Summer 2019

ILKLEYILKLEY & DISTRICT & DISTRICT Issue 5 News and views from across & District U3A

Graphic: Karolina Madej Graphic: Our U3A at your fingertips

by Stuart Campbell Our revamped website Web, putting each one of us in reach, via has extra features to the internet, of a veritable cornucopia of Love it or loathe it, information technology knowledge from right across the globe. is going to play an increasingly important interest all members The nerve centre of many companies back part in our U3A. in those days was a slightly forbidding air- of the barcode which speeded up our conditioned computer room, off-limits to This can be a difficult concept to sell to a shopping experience. Today, we rarely give all but specialist staff, containing rows of significant proportion of our members. You a thought to the ubiquitous barcode which huge grey cabinets, whirring away quietly. may fear you have been left behind by the pervades so much of modern life. Today, we hold in the palm of our hands breathtaking rate of change in the IT world Bulky desktop computers with their considerably more computing power than over the past 50 years, but it is never too clunky daisywheel printers made their all those cabinets put together in the form late to take advantage of the many benefits appearance a few years later, bringing the of smart phones, which allow us to do IT brings us. internet into our lives with a growing range everything a desktop computer does and Take one everyday example – your of messaging systems such as email, Skype, even make telephone calls! supermarket shop. Do you remember the etc. that today we take largely for granted. long checkout queues as the assistants Then, exactly 40 years ago, the visionary Knowledge manually accounted for each of your items? Tim Berners-Lee delivered a quantum Information technology is now the Until the early 70s, that is, with the arrival leap forward by inventing the World Wide main way we keep our huge and diverse membership informed, via emailed News Flashes and our comprehensive website. Ensuring technology meets our needs Both require the dedicated attention of a small team of volunteers who spend many The IT team is constantly working website, with the help of Jackie Green, hours ensuring they are as attractive and to ensure the website and all our and ensuring these and the printed user-friendly as possible. information technology serve us programme coincide. To make their efforts worthwhile, it is well. “The membership benefits from having important that members view our website Webmaster Paul Dobbin, who co- accurate details of each available group ordinates the volunteers who work on so they can choose which is of specific as an increasingly important feature of all aspects of IT for us, told The Eye: interest to them,” said Eric. Ilkley & District U3A, visiting it on a “I am here to help anyone who is using “I am also looking at the possible role regular basis for important information the web software and also to maintain of social media for Ilkley & District and knowledge and to keep in touch with the existing website by creating new U3A in the future.” what other groups are doing. pages and updating existing ones. Roger Sadgrove is responsible for You can also play an important part in We are trying to keep the website almost everything that appears improving the efficient administration of interesting by adding features as under the Events tab on the website, our large and growing membership by well as providing important U3A plus events input into the Summer embracing paperless transactions. information for new and existing Programme, including online booking members.” arrangements. ● Continued on page 3 In support is Eric Craigie, whose “I maintain the groups once Eric has set principal role is them up,” said Roger, “keeping up with updating group a year-round trickle of changes fed by descriptions on the group leaders.”

Anne is celebrating competition success – read her winning short story on page 2

Photo: Marekullasz Enthusiasm and teamwork is the key to our success

2 - The Eye, Summer 2019

Anne’s delight as her story wows our competition judges Her entry shone out as the winner in Technology and Hike To Lunch, was our short story competition – but victory presented with her prize, a £25 voucher came as a complete shock to Anne for The Grove Bookshop, by our chair, Hodgson. Sue Butler. “I never thought I would win,” she said. There was a tremendous response to the “It’s a wonderful surprise. I just hope short story competition and the judges U3A members enjoy reading it.” thanked everyone who took time to Anne’s entry, called The Playmate, was enter. The standard was extremely high the unanimous choice of our judges, and it was a real pleasure reading so who praised its imaginative subject, use many entertaining stories. of evocative language and unusual twist. The success of that competition has Anne, a long-time U3A member, is a Winning writer, Anne Hodgson, is presented led us now to launch a new writing retired field studies teacher. She wrote with her prize by chair, Sue Butler challenge – this time for a poem. See The Playmate after a book club to which below for full details. surplus to requirements, and showed it she belongs read a series of short stories • Listen to Anne reading by a well-known author. to my sons. her winning story in a “I wasn’t impressed and thought I’d “When the competition was launched I special feature on our give it a go to do better,” she said. “The thought, why not send it in?” website. See our article Playmate was the result. I read and re- Anne, a member of several U3A groups “Website extras” on page 3 to find out how. read it, taking out any words I thought including Art Appreciation, Science &

