Category: History Group

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month commencing at 2pm. Please note changes of dates for talks & visits. Due to Government restrictions regarding moving out of lockdown visiting Doddington Hall on 16th June 2021 is not possible. We have options to consider:-

1. I can rebook the visit for June 2022.
2. I could rebook for October 20th 2021 but as the garden is something special (I’m told) it might be better to go in the summer time.
3. I could rebook later this year late summer on a Saturday.
4. I could cancel altogether.

Please let me know what option you think is best.

Very recently there have been email queries and I am having a ‘ponder’ so I’m not really passing the buck but wonder if any of you have more knowledge than I. At present the Libraries and Archives Office are closed so hands on research is a bit difficult.

The first was from a lady who told me her father came to Hucknall to work for Byron Horticultural Engineering which later became Landmaster then (I think) Bonsers Engineering. It was located between Byron Street and Orchard Street.

The second, again from a lady, (makes me wonder if all women are nosey parkers like me) was asking if there was ever a church on the land close to the Police Station. There was. It was a Baptist Chapel which in fact is still there in disguise as a garage. But I’m thinking I have missed something? Is the Police Station to be demolished and the land to be cleared – again?

Third, from a man this time, was about the building on High Street which now sells take away food but is remembered by myself as a clock and jewellery shop – was it Crawleys? It was originally part of the Coffee Tavern. This building is an article waiting to be written and really aught to be at the top of the list. What do you think?

Meeting Dates 2021

Meeting dates are the third Wednesday of the month. Venue for Indoor meetings: Central Methodist Church. Time 2.00 pm prompt. We do not usually have indoor meetings in July and August but this year things are different. I am really hoping all will be well for us to meet in July and August and have rebooked the speakers accordingly.

July 21st 2021 Friends of Bennerley Viaduct. (Kieran Lee) Coming to talk about this historic monument past and future.

August 18th 2021 Malcolm Darroch is coming to talk about ‘When the Balloon went up’.

September 15th 2021 Robert Mee is coming to talk to us on Bradshaws and an early railway Tour. (He says it is the famous railway timetable and a mystery tour.)

October 20th 2021 Visit to Sharpes Pottery and The Magic Attic. Leave Hucknall 12.15 pm: Leave Sharpes 4.30 pm, Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish) Cost £11. I am still awaiting confirmation from the museum and will book a visit elsewhere or have a speaker if there is a problem. Or possibly rebook the visit to Doddington Hall.

November 17th 2021 Rescheduled visit to Richard lll Centre & Leicester Cathedral. Leave Hucknall 10.30 am; Leave Leicester 4.00 pm; Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish). Cost £18.

December 15th 2021 Although the date is close to Xmas we could have a social ‘Faith Tea’ meeting if you wish. Please let me know.

I will photocopy this list for the ‘first’ meeting we can attend.

T.T.F.N. & God bless from Maureen

To contact Maureen, please use the form below:-

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Meeting dates: 3rd Wednesday of the month except July August & December.
Venue for Indoor meetings: Central Methodist Church.
Time: 2.00 pm prompt.

This year, early meetings do depend on the Covid situation, government tiers and vaccines. All dates have been booked.

March 17th 2021 – Attempting to re-schedule this visit at present for later in the year. July, August or November?

April 21st 2021 – Malcolm Darroch is coming to talk about ‘When the Balloon went up’.

May 19th 2021 Friends of Bennerley Viaduct. (Kieran Lee)Coming to talk about this historic monument past and future.

June 16th 2021 Visit to Doddington Hall & Gardens. Leave Hucknall 9.30 am: Leave Doddington 4.00 pm. Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish) Cost £20 Price cut to the bone.

July & August 2021 – holidays.

September 15th 2021 – Robert Mee is coming to talk to us on Bradshaws and an early railway Tour. (He says it is the famous railway timetable and a mystery tour.)

