Science Group 2

by WebmasterScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

On July 16th we had our first non virtual meeting since February 2020. We met at Bestwood Country Park near the Winding Engine House which is the last remaining part of Bestwood Colliery – once one of the busiest coal mines in Nottinghamshire.

The winding engine lowered colliers, pit ponies and equipment into the mine shaft, and winched mined coal up to the surface. The tall brick building houses a huge winding engine. Originally it was powered by steam, the only vertical winding engine left in England still in its original location. Today the massive engine is moved by an electrical motor which we were able to see in action.

The engine dates back to 1876, the heyday of Victorian industrial engineering. For the explanatory tour we split into two groups and had the expertise of Bob Gow and his colleague Malcolm to show us round the impressive building and to provide a potted history of its history and development.

Following the tour we enjoyed refreshments on the lawn outside the Dynamo House which houses a community cafe run by ‘Friends of Bestwood Country Park’ which is open at the same time as the winding house both open to the public on Saturday mornings between 10am and 12noon all year. If you have never been a visit is recommended.


Volunteer Malcolm and part of the vertical steam engine

Thanks to Bob for arranging the visit and to Bob and Malcolm for being our knowledgeable guides.

Next Meeting: At the John Godber Centre Friday, 17th September, 2021 10.00 am to 11.45 am

David Rose

Short Walks Group

by WebmasterShort WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

Our 15th July walk was a 4.6 miles predominantly riverside route initially along the River Trent from Ferry Farm before following the Dover Beck to Hoveringham Mill. This dates from 1778 and was a corn mill driven by the flow of the Dover Beck. We then followed footpaths looping back towards Hoveringham village via the cricket pitch which made a convenient drinks stop.


Top walker Ken Carlin still leading the way at 90 plus

Our next Walk is on Thursday August 19th,2021 which is our annual summer walk in the Peak District. 4.6 miles starting from Whatstandswell, details tbc

David Rose

How do we know if something is a scam?

by WebmasterAnnouncements, General News/EventsPosted on Comments are Disabled

One of the most important things to remember is that if something seems too good to be true, then it probably is.

Other warning signs are:
• Someone you don’t know contacts you out of the blue
• You’re asked to give away personal information like passwords or your PIN
• You’ve been asked to transfer money quickly, often to solve a problem you didn’t know you had
• Someone refuses to confirm the company or organisation they are contacting you from
• Email addresses or links within an email don’t look right

How do scammers dangle bait to fish (phish) for information?
Phishing – a term coined in the mid-1990s to describe how scammers dangle bait to ‘fish’ for passwords and other sensitive data – is still the most effective line of attack. Fake emails, text messages (referred to as smishing) and phone calls (vishing) aim to trick you into thinking you’re dealing with a genuine company.

Examples:

David Rose

Cycle Group – 50 mile trip for Rumbletums

by WebmasterUncategorizedPosted on Comments are Disabled

Many of the group have been suffering from withdrawal symptoms and as the annual ‘Great Notts Cycle Ride ‘was cancelled in 2020 and 2021 we decided to plan our own 50 mile route.

John Saunders and Terry Hill both veterans of many cycle tours mulled over various options and came up with the suggestion to ride to Alvaston Park which is just outside Derby. The outward route via Eastwood followed the Erewash canal towards Trent Lock and then onto Alvaston .The return route was via national cycle route 6 which runs from London to the Lake District. Locally the route passes through Clumber Park, Sherwood Forest, Sherwood Pines, Old Clipstone, Mansfield, Rainworth, Blidworth, Ravenshead, Newstead Abbey Hucknall, Bulwell and Nottingham. In total we covered 52 miles in humid conditions.

One of our popular local refreshment stops is Rumbletums Café in Kimberley. This is both a Community Café and a supported training project for young people with a learning disability, some of whom may also have an additional physical disability. The u3a crisp packet collection is for Rumbletums and for this ride we agreed to donate a minimum of £5 each to help to support their projects. (To date £120 with more to come)

We were joined on the ride by some family and friends and at the end of the day after hours in the saddle we really did appreciate why cowboys walk this way….


Half way there at the lunch stop in Alvaston Park

David Rose and John Saunders

National Trust Visit to Fountains Abbey

by WebmasterNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

After sixteen long months, “Freedom Day” gave us the opportunity to re-book our visit to Fountains Abbey, and we will now be going on Thursday, 26th of August. The bus is booked and the Abbey booked too. All that is needed now is for me to complete a comprehensive Risk Assessment.
The coach will leave from Hucknall Market, near to the bus stop at 8.30 am, and we will be returning from Fountains at 4.00 pm. The coach is provided by J.B.Tours.

We are booked in for a self-guided tour of the Abbey at 12.15 pm. The grounds cover an extensive area of land/water, but there is a complimentary minibus operating around the grounds for those who wish to use it.

After this visit I would like to arrange another trip in late September (Covid permitting), and details will follow. I would also like to organise a visit to Belton House in November to see their “Light Trail”.

I would finally like to thank all the members for their patience and understanding over the past year or so. This has made my role so much easier.

If anyone would like to join the group, please contact Barrie Saunders, the group leader, on the form below:-

Error: Contact form not found.