can hear them coming, laughing and shouting and I swirl to meet them tickling their toes and patting their The Playmate ankles. They run shrieking to greet me, teasing ‘catch me’, calling and running, Iand I try to catch up while they jump in and out. They pat me gently and kick me into bubbles. I gurgle with delight. I share my treasures, look here’s a shell and waving wrack, a darting fish, see they’re for you. They collect me in buckets and try to keep me in holes but I pour away. They dig canals and moats but I slip away from them. Come nearer to catch me. Come see, just there, that little pink shell, that floating weed, another step. See I am hiding between the rocks, in the channel, can you find me? Look I’m here and now I’ve slipped backwards, come try to catch me again. But these little ones are watched. Not too by Anne Hodgson Photo: istock Photo: far out now, it’s getting too deep, time to come back. And they sit together wrapped hear sounds. I watch as fingers move the to play. How you twist and turn but I keep warm and watch me as I crest and roll for pictures around, how easy it is to slide into you, your perfect playmate. them. See how lovely I am, how kind, how them, become one too. Now I hear calling and shouting, people benign, the perfect playmate. The fingers slip into my cool water as it running, boats racing. Noise and con- There’s another, older one, sitting apart laps against them. A little more now, come fusion . . . from the others, not watching me but a little further, let me take you deeper. See Later someone picks the screen from the looking at a small screen. I let the sun pick how easy it is to ebb away. Let me hold you rocks and wipes the salt from it. A wave me up and breathe me on to it. I see shapes, and wind the weeds round as the fish come swirls across, ebbs and dies. Poets, your words could win you a prize The short story competition has shown communications team and the winner just what a talented bunch of writers will receive a £25 book token. The we have in our U3A. Now we are giving successful poem will be published in the you the chance to prove your prowess next edition of The Eye. with words once again – with a poetry Entries should be sent by email to competition. [email protected] by September The competition is open to all members 30 2019. If you do not have access to and the subject matter and format can email, handwritten or typed entries may be whatever takes your fancy. Each be sent to Poetry Competition, Ilkley poem must be an original work and be & District U3A, c/o The Clarke Foley no more than 350 words. The entries Centre, Cunliffe Road, Ilkley LS9 9DZ to will be judged by members of our arrive by that date. PHOTO: ALEX ISHCHENKO

Let other members learn about your group by emailing [email protected] Enthusiasm and teamwork is the key to our success

The Eye, Summer 2019 - 3

Our cups runneth over

Every now and then, The Eye likes to turn the spotlight on the work of those members, our unsung heroes and heroines, without whom our U3A simply would not function. These members – Barbara Wells, Lorelie Fox, Bonnie Fourie, and Eileen Dockray – are one such team. These ladies churn out between 80 and 120 cups of tea and coffee, accompanied by biscuits, at the monthly Saturday talks at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley. Well done, ladies – and thank you!

