Issue  22-02 (17 January 2022)

Welcome to our new members

There has been an encouraging response to our initiative of reducing the joining subscription to £7. An opportunity to introduce your friends and neighbours to our wonderful u3a. Select here to join on line or call into Clarke Foley for our next drop in on Friday morning 21st January from 10:30 to 12 noon.

Missing our Zoom talks?

As we moved back, one step at a time, towards normality, we dropped the regular Zoom talks. However, these are still provided by our parent body, the Third Age Trust.  Links to these talks are now showing on the home page of our website.  Select here for details. But because these are nationally available, early booking is advised.

How u3a uses social media

Naturally our posts promote who we are and what we do. But they also highlight events and stories that are likely to be of interest to others who are of a certain age! It is this variety of content that appeals to the people who follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

Even if you don’t have an account, you can click on the links to see what we’ve been posting about. And if you do have a Facebook and/or Twitter account, please do follow Ilkley & District u3a and share our posts. It all helps to spread the word!

Introducing Flip Book technology on our website

We have recently used this innovative software to improve the way you can read the EYE on line and read past editions of the local newspaper scrapbooks. Select the links and then turn the pages as if reading the real thing.  Zoom in to make the print larger. Should work on most devices.

Now use this new software to read our press releases for 2021. Feedback welcome.

Snooker Competition Thursday 24th March

Organised by our friends at Bradford u3a at the rather exclusive Bradford Club, near Forster Square Station. Full details including how to register on this link.

WestNet

A reminder that as members of Ilkley & District u3a, we also have access to groups and events organised by nearby u3a groups in Skipton, Bradford, Keighley and Settle. Read more about how this works on this link.

Do we cover your particular interest or hobby?

There are bound to be others who share your enthusiasm for a topic. We are happy to support and guide you towards starting up a new group within u3a. Just email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org with your thoughts and someone will be back in touch to help.

Can you identify the clocks on our website?

Test your powers of observation. Select here Answers on the website.

Your u3a needs you!

Many thanks to those who responded to a request for help in the last issue of News Flash. One role that still needs filling is that of speaker finder for the Saturday morning talks. Read about what is involved here and email Events@ilkleyu3a.org to express an interest in helping.

If you feel able to assist in any other way, email chair@ilkleyu3a.org to offer assistance. Login to the website and select this link to see how everything is organised. Quite a few members are already involved so there is plenty of support to settle into new roles and responsibilities.

Saturday Talk update

Nearly 80 members attended a socially distanced talk by Robbie Moore MP on Saturday 15th January. Images at the end of this News Flash.

The next Saturday talk for your dairies is 19th February when Maggie Poppa relives her experience of visiting the real Exotic Marigold Hotel as featured in the film. Full details on this link

Ilkley Tree Trail

If you enjoyed walking the Ilkley Tree Trail with u3a member Sue Stevens as part of our summer programme, you may want to repeat the exercise in winter. There is a new guide available to download here or pick up a printed copy from the Grove Bookshop.

Chair of the Third Age Trust visiting our region

A reminder that Liz Thackray will be visiting our region on Tuesday 22nd March. Apply to attend an all-day forum in York (either in person or via Zoom) using this link. Limited availability so you know what to do!

Somebody actually complimented me on my driving today. They left a little note. It said ‘Parking Fine’.

I needed a password eight characters long. I picked Snow White and the Seven Dwarves.

A cement mixer collided with a prison van. Police are looking for 12 hardened criminals.

Regards John & Christine Email NewsFlash@ilkleyu3a.org

PS. Thoughts for the weeks and months ahead

With thanks to Bill Jones

It is important to know when to stop arguing with people and simply let them be wrong

A smart person knows what to say. A wise person knows whether to say it or not.

Complaining about a problem without posing a solution is called whining.

Martin Koopmans (Event organiser) and Angie Grain talking to Robbie Moore over coffee.

A social media post made after the event by our guest speaker