I hope you all enjoyed a lovely Christmas lunch in your own homes this year. I am hoping to organise a Christmas Lunch at somewhere very posh for next July! Do you think we will be out of lockdown by then and all vaccinated? Perhaps you could let me have your suggestions as to where we could go. I promise there will be crackers and a Christmas quiz!
Science 2 – December Meeting
Our meeting by Zoom this month was opened up for other members to attend for a talk by Professor Nicola Pitchford of Nottingham University.
Nicola’s theme was about her current research looking at the impact of using educational technology to improve access to primary education. She explained that in some countries where due to trained teacher shortages and a weak economy for many children, especially girls, schooling only lasts about 3 years. This together with a very short school day leads to weak literacy and numeracy skills which limits lifetime opportunities.
The intervention is to provide what are basically mini computer tablets containing only two programmes, literacy and numeracy in the native language for each individual child. They work on this at home and it has a built in small solar panel which recharges the battery since many places have limited mains electrical supplies.
Progress is measurable and the research includes using the same software in some Nottingham Primary Schools as a comparator. Nicola demonstrated some of the evidence that shows the effectiveness of the programme with different groups of children in different countries. Her team then evaluate and quantify the evidence to consider if this programme of intervention can be scaled up and is sustainable for many more children in countries across the world.
Next meeting by Zoom: January 15th, 2021 at 10.am
Where am I? – useful App
With more people out and about at the moment, a useful App to know about is called ‘what3words’. The world has been divided into 3 metre squares, and each square has a unique identifier, using 3 random words. For example, Hucknall Market Place is ‘acted.engage.lowest’.
The App can be downloaded onto your phone, and any location can then be found on the map grid, and also on satellite view. The phone GPS needs to be on, then this location can be given to the 999 service – it is much quicker than trying to read an Ordnance Survey map on top of Kinder Scout, and when not on a road or a known location.
Our walking groups take great care not to get lost, but this would be useful in an emergency, particularly in an area with no particular landmarks.
John Tedstone
2020 Christmas Tree Festival
This 2020 Hucknall Christmas Tree Festival, which is usually held inside the church, was cancelled due to Covid restrictions. However in its place there is a Christmas Wreath Festival with the 34 wreaths made by local schools, businesses and community groups displayed on the church railings alongside the market place. Our wreath designed and created by the Groups Coordinator Siobhan celebrates our Interest Groups.
Christmas at Hucknall u3a
This year we were ‘Dreaming of a Zoom Christmas’
Unable to hold our annual Christmas social event we had a ‘Christmas Spectacular’ via Zoom on the 9th December.
The programme featured a festive quiz, host Terry Hill with his Bumper Book of (old) Jokes , Christmas themed poems, a recording of our last year’s 10 minute pantomime ‘Cinderella’ and a finale of two songs live from the living room of The Rockin Rev Duo, the Rev Ian and Ann Murray.
It was wonderful to see and hear a live performance – thanks Ian and Ann.Many members were in full Christmas livery and enjoyed each other’s virtual company accompanied by a drink and party snack.
We also had a Christmas film via Zoom, an enjoyable Dad’s Army feature followed by ‘Miracle on 34th Street’ on the 17th December.
Hopefully and optimistically our next year’s events will be real meetings in person.
David Rose