U3A: The next monthly meeting of the Ilkley and District U3A will be on Saturday, March 16, in the Clarke Foley Centre, Ilkley. Members will gather from about 10am to enjoy a sociable drink and the opportunity to meet other members and especially to welcome anyone new to our group. From about 10.45am, we will have an entertainment of ballads and folk songs presented by our own Singing Together group. For any retired persons interested in their local U3A and what it can offer to help you to have an enjoyable and fulfilling retirement, we hold ‘Drop-In’ sessions on the first Friday of each month from 10.30am to noon at the KIVCA offices on Riddings Road, Ilkley. If anyone would like further information, check ilkleyu3a.org, phone (01943) 465059 or e-mail info@ ilkleyu3a.org.

CAMERA CLUB: On Friday, we welcomed two of the country’s leading photographers to the club to give a presentation of their work. During the evening we were shown prints from Bob Whelans FRPS MPAGB and Anne Greiner MPAGB who had travelled down from Dumfries. Their work was modestly entitled ‘Holiday snaps and other stuff’. This transpired to be a photographic journey to Turkey and Georgia capturing the images of the people, where they worked and where they lived. The next meeting of the club is tomorrow when there will be colour print competition and an audio visual competition at 7.30pm at Church House. Visitors and new members are always welcome.

BAPTIST CHURCH: At the recent annual general meeting of the church, Margaret Illingworth was re-elected as church secretary and Lex Morgan appointed church treasurer. Both were elected to the diaconate, as were Patricia Harris and Philip Thompson. Graham Sunderland gave his last report after such a lengthy and effective time as church treasurer. Both services on Sunday were conducted by one of our deacons, Paul Chapman. The lessons were read by Dr Morgan-Wynne. The speaker at this week’s women’s meeting is one of our deacons, Eric Tomlinson.

OLICANA BRIDGE CLUB: On Monday, February 25, 15 tables, N/S Judith Biles & Pat Warnett; E/W Roger Lott & Janet Leach. Tuesday, February 26, Sue Pell & Jill Buchanan 11 tables, winning team John Cole & Carole Kelly. Wednesday, February 27 (no fear improvers), 12 tables, N/S Tony Watson & Steve Clifford; E/W Anne Shand & Angela Bottomley. Wednesday, February 27 (evening), five tables, winners Sue & Howard Bell, runners-up Stuart & Margaret Edwardson. Thursday, February 28, 14 tables, N/S Pat Warnett & Peter Speller; E/W John Williams & Keith Brown. Friday, March 1, six tables, winners Marjorie Gill & Joan Firth, runners-up Jean Beever & Pat Baker. Saturday, March 2, charity Swiss pairs, nine tables, winners Lynda Yates & Judith Biles, runners-up Ann & John McKenzie.

BLUE RIBBON LUNCHEON CLUB: Unfortunately, our scheduled speaker Pat Osborne was unable to attend the meeting on Monday but Kate Brown from Ilkley in Bloom stepped in and showed us slides and talked of the work undertaken by the Ilkley in Bloom team around the town. The next meeting is on Monday, April 8, when Andrew Quarrie will speak on Life on the Ocean Waves. If you would like to join, call the membership secretary on (01943) 608234.

GARDENERS’ ASSOCIATION: Tonight’s meeting will be remembered for one of our favourite speakers, Alan Wilson, from Otley. He will be bringing us an interesting and amusing description of Spain’s Hidden Gems. This is the first meeting of our 2013 season and it is also our Annual General Meeting. It will be followed by an hour or so of fun from Alan. After the meeting there will be a raffle. Admission is £1 for members or £2 for non-members or guests. Doors open from 7.20pm for 7.45pm at the Church House Hall. The stores at the sheds on the Leeds Road allotment site open again on Sunday at 10am until noon and every week until June.

BUSINESS FORUM: The next meeting will be on Wednesday at The Ilkley Moor Vaults, Stockeld Road, or ‘The Taps’ as they are nicknamed, our new venue for a couple of months. The main speaker will be Councillor Dale Smith, the Lord Mayor of Bradford, who is a passionate supporter of local businesses. There will be presentations by two local firms about their wares and finally 15 Minutes of Happiness, The Secret to Better Work – wouldn’t you like to know what it is...? Come and see. The meeting starts at 5.45pm and finishes at 7.45. Everyone welcome from any business in LS29. Free for members and first time visitors, £5 otherwise, but worth every penny.

MACMILLAN CANCER SUPPORT: At the recent Ladies Luncheon Club meeting the speaker was David Lee, a retired commissioner for the ITC, who had worked within independent radio and television channels as a TV watchdog. The talk was both interesting and amusing and we heard stories about many of the well-known personalities who David had come into contact with during his career. Our next luncheon club will be held on Wednesday, March 20, at the Craiglands Hotel. Our speaker will be Denise Griffiths, an image consultant. For details, contact Mary on (01943) 601039 or Janet on (01943) 816368.