Thursday – Groups

Adventure into Classical Music (62341/Performing Arts)

Do you enjoy listening to classical music but wish you knew more of it and more about it? This group aims to cater for you - we shall listen to all sorts of music - often starting from something familiar and then exploring pieces that relate to it, always accompanied by some explanation or story which sheds new light or asks an intriguing question. There will also be a strand of discovery in each meeting - for this course presentation we shall look at the development of the symphony through the ages.

Badminton (62343/Indoor Fun, Games and Fitness)

Played on 4 marked courts as per Badminton England guidelines. Clothing as for indoor sports with non-marking shoes. A reasonable level of fitness is required. Game details: doubles. 2 games played to 11 points with 2 points clear. Players will rotate between all 4 courts depending on numbers and availability. Short waits may happen at busy times. Court fees: £4 per session payable by bank transfer. No further fees will apply.

Bridge Play (62346/Indoor Fun, Games and Fitness)

Craven u3a play Duplicate Bridge at Draughton Village Hall on Thursday afternoons between the dates shown in the calendar. A friendly group which welcomes all, from the area round Skipton, who have played a bit of bridge. There is a charge of £1 for the year to cover the cost of cards and travellers.

Calligraphy (62348/Creative Arts & Crafts)

The calligraphy group is a small friendly group, which meets in Skipton, fortnightly from 17th October 2024 to 13th March 2025. The members have a range of skills and levels of experience. We would welcome experienced calligraphers and beginners. We don’t have a tutor but existing members will act as mentors to beginners. New members will be provided with equipment, books and guidance to get started. Practising beautiful handwriting is mindful and relaxing. You might want to learn different scripts or produce works of art. If you are unsure whether it would suit you, feel free to try it for a few weeks.

Coastal Navigation (62892/71126)

The objective of this course is to give you basic information on Navigating at sea to enable you, after a sailing course, to crew a yacht. The course will cover: fixing your position at sea, the effect of wind and tide on your course, planning a ‘passage’.

Films on Thursdays Autumn (62356/World Languages and Cinema)

Films on Thursday afternoons' with English sub-titles.Films on Thursday afternoons is a ten week, very welcoming, drop-in Film Club. Come when you can. In this autumn course most films are British with English sub-titles. There is time to meet people and make friends. New Members are welcome at any time. We are lucky to have the use of Champions Hall, Carleton Road, Skipton, which is comfortable, warm, and has good projection. These titles will give you a flavour of the course: The Courier. A Late Quartet. The Man Between. The Hundred Foot Journey. The Boy with the Topknot. The Post. Snow Falling on Cedars. The Grapes of Wrath. The Europeans. A Month in the Country. Do join us.

Films on Thursdays Spring (62357/World Languages and Cinema)

Films on Thursday afternoons in Spring 2025 all have English sub-titles. These titles will give you some idea of what is offered in this relaxed and friendly film club.The films this spring have been chosen by club members. An Affair to Remember. Breakfast at Tiffany's. 84 Charing Cross Road. Cider with Rosie. The Enchanted April. The Garden of the Finzi Contini, The River. Stella Days. The English Man Who Went Up a Hill and Came Down a Mountain. The Heat of the Day.

Floral Art (62358/Creative Arts & Crafts)

Floral Art provides an opportunity to experiment with using flowers, foliage and natural materials to interpret titles. With an occasional class focused on traditional flower arranging techniques, most sessions encourage modern creativity and individuality. We are a supportive, friendly group with much sharing of ideas and materials. It is a practical class, sourcing your own flowers and containers and ‘having a go’, learning with and from each other. It is not a demonstration. No prior experience or knowledge is needed; the principal aim is to enjoy using flowers creatively.

French resumed - basic level (62316/World Languages and Cinema)

We began learning French from scratch last year, so this year we will revise that material and then continue from where we left off. The emphasis is on spoken French, being equipped to understand what is said and speak confidently. You are welcome to join this relaxed group if you studied French a little in school decades ago!

Mah Jong (62377/Indoor Fun, Games and Fitness)

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!!

Politics Discussion Group (62325/People and Places)

The Politics discussion group meets weekly to discuss current political events as well as to consider ongoing issues, the underlying background to political decisions and the processes of government (in the UK and elsewhere) in general. Group members will bring to bear their wide-ranging experience(s), reading and viewing to try to get a better understanding of what’s going on and where it might lead. Occasionally one of the group may offer a more formal input to inform and focus our discussions. The group is not intended to be a forum for political knock-about from entrenched positions, (although members will clearly have, and express, their own views), but rather an educational experience from which we emerge having learned something new or questioning our previous assumptions.

Walk to Lunch (62339/Out and About)

We offer morning walks of up to 5 miles followed by a pub/café lunch. Please note that a regular commitment to walks is required and pre-booking for walks/lunches is essential. Members must be fit to walk at a good pace and manage hills and stiles. Meeting points and pub menus are circulated by email a week before each walk. You’ll need boots, waterproofs, email access and (sometimes) a sense of adventure !!

Walking Group (62395/Out and About)

Walks of varying difficulty between 6 and 12 miles every Tuesday and Thursday. Occasional residential walking breaks