Our u3a Christmas Cracker

We are now running a waiting list for Saturday morning 21^st December.  Join the waiting list here. If there are cancellations, next in line will automatically be offered a place.

So, if anyone is not able to attend, reply to this News Flash and we will offer your place to another member. Tea and coffee will be available from 9:30 am. Entertainment starts at 10 am.

Help with your smart phone and tablet

On the first and third Friday mornings of each month, alongside our regular drop-in sessions at Clarke Foley, we will be hosting a digital drop-in. Similar sessions were organised by Clarke Foley earlier this year when several u3a members benefitted. First session 10:30 to 12 noon Friday 17^th January. Select here for more information.

New short course

Ceilidh Dancing Six weekly sessions starting on Friday, 9^th January at 2 – 4pm, Beech Hill Church, Otley. No experience needed, just a smile and a sense of fun. Easy dances to music with a Scottish flavour. No prior knowledge or special equipment required. Wear light comfortable clothing and soft flat shoes. Suitable for singles and couples. We estimate that the cost will be £10 for the six sessions. Contact Heather by email: mhwilliams27@gmail.com

William Morris and the Arts & Crafts Movement in England and Abroad. We are now running a waiting list to join this four-week course starting 10 am Thursday 20^th February in Silsden Town Hall. For more information and to join the waiting list, select this link. If you are interested, do join the waiting list. If demand is particularly high, we will see if an alternative venue in Silsden is available or possibly organise a second course.

Group news

Our Singing for Pleasure group has been particularly busy in recent times. They have been rehearsing for and then performing at two festive events. See pictures here. If you enjoy singing, why not contact the group? Details here.

Online events

These are organised through our parent body and they’re free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. Subjects in the next few weeks range from herbal medicine to the transformative power of Christmas. Plus lots more!

Diary dates

Drop-in Otley: Today 13^th December 10:30 am to 12 noon

Drop-in Ilkley: 20^th December 10:30 am to 12 noon

Coffee & Chat Otley: Monday 16^th December 10:30 am at the Court House

Coffee & Chat Guiseley: Tuesday 7^th January 1 pm at Everybody’s

Select here for more information on all the above events

A request from our social media team

Please send a few pictures, and a couple of sentences, about any u3a activity to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk) who will post details on our social media accounts. This all helps explain u3a to a new audience. We will also include links in News Flash, so all our members are updated.

Recent posts from our Facebook page

The following links open on our Facebook page. Anyone can access them. You don’t need an account.

Walking for Fitness Group: Christmas lunch.

Ben Rhydding Christmas concert: An annual event from our Singing for Pleasure Group.

Otley Christmas Tree festival: Our tree decorated by Otley Sewing Collective.

Otley Sewing Collective: A further post by our local group.

Singing for Pleasure Group: Otley Christmas Tree festival.

Christmas Craft session: Thanks to Jenny Stacey for organising.

Market Place for u3a members

For the following item, log in and contact the poster direct via text on the number given.

Artificial Christmas Tree looking for a good home!

Website gets a seasonal feel

Thanks to Neil Stevens for the graphic. Very shortly you will see other more subtle changes.

For Group Leaders and those assisting them, when you login, an additional menu option will appear. Select this to find a much-simplified way to access support and guidance for your role. 

Select the For Members menu and there will be a direct link to the Market Place, Forum pages and archive recordings of interviews with some of our founding members. Forum pages are used by some groups for discussion and information sharing.

Many of these changes have been prompted by suggestions from a group leader. The aim is to have a website that works for all. If you have thoughts for improvement, just respond to this News Flash.

A few updates from the Third Age Trust

The movement voted to change the way we manage the u3a at the AGM in October, and the Trust now needs people to come forward to enable that change. Our region will have two council members and nationally the board is also looking for new members. Nominations close on the 19th of December so please select this link and see if it’s for you

Did you know that our subscription gives access to a team of Subject Advisors who are there to support anyone running a group or thinking of starting a new one. The list of topics is endless from A for Amateur Radio through to Y for Yoga. Select this link to discover more.

Looking to increase awareness of u3a, TAT have announced involvement in a news-style programme Redefining Later Living produced by ITN. The programme helps to reinforce positivity around ageing well, embracing later life. Select here to see an interview with the CEO.

The latest newsletter can be read here.

Christmas Cracker jokes shared by Walking for Fitness

What did the stamp say to the Christmas card? Stick with me and we'll go places.

What do you get if you eat Christmas decorations? Tinsilitis.

What kind of ball doesn’t bounce? A snowball.

Who hides in a bakery at Christmas? A mince spy.

Season’s Greetings

John & Christine

Email: Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org

For Group Leaders

Thanks to those who completed the audit of their group membership. We have identified over 20 folk still to join u3a. So please ensure they pay their £15 sooner rather than later. We still have groups yet to respond. It will be good to finish this audit by 31^st December, so please send details as soon as possible.

Thank you.