CORRECTION and CLARIFICATION
The date is correct, but the day is Wednesday not Friday
CHRISTMAS FILM SHOW – WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 17TH
Doors Open 12.45pm
1.15pm to 2.45pm A Christmas Story
2.45pm to 3.15pm Refreshment Break
3.15pm to 3.45pm ‘The Disappearing Husband’
Visit to Chester Christmas Market on Tuesday 2nd December
Our last visit of 2025 saw the group leave Hucknall enroute to Chester in beautiful sunshine. As we prepared to leave we were able to watch lorries arriving with some very large funfair rides for the Hucknall’s light switch on the following day.
Arriving in Chester just after 11.00 am we were dropped off by the Grosvenor Park which was close to the city’s main attractions.
Over the course of the day the historic Roman city offered multiple activities and attractions. The Cathedral, which is over a thousand years old was beautifully adorned with dozens of decorated Christmas trees.
The city is also home to the largest Roman ampetheatre in Britain. Walking groups were there in large numbers as were groups of schoolchildren all suitably attired to take part in their Roman day.
A walk on the Roman city wall was a must for many group members along with a sedate boat trip along the River Dee.
The Christmas market stalls, housed in the usual wooden chalets sold a variety of Christmas gifts and seasonal food and drink. Allowing time for lunch and a visit to the many shops including the eight hundred year old “Rows” made for a very full and enjoyable day.
Returning back to Grosvenor Park for 4.15 to meet the coach our driver, Wayne, got us safely back in Hucknall for 7.15pm.
The group now enters a winter break and resumes its visits in March with a visit to the Dunham Massey Estate.
Visit to the Sherwood Observatory and Planetarium
In late October a group of twenty-two ‘Grumpies’ were allowed out later than usual to visit the new Planetarium at Coxmoor Road, Sutton in Ashfield. In 1969 an advert in the Mansfield Chad brought together a group interested in astronomy and a few years later an observatory, with a 24” reflecting telescope was constructed on the present site. The planetarium and science centre itself is a much newer addition, opening in November 2024 after being funded by the local council and the Levelling Up Fund, to the tune of £5.3 million. The planetarium is built on top of a disused Victorian reservoir next to the original observatory.
Our first stop was to view the moon through the main telescope – it was almost within touching distance! It’s an impressive building and piece of kit, built and maintained by volunteers. Indeed, the whole enterprise is staffed by volunteers who give freely of their time to explain their interest and enthusiasm for studying the night sky to less educated folks, like the Grumpies.
Next stop was the planetarium for a film show about the amazing sights to be seen through telescopes and from space exploration. An overhead half-dome screen 30’+ across immerses the viewer in space. Added to very comfy tilting chairs the whole experience is quite awe inspiring and calming. So much so that the Grumpies set a record for having a whole row of viewers fast asleep!
Sherwood is the first observatory to be built for ten years in this country and one of very few with public access. It is an amazing asset to have on our doorstep, and a visit is highly recommended.
Thanks go to John Berrill for organising.
Bob McEwen
A journey on the Tram to Highfields University Park began our November walk.
A stroll around the lake where we saw Heron and Cormorants plus the inevitable Geese was enjoyed by us all. We even met the Easy Walkers Group en route but declined their offer to join them and went to the café by the lake instead where some of us visited an exhibition of Feather Sculptures.
Hopefully we will revisit the Park next year before the River Leen exhibition finishes.
We had a journey out to Highfields University Park in November where we enjoyed a pleasant walk around the lake and campus, followed by coffee in the Students Refectory.
Our proposed visit to The River Leen exhibition however, was foiled due to a heating failure. Hopefully we will revisit in the New Year.
Thanks to our walkers for your continued support.