There is no meeting in January so the next meeting of the Garden group is on 11th February 2026, when we visit Easton Walled Garden to see the snowdrops and other spring bulbs. We still have a few vacancies for this trip if anyone would like to join us. Please see us at the back of the hall at the January main meeting.
A Happy New Year to all our members.
Anne
For our final meeting of 2025 Bob McEwen had prepared a very interesting and varied quiz. Some of the questions were about the topics we covered this year, and some were based on the fiendish format of ‘Only Connect’
Another round was to add missing vowels to complete the names of well-known scientists.
e.g. L_ _ _S P_ ST_ _ R (Louis Pasteur) The one that defeated everybody was:
DL VL CBYRN Can you do it? (Answer at the end of this article)
Following a break for tea/coffee and mince pies we moved on to assembling models of woodland insects and members of the spider family.
The templates were donated by Greenwood an initiative to enable Nottinghamshire’s communities to create, enhance and enjoy woodlands and other accessible green spaces in a sustainable way and Miner2Major whose nature projects focus on the landscape, habitats, species and trails of Sherwood Forest which locally includes Moor Pond Woods in Papplewick. All to the benefit of native wildlife and habitats.
Thanks to everyone for their contributions this year as we look forward to 2026.
January 16th Meeting 10am at JGC
Seating is out for the annual Pantomime so we will be at the back of the hall.
John Tedstone will be sharing his recent visit to the medical history section at the London Science Museum, and I have a presentation about what is on offer at the Thackray Museum of Medicine in Leeds which is the venue for our science visit on Friday May 15th.
Finally, you will have the opportunity to select an invention which is the theme for our ‘5-minute talks’.
And the mystery scientist is ADA LOVELACE BYRON
David Rose
Unfortunately, the December walk was cancelled but we will be doing the same walk to start the 2026 programme.
We will catch the 141 bus at 9.39am in Linby village.
Alight at Larch Farm followed by a walk back to Linby with a toilet and café stop at Newstead Abbey.
Remember your bus pass.
David Rose
Christmas Film Show Wednesday 17th December
Our first film was a 30-minute short titled ‘The Missing Husband’ from the ‘Kept Woman’ film studio.
This soon to be classic was produced and directed by David and Christine Vincent and featured several u3a groups and members.
Basically, a recent retiree goes missing from home, but his family have no idea where he goes or what he does when he gets there.
They employ dodgy private detectives Hugh Dunnit and Charlie Clueless who after a few false leads eventually track him down to The John Godber Centre and discover that he has joined the u3a.
Here he is hiding behind the snowman at a Singalonga group session.
This was followed by a refreshment break thanks to Christine and John Berrill and their volunteer team with mince pies, sausage rolls and some very moreish vegetarian rolls (that soon disappeared) expertly made by Anne Wilkinson.
Following the break our feature film was A Christmas Story, a cult festive comedy film released in 1983. Set in the 1940s, it follows young Ralphie Parker as he navigates the joys and mishaps of a family Christmas in American suburbia.
Ralphie’s greatest Christmas wish is to receive a Red Ryder BB gun, but he faces repeated warnings that he’ll “shoot his eye out”. The film is celebrated for its nostalgic look at childhood, quirky humour, and memorable moments, which have made it a classic holiday favourite for audiences of all ages.
David Rose
Hucknall u3a Christmas Lunch 2025
On Monday, 1st December 2025, our u3a community came together for the much-anticipated Christmas Lunch, marking the start of the festive season in grand style.
The event saw an impressive gathering of 144 members, all eager to share good food and laughter.
JGC was beautifully adorned with traditional Christmas decorations, setting a warm and welcoming atmosphere. We were treated to a delicious Christmas meal with all the trimmings, followed by a tempting array of puddings, finished off with mince pies. Special dietary requirements were thoughtfully catered for, ensuring everyone could indulge in the seasonal fare.
Festive entertainment followed the meal with singer Jess Johnson, and several lively members danced the afternoon away.
The Christmas Lunch continues to be one of the highlights of our social calendar.
We would like to thank Cathy Tomlinson who caters for this event, Jess Johnson for the entertainment and to the staff at JGC for making us very welcome at this and other events.
A date for your diary: The Christmas Lunch for 2026 is on Monday 7th December.
Social Sub Committee