Category: Announcements

Nottinghamshire County Council are considering withdrawing the free fare concession on our trams in the new year.

Whilst the government pay for the free bus travel that your concessionary pass allows, the Council pay for our tram travel and they are wanting to withdraw this entitlement.

The Council have provided a web site where you can fill in a short survey to let your views be known. It is therefore very important that as many folk as possible complete the survey stating  that you wish free tram travel to continue.

The link for the website is:- https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/transport/public-transport/concessionary-travel/tram-concessionary-pass-consultation

Or go onto Nottinghamshire County Council website and search for Tram Concessions. Please visit the site if you are able and willing, you need to complete the form before the 7th January 2024.

Melvyn

Friday 8^th December John Godber Centre

Doors Open at 1.15pm for a prompt 1.45pm start.

Come along to our special Christmas meeting for a presentation by Maureen Newton about the role Hucknall played in the early life of Eric Coates. This was the foundation of his highly successful career in music.

The talk is followed by an interval for tea/coffee and Christmas sweet and savoury treats organised by Christine and John Berrill

Part 2:

An animated musical video devised by Christine Vincent which celebrates many of our groups activities.

Part 3:

 Live performances by the cycling group and the Fun With Languages Group

Thanks to all of today’s volunteer performers and contributors.

Here is a preview of the cyclists’ rehearsal

Well what a month October was, so much rain, that my dog walking boots have got so wet they are soaked through, stuffed with newspaper drying out. One day after the storms we were walking the dogs, came to a huge puddle, decided to carry on through, and ended up wading halfway up our calves.

If you were fortunate enough not to get wet then, you were lucky.  I pity those that ended up with their homes flooded. There were quite a few places in Hucknall affected, Ogle St., Baker St., and the worst I saw was at the bottom of St Patrick’s Rd., the water so deep, just the tops of cars showing.   Our heart goes out to anyone affected, if you know anyone and can offer any help, then please do if you are able.

Halloween came and went, not sure what your feelings are, they differ so widely, personally I’m not keen, but still ended up carving a pumpkin for my granddaughter.

Trick and treat can be fun for children if managed correctly, but we all know this is not always the case. I suppose I’m being Mr Grumpy.

Our ‘one off’ History talk on Nottingham Castle, was well attended with 70 of us attending. Again, such a clear speaker talking mainly about the refurbishment and the  new set up of the various museum displays and an explanation of the recent problems since Covid. Again a few would have liked to hear more about the actual history of the Castle itself, but still found the talk uplifting and quite a few have said they will be visiting the Castle shortly.

Our Christmas Social on Monday, 4^th December, is proving very popular, with only a handful of tickets left.  It will be first come first served at November’s Meeting.

Our preparation for the Eric Coates talk and Media Showcase is well underway for Friday 8^th December.   Apologies about the date confusion, but this has now been  finalised, This is instead of our normal monthly meeting and is a free event.

We are still looking for a couple of Committee Members for the next AGM, please don’t be shy, step forward, we cannot function without a committee. If you are unsure, please come and talk to either myself or any committee member.

As always, I look forward to seeing you all at November’s monthly meeting, please try and remember to wear your name badges so that everyone knows who you are, and of course don’t forget to sign out if you leave early.

Melvyn Francis, Chair

Well the weather is getting wetter, windier and colder, now that we have passed the Autumnal Equinox on September 23^rd.  Trust you will all remember to put your clocks back on Saturday night the 28^th October. I always remember whether to put the clocks back or forward by using the American word for autumn being fall, Hence we have Spring forward and fall back (one hour)

We had many say how good a talk our September speaker was on Grace Kelly (quite a naughty lady) – very clear and precise.

Hopefully our October speaker,  Dr Steven Wallace, talking about the Sherwood Observatory & Space Discovery Centre and The James Webb Space Telescope, will  be really interesting.

The 50s & 60s night went very well on 23^rd September, we didn’t quite manage to sell 100 tickets, but almost made it. The group ‘Rocks and Frocks’ were very good and kept us all well entertained with a variety of songs, getting many up on their feet and dancing the night away.

We will be selling tickets for our next social activity on Monday 4^th December, a Christmas meal with u3a entertainment (see the poster for more details). Many thanks to our Social Sub Committee for all their hard work.

After much confusion a date has finally been sorted for our normal alternative December meeting, and this is now on Friday 8^th December. Again, more details later and apologies for the mix up on the dates. This will be a free event.

We are still looking for committee members, especially a Vice Chair, open for all men and women, along with a couple of other committee members.

The Rotary community day on the market place went very well, we had excellent weather, possibly one of the hottest days of the year. Our stall was well staffed and we had quite a bit of interest with several folk showing enthusiasm for joining our u3a.

The entertainment for the day was varied and enjoyable, a lot of clubs having put a lot of work into their performances. A dancing group, kick boxing, ukulele band, choir, among others. Other stalls were very diverse and interesting. It was good to see what Hucknall has to offer, there was something for everyone.

We still have quite a few members who don’t belong to any activity group, I would strongly recommend that you do, as you make great new friends and find new interests. Talk to myself or Sue Tedstone if you need any help.

As always I look forward to seeing you all at October’s monthly meeting, please try and remember to wear your name badges so that all know who you are, and of course don’t forget to sign out if you leave early.

Melvyn Francis, Chair