u3a National Festival. York University,  1-3 July 2026

Yorkshire and Humber Region u3a are organising another National Festival on the lovely York University campus, following the huge success of the first National Festival at York in 2024. A thousand u3a folk were there to enjoy hundreds of events over the three days, and we are sure this will be a similar success. You can go for the day or stay for the 3 days with accommodation available at the university or nearby. The campus is easy accessible by frequent bus from York station. A good choice of places to eat on site and talks, activities, learning opportunities entertainments to meet all tastes. A team of u3a volunteers will be there to greet you and help you find your way about.

Booking for the events and campus accommodation will be advertised on yahru3a.uk website from mid-February. 

Yorkshire and Humber Region Summer School 2026 - Monday 24th Aug to Thursday 27th Aug.

It may seem a bit odd to be thinking as far ahead as next August with many of us just experiencing the first frosts of winter. However, the details of the YAHR Summer School are now available on the YAHR website. The school is being held at the usual venue, Hawkhills near Easingwold, from the afternoon of Monday August 24 to the lunchtime of Thursday 27 2026.

There are ten courses to choose from, offering a wide variety of topics across science, arts, language, and culture.

• Britain of the 1960s through speeches, art and culture,
• crime fiction from Sherlock to Vera,
• improvised drama,
• fungi and lichens,
• hands-on geology,
• conversational Spanish,
• the changing English language,
• mathematics,
• outdoor painting and sketching
• stained glass in English Churches.

There are two rates: a day-delegate rate, which includes lunches and dinners and a full-board rate. Regulars will know that some courses fill up quickly, and since booking is now open, do book early to get your first choice of course.