The History Group starts the new year of 2026 with a talk from Alex Rose called ‘A Literary Ramble Around Nottingham’
All the groups indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street but there is a car park at the rear on Titchfield Street. Meetings start at 2pm, usually there is a break for refreshments and closure is about 4pm.
Later there will be details of the visits booked for this year plus costs and times of departure and return.
A special wish from the team of helpers is for History Group members to have a happy and healthy 2026.
At the meeting on 19th November Trevor Lee came to tell us about entertainers who had been born in Nottinghamshire. We discovered that some favourite people we hadn’t realised were born locally. Lesley Crowther was among them with Cavan O’Connor; Constance Shacklock (Who had sung in so many of Hucknall’s Churches) and of course Eric Coates. How good it was as well to hear their voices or music so thank you Trevor (whom else could we think of who would have the technology to allow us to hear these performers)?
On 21st January, at 2pm, Central Methodist Church, Alex Rose, who was recommended by Anne Wilkinson, is coming to talk to us about ‘A Literary Ramble Around Nottingham’. Instead of counting sheep what about trying to name local authors or artists and see if Alex agrees?
On Wednesday 15th October 42 members of the History Group visited the National Justice Museum.
We split into two groups each group having a guided tour with ‘a prison warden’ who made it a very informative but fun visit. From being shut into cells to experience the reality and depravation, to finding out what crimes had been committed, to the sentences handed down. Flogging, branding, imprisonment, transportation and execution.
After looking around the prison, we were invited to take part in a court case, several members acting out parts, credit must go to our membership secretary Greg for the wonderful portrayal of the defendant he really threw himself into the part.
At our meeting on Wednesday 19th November at Central Methodist Church 2pm; we have one of our favourite speakers, Trevor Lee. Trevor has been several times before. If you remember last time he told us about 100 Years of the BBC; this time he has been researching entertainers who were ‘Born in Ashfield’. It is an illustrated selection of musicians, actors, singers, composers and stage set designers from 1842 – 1928. How many can you think of?
At our last meeting David Skillen came to talk to us about the history of Belper the title was Nailers, Knitters and Traitors.
From his images we understood about nailers their buildings and work. He talked about knitters telling us about the textile industry in Belper and that the wonderful museum had closed. Jedediah Strutt’s Mill has survived though and can still be seen as you use the car park by the River Gardens where there is a tea room. Strutt is quite famous for inventing a new way to knit the beginnings for garments called the Derby Rib. Traitors were those who went over to America to explain how the knitting was done which took some of the work from Belper.
David told us he is retiring from presenting the talks this year: it is such a shame that we won’t see him again.
Our next meeting on the 15th October is a visit to the National Justice Museum. We are meeting at Weekday Cross at 1.45pm having walked down from the Lace Market tram stop.
At the November meeting we are back at Central Methodist Church 2 – 4pm when Trevor Lee is coming back as our speaker.
For the benefit of new members let me explain that for our indoor meetings the History Group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month at Central Methodist Church. It means the next one is on the 17th September starting at 2pm but please be there a little earlier. The cost is £2 per person. David Skillen is our speaker who is excellent at giving entertaining information of historical subjects and his topic this time is Belper in the Industrial Revolution with the talk called ‘Knitters, Nailers and Traitors’. We have seen him before when he entertained our main U3a meeting at John Godber Centre telling us about ‘The Gretna Girls and the Devils Porridge’ so I’m looking forward to hearing about Belper.
At this meeting members will be able to collect a flyer containing information about dates, speakers and visits for 2026.
Our next meeting is a visit to The National Justice Museum on 15th October. I was told that they have had major changes since lockdown which means that if anyone had been before they would find a great difference for the better especially because I booked us a guided tour this time. Travel arrangements will be making our own way by tram (alighting at Lace Market), train or Trent bus, meeting at the cross near Nottingham Contemporary building at 15 minutes to 2pm. Myself, Kathy and Sue will start taking names for booking the visit at our main meeting at John Godber on the 10th September.
