National Trust Group

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Visit to Beningbrough Hall, York on Wednesday 28th May

A prompt departure from Hucknall Market place and a journey devoid of traffic jams meant that we arrived safely at our venue by 10.30 am. After a meet and greet session with one of the National Trust staff and passes scanned we set off for some light refreshments. The restaurant area was well stocked and well staffed and with plenty of seating available both indoors and outside most of the group were soon enjoying their refreshments. 

The rest of the day was enjoyed in generally dry weather with increasing amounts of sunshine. The gardens were exceptionally well cared for and a pleasure to walk round with what seemed like an army of volunteers eager to talk to our group members.

The grounds presented some lovely walks for the group to enjoy over the day with some members taking in several different walks.

The House was relatively small but again the volunteers were eager to bring the rooms to light with their knowledge of the building.

The plant shop and gift shop proved popular at the end of the day and members felt that this was one of the nicest venues that we had visited for a long time.

A lovely day completed we returned to the coach for the journey home having enjoyed a lovely relaxing day. 

We are taking two coaches to Powis Castle on 19th June.

 Barrie

Litter Picking

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In May 15 bags of litter were collected by various members of the group.

With the onset of better weather there is an increase in food sellers, particularly on Hucknall bypass. Its just a pity that patrons of these food sellers cannot afterwards place their food and drink receptacles in the nearby litter bins – or even dispose of them at home if the bins are already full. The council are quite good at collecting the bags of litter we leave for them but if the bags are left for any length of time, even overnight, they are soon ripped open by the local wildlife and the contents scattered around. Back to square one!

Val (Gant)

Weekenders

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Weekenders enjoying a cream tea at Keycraft. We do a lot of other things besides eat! Circumstances this month got away from us.

Short Walks – June

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Our walk from Thieves Wood along Robin Hood Way was a mix of ancient woodland and newer pine plantations where legend whispers of outlaws hiding among the trees.

We passed through the old Harlow Wood hospital site, now an ‘executive’ housing estate and onto Portland College which sits peacefully among greenery, providing education and support for young people with disabilities. Just beyond that was Fountaindale School, another beacon which reflects the area’s dedication to learning and empowerment of young people with learning and physical issues.

18th June Walk

We will continue the Portland theme and start the walk at the public car park near The Cricketers at Nuncargate/Kirkby Woodhouse to follow footpaths through Portland Park to the site of the Kirkby Castle.

It was actually a fortified manor house and is adjacent to St Wilfred’s Church.

Details will be sent about a week before the walk.

David Rose

Science Group

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Our May ‘meeting’ was a visit to the RAF Cosford Museum.

The museum is on a grand scale with some extremely large hangers which house aircraft through the ages from small pilot only single engine propeller craft to enormous bombers and military freight planes.

Many were fitted with Rolls Royce piston and jet engines.

I know the theory of how aircraft fly but looking at size of some of them makes me wonder.

The visit included insightful talks on the Battle of Britain and the Cold War, offering a deeper understanding of these pivotal moments in military history.

The Battle of Britain session highlighted the bravery of RAF pilots who defended Britain against relentless Luftwaffe attacks in 1940. The group explored exhibits showcasing aircraft, personal stories, and strategic decisions that shaped the outcome of the battle.

The Cold War exhibition provided a fascinating look at the tense standoff between Western and Eastern blocs. The museum’s National Cold War Exhibition features Britain’s V Force bombers, illustrating the RAF’s role in nuclear deterrence. The group also learned about the technological advancements and political strategies that defined this era.

Next Meeting – Friday 20th June 10am – 11.45am JGC

John Tedstone will be telling us about The ‘Lunarticks’ an informal ‘learned society’ of prominent figures  including industrialists, ’natural philosophers’ and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham.

Christine Vincent has a presentation about Danish Physicist Niels Bohr who made major contributions to atomic structure and quantum theory.

David Rose