Embracing new technology From page 1

Our IT team and other dedicated volunteers are making sure our systems will meet all the needs of the next generation of members for whom information technology will be a normal and essential aspect High Point, Bradford The Walkie Talkie, London Olicana House, Bradford of their lives. We want to Unloved blots on the landscape assure members concerned The Carbuncle Cup is an architectural prize whole world, not just what had been built about the security of their data given to the “ugliest building in the UK last year, and the 16 described drew plenty that we do not share your personal completed in the last 12 months,” writes of comment. information with any other Architecture Appreciation Group leader Bruce We were shown buildings in , organisations. Speed. Bradford, and Ilkley and a As Canute found when he got his feet The cup, given annually by Building development of 732 Disney-like properties wet, we cannot hold back the tide of Design magazine, is the award nobody in Turkey built in 2007 and still unoccupied. IT progress, but must embrace and wants to receive. The Prince of Wales used We also learned some interesting facts. refine it to be a welcome adjunct to the term carbuncle about the winning design Did you know that the Walkie Talkie in our lives in the 21st century. for the extension to the National Gallery by London, which won the Carbuncle Cup in Ahrends, Burton & Koralek, saying: “What 2015, was intended to be 40 meters taller? Website extras is proposed is like a monstrous carbuncle Or that Wells Court was also intended to be As you read this edition of The Eye, on the face of a much-loved friend.” several storeys higher than it is? you will come across a few articles The Building Design winner in 2018 was with a small smiley-face graphic the town centre regeneration in Stockport, (shown below). This indicates there selected from a shortlist of developments is additional content available and individual buildings, including 20 when read on our website. So, for Ambleside Avenue, London, by Pace Jefford instance, you can hear the winner of Moore Architects, described as looking the short story competition read her more like an electricity substation than a entry or watch a video of the visit to home; and 69 Highgate Street, London, Parliament. which was waved through on appeal by the If you already use our website, just same planning inspector who approved the sign in as usual, look for news, find 2013 Carbuncle Cup winner. this edition of The So there is a rich seam out there which Eye and select or group members tapped for our equally Photo: ONICKZARTWORKS click anywhere on light-hearted attempt to find buildings and The Kunsthaus, Graz the article. developments that offended our artistic Members with a sensibilities. From a show of hands, High Point, smart phone or tablet can open the We were permitted to select from the Bradford, came second and the Walkie camera on their device and point it at Talkie, London and Olicana House, the QR symbol in the top left hand Wells Court, Bradford, equal third. First place was corner of the front page. This will take Ilkley, was awarded to Kunsthaus, Graz, by Peter you to the website page where this originally Cook and Colin Fournier, described as like and previous issues of The Eye can intended to be a blue submarine that has been smuggled be found. Open this edition of The several storeys ashore. Eye (Summer 2019) and select or click higher Next year members will select their most anywhere within the article. beautiful building.

Tell us what you think of The Eye at [email protected] 4 - The Eye, Summer 2019

Performances to be proud of Busy but rewarding – Since 2017, thanks to a link between Leeds Beckett University and our U3A, the life of a new trustee members have taken part in Cinage live – a performance group for people Steve Moorcraft tells us what being a member, and now over the age of 65. They have collectively produced a trustee, of Ilkley & District U3A has been like for him scripts about what it is like to be over 60 in the UK at present and have I retired at the end of May 2017 and joined performed in Leeds, Liverpool and at the U3A soon after. I had a plan about the the Edinburgh Fringe. things I wanted to do in retirement but I This year as part of the Leeds wasn’t sure how to go about it. International Festival in May they A friend had told me about U3A so I have worked with young Performing attended a drop-in session to learn more. Arts students, on inter-generational I was particularly attracted to the Wine performance. Group. Unfortunately, it was full. Ten years One of the members involved, Ann ago I took a wine course so, having a little West, said they’d had glowing reviews. experience in the subject, I decided to bite “Audiences have been moved to the bullet and agreed to start and lead a tears,” she said. “Each one of us has new wine group. developed confidence and a way of It had its first session in January 2018 expressing who we are, and who we and runs every two weeks during the year are not. So thank you, U3A, for the except over the summer. I’ve really enjoyed chance to find new horizons. Come it so far and have joined other U3A groups and check us out – you will not be since then. It’s a great way to learn more disappointed.” about your own interests and make new friends. Memories recalled I also helped out in the Summer School Steve Moorcraft says he enjoys making his Our founder member and five of the last year by leading some wine tasting contribution to the life of our U3A earliest pioneers share their memories sessions and also some sessions on basic IT in a new sound archive available to skills. every two months as a rule (sometimes members on the Ilkley & District U3A In early autumn I was asked to become more frequently) to discuss business and website. a trustee and I was formally elected at the we publish the minutes of each trustee November AGM. management meeting on our website. As a “newbie” I don’t yet have formal Informative allocated responsibilities and so, to help I really had little idea about being a understand how the charity works, I’ve trustee in a local charity like the U3A. But been helping other trustees set up groups while I was apprehensive to begin with, and with financial matters. I have also I received great support from my fellow recently joined the strategy group which is Alan Kay and Pam Rae with chair, Sue trustees. I attended a trustee management looking at our priorities over the next three Butler (centre) meeting as an observer before starting years. and also attended an induction event in All the trustees help out with the monthly You can hear Alan Kay recalling his January this year hosted by the drop-ins and Saturday talks and I have inaugural meeting at the Clarke Foley & Humber Region U3A. It proved very really enjoyed meeting new and potential Centre in Ilkley in 1997 in a series of helpful and informative and it was great to new members. interviews including Irene Booth, John meet new and more experienced colleagues Dixon, Pam Rae, Jim Butterfield and from across the region. Contribution Ann Johnson, all still active in the U3A We have nine trustees, all with varying I also organised the annual Thank You today. backgrounds, work experience and skill Supper for the group leaders, co-ordinators Simply log into the sets. This helps enormously with the and volunteers who help to make our U3A Home page and different roles and responsibilities within a great success. click on ”Founder the charity as the management is divided As you can see, I’ve been busy since Interviews” to hear between the trustees. While some roles becoming a trustee but not so busy that it how it all began. involve formal responsibilities like the has taken over my life. I still find time to be • You can also scan the QR code on chair, treasurer and secretary, others involve with family and pursue my own interests page 1 to access the recordings. Read managing the website and the membership, within and outside the U3A. our article “Website extras” on page 3 setting up groups, overseeing social and U3A is a great organisation for helping to find out more. caring responsibilities in the community people to pursue and develop their interest and our channels of communication. and to make new friends. I’ve really enjoyed Essence of U3A There are the annual and summer my small contribution to the organisation A man in his 80s, who joined Voyagers programmes of events to work out and, as and the community so far. I wouldn’t just this year, was heard to say: “What a charity, we also have to abide by the rules hesitate in recommending the role of a great outing – I’ve learned so many of the Charity Commission and ensure that trustee to anybody willing to commit some things today that I never knew.” our policies meet its requirements. We meet of their spare time to helping others.

