News From The Groups – Hucknall and District U3A

Petanque

by WebmasterPetanque May 20, 2026Comments are Disabled

On 18th May, a day with 3 seasons’ weather, Hucknall U3a Petanque team were Gold winners in both doubles and triples matches in Monday’s U3a Petanque competition with entries from eight U3a teams.

Our success was a result of great teamwork. Four new players played like naturals, playing together with our more experienced players who offered excellent coaching tips. Great playing, nerves of steel, and all planning was done on an empty wooden cutlery packet. All taking part should be proud of our success. No trophies, no prizes, just well deserved prestige.

Hucknall team players were:

Shirley Towle

Julie Bridges

Janet Pickering

Richard Smeathers

Howard Bodill

Jo Ferguson

Peter Chantry

Anne Boucher

Chris Eagle

The U3a groups who entered were:

Burton Joyce – 2 teams

Worksop – 2 teams

Hucknall

Southwell

Ashfield

West Bridgford

Thanks to Neil Hunt of Arnold U3a for organising the competition and Nottingham City Petanque Club for hosting the event.

Chris Eagle

Discovering Britain

by WebmasterDiscovering Britain May 17, 2026Comments are Disabled

Our day trip to Kingston upon Hull offered a fascinating mix of history, culture, and modern attractions. The journey began in Hull’s charming Old Town, where cobbled streets and historic buildings create a vivid sense of the city’s maritime past. Narrow alleys, traditional pubs, and Georgian architecture gave the area a welcoming character.

The next stop was the Streetlife Museum, which provides an engaging look at transport history. Vintage cars, bicycles, horse-drawn carriages, and recreated street scenes made the museum both educational and entertaining. Nearby, the Hull and East Riding Museum displayed impressive archaeological treasures, including Roman artefacts and prehistoric remains, offering insight into the region’s ancient past.

Lunch was enjoyed at Trinity Market, a lively indoor market filled with independent food stalls and local produce. Although, some preferred a pint and Fish and Chips at the local Wetherspoons. Afterwards, a visit to Hull Minster revealed magnificent Gothic architecture and a peaceful atmosphere.

The day concluded at The Deep, Hull’s spectacular aquarium, where sharks, rays, and colourful marine life provided a memorable ending to an enjoyable and varied day.

Long Walks

by WebmasterLong Walks May 11, 2026Comments are Disabled

19 walkers took on the Steve Evens ‘Ashover Challenge’ today in excellent walking conditions.
An exhilarating 8.5 miles (e.g. hilly) route with wide ranging views and 1350 ft of up.

It had a distinctly farming flavour as we negotiated several fields of cows with calves.

Ashover is worth a visit with 3 pubs and a free car park.

Thanks to Steve for planning and navigating today.

Science Group

by WebmasterScience Group May 3, 2026Comments are Disabled

At the Science Group meeting on Friday 17th April, members enjoyed a fascinating illustrated talk entitled The City of Bees, given by Sandra Hart, a Nottinghamshire u3a member and experienced beekeeper.

Sandra invited us to see the beehive as a bustling city, where thousands of individual bees work together in a highly organised and efficient society. She explained the different roles within the hive, including the queen, workers and drones, and showed how each contributes to the survival and success of the colony.

The talk covered the lifecycle of honeybees, their remarkable methods of communication, and the complex cooperation that underpins hive life. Sandra also highlighted the crucial role bees play in pollination and the wider environment and touched on the challenges facing bee populations today.

Illustrated with objects and examples drawn from practical beekeeping experience, the presentation was both informative and accessible, prompting plenty of interest and questions from the group. It was an engaging and thought‑provoking talk that was much appreciated by members.

Following the break, the meeting continued with two of our regular ‘3-minute talks’ – Alan Newton with the Wind-Up Radio (together with some interesting facts about the inventor Trevor Bayliss) and Anne Murray who led us through the invention and development of the sewing machine. Anne is well known locally as a singer, and her apt final note was about the man who we most associate with sewing machines – Isaac Merritt Singer. This rounded off another enjoyable and varied Science Group session.

Next Month: 15^th May is our visit to The Museum of Medical History in Leeds

Briefly: Meet at 8.45am for the coach departure of 9.00am from Ogle Street

Full details will be sent out nearer the time.

David Rose