To see previous issues of the News Flash, select or click here |
Issue 25-11 (19 JUNE 2025)
It’s Showcase time!
We look forward to seeing everyone this coming Saturday, 21st June, at Clarke Foley. Doors open 10:30 am. A time to renew acquaintances, sign up for a new interest group and maybe invite a friend to find out about u3a. Free refreshments in the JLA annex at the back of the centre.
We hope for some good publicity in the local paper today. Look out for our article. The online version can be seen here. We are also grateful to Ilkley Chat and Ilkley Radio for coverage.
Summer Programme events with spaces
Select the following links for more information and to book a place. Alternatively call into a drop-in or see us at the Showcase on 21st June.
Sheffield Tram Train and the South Yorkshire Transport Museum 26th June
Tales from the Keighley & Worth Valley Railway 30th June
Singing For Pleasure Open Morning 8th July
Circle Dancing in Otley 10th July
Circle Dancing in Ilkley 11th July
Summer Music and Picnic at Bolton Abbey 15th July
For a list of all Summer Programme events throughout June and July, select here.
We’re starting to receive reports and pictures from the early events in the programme. Select here to see what we have so far.
Learn how to sail without getting your feet wet!
Learn to sail remote control model yachts. Two of our members have created two 4-week courses on four consecutive Sunday mornings. The first course starts on 29th June, and has just 4 places. The repeat course starting on 3rd August has just one spot left.
Expert tuition on Weecher Reservoir, which is situated just east of Dick Hudson’s Pub (postcode BD16 3BE). Just £10 for four sessions. Limited places. For much more detail about what’s involved, including pictures, select either of the above links.
Spare places on visits
East Lancs Railway and Transport Museum, Bury, Thursday 10th July
Join our good friends from Cookridge & Horsforth u3a for a day trip. Cost just £29. Details on this link to their website. If interested email Barbara Stearn chu3amembership@gmail.com.
Pick up on Station Road, Ilkley (outside Boyes) arranged for anyone interested. There have already been bookings from Ilkley, so you won’t be alone!
Fancy being a Disc Jockey?
Our Disco (1960s-80s) Group is looking for a new DJ for its sessions (currently fortnightly, Wednesdays 2.00-3.30pm). Contact Peter Higginbotham (peter.higginbotham@gmail.com) for more information. Read about the group here.
Groups with vacancies
Table tennis on a Thursday morning One place available for those with some experience of playing. Details on this link to the website including contacting the organisers.
Histories of Nations Each nation has its own national history and legends. Before each session the members of this group will look into pre-selected events or periods within the national histories of other countries and in particular the links with the history of the UK. They will then exchange their findings during the session. They meet on Zoom on Thursdays from 2.00 to 4.00 pm every four weeks. Select here to contact the organiser, Marten Koopmans.
Go With – Guiseley Ever wanted to go to the theatre or to a film, but you’d rather not go alone? We run via WhatsApp. Any events / activities considered. Maybe a walk, coffee, lunch. Watch a football match? Post your idea and other members can get in touch. Email groups@ilkleyu3a.org . Or visit the Guiseley Drop-in (1:30 pm Tuesday 1st July, Guiseley Methodist Church, Orchard Way, Guiseley.LS20 9EP.)
Gardening Group would welcome more members. Learn more about the group here . Contact Diana Harrison (diharri75@yahoo.co.uk )
Purple Heather Patchwork & Quilting Meetings at the Baptist Church, Ilkley on Kings Road, close to Clarke Foley. 1st & 3rd Thursday of each month from 1:30 to 4:30 pm. Beginners and more experienced members are welcome. Please contact groups@ilkleyu3a.org to express an interest.
Online events
These are organised through our parent body and are free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select here for details. A never ending range of topics includes Oceans and Climate change, upgrading your old computer and time to get out the BBQ!
Diary dates
Select here for more information on all our drop-in events.
Drop-in Ilkley Friday 20th June and 4th July 10:30 to 12:00.
u3a Showcase event (aka Meet the Leaders) is on Saturday morning 21st June
Otley Action Volunteers Showcase Saturday 28th June 11:00am – 3:00pm Methodist Church, Otley.
Drop-in Guiseley Tuesday 1st July 1:30 pm.
Learn about the 1900 Great Flood in Ilkley. An exhibition runs at the Manor House every weekend from 14th June to 27th July. There is a coffee morning presentation 10:15 Friday 27th June, which is associated with the exhibition. Alex Cockshott will also provide a guided tour of the exhibition on Saturday June 28 at 2.45pm. Select the links for more information.
Digital drop in
Next session is Friday 20th June 10:30 to 12 noon at Clarke Foley. Bring your fully charged devices along with any passwords and we will do our best to resolve any specific questions. These sessions are about resolving issues.
For those needing help to get started with their smart phone or tablet, help is available from AbilityNet. Select this link to find details. They will help with such issues as turning on your phone and getting connected to the internet.
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.
Walking for Fitness group visited Ilkley to discover the River Wharfe.
Wayfarers walking group tackled Firth Fell in the Yorkshire Dales, enjoying spectacular views of Pen-y-ghent and Plover Hill.
Hill & Dale walking group invited the Moor & Dale and Striders groups to join them in a summer walk on Beamsley Moor followed by a BBQ at the Scout Centre on Curly Hill.
Please continue to send group news, photographs and anything else of general interest for u3a members to Helen (helen@saltedit.co.uk). This all helps explain u3a to a new audience.
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.
Ars Musica German male voice choir Promoting a Rotary Charity organised concert at St Margaret’s Church, Ilkley, 19:00 for 19:30, on Saturday 28th June 2025. Just £10.
Flymo Leaf blower/vacuum/shredder.
Two for the price of one tickets at King's Hall, Ilkley, 7:45 pm Thursday 11th December. Direct from London's West End – ‘Magic of the Bee Gees’.
Hoping these raise a smile (some tennis jokes)
Q. How do you play quiet tennis? A. Like regular tennis but without the racket.
Q. Why should you never fall for a tennis player? A. Because love means nothing to them.
Q. What is a horse’s favourite sport? A. Stable tennis.
Best wishes
John & Christine Email: Newsflash@ilkleyu3a.org
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.
Subscription renewals
Thank you to more than 600 members who have renewed early. If you really can’t renew online, please pay at any of our drop-in sessions (details above) or at the Showcase (Clarke Foley on Saturday morning). Or post a cheque payable to Ilkley & District u3a sending to us c/o Clarke Foley.
If you have a hobby or skill to share, read on
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, you could try running a short course for, say, half a dozen sessions. If you have a passion for a subject and want to share it with others, it’s a limited commitment and there’s plenty of help to get started. Email shortcourses@ilkleyu3a.org with thoughts and ideas.
Otley Matters
Not one, but two articles in the June edition distributed to every household in the area. See this link to our media page on the website.