Keep members informed of your group’s activities by emailing [email protected] The Eye, Summer 2019 - 5

Recognise this? The Shed Group is just the job You might have driven by this numerous times without really seeing it. And even if you did Thinking of repairing that wonky notice it, you might not have known what on chair but haven’t got the right tools? earth it was. Then our new Shed Group may be just We thought it would make an interesting item the answer for you. to get you thinking. And for those of you baffled Its members have workbench space by the photo, you can find the answer on page 7. to spare at their workshop in Railway If you have any ideas for future Recognise this? Road, Ilkley, with a useful range of features in The Eye, please email woodworking tools. [email protected] For more ambitious projects, a table We’d love to hear from you! saw, router, lathe and drills are available, all under the expert eye of the workshop manager who is always on hand to provide help and support. Mastering mahjong Examples of the group’s prowess are two scoreboards made to help our What do you think of when someone says consecutive numbers) is a “chow”, a set of Boules Group keep score, and much “mahjong”? writes Helen Stevens. A fast- three identical tiles is a “pung” and a set of appreciated by the players this season. paced game played in China? A set of four is a “kong”. Players (three or four in The Shed Group sessions are held on beautiful tiles? A game of solitaire you can each game) take turns to pick a tile from Thursdays and Fridays from 9.30am to play online? either the wall or the discard pile, and then midday and from 1pm to 3.30pm and For me it was all these things. And when throw a tile away. each costs £5 including refreshments. I was given a beautiful mahjong set for The winner is the player who collects a A sociable tea break allows members Christmas, I decided it was time to learn combination of chows, pungs and kongs, to review individual progress and the game. plus a pair. This is a “basic hand”. develop new ideas. You can attend as The Mahjong There are also many sessions as you need. Group meets at “special hands” To find out more, why not drop in for a St John’s Church, in which different coffee and a chat or email Ben Rhydding, on combinations of tiles [email protected] Thursdays from 2pm are permitted. to 4pm. From my Although the first visit – in January official mahjong this year – I was rules include made very welcome a complicated and was reassured scoring system, we that I would pick up don’t keep score the game in no time, despite the fact that I at the group. The winner of each game is had no idea how to play. simply the person who collects one of the During my first session, Pat, one of the permitted tile combinations and can thus group leaders, played my rack of tiles call “mahjong”! with me and showed me the ropes. By the I’d encourage anyone interested in second session I was able to play with my learning mahjong, or who’s played before own rack of tiles, and I now feel I have a and wants to pick it up again, to join us. good grasp of the game. I’m certainly looking forward to many Mahjong is based on a similar idea to the more afternoons of friendly competition, card game rummy, in which players collect deep concentration and clicking tiles – plus The Shed Group organiser Steve Walker sets or runs in the same suit. In mahjong, the challenge of mastering more of those with one of two scoreboards created for a run (three tiles of the same suit and “special hands”. the Boules Group

Twenty-four members visited the Brexit debate and members Parliamentary privilege Houses of Parliament following were privileged to sit in both the an invitation from Ilkley MP Commons and the Lords to hear John Grogan. several MPs and peers deliver They travelled by train and their for or against arguments. underground to Westminster, Afterwards the group enjoyed a where after airport-type security drink on the terrace, making the checks they were allowed into the most of that spectacular view of beautiful building. the River Thames. Mr Grogan met the group • Watch a video of the visit – personally and after the see article “Website customary photo shoot led them extras” on page into the inner sanctums. 3 to find out The visit coincided with a crucial how.

