Science Group

by WebmasterScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

Our 18th April meeting is at 10.00am to 11.45am in the main hall (Portland) at JGC.

John Tedstone has prepared a presentation about an interesting group who called themselves the Lunar Society. The members became known as ‘Lunarticks’.

The Lunar Society of Birmingham was a British dinner club and informal learned society of prominent figures in the Midlands Enlightenment, including industrialists, natural philosophers and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham. At first called the Lunar Circle, “Lunar Society” became the formal name by 1775. The name arose because the society would meet during the full moon. It still exists.

Original members included James Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton.

John will have much more to tell us about this interesting group.

After a short break there will be a presentation about the RAF Cosford Museum and a video which highlights the contribution to aerospace and flight made by ‘Hucknall Heroes’

David Rose

Litter Picking

by John PrettyLitter PickingPosted on Comments are Disabled

In March a total of 20 bags of rubbish were collected by members of the group.

One member, Maureen, sent out a request for help in clearing litter around the bushes near Butler’s Hill Tram stop before the spring growth. There were a few offers of help but eventually this request was met by David R. Together they collected 6 bags of general rubbish, several tins of ‘stuff’, a nitrous oxide (laughing gas) cylinder, a pair of pants, a shirt, a coat, 2 bags and an umbrella frame. It was difficult for them getting to rubbish in the brambles but the area now looks much tidier so a big thank you goes to Maureen and David for their efforts.

If anyone knows of any ‘grot-spots’ which need our attention please let us know and we will do our best to help.

Val (Gant)

Strollers

by John PrettyStrollersPosted on Comments are Disabled

On a beautiful Spring morning our Strollers group alighted from the tram for a walk through the Arboretum and round to the Forest where we were able to sit outside and enjoy a coffee in the excellent coffee shop.

It was interesting to see the aviaries are still standing in the Arboretum, including a memorial plaque to Cocky the Cockatoo who lived to a ripe old age, most of us remembered him from our childhood visits!

Another lovely walk!

Growing Old Disgracefully

by John PrettyGrowing Old Disgracefully (GOD)Posted on Comments are Disabled

The second group to visit The Mary Potter Heritage Centre enjoyed an afternoon learning about Mary Potter and her life’s work, both in this Country and abroad.

If you should get the chance to visit – do, it’s well worth it!

History Group

by John PrettyHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

Our March meeting brought Denis Hill to explain to us about the mystery of Kirkby Castle. Although it was shown in the older maps of the area nothing seemed to be left on the ground. (I think some members thought it was a scam because there was no such thing). The location proved to be a good place for a castle with extensive views over the river Erewash. It seemed on the whole it was a fortified manor house rather than a ‘Disney type’ castle.

Denis is a fantastic speaker and in his presentation the images were extremely good – he had also brought some books of what the Kirkby Archaeological Group found as they researched the subject.

Denis also brought with him 2 pre-used working projectors which Greg passed on to Liz Attenborough (technical equipment manager) for the benefit of any of our u3a groups. Thank you Denis.

The meeting next month is a visit to the Hollocaust Centre at Laxton by coach; I have suggested we take a packed lunch just in case their building and alteration work is not completed. The coach has a full complement of members: leaving Hucknall Ogle Street at 10.30 am and leaving the Centre at 4pm.

At the indoor meeting on 21st May at Central Methodist Church David Amos is coming to tell us about Annesley Part ll.

Also Kathy and Sandra will be taking names and money £10.50 (to cover the cost of coach only) for our visit to Lincoln on 18th June.

Maureen Newton