Our Summer Programme of events booking now

Already one event is full and running a waiting list. So please select this link to register for events you would like to attend.  The following events and visits have early closing dates because food needs to be ordered and coaches booked. Just select these links.

• The Wensleydale Railway
• Explore the Shipley to Guiseley railway line 
• Visit to Selby Abbey and Little Wold Vineyard
• Traditional Afternoon Tea

Help put our u3a in the spotlight this summer!

This June, we’re heading to Ilkley Rail Station to spread the word about u3a during the busy Lexus Tennis Tournament (7–14 June). With thousands of commuters and visitors passing through, it’s the perfect time to grow our membership amongst the recently retired.  —and we need your help!

We’re looking for friendly volunteers to hand out flyers and chat briefly with commuters and visitors. It’s a simple, social way to support our u3a.

• Small Commitment: Just a couple of hours of your time.
• Full Support: You’ll always be with a team leader; no one works alone.
• Comfort: Plenty of seating is available.
• The Perk: Everyone you hand a flyer can enter a draw for a free La Stazione coffee!

Ready to join us? Email Evelyn Gregory at evegreg55@hotmail.co.uk with your availability. Thank you

Our annual u3a Showcase is Saturday morning 20^th June

Group Leaders. Please take up the invitation to attend as soon as possible so we can plan properly. This is the opportunity to demonstrate to the wider public that retirement does not mean sitting at home and watching TV. Why should we keep u3a to ourselves?

Everyone. This is an opportunity for our existing members to explore new groups, renew their annual subscription and sign up for summer programme events. Select this link to learn more Ilkley & District Showcase.

Groups with spaces

Singing for Pleasure. Meets weekly 10 am to 12 noon on Tuesday mornings at St John's Church in Ben Rhydding. They use sheet music but not everyone can read music, so those who can will help those who can't - plus the choir master, Brian Mason, sends You Tube links of the songs and the parts for each section. All music is provided. Subscription £25 per term covers hire of hall and the music.

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.

Calligraphy.  A small group sharing and learning new skills. More details on this link.   Meets fortnightly on a Thursday afternoon at Otley Common (old Methodist Church), 65 Walkergate, Otley

Badminton Group. Meets from 2-4 pm on Tuesdays the Ben Rhydding Methodist Church Hall. More details on this link.

 Artificial Intelligence The group meets 10am on Monday 18^th May and then the 3^rd Monday morning of each month until September. Venue is the small hall at Clarke Foley. The subscription to cover room hire for the next 5 sessions is just £20. Open to anyone using AI on their devices, the sessions will be a chance to learn together, share experiences. Explore how AI can be amazingly useful and great fun. But can also give the wrong solutions. To express interest, email Neil Stevens (neil@nebstone.co.uk)

Tai Chi for beginners Both classes have moved to Otley Common, Walkergate, Otley LS21 1HB at 2:45 or 4 pm Thursday 16th April, then weekly. With more space at this venue, places are now available. More information on this link to our website.

Grade 2/3 Ensemble Looking for additional members. It gives musicians at this level the opportunity to practice together whilst having fun and encouraging each other. Meet fortnightly, in Ilkley, Wednesday 10-12. Please contact Cheryl Donnison csdonnison@me.com

Exploring Psychology Together New format, new venue. This group will meet every third Thursday of the month 2pm to 4pm at St Mary's Parish Centre, Burley-in-Wharfedale. Emphasis will be on practical psychology, relating to real life situations, with short presentations followed by group discussion. Email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

Walking Cricket A thriving, year-round group - indoors in winter - welcoming all abilities. New members can try their first session FREE. Find full details on this link. To see pictures of the group in action, select this link to their Facebook page. Login not required.

Karate: Fridays 10:30 – 11:30, weekly until end July. Zetsurin Karate, 23-25 Manor Square, Otley LS21 3AP. This group focuses on gentle, accessible karate-inspired movement, designed specifically for adults who want to stay active, improve balance, and enjoy learning something new in a friendly, supportive environment. Qualified and experienced instructors. Develop at your own pace. Easy access to the venue from car parks or bus station. Come along, give it a try. Email newgroups@ilkleyu3a.org

New groups based at Otley Common, Walkergate, Otley LS21 1HB

Express interest in any of these groups, email newgroups@ilkleyu4a.org.

