Retired, unwaged or part-time working people are being invited to find out more about activities on offer by Ilkley and District University of the Third Age (U3A).

Set up to provide life-enhancing and life-changing opportunities for retired and semi-retired people, the organisation is offering a chance to learn a new hobby, skill or to socialise.

A total of 90 activities are organised in the Ilkley area, with something for young and old, active or less active, indoors and outdoors.

Members’ groups range from the more leisurely, such as digital photography, cooking to inspire, and listening to music, to the more active such as all levels of walking, tai chi, and racketball.

No previous experience is necessary, just a will to take part, enjoy what’s on offer and be prepared to have some fun.

Organisers also say U3A is a great way to meet new people and make friends.

Although the organisation is called the Ilkley and District U3A, it is open to anyone from a wide area around Ilkley who is no longer in full-time employment.

Current members come from other towns and villages including Keighley, Bingley, Otley, Menston, Skipton, Horsforth, Burley, Addingham and Silsden.

New U3A groups are always springing up as members are encouraged to share their passions and take it in turn to organise meetings.

Organiser of the Northern Towns group, Jean Smith, said: “I love the fact that members are so willing to share the workload. The organisation never becomes too onerous because so many people are prepared, and seem to expect, to help.”

One of the new groups looking for members is Art for Fun, which gets together on Tuesday mornings to paint, draw and sketch.

Some classes, such as the circle dancing group, have become so popular they have now overflowed into a second group. The new circle dancing group is open to new members.

Ilkley and District U3A members are also invited along to the monthly talk and social event at the Clarke Foley Centre on the third Saturday morning of the month.

At the next talk on Saturday Pam Rae is talking about her new book, Turtle at Mr Humbles.

Visit ilkleyu3a.org for details.