LIST  OF  SUBJECTS

AEROBICS (AE) Wednesday a.m. Low impact aerobics class. Consists of warm-up, higher intensity workout, then cool down. All activities to 1960’s/70’s music. The aim is to tone up your muscles and improve your ”feel good” factor. Please check with your doctor before joining. Wear non-slip footwear.

ANGLING (AN) Tuesday p.m. Coarse fishing and Game fishing at Whinnygill Reservoir, Beach casting from Arneside and Sandside in Cumbria, fly tying, sea rig making and use of a variety of rods. Also guest speakers and other relevant activities.

ART (MULTI-MEDIA) (AM) Wednesday a.m. Exploring the possibilities of Multi-Media Art. Offering Painting, Textiles, Felt and Paper Making.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE (A1) Wednesday a.m. Autumn Term A ten-week follow-up to the Art History course concentrating on British architecture and art in the 19th century and more generally in the 20th century.

ART AND ARCHITECTURE (A2) Wednesday a.m. Spring Term As above

ART HISTORY (AH) Tuesday a.m. Western Art from the Ancient Greeks to the 19th Century covering painting, sculpture and architecture in their historical context.

BIRDWATCHING (BW) Monday a.m. A course for all those interested in bird watching, illustrated with DVD’s, videos, digital images and birdsong recordings. Easy free parking at venue; transport by arrangement. Outdoor field trips by coach and car take place on alternate Mondays.

BRIDGE (Beginners) (BB) Wednesday a.m. A 10-week introductory course to prepare new players for the Thursday afternoon Improvers’ class.

BRIDGE (Improvers) (BR) Thursday p.m.. For those who have played Bridge, and those who want to practise and improve their game. We will play duplicate bridge with comments on the bidding or the play if time permits.

CALLIGRAPHY (continuation) (CY) Thursday a.m. Studying a selection of scripts from the Medieval period, Illumination and the Decorated Letter.

CAPTAIN COOK (CC) Friday a.m. A 10 week course exploring the life, voyages and achievements of Captain James Cook, with particular reference to his early life and the First Voyage of 1768-1771. A weekend visit to Cook sites in North Yorkshire will be an optional feature.

CHOIR (CH) Wednesday p.m. We are a mixed choir who enjoy singing together and making a good noise. We present a variety of music, anthems, part-songs and more popular pieces, to friendly audiences at our end of term concerts.

COASTAL NAVIGATION (CN) Thursday a.m. An introduction to coastal navigation with some seamanship added (knots, rigging, sail trimming, reefing, anchoring). It will also enable you to become competent enough to be able to help crew a yacht and join other U3A members on a sailing holiday if you want to.

COMPUTING FOR BEGINNERS (C1) Wednesday p.m. Autumn term only. No prior knowledge of computing is required. The course includes Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Desktop Publishing, File Management and Internet. It is recommended that those enrolling for this course also enrol for the follow-on class ‘CONTINUING COMPUTING’, which starts in the Spring Term.

CONTINUING COMPUTING (C2) Wednesday p.m. Spring term only. Follows on from the beginners’ course, but is also suitable for those already familiar with computers and wanting to learn more. The course includes further skills in Word Processing (tables, labels, text boxes, drawing tools etc.) Spreadsheets, File Management and Internet. New topics will include PowerPoint Presentations.

DALES SINFONIA (DS) Wednesday p.m. This is a group dedicated to the enjoyment of playing instrumental music from all periods. It is based on basic orchestral instrumentation. Some previous experience of playing with others would be an advantage. Please indicate which instrument you play on your application form.

DISCUSSION GROUP (DG) Tuesday a.m.. A weekly airing of topical issues. It is hoped that participants will raise their own subjects and that the quality of the discussion will be more important than the need to reach a firm conclusion.

