Providing opportunities for older people in Craven District and neighbouring areas

Thursday – Groups for 2023

Updated July 2022

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Calligraphy (5378/indoor)

Three Links Club - Thursday 10.00 - 12.00 7 Oct – 20 weeks. This is a self-help group and is therefore not suitable for complete beginners.

Mah-Jong (5402/indoor)

Mah Jong is an old Chinese game based on three suites, winds and dragons. It stretches the mind, is competitive and satisfying, but needs concentration!!

Coastal Navigation (14754/indoor)

The aim of this course is to introduce you to coastal navigation, which has many similarities to map reading and finding your way on land, but with the added interest of how to chart your position at sea including the effects of tides and wind. The course will cover Admiralty and Imray charts and their symbols, Fixing your position at sea, Effect of tides and wind, Plotting a course on the chart, Sailing a course, Use of electronic plotter, Planning a passage, Useful knots. You will learn navigation by doing up to 30 ‘exercises’ using the Firth of Clyde chart. There will be a cost of £6 for notes (£2 if you print out your own); some Firth of Clyde charts will be available (about £20 if you buy your own).

Bridge Play (38441/indoor)

For those who have played Bridge and want to improve their duplicate game. There may be a ‘tip’ on bidding or play at some meetings with a look at any interesting hands. Additional cost of £1 to cover cards and travelers. Last Bridge afternoon is now Thursday, 14th April 2022.

Z Walking Group (38487/walking)

We offer a sequence of short (5-7 miles), medium (8-9 miles) and long (10+ miles) with various degrees of difficulty. We plan to meet at a prearranged walk start point 10 minutes before the time stated in the Walks Programme to get your boots and gaiters on. Suitable clothing, footwear and packed lunches are essential. Join us to meet new friends, walk in the glorious setting of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors together with walks in the Lake District National Park. All walks are at the members’ own risk. Sorry no dogs. Walk Programmes are distributed by email. If you do not have email, please phone George Mackley to get a hard copy of the programme.

Flower Arranging (38669/indoor)

This is a hands-on, have-a-go practical course, suitable for all skill levels from complete novice to experienced arranger. The session format consists of each member doing their own arrangement, a break for refreshments, each member explaining the ideas and process that informed their arrangement, a discussion about the next technical aspect. My principal aim is to provide a supportive environment in which we can develop skills and creativity together. Members source their own materials, from their garden, foraging or shop.

Walk to Lunch (38707/walking)

We offer morning walks of around 5 miles followed by lunch in a pub or tearoom - some summer walks are on a 'bring a picnic' basis. A regular commitment to walks and access to e mail are essential. Members must be able to walk at a good pace and manage hills and stiles. Meeting points and pub menus are circulated by email – members must commit to walks in advance as we need to pre-book meals. Additional costs: Lunches. Soup or sandwich from £7, main meals from £10. Transport to walks - we encourage car sharing where practical

Politics Discussion Group (39075/science)

The Discussion Group interests range over a varied list of topics, from topical issues of the day, right through to more detailed talks about constitutional issues psephology, economics and business. It is useful if members have an understanding of government and politics.

Summer Programme 2022 - AA (44065/)

Civic Grandeur - This talk looks at the development of municipal architecture from its mediaeval origins, through the great age of Victorian and Edwardian town halls, to its decline in the late 20th century.

Summer Programme 2022 - AB (44164/)

Sir Joseph Banks:was a naturalist who made his name through his part in an expedition to Newfoundland and Labrador in 1766 following which he was invited to join James Cook’s first Pacific voyage on Endeavour. He was elected President of the Royal Society and advised King George III on the establishment of Kew Gardens.

Summer Programme 2022 - AC (44165/)

William Blake -Prophet, poet and painter; radical counter-cultural visionary. Largely unrecognised during his lifetime, but now, a regular luminary in contemporary culture, whether in video games, novels, sporting events or political rallies; horror films, fashion design or the Women’s Institute. William died 200 years ago, but still haunts and inspires the 21st century. An extraordinary genius.

