Monday – Groups

Birdwatching (70783/Out and About)

Group has indoor meetings at Bolton Abbey Village Hall, mostly with presentations from speakers with accompanying pictures. Expert members contribute and external experts and photographers. These are from10-12Outdoor meetings are mostly at RSPB reserves so a good idea to join. You'll also need binoculars and group members are generous in sharing their spotting skills and telescopes! Nearby trips are by car share ( passengers contribute 10p a mile for petrol and we leave Skipton at 8.30 as a rule) but we also run several coach trips further afield which are great days out albeit more expensive. We start and end the Autumn programme with a welcome meeting and Xmas quiz and food so meetings don't always alternate indoor/ outdoor. New members are welcome to this long established and popular group.

Book Group -Fiction (70788/People and Places)

Meetings take place on the second Monday of the month, with alternative arrangements if this is a bank holiday. This is an informal group where the only requirement is to have read the book! Members can choose from a list of books provided by Skipton Library which will be emailed in advance of the first monthly meeting Members will need to collect a copy of the book from the library and are responsible for returning it by the due date. The venue may vary, using local pubs to meet. Ideally, all members should be comfortable with being in a WhatsApp group which will be used for reminders and recommendations of other books and authors- no pictures of pets or grandchildren!

Geology Walks (70812/Out and About)

Please come along and join us on our fortnightly morning walks, mostly following geology trails of up to 4 miles with a focus on the fascinating geology of Yorkshire. The walks are offered and led by Group members but please note we are not experts, just keen to share our knowledge and learn from each other. Walk details will be circulated the week before and will include date, time, meeting place, walk length and geology features.

Indoor Games 25-26 (70821/Indoor Fun and Games)

The Indoor games Group provides an opportunity for members to meet socially, during the dreary winter months, and to enjoy some FRIENDLY competition. The group meet weekly at The Three Links Club, where a wide range of games are available, including darts, dominoes, scrabble, draughts/chess, pool and various card and board games. Members are very welcome to bring in their own games to try out. We play purely for FUN - no prizes or trophies. Refreshments are available during the afternoon from the Club Bar.

Italian continuers (70823/World Languages and Cinema)

For students with a reasonable level of fluency. We spend time chatting in Italian. We do listening and comprehension exercises that can be prepared at home. We cover a wide range of topics , focused on Italy and also some advanced grammar or translation

Literary Lives (70825/People and Places)

Illustrated talks on the lives of literary figures by Judith Barras, David Turner and guest presenters, covering writers from the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries.

Music theory, creativity and i (70829/Performing Arts)

This is a theoretical and practical creative music course supported by piano. We will explore how to develop your music ideas, come up with creative musical phrases and fit them into a musical framework – the start of improvisation and song composition. You will prepare your own musical ideas, (on your instrument or sing them out loud), and then transfer these ideas to piano, explore, harmonize and then develop them into improvisation and possibly a song melody. This course is aimed at musical instrument players with some experience/competency of chords, scales and arpeggios. Any instrument will be fine. In preparation for the above, we will also work on;-well known pop and jazz songs-playing from memory/by ear without music.-a mix of musical theory with practical demonstration-harmony and chord progressions

Musical Theatre: A History (70830/Performing Arts)

From its early beginnings to the 2020s, this course will take us through the development of musical theatre, looking at shows, composers, stars, choreographers, directors. It will make extensive use of video clips from performances of well loved shows and perhaps also introduce you some less well know but equally significant and enjoyable productions. I would hope to be able to include some audience requests if they are not already in the programme, so if you enjoy musicals this is the course for you.

Racketball (70850/Indoor Fun and Games)

Played on the squash courts at Sandylands, Skipton. Clothing as for indoor sports with non-marking shoes. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Game details: Singles. 2 games played to 11 points with 2 points clear. Players rotate between opponents and courts .Rackets and balls provided. Fees - £4 on a “pay per play” basis. Payable by bank transfer to the Group Leader

Recorder Continuers (70854/Performing Arts)

We are an informal, supportive, self-help group (no tutor), and members have a varied amount of musical knowledge. We play all sorts of 2, 3 and 4 part music. Ideally you should have some previous basic experience, but if in doubt please contact me to check standard needed. Requirements: Recorder and portable music stand. Additional costs: allow £10 for music.

Recorder Ensemble (70855/Performing Arts)

Four or five part music will be played on descant, treble, tenor and bass recorders, from different genre. It is an asset if members can play more than one instrument. The group usually plays at the u3a carol service in one of the Skipton churches. You will need recorders and a portable music stand. There is a £5 per term venue cost.

Science and technology disc (70856/Science and Technology)

Discussion of current scientific topics that are of special interest to group members. No scientific or technical expertise is required to join. However, If you have expertise in a particular area, you will be most welcome to give a presentation. Documents for discussion are posted on our website each week: https://cravenst971700904.wordpress.com so access to the internet is required. Meetings are held in a hybrid in-person/Zoom format. We have internet access and a large screen at the venue so that participants and articles can be display to all.

Stretching / Yoga (70866/Indoor Fun and Games)

Exercise to improve balance and flexibility. You should to be able to sit down on your heels and do a shoulder stand to do the positions correctly. Please wear comfortable clothing, bring a mat and bottle of water.

Tenpin Bowling (70870/Indoor Fun and Games)

We play 2 games per week. Just for fun! The cost for 2 games is £6 or £7 per week.

Woodturning 1 (70878/Creative Arts and Crafts)

A mixed ability class. Beginners will be taught basic techniques. Returners will undertake more ambitious projects. N.B. This course involves moving machinery and sharp tools, so there are health and safety issues, which will be taught. There will be some exposure to dust, so it may not be advisable for those with breathing difficulties. Physical strength is not required, so it is suitable for both sexes. Persons with health problems such as postural hypotension MUST inform the Group Leader. Additional cost <£5 for cost of materials, wood

Woodturning 2 (70879/Creative Arts and Crafts)

mixed ability class. Beginners will be taught basic techniques. Returners will undertake more ambitious projects. N.B. This course involves moving machinery and sharp tools, so there are health and safety issues, which will be taught. There will be some exposure to dust, so it may not be advisable for those with breathing difficulties. Physical strength is not required, so it is suitable for both sexes. Persons with health problems such as postural hypotension MUST inform the Group Leader. Additional cost <£5 for cost of materials, wood

Woodturning in Summer (70880/Creative Arts and Crafts)

This group will be held in a woodturning club in Carleton. There will be 10 sessions with a set of medium level projects This course is aimed at those with a bit of experience in woodturning but will not be too challenging. It is not the best environment for beginners as time for individual supervision is limited. NB access to the premises involves rough terrain and a steep staircase. There are no toilet or kitchen facilities in the building or the village so members must bring their own refreshments. As we are hiring a club there is a £20 surcharge and also additional costs for materials. At this stage the dates are indicative. The final dates will be circulated shortly before the sessions start.