Category: History Group

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

The History Group welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meeting place is Central Methodist Church on Baker Street: time 2pm – 4pm on the third Wednesday of the month. Kathy and Sue help with admin for visits etc. and Anne Wilkinson, the organiser, with usually Margaret Smith but occasionally other members, help her in the kitchen. A very special thank you to all of them.

For November’s meeting we had a talk showing aristocratic houses then onwards to seeing aircraft of WW ll and others. We started in Derbyshire moved on to Lincolnshire then over to France where there were parachutes with mock landings of WW ll and vehicles as well. The exhibition wall in our library was empty so to fill the space Hucknall Heritage Society have set up an exhibition of images showing Hucknall Industries. Call in when you have a minute then let us know what you think.

There is no meeting in December. Moving on to January 2024, Peter Amour will tell us about his ‘Wanderings in and around Wiltshire’. Peter should have come this year 2023 but was unable to due to health problems.

May I take the opportunity to ‘speak’ to all members and send seasons greetings to everyone,

Maureen

---