Category: History Group

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

Last month our trip was to Derby to visit the Museum and Art Gallery.  I think everyone enjoyed the trip because everything worked out well.  The new coach firm, Vallances, superb, the driver very helpful, even the traffic seemed to co-operate.  

I wonder what was your favourite part of the building or the room you liked best?  There were several things I will remember particularly, the Egypt exhibition, the room of Joseph Wrights paintings and that amazing log boat.  

Our November meeting is at Central Methodist Church on 20th November at 2pm when the speaker is Bob Massey.  His topic is Remember, Remember the 5th of November Gunpowder, Treason and Plot and Guy Fawkes.  Bob has been to talk to us before on several occasions and is a very good speaker.

If you remember we are having to change a couple of dates next year which means the January meeting date is  January 8th and February 12th .  The second Wednesdays in the month.  Sue, Kathy and I are trying to get this settled which will enable us to get new flyers ready for the November meeting.