National Trust Visit to Belton House Light Trail

Belton House hosts one of the most impressive light trails in the country. It contains over one million lights in a mile long trail through the grounds at Belton House, accompanied by the sounds of Christmas as you walk. The estimated time for the walk is ninety minutes allowing no doubt for a stop for a seasonal drink or a light snack. Toasted marshmallows anyone? The Stables courtyard close to the start and end of the walk will have further attractions including a memory tree if you wish to post a note on to the tree.

The event is very popular and despite running from late November to early January is often sold out. As the event is run out of normal National Trust hours there is a charge of £20 for all adults whether you are members or not. Including the bus fare of £8.00 the total cost will be £.28.00 per person.

We have booked fifty six places, as we will have timed entry slots of the maximum number you can book which is 14. Our slots are for 4.15, 4.30. 4.45 and 5.00pm on Wednesday, 15th December, 2021. According to the website there is very little open during the period before 4.00pm and so in view of the possible cold weather in December we have decided to leave Hucknall Market at 2.30pm and return from Belton at 7.30pm. This will still give us four hours outside which is probably enough for the time of year.

We expect the visit to be very well supported and to be fair to everyone we will accept bookings from 9.00 am on October 11th, 2021 preferably by email or by phone for those of you not online. We will confirm that you have a place by email or phone. Belton House reserve the right not to let you go on the trail if you are not well wrapped up and ask you to bring a torch in case of a power cut!!!!!!!!

To contact Barrie and Sue, please use the contact form below:-

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Mid-length Walking Group

In September a group of 22 walkers enjoyed a pleasant walk in beautiful sunshine. We started at the Gallows Inn Field, then headed down the Erewash Canal, up through Trowell and along the Nottingham Canal to Cossall.

Those who wore shorts soon realised the error of their ways as the canal footpath was overgrown with brambles and nettles, but we pushed through and made it back to the Erewash Canal. We then enjoyed a picnic lunch back on the playing fields, which was our starting point.

A beautiful day to walk, in good company. Thank you to Philip and Liz Attenborough, our walk leaders.

Our next walk is on Monday, October 18th, 2021 when we’ll be heading to Codnor/Golden Valley. This walk will be led by Dave Kay and Ian Raynor.

Litter Picking group

The newly formed Litter Picking Group has got off to a great start with members having collected almost 60 bags of rubbish since its inception at the end of August. One member has even found what is believed to be stolen property – a bicycle hidden in bushes and a rucksack with its pockets open and emptied. The Police have been informed and if the items are not claimed they will be ‘recycled’ respectively to a good home and a deserving charity. Group members go out either individually or in small groups as and when they are free and have garnered a lot of public support in the process. It’s just a pity there are still litter louts out there too.
For further information or if anyone else wishes to join please contact the group leader Val Gant on litter@hucknallu3a.org.uk

Some of the litter pickers ready for action:

Scams – October 2021

Fake meal vouchers for Wetherspoon pubs

These are being promoted on Facebook, despite the chain shutting all its social media accounts in 2018. Facebook users who comment on the posts published by the fake Wetherspoon pages are told they will win meal vouchers if they receive comments from Wetherspoon. But these comments come from scammers who have set up the pages.

The posts read ‘Congratulations for those of you who have received comments from us, you have the opportunity to win them’. You are then asked to like and share the post with your friends.

Luckily, the fake profiles don’t have large followings unlike other competition scams, but they do have the potential to reach a large audience. Two false Facebook pages claim to be legitimate Wetherspoon social media profiles, both sharing posts following the same format. If received report it: to the 7726 service – a free text service that enables you to report all spam texts.

Thursday, 21st October – Short Walk

Liz and Philip Attenborough have kindly offered to lead the walk which starts from the car park for Newstead and Annesley Country Park.

Sat-Nav postcode: Tilford Road Parking – NG15 0BU

Meet: at 9.45 am for a 10am start

It is a fairly flat walk on good tracks and paths.

There will be a coffee break at Newstead Abbey and a stroll back to complete the walk of about 4.5 miles.

Some information about the park:-

‘We are a park with a difference. The park is run by Newstead Enterprise – a company created by the community in Newstead Village to help create a better future for ourselves. We are run by volunteers who care passionately about the village, the Park and creating a legacy for future generations.

The Park is 220 acres and is situated on the site of the former colliery pit tips. The whole area has amazing wildlife interest and the village is working with a number of environmental groups to protect and enhance the area, half of which is a ‘Site of Importance for Nature Conservation’.

Directions:
From Hucknall as you cross the railway turn immediate left then left again to the parking areas