Category: History Group

Our March meeting brought Denis Hill to explain to us about the mystery of Kirkby Castle. Although it was shown in the older maps of the area nothing seemed to be left on the ground. (I think some members thought it was a scam because there was no such thing). The location proved to be a good place for a castle with extensive views over the river Erewash. It seemed on the whole it was a fortified manor house rather than a ‘Disney type’ castle.

Denis is a fantastic speaker and in his presentation the images were extremely good – he had also brought some books of what the Kirkby Archaeological Group found as they researched the subject.

Denis also brought with him 2 pre-used working projectors which Greg passed on to Liz Attenborough (technical equipment manager) for the benefit of any of our u3a groups. Thank you Denis.

The meeting next month is a visit to the Hollocaust Centre at Laxton by coach; I have suggested we take a packed lunch just in case their building and alteration work is not completed. The coach has a full complement of members: leaving Hucknall Ogle Street at 10.30 am and leaving the Centre at 4pm.

At the indoor meeting on 21st May at Central Methodist Church David Amos is coming to tell us about Annesley Part ll.

Also Kathy and Sandra will be taking names and money £10.50 (to cover the cost of coach only) for our visit to Lincoln on 18th June.

Maureen Newton

The History Group meet at Central Methodist Church at 2pm to about 4pm.  The price is £2 to cover the cost of the room, a speaker and refreshments.  Please note: next month we are back to our normal meeting of the third Wednesday in the month, 19th March when Denis Hill is coming to tell us all about Kirkby Castle.  I have become a little fed up with people telling me there wasn’t a castle at Kirkby – “Oh yes there was” and Denis will explain.

Last month Stephen Walker came to tell us about a Study of Migration of Millworkers to Darley Abbey.  It was interesting to see the original census returns and other records used in his work as he checked out where the millworkers had come from.  The Evans family who owned the mill very close to the river Derwent seemed to be decent employers at the time.

Some time ago I said the u3a magazine was talking about family sayings and Christine Faithful has taken on a project to record them.  She has written the next paragraph to explain.  An example of one of my mum’s is “We need to get that mess or room ‘firked’ up”.  She said it when the room was untidy and we had left toys all over.  

See you on the 19th March.

Maureen

For the benefit of any new members who might like to come to our group we meet  at Central Methodist Church at 2pm to about 4pm.  The price to come to the meetings is £2 which covers the cost of the room, a speaker and refreshments.  Thank you very much to the kitchen helpers as it is a really important job you do providing drinks and biscuits during the meeting.

At the last meeting we had Robin Hood who came to speak to us dressed in his greenwood clothing.  It was a shame he didn’t want to use the microphone, but I don’t suppose he would have had one in the forest anyway, it was a problem for members who couldn’t hear him very well. Robin had done loads of research about life and times and it did show. He did also bring items round to show us and we were allowed to touch them. His clothes, and equipment were all natural fabrics (animal skin) and mostly made by himself.

Stephen Walker is coming to talk to us on the 12th February about ‘Moving on – A study of migration of millworkers to Darley Abbey’.  It could also read from the river Leen to the river Derwent.    

Also at that meeting, Kathy and Sandra are hoping to take your names and money for the visit to the Holocaust Centre at a cost of £17.50 on 6th April.

The following month we will be back to our usual 3rd Wednesday in the month.

Just in case there are any new members interested in joining our group, we meet at the Central Methodist Church on Baker Street, opposite the Market Place.  There is a small car park behind the church. The time is 2pm to 4pm.  

The next meeting is the 8th January a week before our usual date  due to changing dates for other meetings.  The speaker is Tony Rotherham who is going to tell us about Robin Hood – Fact or Fiction – which sounds very intriguing.  If you have friends who are not online please explain to them.  

A quick note about money as from this first meeting in 2025 we need to start paying £2 again. Does everything have to go up – in this case the answer is ‘yes’?

A short reminder that our meeting in February has changed as well to the 12th February for the same reasons as before.

Bye for now, I’ll see you on the 8th January,

Maureen

The group always meets at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street from 2pm to 4pm.  The next meeting (Note the different date) is on Wednesday 8th January which is the second Wednesday of the month.  The change is necessary due to other meetings having to change dates as well.  The speaker is Tony Robinson who is to tell us about ‘Robin Hood – Fact or Fiction’.  It sounds very intriguing.  I wonder what you believe – do you think he will change your mind either way?  

Last month, November, our speaker was Bob Massey explaining about ‘The Gunpowder Plot.  There was so much more information, researched by Bob, along with short videos and screen shots which were included in the presentation making it very unusual. I bet searches of the rooms below Parliament were increased from then onwards.

Christmas greetings to all members.  

Maureen