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Easingwold & District u3a have four walking groups. Three of the groups are aimed at providing walks depending on the distance that people wish to walk, but the bus walkers are unique in using local buses to the beginning and from the end of all their walks. This can be restricting, but it makes linear walks much easier and means that a pub can be visited, either en-route or at the end, without drivers having to forgo a tipple.

They have also set a limit of three buses taken in the day, so it is still primarily a walking group. This means they could take a bus to say, York, take another one further out, but then walk back to York to get the bus home. It also suits those members who have reached the age of getting their bus pass, making transport costs for the day free.

Although it is easy to get to towns served by our local buses, they try to find the greener areas - especially those that are lesser known. Everyone knows Knavesmire and the parks beside the rivers, but have you ever visited Little Hob Moor or the Railway Pond in York?

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 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 group.

When using a smartphone this video is best viewed in landscape orientation and (on an iPhone) one may have to tap inside then outside the image frame to remove the masking. Video time appox. 1.5 mins.

£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.