Our next indoor meeting for the Hucknall & District u3a History Group is as usual at Central Methodist Church on Wednesday 18th September at 2pm.
Robert Mee is the speaker and he is coming to tell us all about ‘The History Along the Erewash Valley Trail. The river Erewash starts in the Robin Hood Hills, runs towards Kirkby and eventually joins the river Trent.
Kathy and Sandra will be collecting money for the visit to Derby Museum & Art Gallery on 16th October where they have a special exhibition about Egypt. We leave Ogle Street in our new coach company vehicle at 11am with the return journey from Derby at 4pm. The cost is £12.50p. The Museum has some wonderful collections with a whole room full of paintings by Joseph Wright the famous artist.
At our October meeting Susan Gibson will be hosting a greetings card sale in the coffee room.
Sadly, Haywood’s Printers and Stationers of Watnall Road is closing down. Jane Haywood, Church Warden for St Mary’s Church has kindly donated stock for the sale, with all proceeds going to the church.
The sale will include all types of greetings cards, gift bags, decorations and more. The stall will be cash only, so please bring along your spare change to stock up and support the Church!
Our tour began with a warm welcome, on a cool evening, from the vineyard owner, who greeted us with genuine hospitality and enthusiasm. As we gathered near the vineyard’s entrance, the owner gave an insightful introduction to the vineyard, focusing on the intricacies of growing vines. One of the key topics discussed was the advantage of growing vines on a slope, where better drainage and optimal sun exposure allow for superior grape quality, contributing to the unique character and flavour of Ambergate’s wines.
A big thank you has to go to Rita Bodill who organised the tour of the vineyard.
As we strolled through the rows of vines, the owner elaborated on the different grape varieties grown at Ambergate and how each variety is carefully nurtured to bring out its best qualities. We learned that the vineyard specializes in several grape varieties, each of which is selected for its compatibility with the local terrain and climate.
We were treated to a lovely cold buffet meal. The spread included a selection of fresh, locally sourced delicacies that paired beautifully with the wines we were soon to taste.
The tour culminated in a wine tasting session, where we had the opportunity to sample all the wines produced from the grapes grown at Ambergate Vineyard. The wines tasted during the evening included:
Ambergate Chardonnay – A crisp, refreshing white wine with hints of green apple and citrus, perfect for a summer evening.
Ambergate Pinot Noir – A smooth and elegant red wine, known for its delicate balance of red fruit flavors and subtle earthy notes.
Ambergate Rosé – A delightful rosé with a light, fruity profile, featuring notes of strawberry and raspberry, ideal for sipping on a warm evening.
Ambergate Cabernet Sauvignon – A full-bodied red wine with rich flavors of dark berries and a hint of spice, showcasing the vineyard’s expertise in crafting robust reds.
Each wine was introduced with a brief explanation of its production process and the specific grape varieties used. Guests were able to appreciate the distinct characteristics of each wine, enhanced by the knowledge gained from the vineyard tour. Everyone in attendance thoroughly enjoyed the event, making it a memorable experience for all.
On a bright sunny day our August walk was led by Kevin Varey
We set off from the Parfitt Lane Playground car park in Farnsfield onto undulating footpaths across several acres of scenic agricultural land.
Towards the end of the route we were met by some friendly rare breed sheep.
Once back at the car park, anxious to keep up a u3a tradition, some of us made a visit to the nearby Woodberry Teahouse and Café.
Thanks to Kevin and all the walkers.
September 19th Walk
This month we are starting from the Newstead Village car park on a circular route across the country park towards the Abbey top lake, with an opportunity to climb up the steps on the ‘fort’ as we walk along the lakeside towards the toilets and café before returning.
There are no stiles or steep ascents or descents en route.
Details will be sent to all group members nearer the 19th
