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34 members of Easingwold and District u3a enjoyed a wonderful visit to see ‘Kynren - An Epic Tale of England’ on Saturday 12th September. The word EPIC totally sums it up.

The spectacular show of 2000 years of British history, myth and legend takes place near Bishop Auckland, and this was the final event this year.

We were picked up by Morse coach in the Market Square and had a well-driven journey of about one and a quarter hours. We parked up in the coach park and had a short walk to the entrance. We then had some time to look around and eat either our own food or the efficiently served food on sale. The queue looked very long but each request was quickly dealt with. There were plenty of picnic tables in the area and some good people to chat with. Even the weather was wonderful and very mild.

We moved into our seats which were a little snug, but we were soon so engrossed that this was hardly an issue. The ‘show’ involves the mass choreography of over 1000 volunteers. There are water effects to make you gasp, pyrotechnics, sheep, geese, horses and even some donkeys. There was stunning horsemanship involving racing and jousting (hitting shields with a lance).

Young Arthur goes back in time to be involved with Viking invasion, knights on horseback, kings, queens, battles and celebrations. It all ended with the entire cast involved and some super fireworks.

This was an extraordinary entertainment like nothing we have seen before. An amazing trip for us all!

Was your ancestor a Master Mariner and Captain/owner of a ship that crossed the Atlantic from Liverpool frequently to Jamaica with 14 year old family members in the crew? Do you have relatives who have lived for more than one hundred years in the USA, South Africa, Australia, Canada and Jamaica who you have only just met in the last ten years, one of whom is a black descendant of Jamaican slaves from Senegal? Were any of your relatives smugglers, murderers or philanderers?

Well, my first family tree showed we were quiet sheep farmers and church wardens in North Devon but after that it became a whole lot more interesting! Hold onto your nerves as being a detective into the past requires patience, is very addictive and occasionally surprising. [Slavery abolished 1834. First Burgess living in Jamaica 1851].

The purpose of this proposed new Family Tree group would be to guide and support you in building your own family tree.

To show your interest, please login to the Easingwold & District u3a website and join the Family Tree registration group.

If you caught a glimpse of August’s total solar eclipse — or watched the sun’s glowing corona frame in the darkened sky — you weren't alone in feeling a renewed sense of wonder. The rare spectacle was a highlight of the summer for local space enthusiasts, proving once again that astronomy stretches far beyond simply looking up at night. It sits right at the intersection of history, cutting-edge engineering, art, and human curiosity.

Over the past year, members of the local Easingwold & District u3a Astronomy and Spaceflight Group have explored a remarkably broad range of topics. Highlights include deep dives into human spaceflight history with Apollo 11, tracking modern endeavours like NASA’s Artemis program, and debating the age-old question: "Are we alone in the universe?" Members also gained practical skills, learning how to navigate the night sky digitally using Stellarium software and marking seasonal milestones like the winter solstice.

The group’s activities extended well beyond indoor discussions. Excursions offered hands-on inspiration with visits to iconic sites including the famous Jodrell Bank Observatory and the local planetarium near Ripon. Astrophotography was another recurring theme, with members sharing their own impressive images of celestial events, showing how technical skill and artistic vision come together to capture the cosmos.

You don’t need a degree in physics or expensive telescopes to appreciate the subject — just an inquisitive mind and an interest in how our world fits into the broader universe.

Following the summer break, the group will be restarting its regular sessions this September. Anyone interested in catching up on past activities or seeing what is planned for the upcoming season can find full details, meeting schedules, and updates on the Easingwold u3a Facebook page and official website.

Richard Orr
Easingwold & District u3a

The beauty of Easingwold & District u3a is that you can join any existing group, like the Astronomy Group, enjoy the interesting Monthly Speaker Meetings and if there is not a group doing what you are passionate about, you can start your own group with our help.

We have over 30 interest groups ranging from Astronomy to Pickleball and Dining Out, to Four Walking Groups and much-much more – there is something for everyone! We welcome new people to join our nearly 360 strong group and growing! - Come & join us.

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£16 annual subscription (renewal 1st Jan) includes: Speaker Meetings with arranged speakers (guests £2 each occasion) and refreshments, on-going Interest Groups (possible small additional group charge if renting space or requiring equipment), one-off Events, occasional workshops, our monthly Bulletin, free Online Learning or participation events organised by the Third Age Trust, and the u3a Matters Magazine (5 times a year if opted in). Naturally we always welcome ideas and offers for new groups.

Anybody no longer in full-time employment or with parental responsibility may join u3a, including those now working reduced hours. If you meet these criteria, there is no age restriction for membership. Easingwold & District are supported by the national body, the Third Age Trust, and the local Yorkshire and Humberside region.

We are a friendly organisation formed in 2002, attracting membership from Easingwold and surrounding villages. We are a motivated group aiming to facilitate and encourage (via knowledge, experience and skills of our members), the provision of self-supported active learning, social, and recreational activities, with the object of improving life conditions in the interests of social welfare.