EDITING PHOTOGRAPHS (PA/PS) Thursday p.m. (Autumn Term [PA] or Spring Term [PS]) A 10 week course for those who have, or are thinking about getting, a digital camera. Briefly, the course covers manipulating, improving, re-sizing, printing and saving photos using Adobe Photoshop Elements. Unsuitable for anyone who has not used a computer.

EXERCISE IN RETIREMENT (EX) Friday a.m. Geared to the capability of retired people, this exercise class to music will consist of standing, sitting and optional floor exercises. There will be simple dance sequences and a short period of relaxation. Please check with your doctor before joining. You will need a pair of soft shoes - socks are not suitable.

FOLK MUSIC (FM) Tuesday a.m. This is not a course. It’s a time for musicians and singers of whatever experience, to come and share tunes and songs they know and to learn new ones.

FRENCH (Advanced) (FA) Friday a.m.. The aim is to stimulate conversation, reading and vocabulary extension with a thematic approach and also through the reading of a French novel.

FRENCH (Continuing) (FC) Thursday a.m. Building on the language skills learnt in the beginners’ class last year.

GEOGRAPHY (GY) Wednesday a.m. A geographical study of selected coasts and lands of a) Northern latitudes, b) The Pacific Rim.

GERMAN (Advanced) (GA) Wednesday a.m. A course (“A” level standard) leading to a good understanding of the language. Relevant German grammar will be included in the course and the reading of a book, either fact or fiction.

GERMAN (Continuing) (GC) Tuesday a.m. A follow-on course for those with a good working knowledge of the language. More opportunity for speaking/writing, to use the language this season

HAND KNITTING (KN) Thursday p.m. More a get together and self help group than a class, but a welcome for anyone from complete novice to highly skilled. Bring your current project, problems and curiosity and let’s see if we enjoy it and can improve our skills.

HISTORY (20th CENTURY) (HT) Tuesday a.m. A study of British history from 1945 to 1951, tracing developments in social, industrial, scientific, cultural and political fields and Britain’s involvement on the World stage. Topics will include: Europe laid to waste and the rise of the two great powers - the USA and the USSR; Capitalism versus Communism; Britain’s slow recovery; the Labour landslide in 1945. The birth of the N.H.S.

HISTORY (EUROPEAN) (HE) Thursday a.m. Term 1 Studying Italian History from 1815 to 2000, including the Unification of Italy 1860-70; Chaos and impotency 1870-1918; Rise of Fascism - Mussolini 1923 -1945; Post war and modern Italy - tensions and solutions 1945-2000. Term 2 - study of German Nazism 1920-45, its origins, political dominance and disastrous conclusion to the dream of the ‘1,000 Year Reich’, its legacy and aftermath – 1945-2000. Expect challenges and bring with you an open and enquiring mind.

HOMEOPATHY (H1) Monday a.m. Autumn Term An eleven-week course giving an explanation about what homeopathy is. The aim is to encourage confidence in assessing symptoms in minor illnesses or First Aid situations in order to select and administer an appropriate remedy and to assess the outcome, using Miranda Castro’s “The Complete Homeopathy Handbook”.

HOMEOPATHY (H2) Monday a.m. Spring Term As above

ITALIAN (Beginners) (IB) Wednesday p.m. A class for complete beginners based on conversation. After 22 weeks you should be able to ‘get by’ as a foreigner in Italy.

ITALIAN (Continuing) (IT) Monday p.m. Building on the language skills learnt in last year’s continuation course. Concentrating on developing fluency – reading and conversation.

MAH-JONG (MJ) Thursday p.m. Both experienced players and beginners are welcome to this game, which resembles Rummy, but uses Chinese carved tiles based on Eastern Mythology.

OPERA (OP) Wednesday p.m. Eight sessions, four in Autumn, four in Spring. After initial session dates to be agreed by the group. Fairy Tales in Opera. Study of Cenerentola (Rossini), Hansel and Gretel (Humperdink), Rusalka (Dvorak), Magic Flute (Mozart).