If you’d like your group to be our website “Group of the Month” email [email protected] 6 - The Eye, Summer 2019

Protecting our Summit number 25 for fell walkers wonderful wildlife The Fell Walking Group ascended Water Crag, one of There was a full audience for a the more remote of Yorkshire’s WestNet event on ’s 2,000ft summits, in April. Operation Owl. Members were keen No-one can agree on the number to find out more about the work of of 2,000ft summits in Yorkshire the RSPB and North Yorkshire Police – should those transferred in preventing rural crime, especially on April 1 1974 to County against wildlife and raptors in Durham be included, or those in particular. Cumbria but within the recently In addition to the beautiful extended boundary of the Dales photography of wildlife, the audience National Park? Fell Walking at the Clarke Foley Centre in Ilkley Group members, being strict was shown some very disturbing From left, Julie Stober, Phil Forth, Gill Fox, “traditionalists”, follow the pre- images of the results of criminal Stan Robinson, Mike Pilling and Gordon Coventry 1974 list of 36 hills, and to date activities persecuting such stunning at the summit trig point. Photo: Alan Kay have ascended 25 of them. creatures. Members were impressed by the lengths police will go to to pursue criminals through the justice system Working together to spotlight and were given advice about what to look out for when on countryside walks. growing threats to our world Hopefully, such advice will help In August last year, 15-year-old Greta the Environment Forum. people stay on the lookout for Thunberg sat outside the Swedish At our April meeting, one of our evidence of illegal trapping, Parliament building with a hand-written members, Geoff Howard, updated us on poisoning, shooting and so on. poster, writes Dr Gwen Pilling, of Ilkley & progress in the Global Biodiversity project. With five U3As and a number of District U3A Environment Forum. This is a vast undertaking to monitor how conservation organisations present Greta went on to inspire climate protest the populations of known species are at the talk, their message really came strikes in schools in many countries. (You changing. The results so far show that most across to a very supportive audience. can watch a moving talk she populations are either declining ANGIE GRAIN gave in November by typing her or staying the same: relatively Enjoying name and “TED talk” into your few are increasing. browser). Her continued actions The causes of decreasing la dolce vita contributed to the Extinction biodiversity are varied and Delizioso! The new Italian Nights Rebellion protests in London complex, though climate change Group has got off to a mouth-watering over the Easter weekend. plays an important part, as do start since it was set up at the end of Extinction Rebellion is a changes in land use and farming last year. socio-political movement which methods. Every month, members have been uses non-violent resistance to At our meeting in March, tucking into their meals with gusto at avert climate breakdown, halt another member, Peter Riley, Italian restaurants in the area. biodiversity loss, and minimise the risk of described how he has been monitoring They’ve enjoyed sampling restaurants human extinction and ecological collapse. bird populations weekly in the Washburn they haven’t been to before and also You may have watched Sir David Valley since 1995 and has noted significant returning to some old favourites. It Attenborough’s “call to arms” programme changes. has proved a great way to meet people recently on BBC1. Together these events The protests in London and elsewhere and enjoy a relaxing evening chatting have raised awareness of these issues in the are calling for committed action from with new friends. media and among the public in general. governments, which is urgently needed, The venue is chosen each month Climate change and loss of biodiversity but there are also things that we can do to by an individual group member, are topics that have occupied us this year in help mitigate the problems. spreading the organisational load. If you fancy setting up a similar group – a curry night, perhaps? – contact our Think energy, think waste groups co-ordinator Mary Podesta. We can all reduce our energy consumption We can reduce the amount of meat in in the home with proper insulation, cutting our diets and shop wisely – look for food Summer treats unnecessary heating and lighting, reducing produced in this country and not flown This year’s Summer Programme the use of electrical appliances, such as across the world. has a wonderful variety of activities tumble driers,where possible and sensible, The Environment Forum is not a and events. The theme in this 200th and using an energy supplier offering 100 campaigning group. Our aim is to inform anniversary year of the eponymous per cent renewable electricity. and educate each other. But there are local queen’s birth is the Victorian era and We need to think about how we travel. For campaigning groups that you could join, we start and finish with two major example, is a car journey always necessary such as the recently-formed Climate Action events – a Victorian Era Study Day on and do we have to make so many, or even Ilkley, by emailing climateactionilkley@ June 5 and a Victorian Music Hall on any, trips by air? When buying a new car, gmail.com or Wharfedale Tackles Plastic, August 25. Full details on our website. why not consider buying an electric or via Facebook. plug-in hybrid? GWEN PILLING

