In May 15 bags of litter were collected by various members of the group.
With the onset of better weather there is an increase in food sellers, particularly on Hucknall bypass. Its just a pity that patrons of these food sellers cannot afterwards place their food and drink receptacles in the nearby litter bins – or even dispose of them at home if the bins are already full. The council are quite good at collecting the bags of litter we leave for them but if the bags are left for any length of time, even overnight, they are soon ripped open by the local wildlife and the contents scattered around. Back to square one!
Our walk from Thieves Wood along Robin Hood Way was a mix of ancient woodland and newer pine plantations where legend whispers of outlaws hiding among the trees.
We passed through the old Harlow Wood hospital site, now an ‘executive’ housing estate and onto Portland College which sits peacefully among greenery, providing education and support for young people with disabilities. Just beyond that was Fountaindale School, another beacon which reflects the area’s dedication to learning and empowerment of young people with learning and physical issues.
18thJune Walk
We will continue the Portland theme and start the walk at the public car park near The Cricketers at Nuncargate/Kirkby Woodhouse to follow footpaths through Portland Park to the site of the Kirkby Castle.
It was actually a fortified manor house and is adjacent to St Wilfred’s Church.
Details will be sent about a week before the walk.
Our May ‘meeting’ was a visit to the RAF Cosford Museum.
The museum is on a grand scale with some extremely large hangers which house aircraft through the ages from small pilot only single engine propeller craft to enormous bombers and military freight planes.
Many were fitted with Rolls Royce piston and jet engines.
I know the theory of how aircraft fly but looking at size of some of them makes me wonder.
The visit included insightful talks on the Battle of Britain and the Cold War, offering a deeper understanding of these pivotal moments in military history.
The Battle of Britain session highlighted the bravery of RAF pilots who defended Britain against relentless Luftwaffe attacks in 1940. The group explored exhibits showcasing aircraft, personal stories, and strategic decisions that shaped the outcome of the battle.
The Cold War exhibition provided a fascinating look at the tense standoff between Western and Eastern blocs. The museum’s National Cold War Exhibition features Britain’s V Force bombers, illustrating the RAF’s role in nuclear deterrence. The group also learned about the technological advancements and political strategies that defined this era.
Next Meeting – Friday 20th June 10am – 11.45am JGC
John Tedstone will be telling us about The ‘Lunarticks’ an informal ‘learned society’ of prominent figures including industrialists, ’natural philosophers’ and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham.
Christine Vincent has a presentation about Danish Physicist Niels Bohr who made major contributions to atomic structure and quantum theory.
Cromford Canal to Crich Stand (Crich Memorial) – Tuesday 3rd June
On Tuesday, we enjoyed a scenic circular walk beginning at Cromford Canal in Derbyshire. The weather was mild and dry, making for pleasant walking conditions. Setting off from Ambergate, we followed the peaceful towpath northward, enjoying glimpses of local wildlife, including ducks with ducklings, moorhens, and a pair of swans with cygnets. The canal was lined with lush greenery and occasional historical remnants of the area’s industrial heritage.
After a leisurely stretch along the water, we turned west and began the steady ascent toward Crich. The route took us through farmland and wooded paths, gradually climbing to the Crich Stand War Memorial, which offered panoramic views across the Derwent Valley and as far as the Peak District. The memorial itself, standing tall against the skyline, was a poignant highlight and provided a perfect rest spot.
After lunch we began our descent, which looped through quiet country lanes and open fields, eventually rejoining the canal path and returning to Ambergate. The round trip, of 8.40 miles, took around four hours at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time for photography and refreshment breaks. Overall, the walk was a rewarding blend of natural beauty, local history, and peaceful countryside.
