Category: Science Group

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

This year’s Science Group visit is to RAF Cosford on Friday 16th May.

I am organising this visit and now offering places to some non-science group members.

The coach (Vallances Luxury…) will leave Hucknall Market Place at 09.00, arriving back at approx. 17.00. The cost will be £16.00, which includes the coach, museum donation and driver tip.

There are 3 optional pre-bookable tours, each costing £9.00.

If you are interested, please contact me via email davidrose98835@gmail.com

Some details from the website:

Discover the fascinating, sometimes surprising, array of aircraft and objects in the collection. Alongside the aircraft are free exhibitions, flight-related memorabilia and interactive displays. View a variety of flight-related artwork in our art gallery. Some of these are available to purchase if one takes your fancy.

In the National Cold War Exhibition look out for the life-size Russian dolls and for those with a head for heights, take the lift to the top of our viewing gallery and look down at the mighty Belfast Transporter.

In Hangar 1, you will find the 1:1 scale Airfix Spitfire – which was featured on BBC2’s James May Toy Stories – complete with a model pilot and lots more.

IN ADDITION

There are options of 3 dedicated talks provided 10 people wish to take part.

The Museum can organise tours for pre-booked groups. We have a few tours we can offer You and your group:

• Bomber Command Tour (1-hour tour)
• National Cold War Exhibition Tour (1-hour tour)
• Battle of Britain Tour (1-hour tour)

All our guided tours are £9.00 per head. To get the group rate, your group must have a minimum of 10 people. If you are interested in booking a guided tour, please contact our Customer Care team at midlands@rafmuseum.org. We ask that you give us a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice so that we can make the necessary arrangements. we also ask that you confirm your final numbers a week before your visit. This will then be the amount charged on the day.

I will collect the names of those interested in any of the 3 options but will not be collecting any money at this stage

David Rose