Science

by WebmasterScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

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
.

National Trust Group

by WebmasterNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

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

History Group

by WebmasterHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members especially new ones. Our usual meeting place is Central Methodist Church: Time 2pm – 4pm (ish) – on the third Wednesday of the month. Meetings are now in the Church Room which it is hoped will be much better for those members who have hearing problems. I have asked for us to continue with this booking.

No History Group meeting in August

At the September main meeting, at the John Godber Centre, we will taking bookings for the trip to Derby Museum on October 19th costing £10. First we get a talk about Joseph Wright of Derby (famous artist) and afterwards a self guided tour of the museum. (Don’t forget to look for the ancient dug out boats which were a special item for me).

Kath has decided to retire from helping with visits but we say a grateful thank you for her expertise over the years. Kathy will continue with the help of Sue Knight.

The autumn season will commence on September 21st 2022 with Denis Hill who is a brilliant speaker. He is coming to tell us about ‘Victorian Housing Conditions’ which is a century or so before most of the bureaucracy and health and safety rules came into being. It would no doubt cover the lifetimes of our great grandparents.

Kathy and Sue will again be taking bookings, just in case you missed the main meeting, for the trip to Derby Museum costing £10.

Bye for now – Maureen

Meeting Dates – 2022

No meeting July or August – Holidays

September 21st 2022: Denis Hill – Victorian Housing Conditions.

October 19th 2022 Visit to Derby Museum and Art Gallery. Leave Hucknall 1pm. Leave Derby 5pm. Arrive Hucknall 5.45 pm (ish) Cost £10.

November 16th 2022 Trevor Lee is coming to talk to us. He usually provides us with mind pictures of entertainers; sometimes even their voices. Lots of reminiscing at this meeting.

Film and Culture

by WebmasterFilm and Culture ClubPosted on Comments are Disabled

Are You Romantic?
Do you enjoy the days and Music of Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers?
Would you enjoy 30 minutes of romantic music and dancing last thing at night before retiring?
If your answer is yes, try watching a Compilation of Songs from the Great American Songbook sung by Fred and Ginger in clips from their films. Go to – BBC I Player – Categories – Films – A-Z – Astaire & Rogers Sing The Great American Songbook.

Do you have a longing to watch WESTLIFE in Concert? Here is your chance: WESTLIFE – Live from Wembley Stadium, Saturday 6th August at 20.30pm and Sunday 7th August at 15.00 pm

Also:
Andre Rieu 2022 Maastricht Concert: Happy Days are here again
Enjoy the wonderful Maastricht atmosphere with Orchestra, Singers and Dancers
Saturday, 27th August at 19.00 pm and encore Sunday 28th August at 15.00 pm

Alan Snape

Short Walk – July

by WebmasterShort WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

A pleasant and cooler walk was enjoyed by thirteen members in July. Starting at the tram stop in Hucknall we made our way to Brooke Farm in Linby for refreshments. We were surprised to learn that some of us had never been there! We thought it was a popular U3A coffee stop!

Back through Papplewick Woods, via Moor Pond, and onto the path along the River Leen where the (almost) newly laid path was admired by some of us! Back home by the bottom of the golf course to our starting point.