October 20th 2021 – Visit to Sharpes Pottery and The Magic Attic. Leave Hucknall 12.15 pm: Leave Sharpes 4.30 pm, Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish) Cost £11. I am still awaiting confirmation from the museum and will book a visit elsewhere if there is a problem.

November 17th 2021 – Members Meeting – Christmas theme.

December 15th 2021 No meeting. Close to Xmas.

I will photocopy this list for the ‘first’ meeting we can attend.

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month commencing at 2pm. At present I am not sure when indoor meetings will restart – but – watch this space!

I decided to re- set the visits due in 2020 to 2021 which meant Richard lll WAS set for March 17th 2021 – but I am now discussing with them about re-scheduling it for later in the year. Remember money already paid for the trip is safe in the U3A bank. Please cross fingers, toes and anything else you can that the visits will go ahead. Doddington Hall will be on 16th June. I am still waiting for Sharpes Pottery to reply. I look forward to seeing everyone but in the meantime please take care and stay safe.

I have been catching up with my reading have you? In a recent Local History News from BALH there was an article which intrigued me. (Bear with me while I explain) I don’t know how many members have looked at the VCH (Victoria County History) books in a library. They are lovely red books beloved by local historians covering every county in England and founded in 1899. There is an ongoing project to re-write each county from the earliest times to the present day. People I know volunteer at Nottingham Archives Office researching for this project. I went to a meeting myself but decided that I had enough to do without joining the team and starting something new. As 2019 was the 120th anniversary of the VCH the project organisers decided to send each team of volunteers in every county a red box file with an interesting challenge attached. Could each team fill their box with objects which told the story of their county to fit into an A4 box file? When the boxes were opened they revealed fascinating objects for instance in the Nottinghamshire box was ‘sheet music for Eric Coates Dam Busters March stamped as property of the Boots Orchestra and a glass bottle from Boots the chemist’. Just think – something from Hucknall got into the Notts. box! WOW. I can’t wait until I can visit the archives to see what else was inside the box.

Now here is where you come into the picture. If I gave you an A4 box file and challenged you to include articles and items of what Hucknall meant to you from historic times to the present what would I find when I opened it? Would I be surprised? How many of these imaginary boxes would I get? Perhaps this is a thought for one of our meetings later in the year.

BALH = British Association of Local History – (Hucknall Heritage Society is a member)

T.T.F.N. & God bless from Maureen

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month commencing at 2.00 pm. At present I am not sure when indoor meetings will restart – but – watch this space! I decided to re- schedule the visits due in 2020 to 2021 which means Richard lll is set for March 17th 2021 – and remember money already paid for the trip is safe in the U3A bank. Please cross fingers, toes and anything else you can – that the visits will go ahead. Doddington Hall will be on 16th June. I am still waiting for Sharpes Pottery to reply. I look forward to seeing everyone but in the meantime please take care and stay safe.

No-one came back to me objecting or otherwise when I mentioned re-booking the speakers from this year for 2021 which means I will go ahead. (See booking list) However at present I feel booking a speaker for February is still a bit iffy so if we can meet I will think of something history based we can do to entertain ourselves.

I went to a day school years ago about writing articles. The tutor told us if using a computer “Never rely on the spell checker picking up miss-spelled or wrong words”. The following poem is (I think) interesting; what do you think?

Eye have a spelling chequer
Witch came with my pea sea
It plainly marques for my revue
Miss steaks I kin knot sea
I strike a quay and type a word
And weight four it to say
Weather eye am wrong oar write –
It shows me strait a weigh
As soon as a mist ache is maid
It nose bee four to long
And I kin put the error rite –
It’s rare lea ever wrong
Eye have run this poem threw it;
I am shore your pleased two no
It’s letter perfect awl the weigh –
My chequer tolled me sew.

How many corrections can you find? This poem went through my computer without showing any red lines.

