Science 2 – 19th March 2021

by WebmasterScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

For our March meeting we welcomed three guest speakers associated with the well established Sherwood Observatory. Last month they were guests at the Science 1 session and it’s thanks to Jim and the group for suggesting that we should contact Steve Wallace who is the project manager at the Observatory. Steve presented the first half of the meeting.

The focus of Steve’s talk was about the chances of life on other planets /moons in our solar system and beyond into deeper space. For life water is an essential ingredient so only places with water have the potential to support life. Much of our expanding universe is too hot or too cold to hold liquid water.
Those life forms would be pretty basic microscopic life which needs billions of years to evolve into complex living things. Basically those green aliens are a figment of our imagination.

The second part of the session was led by two students from Nottingham Trent University, Blaine and James, who introduced us to the project to develop a visitor centre and planetarium on the current site. Part of the process was to ask the group for ideas about what the site could offer to help make it an exciting venue for families and visitors of all ages.

It was followed up by a questionnaire which was completed on an individual basis.

Next Month: Friday 16th April at 10.00 am. Ann Murray has kindly volunteered to lead the session on the theme ‘Glaciers and Icebergs’.

David Rose

Fun with Languages

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Our Zoom in March began our first session in our course on Spanish. We revised some vocabulary and revisited the Mi Vida Loca drama we are following. I think most of us were pleased to revise!! We shall continue with this drama on Thursday, 8th April, 2021 at 10.30 am.

The only problem is that the drama is set in Spain and gives us all holiday withdrawal symptoms. But a nice reminder too of how halcyon those lockdown free days were. Let us hope there will be more at some point in the future. Meanwhile, we hope for sunshine and garden days to help us along! As always, if you wish to join our group, you are welcome.

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    Choir Group

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    Spring is here, with snowdrops, crocuses and daffodils blooming everywhere, and things looking up pandemic-wise too. Thank goodness, although I think it may be a while before the choir can sing together again, sadly, we may be amongst the last groups able to resume meetings. It seems singing means lots of heavy breathing and potentially exhaling lots of air droplets on others, which sounds more exciting than only singing, but our choir members do put a lot into it!

    Since the last Newsletter one of our members responded to a request for a sung birthday greeting, which I believe went well. It was her first time Ringing and Singing and she was a little nervous, but happy to do it. I hope her efforts were enjoyed, and the unexpected greeting gave a little additional pleasure to the recipient on her special birthday.

    This sounds almost too good to be true, but it may be time to tune up folks, dust off our music and exercise our vocal chords, things may be beginning to get back to the longed-for normal (second vaccines next month). Till then, stay safe, we’re nearly there.’

    History Group

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    The History Group always welcomes all U3A members. Our indoor meetings are held at Central Methodist Church on the 3rd Wednesday of the month commencing at 2pm. Please note changes of dates for talks & visits. Due to Government restrictions regarding moving out of lockdown visiting Doddington Hall on 16th June 2021 is not possible. We have options to consider:-

    1. I can rebook the visit for June 2022.
    2. I could rebook for October 20th 2021 but as the garden is something special (I’m told) it might be better to go in the summer time.
    3. I could rebook later this year late summer on a Saturday.
    4. I could cancel altogether.

    Please let me know what option you think is best.

    Very recently there have been email queries and I am having a ‘ponder’ so I’m not really passing the buck but wonder if any of you have more knowledge than I. At present the Libraries and Archives Office are closed so hands on research is a bit difficult.

    The first was from a lady who told me her father came to Hucknall to work for Byron Horticultural Engineering which later became Landmaster then (I think) Bonsers Engineering. It was located between Byron Street and Orchard Street.

    The second, again from a lady, (makes me wonder if all women are nosey parkers like me) was asking if there was ever a church on the land close to the Police Station. There was. It was a Baptist Chapel which in fact is still there in disguise as a garage. But I’m thinking I have missed something? Is the Police Station to be demolished and the land to be cleared – again?

    Third, from a man this time, was about the building on High Street which now sells take away food but is remembered by myself as a clock and jewellery shop – was it Crawleys? It was originally part of the Coffee Tavern. This building is an article waiting to be written and really aught to be at the top of the list. What do you think?

    Meeting Dates 2021

    Meeting dates are the third Wednesday of the month. Venue for Indoor meetings: Central Methodist Church. Time 2.00 pm prompt. We do not usually have indoor meetings in July and August but this year things are different. I am really hoping all will be well for us to meet in July and August and have rebooked the speakers accordingly.

    July 21st 2021 Friends of Bennerley Viaduct. (Kieran Lee) Coming to talk about this historic monument past and future.

    August 18th 2021 Malcolm Darroch is coming to talk about ‘When the Balloon went up’.

    September 15th 2021 Robert Mee is coming to talk to us on Bradshaws and an early railway Tour. (He says it is the famous railway timetable and a mystery tour.)

    October 20th 2021 Visit to Sharpes Pottery and The Magic Attic. Leave Hucknall 12.15 pm: Leave Sharpes 4.30 pm, Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish) Cost £11. I am still awaiting confirmation from the museum and will book a visit elsewhere or have a speaker if there is a problem. Or possibly rebook the visit to Doddington Hall.

    November 17th 2021 Rescheduled visit to Richard lll Centre & Leicester Cathedral. Leave Hucknall 10.30 am; Leave Leicester 4.00 pm; Return Hucknall 5.30 pm (ish). Cost £18.

    December 15th 2021 Although the date is close to Xmas we could have a social ‘Faith Tea’ meeting if you wish. Please let me know.

    I will photocopy this list for the ‘first’ meeting we can attend.

    T.T.F.N. & God bless from Maureen

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    Message from the Chair – March 2021

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    It’s March — Happy New Year, ancient Romans!

    Welcome to the third month of the year — or, if you were born before 150 B.C., the first! According to the oldest Roman calendars, one year was ten months long, beginning in March and ending in December. We can still see traces of this old system in our modern calendar: because December was the tenth month, it was named for the number ten in Latin (decem), just like September was named for seven (septem). So, what about January and February? They were just two nameless months called ‘winter.’

    It is the first month of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and the first month of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. And although March winds might blow it’s good to see the daylight hours getting longer.

    The announcement of the ‘irreversible’ roadmap to bring the country out of lockdown has some key dates for our u3a. It is stressed however these are the earliest dates which could change depending on Covid transmission rates.
    From March 29:
    People will be able to meet outside in groups up to a maximum of 6 people who will still need to socially distance from each other. This will apply in all outdoor settings, including private gardens.
    No earlier than May 17:
    Further easing of limits on social contact, but gatherings of up to 30 will still not be allowed. Indoors, people will be able to meet socially in a group of 6.
    No earlier than June 21:
    Both the main committee and the social sub-committee will be planning a route through this road map for a gradual return to our group and social activities. Meanwhile we maintain contact with our partner venues such as the John Godber Centre –

    Thanks David,
    It’s great to keep up to date with what our friends are up to, we can’t wait to see everyone again soon. We’re expecting news today and hopefully by the end of the week will be able to update everyone once we’ve clarified the Government’s plans, the announcements are never 100% clear but fingers crossed we’ll have a better idea of when we’ll be able to reopen again.

    Keep well and our best to all the members
    Kim: John Godber Centre Manager

    David Rose