Our website www.ilkleydistrictu3a.wildapricot.org has full details of upcoming talks and drop-ins The Eye, Summer 2019 - 7

Everyone wins with our Making most of new equipment Reading in Schools project The latest addition to our equipment store is a portable projector stand and a self-standing projector screen. by Alison McCloy While many venues provide these facilities, some do not and it is hoped Everyone – schools, volunteers and the purchase will provide flexibility especially the pupils – benefits from the for groups to utilise a wider variety of Reading in Schools project. venues across the region. The initiative, which was set up and We have a range of equipment that mentored by U3A member Geoff Howard, groups can borrow including digital is now in its second year and running well projectors, laptops and speaker in seven Wharfe Valley primary schools. It systems, all of which will be familiar currently involves 14 U3A volunteers going to anyone who has attended a into the schools to help pupils with their Saturday morning talk or other U3A reading and comprehension skills. presentation. The project was approved by the trustees A variation of these projectors is in early summer 2017 via an item in the PHOTO: TIM MACPHERSON a visualiser. Imagine you have a News Flash and Geoff was asked to explore diamond ring and you want to show the possibility of a project under the questions to ask so that the children can a friend how the light reflects on the Ilkley U3A Social Responsibility initiative. have a really good conversation about the stones. Placing the ring under the Initially he looked into operating within books they are reading,” she said. camera of the visualiser enables such a the structure of a highly reputable, well- The school had noticed tangible demonstration to be given to a whole established charity already making this improvements in the reading ages of room as the image is projected on to a provision nationally. participating pupils, who had gained in large screen. Guidance independent reading ability, she said, and It is especially good for 3D artefacts welcomed the fact that the U3A volunteers such as pottery, so might prove useful However, although at least one of our were bringing a new interest and an older in demonstrating craft skills to a U3A members had already volunteered age group from the community into the whole audience. for this charity, it became clear that the school. The Art Appreciation Group has used charity had not yet established a presence Sue Bevington, one of the volunteers at the facility to project images from a in Wharfe Valley schools. As a result of a book, zooming in to highlight aspects the school, is working with three seven direct mail shot to local primary schools, of a painting rather than passing the and eight year olds from Year 3. She was there were positive responses from four: book between all the members. attracted to the scheme because she enjoys Ashlands and Sacred Heart in Ilkley, Burley Steve Crossley-Smith looks after the helping the children and feels that she is Woodhead and . U3A store of equipment. giving something back. In January last year the first volunteers If you need further information on the started in these schools. By the Easter, Confidence kit available for use on U3A activities, Moorfield preparatory school had joined please go to our website where Steve’s and by the end of 2018 so had All Saints She thinks it is important to take a long- contact details can be found. primary. Ben Rhydding primary joined in term view because it takes time for the January 2019 with its volunteers starting children’s reading and comprehension after Easter, giving us a total of seven skills to improve. But she says it is very Otley, anyone? schools. rewarding and you can see the pupils grow Our trustees are keen to increase the To gauge how the scheme is working in confidence and ability. number of activities based in Otley. I talked to a headteacher and a volunteer Success comes in different guises. Both If you live in that part of the district, working in one of the schools. schools and volunteers agree that the please do consider setting up an Sacred Heart head Alixena Lubomski Reading in Schools project is a success for interest group there. praised the scheme. “It is a regular reading the pupils. Increased confidence in reading, Groups co-ordinator, Mary Podesta, session which is lovely, and the volunteers understanding, and in their own abilities, is is always happy to advise and the are given guidance about the sorts of a positive result for all concerned. workload never falls on just one person’s shoulders. If you have an idea for a group in Otley, or anywhere Abbey alive else within our “patch”, email her at with dancing [email protected] The two Circle Dancing groups in our U3A were well Recognise this? represented at a wonderful Our photo on page 5 shows the day of circle dancing at Selby “Nail” in Kirkgate, Silsden. It marks Abbey. The 12 dancers enjoyed Silsden’s illustrious past as a centre meeting others from all over for nail-making, which saw at its the north of , and height some 250 nail-making forges in danced to beautiful music by the town. John Rutter.

