Category: Science Group

20^th June 2025

It was back to the Portland Room at JGC this month – initially with a few technical laptop/hardware interface issues that were soon sorted.

We had an eclectic mix of presentations from Christine Vincent for Niels Bohr, John Tedstone for The Lunartick Society and catching up with our ‘5 Minute Scientists’ David Wormall with Pythagoras, Ian Murray summarising the significant achievements of J J Thompson and finally John Woodward enthusiastically telling us about his electrical hero Michael Faraday.

However, as in much of science and technology, their achievements and pursuit of knowledge are linked through time.

According to AI in the form of Microsoft co-pilot:

The Lunartick Society, a group of freethinkers in 18th-century England, championed the pursuit of scientific knowledge and philosophical inquiry. Their spirit of curiosity would have delighted minds like Pythagoras, the ancient Greek mathematician whose ideas about numbers and harmony laid a foundation for scientific thought.

Centuries later, Michael Faraday, largely self-taught, harnessed that same spirit to pioneer electromagnetism and revolutionise our understanding of electricity. Building on such discoveries, J.J. Thompson identified the electron, unlocking a whole new realm of subatomic science.

Then along came Niels Bohr, who dared to challenge classical physics with his quantum model of the atom, marrying theory with mystery. Together, these visionaries – though separated by time – reflect a desire to explore the unseen, from harmonies of the cosmos to the particles within. They embody the legacy of questioning minds, stretching from the Enlightenment salons of the Lunartick Society to the laboratories and lecture halls of today.

In July I have arranged a visiting speaker from The Canal and River Trust for part 1 of our meeting. The theme is ‘Wildlife of the Canals’.

We thank our June presenters and next month there will be time for more of the ‘5 Minute Scientists’

Next Meeting: Friday 18^th July JGC 10am to 11.45am

David Rose

Our May ‘meeting’ was a visit to the RAF Cosford Museum.

The museum is on a grand scale with some extremely large hangers which house aircraft through the ages from small pilot only single engine propeller craft to enormous bombers and military freight planes.

Many were fitted with Rolls Royce piston and jet engines.

I know the theory of how aircraft fly but looking at size of some of them makes me wonder.

The visit included insightful talks on the Battle of Britain and the Cold War, offering a deeper understanding of these pivotal moments in military history.

The Battle of Britain session highlighted the bravery of RAF pilots who defended Britain against relentless Luftwaffe attacks in 1940. The group explored exhibits showcasing aircraft, personal stories, and strategic decisions that shaped the outcome of the battle.

The Cold War exhibition provided a fascinating look at the tense standoff between Western and Eastern blocs. The museum’s National Cold War Exhibition features Britain’s V Force bombers, illustrating the RAF’s role in nuclear deterrence. The group also learned about the technological advancements and political strategies that defined this era.

Next Meeting – Friday 20^th June 10am – 11.45am JGC

John Tedstone will be telling us about The ‘Lunarticks’ an informal ‘learned society’ of prominent figures  including industrialists, ’natural philosophers’ and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham.

Christine Vincent has a presentation about Danish Physicist Niels Bohr who made major contributions to atomic structure and quantum theory.

David Rose

16^th May is our visit to RAF Cosford.

Please note we will now meet the coach on Ogle Street at 8.30am.

This is to allow a cushion of time in case of traffic delays.

Departure time is 3.15pm ETA back in Hucknall 5.00pm.

20^th June Meeting

We are playing ‘catch up’ and we have two presentations:

John Tedstone on the ‘Lunarticks’ and

Christine Vincent with Niels Bohr- a Nobel Prize winning Danish physicist.

There is also an opportunity for any members who wish to do their outstanding ‘5 minute scientists’ talks.

David Rose

Our 18^th April meeting is at 10.00am to 11.45am in the main hall (Portland) at JGC.

John Tedstone has prepared a presentation about an interesting group who called themselves the Lunar Society. The members became known as ‘Lunarticks’.

The Lunar Society of Birmingham was a British dinner club and informal learned society of prominent figures in the Midlands Enlightenment, including industrialists, natural philosophers and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham. At first called the Lunar Circle, “Lunar Society” became the formal name by 1775. The name arose because the society would meet during the full moon. It still exists.

Original members included James Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton.

John will have much more to tell us about this interesting group.

After a short break there will be a presentation about the RAF Cosford Museum and a video which highlights the contribution to aerospace and flight made by ‘Hucknall Heroes’

David Rose

Our 18^th April meeting is at 10.00am to 11.45am in the main hall (Portland) at JGC.

John Tedstone has prepared a presentation about an interesting group who called themselves the Lunar Society. The members became known as ‘Lunarticks’.

The Lunar Society of Birmingham was a British dinner club and informal learned society of prominent figures in the Midlands Enlightenment, including industrialists, natural philosophers and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham. At first called the Lunar Circle, “Lunar Society” became the formal name by 1775. The name arose because the society would meet during the full moon. It still exists.

Original members included James Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton.

John will have much more to tell us about this interesting group.

After a short break there will be a presentation about the RAF Cosford Museum and a video which highlights the contribution to aerospace and flight made by ‘Hucknall Heroes’

David Rose