• Badminton Otley:  10 – 12, Monday, June 1^st, then weekly
• Table Tennis Otley: 2 - 4, Monday, June 1^st, then weekly
• Circle Dancing Otley: 10- 12, Thursday 30^th April, then fortnightly

Online events

Free to join as part of your u3a subscription. Select the link to see the full range of talks including the growing influence of drone technology, ABC of Victorian painting and the history of our roads.

Diary dates for our u3a

Drop in sessions are an opportunity to meet some of our trustees, ask questions about u3a or bring along a friend who might like to join us. All very informal and free refreshments! Select here for more information on all our drop in events.

• Ilkley today Friday 15^th May 10:30am and then Friday 5^th June.
• Otley Friday 12^th June 10:30am
• Coffee & Chat Otley Courthouse Monday 18^th May 10:00am 

 Monthly social and talk for May

Neil Hanson is a ghost writer. If you think every celebrity autobiography is written by the person on the cover, think again! Read more here  Doors open 10 am Saturday 16th May. This is a free event provided by u3a as part of your subscription. Maybe bring a friend or two.

Other events that might be of interest

Our friends at Ilkley Manor House are hosting a lecture by one of our own u3a members who is talking about Francisco Goya, The Last of the Old Masters. 10:15 for 10:30 Friday morning 29th May.

More information and to book select here.

Solve your smart phone or tablet problems

For help on the basics like turning on your device and connecting to the internet, help is available from AbilityNet. This is a charity specifically aimed at getting more people to take advantage of being online. For more information on AbilityNet, including possibility of home visits, select link.

For help with specific queries, no appointment needed. Just bring your fully charged devices along with any passwords and volunteers will do their best to resolve any specific questions.

• Ilkley: Clarke Foley LS29 9DZ Friday 15^th May 10.30am to 12:00.
• Otley: Chippendale Centre LS21 3AA, every Monday 9.30am to 11.00 am. Details here

Scam emails in circulation

We are aware of scam emails being received by some of our members. It only takes one of our members to click on a dodgy link for their address book to be used. And being a member of u3a, they are bound to have other members listed on a list of contacts. Common issues at the moment are:

• How're you doing. Do you have time to chat over email?
• I have lost my voice but wanted to say ….
• Do you use Amazon. I need a favour.

Just delete even if you think you know who is contacting you.

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

Ilkley Flower Club 65th Anniversary Event Monday 8th June

u3a member book Q & A Grove Bookshop 7pm Thursday 21st May

Ikea 9 bay Storage Cube and Ikea Storage Cube

Tempur Contour Elite Single Mattress

Cube Hybrid Pro Electric Bike. This has done very few miles. Select the poster’s name on the post to make direct contact.

The Man in the Wicker Chair: A story of life, love and loss. One of our members has written a novel about life as a medical student in Leeds, a doctor at the LGI, St. James’s and Wharfedale General Hospital, a GP in Horsforth and finally, a carer in retirement. Great reviews online.

BBC Radio 4's Brain of Britain is recording in Manchester. Free ticket offer

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 walking cricket group meet outdoors for the first time this year

Northern Towns visit Barton upon Humber

Route 65 perform at the bandstand  All met through u3a!

An update on our Guiseley book share Group

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.

A u3a survey of our membership

Our branch of u3a has been selected to participate in a Third Age Trust survey, the results of which will be important in establishing the future direction of the u3a movement. Please help increase our profile with the Third Age Trust by selecting this link to take the survey.

You might want to have a brew before you start. But there is the offer of a prize draw to enter if you get to the end. Thank you. Closing date 31st May.

Hope these bring a smile

I don’t trust stairs. They’re always up to something

What’s orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot

Knock knock Who’s there? Justin Justin who? Justin time for the afternoon nap.

Knock knock Who’s there? Ben Ben who? Ben retired so long I’ve forgotten what stress feels like.

Best wishes

John & Christine

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

For those joining our u3a in May, June and July

First renewal of subscription will be July 2027. So up to 15 months of membership for the price of 12.

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