Our communications team is always willing to help publicise your group activities. Just email [email protected] 8 - The Eye, Summer 2019

Picture of a genuine gricer Never heard of a gricer? The Oxford Dictionary definition is a “fanatical railway enthusiast”, writes John Hancock. The expression dates back to a time when many a young lad – and A click back in time for members maybe a few lasses – had hours of fun spotting train numbers in post- Do these computers dating back to the failed to arrive. Their owners cannot resist war Britain using their Ian Allan 1980s and 1990s bring back memories? Well one last go at Space Invaders or Manic locomotive books to keep an accurate they did for those participating in a group Miner and the love affair starts all over record. visit by the Science & Technology (Tuesday) again. Ken Wardell used an impromptu talk Group to The British Library at Boston Spa, It was a fascinating visit that covered at a Railway Group meeting to reveal near Wetherby. digitising images of newspapers for his unusual approach to this popular This facility stores books, documents, eventual search online, the huge automated hobby. Ken used his loco spotting newspapers and much more in conjunction storage facilities and the work of the books to help track down photographs with the main library building near St document supply service. of every single locomotive that was Pancras station in London. The task was • If you have an hour or two before running on the tracks at the time of complicated enough when everything catching your train back from Kings Cross railway nationalisation on January was on the printed page. Now, however, to Leeds, it is worth popping along Euston 1 1948. That is more than 23,000 the library has a remit to archive digital Road to see the Treasures of the British different numbers to spot! content. Library, a free permanent display at the Over the years Ken has located photos And to do that, it needs a range of library’s St Pancras site. Here you can see of every single one, all carefully computers capable of retrieving the a copy of the original Magna Carta, first logged as to when and where the original material. Most of these computers editions of many classic books, the original picture was published. Well, not quite have been donated but the project leader handwritten lyrics of “Ticket to Ride”, and all. There are eight that still elude admitted that many a promised item had much more. The cafés are also first-class. him. Ken would be delighted to complete his collection. So if you have any old railway books, do have a look for the following: 44120, 49519, 49632, 49651, 52326, 52467, 65084, 5381. For anyone wondering why the last locomotive has only four digits, I am reliably informed that this locomotive was withdrawn from service in November 1948 and so was never allocated a full five-digit British Behind the scenes at the mill Railways number. In its previous existence it was LNER 7874. Not a lot If you have ever taken the road from of people know that! Otley toward Pool in Wharfedale, you will have passed the signs saying Weidmann Whiteley. But do you know what happens Railway tales beyond the boundary wall? Members of Bill Smith retired after 36 years on the the Science & Technology (Tuesday) Group railway when his signal box at Ilkley were privileged to be invited for a tour and was closed in June 1994. it proved to be a real eye-opener. Now, as an active member of Ilkley This is a paper mill which can trace & District U3A, he chose a meeting its origins on the site back more than 200 handful of paper mills in the UK equipped of the Railway Group to launch his years and still relies upon the River Wharfe to produce specialised paperboard used book, “Railways in Wharfedale: A for its essential water supply. These days, as insulation in high-powered electrical signalman’s reflections”. however, the company is pleased to report transformers and in other industrial At nearly 200 pages long and with a that the water it takes from the river is applications. multitude of photographs, it proved to recycled back to its source cleaner than More than 120 staff are employed there be a good read with plenty to interest and the products produced are used in the not only the enthusiast but anyone when extracted! who has ever caught a train at Ilkley Now part of the Swiss-owned Wicor UK and exported to a variety of customers station. Group, the facility in Pool is one of a in Europe and North America. The Railway Group has now reached 90 members and to celebrate, it ran Just who came up with Brexit? a competition on our website to win a copy of Bill’s book. Bill drew the Ever wondered how some expressions And how about Bob’s your uncle? winning name at a group meeting. came about? Go to http://bit.ly/uncleU3A The winner did not want any For example, who first used the term If you have any suggestions for snippets publicity. Brexit? on the origins of commonplace expressions • The book is available from The Grove Bookshop, Ilkley, price £12.95. You can find the answer at http://bit.ly/ do let us know by emailing brexitU3A [email protected]

Published by Ilkley & District U3A, reg charity 1070945 Printed by Jaymill Print, Skipton.