Short Walks

by WebmasterShort WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

On our October walk we had a very informative guided tour around the Bennerley Viaduct which was led by volunteers from ‘Friends of the Viaduct’.

We learnt a lot about its history and that of the surrounding area.

The Bennerley Viaduct is an iconic iron railway structure spanning the Erewash Valley near Ilkeston, Derbyshire. Built in 1877, it is celebrated for its elegant lattice girder design and remarkable engineering, being one of only two surviving wrought-iron viaducts in Britain.

Stretching over 400 metres, the viaduct was originally constructed to carry coal trains between Nottingham and Derby. Today, it stands as a testament to Victorian ingenuity and resilience, having survived both natural challenges and threats of demolition. Now restored, Bennerley Viaduct offers a scenic walkway for cyclists and pedestrians, whilst preserving local heritage.

Currently the Nottinghamshire end is closed off whilst the easy access route and visitors centre are being completed, and we have been invited back for a longer walk next year.

Our next walk is on 20th November

We are starting form the parking area at the bottom of Felley Lane South for a walk in the area which was a favourite of D H Lawrence.

Details will be sent out to the group.

David Rose

Gardening Group

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Last month the group welcomed Camilla Anderson who talked about Edwardian Gardens and the Arts and Craft movement.

A smaller group than usual saw images of lots of gardens influenced by Arts and Crafts and enjoyed an interesting and informative explanation of this style of gardening. Many of these gardens are in the south of the country and quite a lot of the halls and large houses are no longer standing, but the gardens are still there and well-tended.

Camilla brought items from her online shop and members were able to browse through books and garden-related gifts, including soaps, hand creams and twines.

It was a very enjoyable meeting, just a shame that there were reduced numbers to hear about this history of our gardens.

The next meeting, on 3rd November, will be a talk from Karen Gimson, a writer for the Garden News.

All are welcome as we are an open group.

Anne

History Group

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On Wednesday 15th October 42 members of the History Group visited the National Justice Museum.

We split into two groups each group having a guided tour with ‘a prison warden’ who made it a very informative but fun visit. From being shut into cells to experience the reality and depravation, to finding out what crimes had been committed, to the sentences handed down. Flogging, branding, imprisonment, transportation and execution.

After looking around the prison, we were invited to take part in a court case, several members acting out parts, credit must go to our membership secretary Greg for the wonderful portrayal of the defendant he really threw himself into the part.

At our meeting on Wednesday 19th November at Central Methodist Church 2pm; we have one of our favourite speakers, Trevor Lee. Trevor has been several times before. If you remember last time he told us about 100 Years of the BBC; this time he has been researching entertainers who were ‘Born in Ashfield’. It is an illustrated selection of musicians, actors, singers, composers and stage set designers from 1842 – 1928. How many can you think of?

Maureen Newton and Kathy Williams

Interest Group Vacancies

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I recently asked all our Group Leaders whether they had any vacancies in their group and the good news is that over half of them have a few vacancies at the moment.

If you are interested in joining one of them, then please contact the Group Leader themselves.

You can do this through the Website or by emailing them on the address at the end of the Newsletter.    

Sue Tedstone  (Group’s Coordinator)

OPEN GROUPS

GardeningHistoryLuncheonTheatre Trips

VACANCIES

CalligraphyCanastaDramaEasier CycleEasy Walkers  
Flower ArrangingInternational DiningKurlingLitter PickersLong Walks
Mah JongMedium WalksPapercraftPub Quiz/LunchReal Ale  
Rummikub 2 with Mah Jong 2ScienceScrabbleShort WalksSingalonga
StrollersTable GamesUkuleleWatercoloursWeekenders  

Discovering Britain

by WebmasterDiscovering BritainPosted on Comments are Disabled

On Monday the 6th of October, we enjoyed a delightful day trip to the picturesque town of Bakewell. The weather was pleasant, with clear skies and a mild breeze, which made exploring the town especially enjoyable.

Our first stop was the Bakewell market, where we spent time browsing the many stalls offering local produce, handmade crafts, and baked goods. The atmosphere was lively, and the friendly stallholders added to the charm of the experience.

After exploring the market, we visited the famous Original Pudding Shop, where we purchased some traditional Bakewell puddings to take home. We also stopped at the Old Cheese Shop nearby, sampling and buying a selection of locally made cheeses.

For lunch, we went to the Red Lion Inn, a cosy and welcoming pub that served hearty meals and excellent service. Following lunch, we made our way to the Old House Museum, one of Bakewell’s oldest buildings. The museum’s fascinating exhibits gave us an insight into the town’s rich history and heritage.

Overall, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and memorable day, filled with good food, interesting sights, and a lovely sense of local tradition.

Mark Thornley