Bradford u3a

Bradford u3a Bradford u3a is a charitable organisation run by volunteers, by members for members, for people who are retired or part time retired.

Having a wide ranging social, interests. languages and events programme to enjoy old interests and learn new ones. View and download our new publicity flyer from this link.https://u3asites.org.uk/files/b/bradford/docs/flyera5v-4210809.pdf

Gillian and the Craft group getting ready for Christmas!
31/07/2026

Gillian and the Craft group getting ready for Christmas!

History Group report by Frances JordanI spoke about Rev George Austen and his family, from his childhood till his marria...
21/07/2026

History Group report by Frances Jordan
I spoke about Rev George Austen and his family, from his childhood till his marriage, and then about his children. There were 8 in total, of whom Jane Austen is considered the most famous. Two of her brothers were also to have successful careers in the Royal Navy. Francis Austen who was knighted, and became Admiral of the Fleet, and his younger brother Charles Austen, who was Rear Admiral when he passed away of cholera still working in the Navy. I was trying to convey how Rev George’s liberal approach to his children, and his support, helped them in their careers.

We visited Holocaust Centre North in Huddersfield on 14th July. It was very interesting, with the focus on stories of s...
21/07/2026

We visited Holocaust Centre North in Huddersfield on 14th July. It was very interesting, with the focus on stories of survivors and refugees who made their homes across the north of England. The Centre is within the University campus but isn't part of it and we happened to choose a day of graduation ceremonies, so it was lovely to see all the happy young people enjoying their day.
Thanks to Anne for this report.

It is Bradford Heritage Week and on Thursday the Mechanics Institute held an open day. As one of the organisations that ...
18/07/2026

It is Bradford Heritage Week and on Thursday the Mechanics Institute held an open day. As one of the organisations that regularly use their meeting spaces, Bradford u3a was asked if it would like to have a publicity table at this event. Here it is when the Lord Mayor, Councillor Chris Herd, visited. He had not heard of the u3a, so we were able to tell him about ourselves. I was joined by Dave and Anne. Paul was there in the morning.

For the July meeting of the English Language group, Derek led us in a discussion of what are technically known as ‘redup...
18/07/2026

For the July meeting of the English Language group, Derek led us in a discussion of what are technically known as ‘reduplicative’ words and phrases. These have a root that is repeated either exactly or with a slight change - such as tittle-tattle, hocus-pocus and helter-skelter.
In the usual mix of insights, tangents and hilarity, we touched on why it’s always mishmash and pitter-patter (rather than mashmish or patter-pitter); whether they occur in other languages as well as English; and which ones could safely be used in conversation with an Archbishop!
Thanks to Roy for this report.

Weekday walkingWe had an excellent walk in bright sunshine along the canal from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge on Tuesd...
16/07/2026

Weekday walking
We had an excellent walk in bright sunshine along the canal from Sowerby Bridge to Hebden Bridge on Tuesday. We welcomed a new member to the group and had a good lunch at Hebden Bridge Town Hall.
Thanks to Ros for this report.

This week the Art group mainly used watercolour to paint a still life bunch of flowers, Susan kindly brought along. A fe...
12/07/2026

This week the Art group mainly used watercolour to paint a still life bunch of flowers, Susan kindly brought along. A few chose to paint landscapes using photos.
Thanks to Paul for the wording, and the group for the photos.

09/07/2026

Current Affairs
The discussion was in two sections; the first being a run down of how we have surprisingly arrived at the point of anointing a new PM, only some two years after the government was elected with such a large majority of seats. Both successes and failures were discussed.
The second section was itself split into two. Firstly, largely with the aid of a recent Fabian Society report, debate was around how the government could tackle the drift away of voters from its “voters’ coalition” at the last election. Remarkably, perhaps, the government has lost more voters to the Greens and Lib Dems combined, than to Reform.
Finally, discussion focussed on what practical policies and measures the government should champion, to be returned at the next general election.
A lively debate took place.
Thanks to John for this synopsis.

History group, 23 JuneThe Princess of LahoreThis title applies to Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of a Sikh Maharaja a...
01/07/2026

History group, 23 June
The Princess of Lahore
This title applies to Sophia Duleep Singh, the daughter of a Sikh Maharaja and a German mother.
Born in London in 1876, her early life in the ‘gay nineties’ was aristocratic and secure: she formed a good relationship with Queen Victoria and hob-nobbed in fashionable English society. However her father lost his dominions in India and Sophia’s life took a different turn: she espoused the cause of Indian rights against the British Raj and fought for Women’s emancipation at home – in this she clashed with an unsympathetic Home Secretary, Winston Churchill. She backed the war effort in 1914 but used her position to improve the lot of Indian soldiers and ‘lascars’ – Indian seamen on British merchant ships. Sophia’s later years were less eventful but her contribution to progressive causes is now recognised. She died in 1948. There is a recent biography by Anita Anand (2015).
The illustration shows Sophia and her father.
Thanks, John, for reporting back on this group session.

The Reign of William & Mary, 1689-1702:The Stuart king James II was deposed in 1689, ejected by a combination of politic...
01/07/2026

The Reign of William & Mary, 1689-1702:
The Stuart king James II was deposed in 1689, ejected by a combination of political pressure and military failure. James lacked a political touch and was a declared Catholic – the kiss of death
in English politics. The Commons and Lords had passed a Bill of Rights limiting the powers of the sovereign, whoever it was. They then invited James’s daughter, Mary, and her Dutch husband William of Orange to take the throne. William landed with an army and faced little opposition.
James’s support evaporated. William insisted on becoming king in his own right so he and Mary succeeded as joint monarchs (although Mary died in 1694). The next decade was a difficult one: dearth and bad harvests plus the costs of William’s decade-long war against France, the European super-power. His great aim in life was to limit the powers of Louis XIV. William died aged fifty-two after a riding accident leaving his sister-in-law Anne as his only heir –she was the last of the Stuarts.
Thanks to John for this feedback from May's Political History group.

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