Summer Programme 2022 - AD (44374/)

“The railways will allow lower classes to travel about”. Everyday life in Victorian Britain: The Victorians were noted for their self-confidence, ambition and inventiveness and enormous progress was made in many areas. Everyday life was rarely easy however and this progress sometimes came at a cost. This session will explore some of the highs and lows of his era and their impact on working people.

Summer Programme 2022 - BA (44377/)

Exploring John Ruskin, art critic, advocate of JMW Turner and the pre-Raphaelites, writer on architecture, geology, drawing, social reformer, and environmentalist. Now eclipsed by the scandal of his marriage, we will examine his life, ideas, and their relevance today

Summer Programme 2022 - BB (44378/)

Alexander Bogdanov revolutionary and visionary: The Russian polymath Alexander Bogdanov vied with Lenin for leadership of the Bolsheviks before the 1917 Revolution. He founded Systems Theory, (only acknowledged 50 years later), wrote two prophetic science fiction novels and experimented with blood transfusion for rejuvenation. His life covers three revolutions, the downfall of the Russian aristocracy, World War 1 and the birth of the Soviet Union.

Summer Programme 2022 - BC (44380/)

From groats to testoons: this is a story of English medieval silver coinage, using photographs and examples of coins linked to major dynastic changes. I will also discuss the origin of the Plantagenets, some of the background to the Wars of the Roses and explain how the Tudor era came into being.

Summer Programme 2022 - BD (44382/)

Why does a Japanese house look like a Japanese house? Traditional houses are distinctive to their country or region. You wouldn’t mistake a Japanese house for, say, a Swiss chalet or a Mexican adobe brick house. But why not? Come and find out how the geography of Japan shaped the look of its traditional houses

Summer Programme 2022 - BE (44383/)

Patrick Heron and the St Ives School of Painting’: The life and works of Leeds born painter, writer and art critic will be illustrated. His development will be traced from a 14-year-old making designs for his father's silk works to becoming a vital member of the St Ives School of Painting and a major figure in British abstract painting.

Summer Programme 2022 - BF (44384/)

When Medicine met Art: In 1543 an extraordinary work of Anatomy, known as the “Fabrica”, combined detailed anatomical study with artistic skills in presentation, and the new technology of printing. This talk will present this 16th century “best seller”, its rival from Da Vinci, and artistic representations in medicine until the 20th century. The talk includes medical images.

Summer Programme 2022 - AE (44391/)

What happens to the stuff we throw? - This talk covers how the UK deals with rubbish disposal, focussing particularly on North Yorkshire with its new incinerator at Allerton Park. How successful is recycling in reality, what is the future for energy derived from rubbish, and how can we reduce the amount of waste through our personal choices? away?

Hey, nonny no! Madrigals (46048/music)

The English madrigal, which flourished briefly in the latter part of the reign of Elizabeth I, is arguably our first indigenous contribution to European secular music. These part-songs with their witty lyrics and ingenious word painting are still sung today and can be listened to with enjoyment. Yet their origins lie in Italy and with the beginnings of the baroque. We shall look at the history and development of the madrigal and at the composers who wrote them, listen to recorded musical illustrations and, if the group wishes, attempt to sing them as well. Photocopies of the notes and music will be available at cost.

Walking Group (46504/walking)

We offer a sequence of short (5-7 miles), medium (8-9 miles) and long (10+ miles) with various degrees of difficulty. We plan to meet at a prearranged walk start point 10 minutes before the time stated in the Walks Programme to get your boots and gaiters on. Suitable clothing, footwear and packed lunches are essential. Join us to meet new friends, walk in the glorious setting of the Yorkshire Dales and Moors together with walks in the Lake District National Park. All walks are at the members’ own risk. Sorry no dogs. Walk Programmes are distributed by email. If you do not have email, please phone George Mackley to get a hard copy of the programme.