Category: Not So Grumpy Old Men

Sixteen NSGOM met with our guide, Shaun, for the start of a Minster tour that would collapse nearly 1000 years of history into 75 minutes. While seated in the Norman Nave what comes to mind is, how did they bring sandstone from quarries in Mansfield and then construct a three-story building featuring columns 30ft in circumference? It took 50 years (more than an average lifespan at the time) The Minster revolved around the needs of the people, stained glass windows were used to tell stories. The finest example, made in 1528, displays four biblical events, the colours are clear and vibrant and the scenes have perspective. Much within the Minster displays the skill of medieval craftsmanship; in the Chapter House there are countless examples of naturalistic carvings. One of our group had to find the hidden pig! The craftsmen carved what they saw around them; they saw the mythical Green Man and the ‘leaves of Sherwood’.

Next came coffee and cake, in The Refectory.

The Minster is near to the road that linked London to York, had extensive forest, deer, the Trent and 4 natural springs; an ideal stopping off point for, ‘progresses’ going to York; consequently, The Archbishop’s Palace was built.

In the afternoon our two guides Christine and Patricia took us into the State Chamber. We were given a short history of the lives of Cardinal Wolsey and James i. In the Bishop’s Garden, we were able to visualise how The Palace might have looked, built around a central courtyard.

The volunteer guides, who appreciated the interaction and banter with our group, displayed passion for, and dedication to, their work; intertwining history with anecdotes and concluded with a poem; making the day a memorable experience.

PS. The guides intimated that NSGOM was an erroneous description of those present.

The latest NSGOM activity saw its members return to Hucknall LC for another session involving leather and willow. Indoor Cricket in case you were wondering!

Twelve players plus scorer Dave Wormall (channelling his inner Bill Frindall) were ably tutored and guided by regular player John Beharall. Whilst it would be fair to say the standard was modest (except Alan “Six” Newton) there were definite signs of improvement since our last outing. Runs scored were greater and wides bowled were far fewer. Some spectacular sixes were hit, some great catches taken and even a few dollies dropped. However, the highlight for many was seeing the organiser clean bowled by WG Grace lookalike, our Chairman Melvyn.

Bob McEwen 

The NSGOM enjoyed their now customary start to the new year activities by visiting the Spot On club to occupy eight tables for two hours of snooker.

While the professional world of snooker is rife with fixing allegations there was little evidence of such activity at this event!! While the skills were often lacking, the event proved very enjoyable with most members playing three matches during the afternoon. A big thank you to Greg Umney for once again organising the day.

The group took the opportunity to plan future events for 2023 which include Indoor Cricket at the Leisure Centre in February, a visit to the Framework Knitters Museum in Ruddington in March and a trip to Southwell Minster in April.

Later in the year the group hope to visit the Climbing Centre at Phoenix Park, The Headstocks at the former Clipstone Colliery, play Croquet at Highfields, play Crazy Golf at Ramsdale Golf Club in Calverton and of course also attend the latter venue for now annual Christmas meal in late November.

A busy year ahead!!!

In almost monsoon-like rain, a group of the NSGOM met up on Hucknall Market Place for an early start to our journey to Leeds Armouries. Travelling with a minibus from the Ravenshead Community fleet we enjoyed the journey up to Leeds arriving before 10.00 am.

The Armouries house the home of the UK’s National Collection of arms which are spread out over five floors of the purpose-built centre. You discover during the tour how arms and armour have shaped our history over the centuries.

The exhibits are brought to life by the ” Live Interpretation Team” who provide live demonstrations over the day. The are some very special exhibits on show not least the largest animal armour in the world – elephant armour complete with tusk surrounds.

Meeting up at 12,45 pm the group then travelled on to The Lord Darcy restaurant for lunch. We returned in slightly improved weather conditions arriving back in Hucknall just after 4.00pm.

A huge thank you goes to Gary Holmes for organising what was an excellent day out.

Have you ever wondered how products in your online shopping cart get from Amazon to you? Well, in October, the Not So Grumpy Old Men visited the Amazon Fulfilment Centre at Doncaster to find out.

The Doncaster facility is one of over 50 Fulfilment Centres across Europe and is over 1m square feet of technologically advanced storage space where the barcode is king. From receipt to stowage, picking, packing, labelling, shipping and delivery, everything, is driven by those thick and thin lines. The application of the final despatch labels in the SLAM machine is a joy to behold.

In a Q&A session we learned what happens to the returns and where to buy cheap Amazon products (but it’s our secret!).

On leaving with our goodie bags we made a short trip for our lunch stop before the return home.