Renewal of subscriptions

Thanks to over 35% of our members who have renewed their subscription for 2026 / 2027. If you can please make payment before the due date of 31^st July, it makes life so much easier for our membership secretary.  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.

Annual Showcase update

Great to see so many there. Eleven new members and a further 100 renewing for 2026 / 2027. Details of our pre event publicity and pictures from the day on this link.

Group management support on the website

Now open to all members when you login. Do have a look under the tab ’Group Management‘ where there’s lots of helpful advice including details on finance, equipment available, venues to use and things to consider when organising visits.

Additional support is available on any of these issues. Just email establishedgroups@ilkleyu3a.org or phone 0300 102 4549 (local rate) and leave a message for someone to call you back.

Proposed new groups

Fun with Wine group. Over the summer months, a small steering group will meet to shape a programme of activities. Email Keith keith-new-u-bfg@hotmail.co.uk

Poetry Appreciation. First meeting 10 am Thursday 2^nd July at Zetsurin Karate, Bay Horse Court, Otley LS21 3AP. Entrance next to Coast to Country Café.

If you feel comfortable, bring along something you have written to share. Part of the session will be used to discuss ways forward for the group if there’s enough interest. This will include venue for, and format of, sessions and other logistics. Proposed start date for the group is Thursday 10^th September, 10am. If you’re interested in attending the taster and/or future sessions, email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org.

New French and Spanish conversation groups. The initial meetings will decide if there’s enough interest and discuss logistics - venue, format, level etc. Each group will be limited to twelve. So, if there is interest shown for different levels, there could be more groups established. Both initial meetings will be at the Chippendale Centre, Mercury Row, Otley LS21 3AA. Just up from the bus station and very close to free parking at Sainsburys.  If you are interested in attending the initial or follow up meetings email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

• ·         French Conversation. Initial meeting Wednesday 5^th August 2-4pm then fortnightly starting Wednesday 9^th September.
• ·         Spanish Conversation. Initial meeting Tuesday 4^th August 2-4pm then fortnightly starting Tuesday 8^th September.

Suggestions for new groups

If enough interest is shown in any of the following, we will hold an initial meeting to discuss logistics. Write to newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org to express interest, especially if you have any expertise.

Italian Conversation, Geology, Local History, Japanese, South Asia and its languages, Bridge Advanced, Creative Writing (likely or Ben Rhydding, Tuesday or Thursday), Religions of the World

We recently ran taster sessions in the following topics with great feedback. So, who wants to be involved in getting a group to meet regularly?

Urban Sketching, Velo Vitual - indoor cycling – Otley, Back Nine - indoor golf

Finally, what about Tai Chi in Menston (the Otley group is popular), Crafts (indicate what you'd like to cover) and Art (indicate what you'd like from a group).

Groups with spaces

Singing for Pleasure. Meets weekly 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesday mornings at St John's Church in Ben Rhydding. 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.

Readers Group 1. Room for two new members who would like to join this friendly group. They meet 2 pm on second Tuesday of the month at St John's Church Lounge in Ben Rhydding. Details here. Mostly fiction. Members choose the books leading a short introduction and discussion on the book. Email Margaret Cook mcrombalds@hotamil.co.uk if interested.

Walking at the Weekend. A friendly group who walk around 7 miles on the first Saturday and the third Sunday of each month, all year round. Walk details sent in advance including notes about ascents, descents, mud, stiles etc. to decide if the walk is suitable for you. Walks are mainly within 45 to 60 minutes’ drive of Ilkley, usually rather less. We are good at car sharing so your own transport is not essential. You are welcome to join us for a ‘trial walk’ to help you decide whether the group is for you or not. More information and contact details for Sue Butler (coordinator) on this link.

First Aid Course

This bespoke 3-hour course is free to our members and covers many aspects of first aid including CPR and defibrillator use. We held a couple of highly successful courses in 2024 and 2025 (run by ‘Home and Away Training’ based in Keighley) and are considering holding another one this autumn.

If you have not attended a previous course and would be interested in attending one this autumn, please email advising of your interest to firstaid@ilkleyu3a.org

Online events

Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select the link to see the full range of talks including the history of shoes, the role of women in ancient Egypt and exploring World Faiths.

Our Summer Programme has reached the half way point

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.

We have pictures and reports of some events that have already taken place. Select here to view.

Crown Green Bowls

Not a formal u3a group activity but an opportunity for players, who are members of both the u3a and Ilkley Bowling Club, to meet at the Club on Thursday afternoons at 1.30 pm.  Flat shoes (no heel or deep tread pattern) are essential. You can borrow bowls from the club if necessary. Please phone or text Don Goodman 07851 149782 before meeting at the club.

We are now running six drop in sessions every month!

Monthly coffee mornings in Guiseley, Otley and 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?

· Clarke Foley Ilkley 10:30 to 12 noon Wednesday 1^st July.  Details here

· Otley Court House 10:00 to 11:30 am Monday 13^th July. Details here

· Everybody’s Guiseley 10:30 to 12 noon Wednesday 22^nd July. Details here

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! Details here. Meet some of our trustees, ask questions about u3a or bring along a friend who might like to join us

Digital drop ins, where we help to resolve specific queries on smart phones, tablets and laptops are run alongside the Ilkley drop ins.

Climate and Nature Crises

A series of events throughout the UK showing a film about the climate and nature crises we face and to discuss what actions we need to take. More information and book tickets, select the following links.

·  Friday, 3^rd July (7:30 PM - 9:30 PM)  Addingham Memorial Hall

·  Sunday 26^th July (6:30 – 8:30 pm)  St Johns Church, Ben Rhydding

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.  You will need to log in. Use the links below to log in to details of the posts described. Make contact directly with the poster. Just select their name to show email and phone number. Subscribe to receive notification of new postings:

Nell Bank Volunteering Days, 2026 Summer Events,

Wanted: Reviving foot plate,

For Sale: Sizzix Personal Die Cutting Machine Press

For Sale: Large Vintage Portmeirion Bowl

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.

Our new canal group visits Shipley and Bingley

Anyone for Croquet (with a Pimms of course).  Yet another way to find new activities with u3a.

u3a tappers perform at Shiple Library A link to local newspaper article

u3a visit to the Shipley / Guiseley railway line A fascinating look at Victorian engineering

Meeting of u3a film appreciation group in Guiseley

A spotlight on wonderful examples of crafts on display at the Showcase

Summer programme visit to Ilkley Hydros Organised in conjunction with Ilkley Civic Society

Friday table tennis group lunch at tennis club

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.

No jokes in this issue of News Flash

The space for jokes in this issue is devoted to reminding everyone about the ethos and principles of u3a. Not a joking matter and something we all signed up to when we joined this amazing, unique and wonderful organisation. Refresh your understanding of u3a by selecting this link.

Best wishes

John & Christine

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

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