Happy new and better year to all members. T.T.F.N. & God bless from Maureen

2021 HUCKNALL & DISTRICT U3A HISTORY GROUP

Meeting dates 3rd Wednesday of the month except July August & December. Venue for Indoor meetings: Central Methodist Church. Time 2.00pm prompt. This year early meetings do depend on the Covid situation, government tiers and vaccines. All dates have been booked.

January 20th 2021 ?????

February 17th 2021 Members Meeting. ?????

March 17th 2021 Visit to Richard lll Centre & Leicester Cathedral. Leave Hucknall 10.30am; Leave Leices. 4.00pm. Return Hucknall 5.30pm (ish) Cost £18 If this visit does not happen I will try to re-arrange it later in the year. July or August or November. Alternatively we may have an indoor meeting????

April 21st 2021 Malcolm Darroch is coming to talk about ‘When the Balloon went up’.

May 19th 2021 Friends of Bennerley Viaduct (Kieran Lee) coming to talk about this historic monument past and future.

June 16th 2021 Visit to Doddington Hall & Gardens. Leave Hucknall 9.30 am: Leave Doddington 4.00pm. Return Hucknall 5.30pm (ish) Cost £20 – Price cut to the bone.

July and August – holidays.

September 15th 2021 Robert Mee is coming to talk to us on Bradshaws and an early railway Tour. (He says it is the famous railway timetable and a mystery tour.)

October 20th 2021 Visit to Sharpes Pottery and The Magic Attic. Leave Hucknall 12.15pm: Leave Sharpes 4.30pm, Return Hucknall 5.30pm (ish) Cost £11. I am still awaiting confirmation from the museum and will book a visit elsewhere if there is a problem.

November 17th 2021 Members Meeting – Christmas theme.

December 15th 2021 No meeting. Close to Xmas.

I will photocopy this list for the ‘first’ meeting we can attend.

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month, commencing at 2pm. At present I am not sure when indoor meetings will restart – but – watch this space! I decided to re- schedule the visits due in 2020 to 2021 which means Richard lll is set for March 17th, 2021 – and remember money already paid for the trip is safe in the U3A bank. Please cross fingers, toes and anything else you can – that the visits will go ahead. Doddington Hall will be on 16th June. I am still waiting for Sharpes Pottery to reply. I look forward to seeing everyone but in the meantime please take care and stay safe.

No-one came back to me objecting or otherwise when I mentioned re-booking the speakers from this year for 2021 which means I will go ahead. However at present I feel booking for January and February is a bit iffy so if we can meet I will think of something history-based we can do to entertain ourselves. I have heard nothing about the idea for a book – Hucknall A – Z either and there have been no comments from anyone who has; or is; considering writing about their own history. I have nudged my brother to make an effort so it will be interesting to compare his memories with my own.

A while ago, I wrote about some bottles which had been found. Brenda Morris contacted me recently telling me what she knew about them. Brenda used to live on Albert Street and remembered the Walters dairymen bringing milk; she thinks at first with a horse and cart. Later they used a motorbike with not a sidecar, but a box on wheels attached, containing churns of milk. Customers went from their homes with a jug or container to the vehicle where long handled measures were used to dip into the churn and pour into the receptacle. This reminded me of Buckleys ice cream van coming round on Sunday afternoon and rushing out with a basin to be filled with ice cream to go with the tinned fruit for Sunday tea. Brenda also remembered playing with friends on Co-op Avenue. If they felt thirsty they knocked on the door of Mrs. Whyatt for a bottle of pop and she went to the ‘factory’ to fetch a bottle for the children. Would you like to bring any bottles you have to our first indoor meeting and I will bring mine? (Empty would be best? – or perhaps not!)

A member of the Catchpole family who lives away has contacted me asking for information. Catchpoles were in business as butchers on Annesley Road. One on the corner of Brook Street as a pork butcher and another general butchers shop. Can anyone remember them?

I have just realised that we will not have another U3A Newsletter before Christmas so I would like to wish every U3A member a happy, healthy and safe festive season hoping Santa brings us all a vaccine jab soon.

T.T.F.N. and God bless from Maureen