Category: National Trust

Members set off on Monday, 10th of October, at 9.00am from Hucknall Market in bright sunshine for the two hour journey up to Quarry Bank Mill, Cheshire. The journey itself took us through the beautiful Peak District, making a lovely change to the views generated on the M1!!!’

On arrival the Quarry Bank staff were all organised to start a day that many members enjoyed more than any other visit this year. We were split into three groups and led on a lengthy tour of the preserved Cotton Mill which gave a wonderful picture of the history of the cotton mills. From hand weaving, to the Spinning Jenny all the way through machines produced later, we got a great first hand view of the history of the cotton industry.

Leaving our guides behind most members headed to the cafe for some lunch before then having a forty five minute tour of the Apprentices’ House where the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms were viewed along with some wonderful stories about some individuals who effectively lived in the Workhouse.

These organised tours left limited time for visits to the gardens, walks and shops. The day seemed to pass quickly and at 4.00 pm departure time was upon us. The journey home again passing through the Peaks in the sunshine completed a lovely day out.

We arrived back in Hucknall for just after 6.00 pm with many members saying that they would like to revisit the venue on another occasion.

National Trust Group 2023
Just to confirm that the group will operate again next year from March to October. Venues and dates will be sent out as soon as possible. Sue and myself are very pleased to say that next year Anne and Steve Lawrence will be helping us to plan and organise the visits, something that we really appreciate. If members have any particular places that they would recommend for our visits, please let us know.

Thank you to all of you who have supported the group this year.

Barrie and Sue

A bright and sunny morning greeted the group as we met up on Hucknall Market place at the slightly later time of ten o’clock for the short journey to Hardwick Hall.

We were met by a volunteer from the National Trust on our arrival and given directions and hints for the day. Although the Hall was partly covered by scaffolding both floors of this special building were open and provided a magnificent setting for the day.

Inside the Hall there were plenty of volunteers to answer any questions and give out valuable information. The various walks around the Hardwick Estate ponds proved very popular over the day especially as the sun continued to shine down. For the less energetic there were walks around the beautiful gardens. Along with visits to the shops, some members took advantage to enjoy the weather in the deckchairs provided. The short journey home saw us arrive back in Hucknall before five o’clock after a lovely day.

Visit to Quarry Bank Mill on Monday 10th of October.
Our final visit of the year provides a slightly different visit with a trip to an old working mill in Cheshire. Here we will have an opportunity to see parts of the mill still working and also visit other parts of the site including the former apprentices’ homes. This visit will leave Hucknall Market at 9.00 am and return from Quarry Bank at 4,00pm. There are a few places left which can be booked by emailing me at nationaltrust@hucknallu3a.org.uk

2023
As already confirmed the group will continue next year with visits each month from March to October. Exact dates for these visits will be sent out in the near future

Nunnington Hall Visit
On a beautifully sunny and eventually hot day the group left Hucknall promptly at 9.00 am for the journey up to North Yorkshire with the air conditioning on the coach being really appreciated!!

Arriving at Nunnington Hall by 11.00 am most of the group headed for the cafe for much needed refreshments. Unfortunately all the wasps from North Yorkshire seemed intent on sharing our food and drink!!!

The Hall, like many National Trust properties was taken over by the Trust because the cost of maintaining the property became too expensive for the owners. The Hall itself was laid out slightly differently to most NT venues with rooms dating back to various periods in history, the earliest being from the Tudor period. There was also a separate exhibition and an arts area.

A free tour of the gardens led by the Head Gardner would normally have been very popular but with the rapidly rising temperatures many members opted for a place in the shade, some taking advantage of the deckchairs provided by the staff from Nunnington.

Nunnington and the surrounding area is a very picturesque area and if you are in the North Yorkshire the Hall and grounds are a lovely way to spend a day. A ride through more beautiful scenery in North Yorkshire followed as we made our way back to Hucknall after a very enjoyable and relaxing day.

September and October Visits
September 13th sees us take the short journey up to Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. We will depart from Hucknall Market at 10.00 am and return from Hardwick at 4.00 pm. The cost of the coach is £10.

On Monday 10th of October, we will have our final visit of the year to Quarry Bank Mill in Cheshire. The cost is £14 which includes coach fare and a guided tour in groups of 15 around the mill and surrounding area. This trip now clashes with the Forest v Aston Villa match which kicks off at 8.00 pm but I am confident that Paul, our driver, will get us home to Hucknall in time to do both events on the day!!!!

Bookings for this visit will be available via my email, nationaltrust@huknallu3a.org.uk We will be at the September monthly meeting to collect monies.

Most members are aware but, just to confirm, that the National Trust group will continue next year with trips each month from March to October.

Barrie and Sue

On the day that the two day heatwave ended, the National Trust group set off for Waddesdon Manor, in Buckinghamshire. The venue owned by the Rothschild Family is certainly one of the jewels in the National Trust portfolio.

Despite several diversions, due to road works close to the venue, we arrived safely at the venue for 11.00 am.
A visit to the Stables cafe was then followed by a timed tour of the Manor itself. Set over three floors the Manor had an enormous number of rooms to view. The volunteer guides and an excellent guidebook providing all the information needed.

There was a special exhibition devoted to Alice de Rothschild, a display of Gainsborough paintings and so many special rooms to explore most members were inside the Manor for over two hours. Once outside there were beautiful gardens to explore and over the day a film crew arrived to set up to begin filming a period drama during the following two days. Staff were generally tight lipped about the name of the production but a new Netflix programme or Bridgerton were mentioned.

After a lovely day we set off for the return journey at 4.00 pm.

October Visit
Our October visit, on Monday 10th, will now be to Quarry Bank Hill in Cheshire. The site reflects the thriving cotton industry which existed for over two hundred years and still hums today with the sight and sounds of the people who worked there, with the heritage machinery still operating. The mill was powered by the most powerful wheel in Europe. Although production stopped in 1959 you can still walk to the village of Styal to see where the workers lived. The mill owners house can also still be toured. There are also gardens and the other usual features of a National Trust site.

Times and prices will be sent out soon.

Barrie

Visits for August and September, 2022
Our August visit is to Nunnington Hall, in North Yorkshire, on Thursday 11th. The cost of the coach is £15. Please note that we will be leaving Hucknall Market Place at 9.00 am on this occasion and returning from the venue at 4.00 pm. As usual we will be taking bookings a calendar month before the visit ie on July 11th.

For September, we are visiting Hardwick Hall, on Tuesday 13th. This visit will leave Hucknall Market Place at 10.00 am with it being a relatively short journey. Returning from Hardwick at 4.00pm. The coach fare will be £10. Bookings will be taken from August 13th.

The final visit for October will be on Monday 10th but will be to a venue still to be decided since the original venue has several areas with uneven surfaces and is not totally suitable for all the group.

Barrie