Category: History Group

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members and especially new ones, we have plenty of room. Indoor meetings take place at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street. Time 2pm – 4pm, always on the third Wednesday of the month.

Our visit in April was to Pleasley Pit. Although it has been a visitor attraction open for years our coach full of members was the first they had ever had. It proved to be a learning experience for the volunteers and especially the kitchen staff although the food they served was good. I think we all enjoyed the guided tour and learned a lot about the different jobs coal miners did. In a way it was a shame we were unable to walk around the country park, but we did see images of the wildlife to be seen on the site. The weather played its part as the rain kept off until we were getting back on the coach. Thank you very much for those members who took photographs.

The next meeting is on the 15^th May when we have David Amos coming to show us images and give details of ‘A Brief History of Annesley’. David worked at Annesley Colliery, lived in the village and has been researching Annesley for years so I think we are in for a good afternoon.

At that meeting on 15^th May Kathy and Sue will be taking names and money for the visit to Wellow on 19^th June. Coach leaving Ogle Street at 11am; leaving Wellow at 3.30pm, the cost is £10.

Maureen Newton

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members – especially new ones – we have plenty of room. Our indoor meetings take place at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street, time 2pm – 4pm.  It is always on the third Wednesday of the month.  Due to a visit the next indoor meeting is on 15 May.  If you have not booked for the visit I will see you then.  

In March we had one of our favourite speakers Andy McKinnon to tell us about the history of Bestwood, it  was amazing.  It seems the map of Bestwood has stayed the same for hundreds of years. We heard that Nell Gwynne one of Charles II mistresses, who had some of the King’s children, rode round the area to claim it for her son, could we say for services rendered?  He became the Duke of St. Albans.  John Bentley one of our newer members was able to give us the benefit of his knowledge as well.

Pleasley Pit is the venue of our visit in April and we have a full bus of members.  I am told we will get a guided tour of the premises and be able to see colliery items that are not usually on show. They also have a tearoom/canteen where we can get drinks and snacks.  Great.

The next indoor meeting is 15th May when we have David Amos coming to show us images and give details of ‘A Brief History of the Village of Annesley’.  David worked at Annesley Colliery and has been researching the village for years, I think we are in for a good afternoon.  If you are not booked on the visit I will see you at the meeting in May.

Maureen Newton

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members – especially new ones.  Our indoor meetings take place at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street – Time 2pm – 4pm.  It is always on the third Wednesday of the month, in March it is 20th.

Last month we had one of our regular speakers Stephen Flinders with the topic ‘Stanton at War’.  He showed an original film taken in wartime at the Stanton works located just ‘ovver t’ brook’ (the river Erewash) near Ilkeston.  It seemed most of the people at the works were young women who could easily have been our mothers or grandmothers doing heavy work using cranes and making bombs which were taken over targets in Germany by Lancaster aeroplanes.   Some Italian prisoners of war also worked there.  Stephen is such good value as a speaker we will look forward to seeing him again.

Our speaker in March is Andy McKinnon who is going to tell us about ‘The History of Bestwood’.  Andy is another of our favourite speakers and I’m sure some of you will remember when he came to John Godber Hall to tell us about the Hucknall people who served in the Great War. 

There might still be seats available for our visit to Pleasley Pit; please ask Kathy or Sue for details.

Maureen Newton

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members especially new ones. Our indoor meetings take place at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street: time 2pm – 4pm. It is always on the third Wednesday of the month – in February it is the 21st.

Peter Amour came in January to tell us how he was Wandering in and Around Wiltshire. We went with him to many National Trust buildings and gardens and English Heritage sites as well as on a photographic tour.

In February we have one of our favourite speakers Stephen Flinders with us again. This time he is coming to bring an original film and tell us about a wartime engingeering factory called ‘Stanton at War’.

At the February meeting, Kathy and Sue will be collecting bookings and money for our visit to Pleasley Pit on 17th April. Cost is £10.

Maureen Newton

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members especially new ones. Our indoor meeting place is Central Methodist Church on Baker Street: time 2pm – 4pm. It is on the third Wednesday of the month.

The next meeting is on January 17th. This time we have Peter Amour coming to talk to us. He should have come last year but had a family emergency. His topic is ‘Wanderings in and around Wiltshire’ so think Stonehenge; the Avebury Long Barrow, etc. I feel sure it will be excellent.

May I please take the opportunity to wish all members ‘A happy and healthy new year’.

Maureen