Category: History Group

It was so unfortunate that Robert Mee, the booked speaker for the group contracted Covid. It meant that the talk about History on the Erewash Valley trail didn’t happen. We had looked forward to seeing Robert again – however I have already asked him to come another time.

There was not enough time to ask anyone else. What did happen then I hear you ask? I guess like a lot of historians I have accrued a lot of history based books – so – I brought a pile and read out to the members snippets of interesting items. I will note a couple of them for you.

From ‘The Butcher, The Baker, the Candlestick Maker’ by Roger Hutchinson (it is about census returns) comes details of Charlotte Bronte who lived at Parsonage House, Haworth with her 74 year old father. In 1851 Charlotte had already been outed as the author of Jane Eyre and Shirley but in the return, she had no occupation listed. Judith Flanders wrote the book ‘The Victorian House’ and wrote of Beatrix Potter (writer of Peter Rabbit) who had gone on holiday to Torquay. Beatrix noted “I sniffed my bedroom on arrival and for a few hours felt a certain grim satisfaction when my forebodings were maintained. It is possible to have too much natural history in a bed”. She said she did not undress but had to lay on the bed and it was uncomfortable to sleep with Keatings (bug) powder in her hair. A few members borrowed books for home reading.

Our next meeting is a visit to Derby, meet on Ogle Street at 11am on 16th October. There is time for Lunch then meet at the museum at 1.30pm; we leave Derby at 4pm.

Our next indoor meeting for the Hucknall & District u3a History Group is as usual at Central Methodist Church on Wednesday 18th September at 2pm.

Robert Mee is the speaker and he is coming to tell us all about ‘The History Along the Erewash Valley Trail. The river Erewash starts in the Robin Hood Hills, runs towards Kirkby and eventually joins the river Trent.

Kathy and Sandra will be collecting money for the visit to Derby Museum & Art Gallery on 16th October where they have a special exhibition about Egypt. We leave Ogle Street in our new coach company vehicle at 11am with the return journey from Derby at 4pm. The cost is £12.50p. The Museum has some wonderful collections with a whole room full of paintings by Joseph Wright the famous artist.

I have some bad news for members of our group. A message from the Holocaust Centre where we were going in October, explained they were having major alterations and didn’t really think we would enjoy being there. I’m so sorry because I know lots of you wanted to go, however, the better news is that I have re-booked for us to go in April next year.

The good news is that we will go to Derby to the Museum and Art Gallery where they have a special exhibition on display about Egypt. Watch for more information about prices and times. The venue has some wonderful collections with a whole room dedicated to the famous artist Joseph Wrights paintings.

Our next indoor meeting is at Central Methodist Church on Wednesday 18th September at 2pm. Robert Mee, who is a speaker we have had several times before, is coming to tell us all about ‘The History along the Erewash Valley Trail’. The Erewash River starts in the Robin Hood Hills, as does our River Leen, and runs towards Kirkby eventually joining the River Trent.

Our visit last month was to Wellow for a history-based walk around the village. We met in the village schoolroom and had a brief early overview talk from Denis Hill, a historian who is always good value and has an ancestral connection with Wellow. Everyone was given a booklet of local area walks and a leaflet describing the village walk we were soon to take.
We enjoyed the stroll with our guide who explained what was important to see regarding the buildings, dam, gorge dyke which was along North Dark Lane (guess where next) South Dark Lane, and eventually on to the Green and the Maypole. It was good to see members with walkers managing to do the ‘off roading’ part of the walk. The weather (as ordered) was perfect, and a church warden kindly opened the church of St. Swithins which was unexpected – wonderful. Some members even said they would like to go back.

New Members

All u3a members are welcome to History Group meetings and there is plenty of room. There is no meeting in July or August as I, and the helpers, need holidays. Our next indoor meeting is at Central Methodist Church on Wednesday 18th September when Robert Mee, a speaker we have had several times before, will be coming to tell us about ‘The History Along the Erewash Valley Trail’.

Despite the problems at the beginning of the meeting when our own Greg did amazing work getting everything sorted out; we had a marvellous afternoon.

David Amos presented ‘Part 1’ of the History of Annesley and the village, explaining that he had far too much to tell us in one hour.  Didn’t we all enjoy the images and the words that went with them?  There were comments saying it was one of the best talks we had ever had.  I will try to book David again next year for ‘Part 2’.  

Sue, Kathy and I were left checking all was well after the meeting when an assistant from the Sue Ryder shop fetched us outside.  Maureen Beresford had fallen badly hurting her hand and arm. Luckily Sue Ryder staff and Kathy’s husband David saw her fall and came to help. David and Kathy tried to get an ambulance but in the end, they took her up to Kings Mill in the car.  Sometimes we can feel so lucky to live in Hucknall – quite a few people that day should be listed as good Samaritans.

There is no indoor meeting next month as we are off to visit Wellow – meet on Ogle Street 11am: there are a few places left – see Kathy, Sue or myself if you would like to go.

 If you are not on the trip, remember there are no meetings in July or August so I will see you all at Central Methodist on 18th September when Robert Mee will tell us all about the ‘History Along the Erewash Valley Trail’.

Maureen