   Meets fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon at Otley Common (old Methodist Church), 65 Walkergate, Otley

Walking Cricket A thriving, year-round group - indoors in winter - welcoming all abilities. New members can try their first session FREE. Find full details on this link. 

Bridge in Otley on Monday mornings. Details on this link. Ideally potential members have some understanding of the principles of whist or other card games, if not of bridge. We do have the capacity to offer 1 to 1 tuition for beginners to get up to speed on the game of bridge. Finally, we must stress it is social/fun bridge and not highly competitive. 

New Group news

Saturday Brunch next get tother is on Saturday 13th June at Bistro Pierre, Cresent Hotel, Brook Street, Ilkley, LS29 8DG. Enjoy some lovely found and have a good natter with acquaintances old and new. Pay for your own food. Please do not attend without forewarning your host Elaine Galvin (keith-new-u-bfg@hotmail.co.uk) as this causes issues for them and the venue.

Badminton Monday 1st June, 10 - 12, then weekly, Otley Common, Walkergate, Otley LS21 1HB. Just come along

Table Tennis Monday 1st June, 2 - 4, then weekly, Otley Common, Walkergate, Otley LS21 1HB Just come along

Karate: Fridays 10:30 – 11:30, weekly until end July. Zetsurin Karate, 23-25 Manor Square, Otley LS21 3AP. This group focuses on gentle, accessible karate-inspired movement, designed specifically for adults who want to stay active, improve balance, and enjoy learning something new in a friendly, supportive environment. Qualified and experienced instructors. Develop at your own pace. Easy access to the venue from car parks or bus station. Come along, give it a try. Email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

Circle Dancing Thursday 11th June, 10 -12, then fortnightly, Otley Common, Walkergate, Otley LS21 1HB. Lovely group, everyone leaves with a smile on their face, having gently exercised mind,body and soul. Experienced leaders of the dances take you through the steps, meaning absolute beginners and more proficient dancers are welcome. Just come along.

Exploring Psychology Together This group will meet every third Thursday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Mary's Parish Centre, Burley-in-Wharfedale. Emphasis on practical psychology, relating to real life situations, presentations followed by group discussion. Email  newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

New Groups at Showcase

Come along and have a chat if you:

* Have an idea for a new group

* Want to find out about how you can help with a group or groups in general

* Want a general overview of the groups we offer

* Want to see what new groups are in the pipeline e.g.

Wine Appreciation - Just starting to bring a plan together. They will have a table at Showcase, come along and see what they're up to.

Poetry will be letting us know what they have planned for a September start.

Online events

Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select the link to see the full range of talks including the growing influence of drone technology, an introduction to the game of Bridge, the ABC of Victorian painting and the history of Britain’s road network.

Are you a good administrator and reasonably IT literate?

We need someone to help maintain our list of venues able to host u3a groups and other activities. Susan Sheridan maintains the records for Addingham, Ilkley and Burley. So, we are looking for someone to work with Susan keeping us all updated with venues in Otley, Menston, Guiseley, Yeadon etc. If you think you can help, Susan will be happy to chat on the phone or meet up for a coffee, so you know what is involved. Email Susan sheridansa@btinternet.com

We are now running five drop in sessions every month!

Our hugely enjoyable monthly coffee morning meetings in Otley are now being duplicated in Ilkley. 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?

• Meet Clarke Foley 10:30 to 12 noon Wednesday 3^rd June Details here
• Meet Otley Court House 10:00 am to 11:30 am Monday 15^th June. Details here

Meet some of our trustees, ask questions about u3a or bring along a friend who might like to join us at our regular drop ins, first and third Friday mornings each month at Clarke Foley in Ilkley and second Friday each month at the Core in Otley. All very informal and free refreshments!

Alongside the Ilkley drop ins, we continue to run our digital drop ins.  Select here for more information on all our drop in events.

Scam emails in circulation

We are aware of scam emails being received by some of our members. It only takes one member to click on a dodgy link for their address book to be used. And being a member of u3a, they are bound to have other members on a list of contacts. Common issues at the moment are:

• ·         How're you doing. Do you have time to chat over email?
• ·         I have lost my voice but wanted to say ….
• ·         Do you use Amazon. I need a favour.

Just delete even if you think you know who is contacting you.

Market Place for u3a members

A reminder that members can buy, sell or give away items via our Market Place. Select here to add your items.  Use the links below to log in to details of the posts. Make contact directly with the poster. Just select their name to show email and phone number. Subscribe to receive notification of new postings:

Free Railway Books Take your pick from a vast list which has been added to our Market Place by a member of our Railways Group. If interested, the group is open to new members. Details here.

Extension Ladder For those still able to climb up them!

Burley Theatre Group latest production 4th to 6th June

Cube Hybrid Pro Electric Bike (Hardly used)

The Man in the Wicker Chair: A story of life, love and loss(a member has written a novel about life as a medical student in Leeds, a doctor at the LGI, St. James’s and Wharfedale General Hospital

Ilkley Flower Club 65th Anniversary Event Monday 8th June

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.

Northern Towns visit Bradford. Including a wonderful visit inside City Hall.

Promoting latest production by Burley Theatre Group

Voyagers visit Beamish And ride a tram.

Pictures of the thank you buffet to recognise the sterling work of all our volunteers.

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.

Hope these bring a smile (created in the heat wave)

It’s so hot that Alexa asked to be dipped in a bowl of cold water.

It’s so hot that the bread I bought had turned into toast when I got home from the shop.

It’s so hot that my iceberg lettuce completely melted.

Best wishes

John & Christine

Email Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org or call 0300 102 4549 (local rate).

For those joining our u3a in May, June and July

First renewal of subscription will be July 2027. So get up to 15 months of membership for the price of 12.

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.

A u3a survey of our membership. Deadline for replies extended

Our branch of u3a has been selected to participate in a Third Age Trust survey, the results of which will be important in establishing the future direction of the u3a movement. Please help increase our profile with the Third Age Trust by selecting this link to take the survey.