Category: History Group

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

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