Long Walk – Hardwick Hall and Back via Lady Spencer’s Wood, walk of 8.92 miles

by Lynda SmeathersLong WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

Date: 9th January 2025

The walk commenced from Teversal Visitors Centre under a crisp winter sky, with temperatures hovering around 5°C. The path to Hardwick Hall wound gently uphill, offering panoramic views of the frosty countryside. The trail, well-marked and lined with bare hedgerows, provided a tranquil atmosphere, punctuated by the occasional call of a robin or the rustle of dry leaves.

After approximately 45 minutes of steady walking, Hardwick Hall came into view, its Elizabethan grandeur standing stark against the pale sky. The grounds, partially dusted with frost, were quiet, allowing for peaceful exploration of the exterior. A short rest was taken here to admire the scenery and enjoy a warm flask of tea.

The return journey led through Lady Spencer’s Wood, a secluded haven where towering oaks and beeches created a serene canopy. The woodland path was soft underfoot, scattered with fallen leaves. The air was invigorating, carrying the earthy scent of damp moss. Several squirrels were spotted darting between trees.

The circuit concluded back at the visitors’ centre after a total of around three hours, leaving walkers refreshed and inspired by the landscape’s wintry charm. This route is highly recommended for its natural beauty and historical highlights.

Litter Picking

by Lynda SmeathersLitter PickingPosted on Comments are Disabled

Members have obviously had other things to do on the run up to Christmas. However, one member has managed to collect 9 bags of rubbish and other members have collected small amounts of litter on their perambulations and disposed of it in the nearest litter bins. No doubt there will be plenty for us to do when normality resumes.

On behalf of the Litter Picking Group may I wish all members of Hucknall & District u3a a healthy and happy 2025.

Val (Gant)

Science – December 2024

by Lynda SmeathersScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

We had an interesting and varied final session of 2024.

We started with our series of ‘5 minute talks’. Group members each have a scientist from different eras and from different disciplines. The talks were to highlight the significant contribution they have made.

Our thanks to:

Anne Sibley for                   Gertrude B Elion

Bob McEwen for                  Barry Marshall 

Val Kelly for                       Howard Flor

Christine Faithfull for           Alfred Wegener

Lynda Jackson for               Elizabeth Friedman

Bob Gow for                       Wilder Penfield

Tony Whilde for                  Willem Rontgen

David Vincent for                William Perkin

William Perkin discovered the dye for the colour purple and David recalled his unrealised teenage ambition to own a purple mohair jumper – known locally as ‘Hairy Marys’.

After the break we held a science and trivia quiz won by Bob Gow, Anne and Ian Murray.

17th January – Meeting 10am to 11.45ish JGC

We have a guest speaker, David Wheeler from the Hucknall Flight Test Museum which is based on the Rolls Royce site.

Following the talk, if time permits, we will continue with the 5 minute talks

 

Happy New Year to All

National Trust

by Lynda SmeathersNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

Report on the National Trust visit to York on Tuesday 3rd December.

Members of the group gathered on Hucknall Market to travel in a brand new £250,000 coach supplied by Millennium Travel from Mansfield. The coach providing a very comfortable journey up to York.

Once in York the group went their own way as members seem to have planned out their day.

There was plenty to do as we enjoyed visits over the day to the Christmas Market, the Minster, the Railway Museum, The Shambles, a certain famous tea rooms and many of the local museums, shops and other attractions. Some well organised members had even prebooked their lunches.

The weather was cold but dry and eventually sunny to help make a lovely day out.  Departing at 4.30 pm we made our way back to Hucknall arriving by 6.45 pm.

Next year’s programme begins in March and goes through to October with visits to National Trust properties around the country.

Once venues and coaches are confirmed then details will be sent out.

Thank you to everyone who has supported the group this year.

Regards

Barrie

                                                             

History Group

by Lynda SmeathersHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

Just in case there are any new members interested in joining our group, we meet at the Central Methodist Church on Baker Street, opposite the Market Place.  There is a small car park behind the church. The time is 2pm to 4pm.  

The next meeting is the 8th January a week before our usual date  due to changing dates for other meetings.  The speaker is Tony Rotherham who is going to tell us about Robin Hood – Fact or Fiction – which sounds very intriguing.  If you have friends who are not online please explain to them.  

A quick note about money as from this first meeting in 2025 we need to start paying £2 again. Does everything have to go up – in this case the answer is ‘yes’?

A short reminder that our meeting in February has changed as well to the 12th February for the same reasons as before.

Bye for now, I’ll see you on the 8th January,

Maureen