Showcase update

Pre-event publicity helped swell the numbers visiting on 21^st June to well over 300. Over 60 groups represented, 15 new members and 59 renewing their subscription for next year. Well done to all involved. Select this link to our news page on the website for a report and pictures.

Subscription renewals

Please try to renew online. It helps save work for our membership secretary and treasurer. Select here and log in. Check your entry of the password by selecting the little eye symbol to the right of the password box. Then click on your name (top of the page) and follow the guidance provided

If you really can’t renew online, please pay at any of our drop-in sessions (details here) or post a cheque payable to Ilkley & District u3a to c/o Clarke Foley. Cunliffe Road, LS29 9DZ.

Free magazine with your annual subscription

Around half of our members have registered to receive ‘u3a matters’ which is the national magazine with five issues a year posted to your home. To subscribe ahead of the next issue, just reply to this News Flash asking to be added to the circulation list. You can pick up a copy at any of our drop-in sessions. Also, in the display racks of local libraries, Clarke Foley etc.

Summer Programme events with spaces

Select the following links for more information and to book a place.

Singing For Pleasure Open Morning 8^th July

 The Art of Paula Rego 8th July

Circle Dancing in Otley 10^th July

Take Ten Songs 14^th July

Summer Music and Picnic at Bolton Abbey 15^th July

Ceilidh Dancing Otley 18^th July

For a list of all Summer Programme events throughout July, select here.

Reports and pictures from the early events in the programme can be seen be selecting this link.

The Beginners Photography Group exhibition

Select here to see the winning entries . When starting the course most of the group had little or no experience of photography but they slowly improved their knowledge to produce pictures of a good standard. The photographs were judged by members of the u3a Improvers Photography Group, which was much appreciated by the exhibitors.

Poems inspired by early summer

Our poetry writing group (details here) are well known for their contributions to our Christmas Cracker events. Of course they aren’t just creative at Christmas. Select here to read a selection of poems on the theme of summer.

In the next issue of News Flash, we hope to bring you news of a collection of the group’s poems that are published in a small booklet with proceeds to the wonderful Outside the Box charity.

Fancy being a disc jockey?

Our Disco (1960s-80s) Group is looking for a new DJ for its sessions (currently fortnightly, Wednesdays 2.00 - 3.30 pm). Contact Peter Higginbotham (peter.higginbotham@gmail.com) for more information. Read about the group here.

Do you have willow weaving skills?

Our good friends at Wharfedale Naturalists are creating a new pond at the Ben Rhydding Gravel Pits Nature Reserve with the aim of attracting a range of different aquatic insects and invertebrates. They are looking for help to create a small woven fence to keep out inquisitive dogs and to join in other practical tasks. See picture taken on a recent u3a walk. If you can help. email Steve Parkes (parkes.steve@hotmail.co.uk ).

Groups with vacancies

Histories of Nations Each nation has its own national history and legends. Before each session, the members of this group 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 then exchange their findings during the session. They meet on Zoom on Thursdays from 2.00 - 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 1^st July, Guiseley Methodist Church, Orchard Way, Guiseley.LS20 9EP.)

Gardening Groupwould welcome more members. Learn more about the group here . Contact Diana Harrison (diharri75@yahoo.co.uk )

Online quiz group currently enter two teams of four members to a monthly national u3a quiz. We would like to enter a third team. Our scores to date are not that good so you don’t have to be clever to participate. Details and contact details on this link.

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 Arts and Craft movement and Technology in Sport

Diary dates

Select here for more information on all our drop-in events.

Drop-in Ilkley Friday 4^th & 18^th July 10.30 to 12 noon.

Drop-in Otley Friday 11^th July 10.30 to 12 noon.

Learn about the 1900 Great Flood in Ilkley. An exhibition runs at the Manor House every weekend from 14^th June to 27^th July. Select the link for more details.

Leeds Playhouse. A Tale of Two Theatres is the title of the Saturday talk on 19^th July. Select the link for more details.

Yorkshire Day. This year, stretching from 1^st to 3^rd August. Lots of activities supporting Bradford City of Culture. Details on this link.

Digital drop in

Next sessions are Fridays 4^th and 18^th July 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. If you need help to get started with your smart phone or tablet, help is available from AbilityNet. Select this link to find more 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.

Highlighting Showcase coverage in the Ilkley Gazette

u3a walking for fitness visit to Ben Rhydding Nature Reserve

Summer Programme visit to Ilkley Playhouse

Northern Towns visit to Knaresborough

Hill and Dale Walking Group

Fun with Handbells

Summer Programme visit to Sheffield

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.

CD and Cassette player with two speakers

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’.

Temper tantrums 

Often associated with toddlers but, unbelievably, recently experienced on a few u3a events and visits. We are all volunteers doing our best but, inevitably things sometimes go wrong, or misunderstandings arise. There’s no need for rudeness. If it’s unacceptable for toddlers, it’s certainly not acceptable for u3a members, especially towards event organisers. Enough said!

Learn more about the ethos and principles of u3a, including code of conduct, by selecting here.

Hoping these raise a smile  

Q. What did the beach say to the tide when it came in? A. Long time, no sea.

Q. Where is it safe to dive into a swimming pool? A. It deep ends.

Q Why wasn’t the killer whale in a band? A. Because it was in the orca-stra.

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.

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.

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