PATCHWORK AND QUILTING (PQ) Wednesday p.m. A group for shared appreciation and knowledge of patchwork and hand quilting, making anything from cushions to wall hangings and full size quilts.

POETRY (PY) Friday a.m. An introduction to mainly 20th century poetry in the literary tradition. This is a ‘starter pack’ for those new to poetry.

RAILWAY STUDY GROUP (RY) Friday a.m. Covering all aspects of Britain’s railways, both historical and current, including local and national development, trains and locomotives, signalling and accidents. DVDs and slides will be used, including those of group members. There will be a Spring Coach outing and a late Spring Railway holiday. The main theme will be ‘Aspects of the Railway 1970-1977 seen from the inside. There will be several guest speakers.

READING GROUP (RG) Wednesday p.m. For those who enjoy “a good read”. A monthly meeting to discuss a particular book - not a tutorial, just a shared appreciation. Books will be recommended and introduced by group members. Meet in members’ homes.

RECORDER PLAYING (RP) Monday p.m. There are now two ensemble groups of equal standard who meet on Monday afternoon. If there is anyone who would like to join us, but feels that they would not be up to standard, please give me a ring and I will see what I can do. We continue to play in the Summer term as convenient.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DISCUSSION GROUP (ST) Tuesday a.m. Discussion of current scientific topics and topics that are of special interest to group members. If members have expertise in a particular area the group would welcome a presentation. There will be some visits arranged to venues with a Scientific interest – possibly two in the Autumn term and two in the Spring term.

SCOTTISH COUNTRY DANCING (SD) Monday p.m. Social dancing done worldwide. No previous experience and no partner needed. Please wear clothes that allow easy movement and shoes that do not damage floors.

SCRABBLE (SE) Tuesday p.m. We are a friendly group welcoming players of any standard.

SPANISH (Beginners) (SB) Tuesday p.m. A course for complete beginners. Speaking, learning and listening about life and culture in Spain.

SPANISH CONVERSATION (SC) Tuesday p.m. The aim of the course is to encourage speaking, reading and writing skills through, among other things, discussion of a wide range of topics. Relevant grammar will be included as the course progresses.

SWING MUSIC (SW) Tuesday p.m. The Dance Band Years 1935-55 Covering the swing era. The aim of the course is to listen to music and share opinions and memories.

TABLE TENNIS (TT) Friday p.m. Work off your frustrations of the past week and improve your fitness and co-ordination at the same time. Just for fun and beginners are welcome.

TEN-PIN BOWLING (TP) Monday p.m. A chance to try your hand at 10-Pin Bowling. We usually play two games, which costs £3 and lasts about 1½ hours.

WALKING (WA) Tuesday and Thursday. A mixed programme of walks ranging from 6 to 12+ miles on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout the year. Meet at Coach Street Car Park 10 minutes before the time stated in the programme to allow car sharing to be arranged. Suitable clothing, footwear and packed lunches are essential. Please send a large stamped addressed envelope with your application to obtain a Walks Programme. Click on PROGRAMME to see or save the latest issue. 

WATERCOLOUR PAINTING (WP) Wednesday p.m. Not for beginners. A self-help group – members bring their own work. There is no formal instruction but experience, advice and individual guidance will be available if needed.

WINE TASTING (WT) Thursday p.m. This class will give some ideas of what to look for in wine i.e. the secret of the “Three S’s”, what you can deduce from a tasting of a wine and an enjoyment of wine. There will be opportunities to discuss, comment and question, above all to participate and have some fun!

WOODTURNING (W1) Monday p.m. A mixed ability class. Beginners will be taught basic techniques, returners will undertake more ambitious projects. This course involves moving machinery and sharp tools, so there are health and safety issues, which will be taught. There will be some exposure to dust, so it may not be advisable for those with breating difficulties. Physical strength is not required so it is suitable for both sexes.

WOODTURNING (W2) Tuesday p.m. Same as the above class, but on Tuesdays.