Discovering Britain

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On the 13th of June 2025, we visited Worcester, a historic city in the West Midlands, for a day of exploration and culture. The trip began with a visit to Worcester Cathedral, an awe-inspiring structure with over a thousand years of history. Inside, the intricate stained-glass windows, the tomb of King John, and the serene cloisters offered a glimpse into England’s ecclesiastical heritage.

Next, we explored the Royal Worcester Museum, which celebrates the city’s renowned porcelain industry. The exhibits ranged from delicate 18th-century tea sets to striking contemporary ceramics. The museum’s interactive displays and knowledgeable staff added depth to the experience, highlighting the craftsmanship and innovation that defined Royal Worcester.

In the afternoon, we took a leisurely walk alongside the River Severn, enjoying the scenic path that winds past the cathedral and under historic bridges. .Overall, the trip was a delightful blend of history, art, and nature. Worcester’s charm lies in its well-preserved heritage and relaxed pace, making it an ideal destination for a culturally enriching day out.

Mark Thornley

National Trust Group

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Visit to Powis Castle.

We met up at Hucknall Market in very bright and warm sunshine to board our two coaches visiting Powis Castle near Welshpool. The number travelling was the highest that we have taken since the group restarted, a total of 78 members visiting this wonderful castle.

Leaving promptly we enjoyed a comfort break at Telford before completing the journey. In a rapidly increasing temperature the group enjoyed a lovely day at a very special venue.

Many members walked the extensive terraced gardens and enjoyed the excellently maintained and very colourful gardens that stretch extensively below the castle itself. Incredibly the gardens are maintained by only five full time gardeners and an army of volunteers.

The castle itself provided some respite from the now soaring temperatures as the array of displays proved very interesting and gave a good insight to the way life was lived here many centuries ago.

There was still time to have a snack, a short walk, visit the garden and gift shops before settling back on the coaches for the return journey.

If you are ever across near Welshpool take the opportunity to visit this special place,

July sees the group travel on a shorter visit to Charlecote Park in Warwickshire. Visits for later this year include Lyme Park in Cheshire, Nostell in West Yorkshire and Kedleston Hall in Derbyshire before our final visit to Chester Christmas market.

Barrie and Sue

Science Group

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20th 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 18th July JGC 10am to 11.45am

David Rose

Beginners & Improvers Ukulele

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 Announcing more Beginners & Improvers Ukulele sessions on the following dates; 7th and 21st of July, 4th and 18th of August and 1st and 15th of September.

Our sessions take place on the first and third Monday of each month from 10:00am to 11:30am in the Byron Bar at the John Godber Centre.

Complete beginners are welcome at all times, just contact John Pretty or Phil Attenborough using the form on the Ukulele page of our website. Or speak to either of us at the members meeting.

The sessions are structured to lead our players on a musical journey starting out with a little knowledge of basic chords and strumming technique and building week by week to extend their knowledge and improve playing. We do this by learning and performing many of the popular songs contained in our exclusive Hucknall u3a Ukulele Songbook. Above all in the finest tradition of the u3a we have lots of laughs along the way.

Do strum  along and join in.

History Group

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The usual indoor meetings for the History Group are at Central Methodist Church at 2pm on the third Wednesday of the month.  The next one indoors is 17th September because usually I need a break during July and August.  However this year we are doing things slightly differently and trying to pull extra outings into this break time.  

Of course in June a coach load of us are off to Lincoln – will they cope I wonder?  

At the next main meeting at John Godber we will continue taking names for the special visit to Nottingham University Museum on 20th August (come to see us in the refreshment room).  

I have also been making enquiries about a visit to the Flight Test Museum in July but at this point I don’t know for certain.  I will keep you informed as soon as I can.

At our usual meeting in May David Amos came to talk to us.  This time we had ‘Industrial Annesley’.  It seemed quite strange to see striking images of the colliery headstocks in our area now when my grand children don’t even know what coal or a coal mine looks like. The image of the miner sitting looking forlorn as Annesley Colliery closed has stayed with me. It seemed strange too to realise that ‘Annesley Sheds’ were actually in Newstead!  To see again the steam trains which we all knew seemed like living, breathing engines as they huffed and puffed along to be followed by the later models and electric Robin Hood Line trains was amazing.  Thank you David.

I am working on next years programme of presentations and visits which – cross fingers – will be ready for the September meeting.

Bye for now,  Maureen