The set book for July discussion was “Jane Eyre” by Charlotte Bronte which was hard going in parts due to the dialect but most still enjoyed it.
In August we shall be discussing a book from a fairly new author – “A Trick of the Light” by Ali Carter.
Weekenders’ Group
The Weekenders’ July Newsletter will be sent out on 1st August. Once again, many thanks to Margaret Whilde & Lindsay Smith for printing off copies for those members not on email and for delivering them on their morning walks.
We had a lovely day for our outing to Southwell where we started off at Reg Taylor’s Garden Centre, had lunch there, followed by a visit to Southwell Minster for their short lunchtime concert in the Minster itself, followed by some of us shopping and others just enjoying a coffee in the sunshine.
Our Coffee Club session for July 30th will have the topic “Places I have lived” which should be interesting.
Our next outing is on 4th August, 2022, to Boundary Mills at Rotherham, followed by an excellent lunch at Whitby’s Fish Restaurant.
We are then having a Garden Meet up at Siobhan Lee’s home (many thanks to her) on the 18th August and our August Coffee Club will be on 27th – topic yet to be decided!
Then some of us are visiting “The Arc” on 28th August to see an Andre Rieu concert.
Sandra
Lunch Group
On 24th August, 2022, at a member’s request, we are going to Mr Mann’s Chinese Restaurant at Wollaton Park; if you have your name down I must have your menu choices before or at the August meeting.
On the 28th September we shall be going to Ego At The Ashfields for which again a £5 deposit is required. The menu will not be available until the September meeting.
I know it seems early but I am taking names for our CHRISTMAS LUNCH! As usual we shall be going to the Albert Hall on Wednesday, 21st December. We are always made so welcome there and our regulars always look forward to this event, so please come and join us. I now have the menu which is a three-course meal for £21.50.
Sandra
Science
Friday, July 15th, 2022 was the date of the Science Group’s annual visit to a place of scientific interest. Previously we have ventured to Jodrell Bank, Woolsthorpe Hall (the birthplace of Sir Isaac Newton) and guided tours of Papplewick Pumping Station and Bestwood Winding House.
This year we paid a visit to The George Green Windmill and Science Centre in Sneinton. George Green was 14 years old when his father built the windmill and for much of the rest of his life George worked in the windmill. But George Green was also a brilliant mathematician and physicist who from the age of 40 spent 6 years at Caius College at Cambridge University.
We were split into two groups for a guided tour of the Windmill; the group not on the tour were able to spend time in the science centre and the community garden.
Lesson 1 for some potential apprentice Millers
Joan explains to Jean the nuances of Green’s simplified theory of electromagnetism
Sue demonstrating that the human body is a battery
Our guide Sam Boote, who is a member of Keyworth u3a, was very knowledgeable and this is what he wrote to me a day after the visit:
Hello David
Thanks for your comments, and it was a pleasure to meet your members and show them round the mill. Your 2 groups were the most attentive and engaged that I have yet encountered.
It was a good day out and recommended for a family visit especially if you have the pleasure of grandchildren over the school summer break. Following the visit many of us enjoyed a prearranged meal on the way back at The Arrow in Arnold.
Next Meeting: August is a summer break. September 16th we are back at the John Godber Centre at 10.00 am
David Rose
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National Trust Group
On the day that the two day heatwave ended, the National Trust group set off for Waddesdon Manor, in Buckinghamshire. The venue owned by the Rothschild Family is certainly one of the jewels in the National Trust portfolio.
Despite several diversions, due to road works close to the venue, we arrived safely at the venue for 11.00 am.
A visit to the Stables cafe was then followed by a timed tour of the Manor itself. Set over three floors the Manor had an enormous number of rooms to view. The volunteer guides and an excellent guidebook providing all the information needed.
There was a special exhibition devoted to Alice de Rothschild, a display of Gainsborough paintings and so many special rooms to explore most members were inside the Manor for over two hours. Once outside there were beautiful gardens to explore and over the day a film crew arrived to set up to begin filming a period drama during the following two days. Staff were generally tight lipped about the name of the production but a new Netflix programme or Bridgerton were mentioned.
After a lovely day we set off for the return journey at 4.00 pm.
October Visit
Our October visit, on Monday 10th, will now be to Quarry Bank Hill in Cheshire. The site reflects the thriving cotton industry which existed for over two hundred years and still hums today with the sight and sounds of the people who worked there, with the heritage machinery still operating. The mill was powered by the most powerful wheel in Europe. Although production stopped in 1959 you can still walk to the village of Styal to see where the workers lived. The mill owners house can also still be toured. There are also gardens and the other usual features of a National Trust site.
Times and prices will be sent out soon.
Barrie