History Group

by Lynda SmeathersHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

It was so unfortunate that Robert Mee, the booked speaker for the group contracted Covid. It meant that the talk about History on the Erewash Valley trail didn’t happen. We had looked forward to seeing Robert again – however I have already asked him to come another time.

There was not enough time to ask anyone else. What did happen then I hear you ask? I guess like a lot of historians I have accrued a lot of history based books – so – I brought a pile and read out to the members snippets of interesting items. I will note a couple of them for you.

From ‘The Butcher, The Baker, the Candlestick Maker’ by Roger Hutchinson (it is about census returns) comes details of Charlotte Bronte who lived at Parsonage House, Haworth with her 74 year old father. In 1851 Charlotte had already been outed as the author of Jane Eyre and Shirley but in the return, she had no occupation listed. Judith Flanders wrote the book ‘The Victorian House’ and wrote of Beatrix Potter (writer of Peter Rabbit) who had gone on holiday to Torquay. Beatrix noted “I sniffed my bedroom on arrival and for a few hours felt a certain grim satisfaction when my forebodings were maintained. It is possible to have too much natural history in a bed”. She said she did not undress but had to lay on the bed and it was uncomfortable to sleep with Keatings (bug) powder in her hair. A few members borrowed books for home reading.

Our next meeting is a visit to Derby, meet on Ogle Street at 11am on 16th October. There is time for Lunch then meet at the museum at 1.30pm; we leave Derby at 4pm.

National Trust Group

by Lynda SmeathersNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

September saw the group take two coaches on our longest journey of the year to Erddig close to Wrexham in Wales.

We arrived thankfully with the weather dry if cloudy and with rain forecast for later in the day, members sensibly chose to complete their tour of the gardens and parkland first. The gardens were very extensive with a very large number of apple trees, a rose garden, a Victorian garden and much more to see. The Parkland covering over 1,200 acres with two rivers passing through alongside over thirty ponds and beautifully laid out footpaths and water features. A truly beautiful landscape.

Erddig House itself was vast and after being bought by the National Trust in the 1970’s has been restored to a high standard. From the servants’ quarters below stairs to the dining rooms, bedrooms, lounges and so on the whole building was indeed very impressive.

After visiting the House there was still time for a visit to the restaurant, the Welsh food shop or second-hand bookshop before returning to the coaches for a prompt return journey to Hucknall. The rain became heavy as we travelled home after a lovely day.

October sees the group travelling up to Yorkshire to visit Nunnington Hall near York.

The final visit of the year takes us to York on Tuesday 3rd of December.

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.