IF you want something done, then ask a busy person to do it. The old adage rings true when applied to Angie Grain, who recently took up the reins as the new chairwoman of Ilkley & District U3A.

Chairing the management committee of trustees of the organisation - which has over 1,600 members drawn from throughout the Wharfe and Aire valleys and is one of the biggest in the UK - is quite a challenge. The charity is an educational co-operative offering those in the ‘third age of life’ who are part-time, unwaged and retired a range of activity groups to participate in.

Otley resident Angie has been involved with the U3A, enjoying membership of a number of the interest groups, since she retired from her job in management at the University of Leeds. Ilkley & District U3A has no paid staff and relies on members to volunteer to run the organisation. Angie is one of those many volunteers.

In 2011 she became a trustee with responsibility for external communications, moving on to the role of groups co-ordinator and finished that term of office in 2017.

Since then she has been a committee member of the U3A’s Yorkshire region, helping them to organise various events and also trying to promote networks in the area. She is also one of the U3A’s national volunteers, which can involve helping to set up a new U3A plus trouble-shooting where required.

Angie said: “As I am such a believer in the U3A and all it stands for, I decided to accept the opportunity and have now taken on the role as the new Chair of our U3A.

“I am confident that we have a vibrant, friendly and innovative U3A here at Ilkley and District and my regional experience has shown me that many other U3As would envy our dynamism and wide-ranging activities.

“One of my aims is to keep our U3A a friendly and supportive organisation for all, adapting to the challenges as we meet them.” As well as the U3A, Angie also volunteers with the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Otley Courthouse and Oxfam. She has a daughter, a son and a toddler grandson, who can keep her very busy at times.

Ilkley & District U3A welcomes new members. There are over 140 interest groups to choose from as well as social events, monthly Saturday talks and study days.

You can find out more by visiting the website at www.ilkleydistrictu3a.wildapricot.org, by emailing info@ilkleyu3a.org or coming along to the drop-in sessions at the Clarke Foley Centre on the first and third Fridays of the month from 10.30am-noon.

The University of the Third Age (commonly referred to as U3A) is an international organisation whose aims are the education of retired members of the community - those in the ‘third age’ of life.