Fun with Languages

by WebmasterFun with LanguagesPosted on Comments are Disabled

We had a lovely number of people this session which was great. Good to see so many after holidays or illness as we go into the Autumn.

We continued with our mystery story in Spanish and used vocabulary sheets to help. We started a wordsearch on the vocabulary used in the story and members are working to complete that for next session.

We will meet again in the John Godber Centre at 10.30 am till 12 noon on Thursday 10th November, 2022 and continue with two more episodes and checking the wordsearch answers. Hope to see you then.

Please remember to sign up for the date for our Christmas meal.

Ann and Liz.

Long Walks Group

by WebmasterLong WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

Thanks to everyone who attended the 4th October walk, which was through the picturesque village of Bothamsall along the River Maun then through Conjure Alders, an ancient wood, and on along the River Meden.

We then had our lunch at the side of the Meden sitting on top of Robin Hood’s cave, overlooking very nice views of the surrounding countryside. We then walked through Boughton Brakes, a wood belonging to the National Trust and worked our way back to the start through Walesby and over the open countryside.

It was a walk of around 9 miles, but was very flat and was enjoyed by all, including the new members. The weather managed to hold off until the end of the walk, which made it a nice day for walking, though a little breezy toward the end. On the way home we called in at the White Post for a well deserved pint of Timothy Taylors.

The group is open to new members who are always welcome.

National Trust – Quarry Bank Mill

by WebmasterNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

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

Medium Walks Group

by WebmasterMedium WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

Our postponed September walk was at Linacre reservoirs, which are a few miles west of Chesterfield. The walk had a good solid Peak District feel to it, including some of the hills, and started from the village of Cutthorpe.

We heard about some of the industrial history of the area, starting with an area which had been open-cast mined, but is now very successfully reclaimed. Near the three lakes, we heard about the way in which the water quality of each one determined who drank the water, and also read about the origin of ‘bodging’, originally a term for making items from wood.

We were joined by some local residents for our usual photo opportunity, and from our picnic stop, we could see across towards Hathersage and north towards Sheffield.

Our next walk, on Monday 17th October, will be around the Hardwick Hall estate. We always welcome more walkers to join us for enjoyable monthly rambles, usually of about 6 – 7 miles.

Many thanks to Mark and Linda for planning and leading our walk.

Message from our Chair

by WebmasterAnnouncementsPosted on Comments are Disabled

Welcome – our next monthly meeting is on Wednesday, 12th October, 2022 and we look forward to seeing as many of you there as possible.

Please ensure that you enter the building from the car park rear entrance and book in at the desk. Please try to remember to wear your name badges so that folks (especially new members) know who you are, if a group leader or committee member, again pleased wear your ID so that others know who they are talking to. Please remember to either silence or turn off your mobile phones.

The last month has been a very special one for so many people, the death of Queen Elizabeth the II, whilst possibly not totally unexpected, came as a very emotional shock to us all.
Whatever your beliefs, whether monarchist or not, none can doubt the service and duty that she gave to this country for seventy long years. She lived a very full and active life right up to the end; her quick passing can only be viewed as a blessing.

For those that watched the funeral we can only wonder at the organisation that had obviously been planned for many years. The pageantry was as always first class and something that the UK specialises in and performs to perfection. King Charles III has a daunting task ahead and must know that his mother will be a difficult act to follow, we must wish him well, and see what changes he will make.

Summer is well and truly over, with dark mornings (if you wake early enough) and dark evenings. My wife and I are now taking the dogs for their evening walk in the dark! Time to think about putting on the heating and getting the throws out to keep warm on these chilly nights, please remember, always keep warm whatever else, even with the terrifyingly high fuel bills, if you have any problems please speak to your supplier.

We are still searching for a Deputy Editor for the newsletter, please volunteer if you are able.

Advanced notice that we will not be having a formal monthly meeting in December, however, we are planning to have a ‘Film Afternoon’ for those that want to come and watch, these have been popular in the past.

Melvyn Francis, Chair