Vegetarian Cookery

by Lynda SmeathersVegetarian CookeryPosted on Comments are Disabled

At September’s meeting members again watched a demonstration of 2 different recipes.

The first was carrot and parsnip gratin, which can be used as a main dish or a side dish to accompany Christmas dinner. The next recipe was a useful nibble or snack/picnic fare – Cheese, honey and Thyme bites.

Although several members were on holiday or could not make this meeting, we had six new members who were made very welcome and introduced to the custom of eating what we baked!

We are now a full group as we have over forty on the books, but if anyone else is interested in joining I can make a waiting list.

October’s meeting will be on Monday the 28th, at 10.30 am at St Peter and St Paul’s Church Hall on Ruffs Drive.

Gardening Group

by Lynda SmeathersGardening GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

September saw the group travel to Northamptonshire for the last trip of the year to Coton Manor. We picked a glorious day, probably the best trip, weather wise, we have had all year!

The gardens were beautiful and still full of colour. There were also hens and cockerels lazing in the sun, dozing pigs living the life of Riley and 6 flamingos in or near the lake. The volunteer gardeners were a mine of information and willing as ever to answer queries and give information about the many unusual flowers and plants.

The tearoom did a roaring trade as did the nursery, and several new plants made their way back to gardens in Hucknall. All in all, a wonderful day out. 

This month, on 28th October, we are back at the John Godber Centre for a Gardeners’ Question and Answer Session, meeting at 1.30 to 3.30. Come and find out all about the problems on your plot and see if we have the solutions!

We are also having a ‘Seed Swap’ at this meeting, so if you have any surplus seeds, either in packets or from your own saving, bring them along to swap or give away to someone else.

All are welcome as we are an open group.

Medium Walks

by Lynda SmeathersMedium WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

For our latest walk, we set off from Chilwell tramstop and headed for the River Trent, through the Attenborough nature reserve. We had a perfect late summer day, in contrast to the gales and rain early this year, when we first planned this walk, and which we reluctantly postponed at the time.

We paused at the popular Lock-keepers’ cottages, at Beeston lock, where we had our coffee stop in their garden, and where an obliging customer took our group photo.

We then set off along the canal towpath, and wondered why we kept passing groups of people walking the other way, all with their identity cards, and not really suitably attired for walking!

It was good to see the canal well used by narrow boats, and we also saw a group of volunteer litter pickers at work. We finished our walk with our picnic stop at the new Broad Marsh landscaped area, which was already looking well established in the very sunny weather.

Thanks to Philip and Liz Attenborough for planning this walk for us all. Our next walk will be at Brinsley on Monday 21st October, and we always welcome more members in this group.

Grumpy Old Men

by Lynda SmeathersGrumpy Old MenPosted on Comments are Disabled

After a lapse of some years, the Grumpy Old Men have taken up skittles again, this time courtesy of the Royal British Legion in Hucknall.

After initial surprise at the length we were supposed to bowl the, very heavy, wooden bowls and some effort in getting to grips with the rules, we played two rounds, which were admirably scored by Alan (‘nul points’) Snape.

To further confuse us, we changed the teams after the first round, after a suitable pause for the buffet. Some Grumpies were more consistent in their scoring than others, and not always in a good way!

This was an enjoyable evening, with thanks to Pete Wall for organising the game. We always welcome new members, just get in touch via our website or have a chat at our monthly meeting.

Easy Walkers

by Lynda SmeathersEasy WalkersPosted on Comments are Disabled

On 22nd August, 11 of us really enjoyed the 3 mile River Leen walk from Wilkinson Street tram stop back to Bulwell. It was so peaceful and a bit of a nature reserve.

We saw a heron, ducks, a swan family with 4 nearly adult cygnets, a moorhen and sparrows in the blackberry bushes.

Our ad hoc coffee stop was at the Riverside cafe. We sat outside enjoying the sun and were surprised when one person had a message asking if they needed a lift as it was raining, 10 minutes later, the rain arrived, but nothing spoiled our walk.