Visit to Attingham Park on Tuesday 29th April.

by WebmasterNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

The group met up in glorious sunshine for the visit to Attingham Park and after leaving at 8.30 am we were at the venue two hours later.

We were met on arrival by a NT member of staff, Will, who took time to give us maps, information and all the details needed for us to make the most of the day.

The property is the second most visited NT site in the country and in the lovely sunshine there was plenty to enjoy.

The Mansion proved popular with some members joining organised tours or a Tour of Hidden Attingham which allowed visits to rooms and areas usually closed off to the public.

Members made the most of the estate itself walking by the river and through beautiful countryside, on walks of varying distances.

There was still time for a cafe stop and a visit to the NT shop before gathering at the coach for the return journey.

A really god day out!!

A big thank you to Mick, our coach driver, who found an alternative route from the A50 /M1 junction when the road signs displayed that the M1 had delays of over an hour because of a lorry fire!

We arrived back safely in Hucknall by 7.15 having enjoyed a very good visit.

The next visit takes us to Beninborough Hall near York on Wednesday 28th of May.

 Barrie                                                      

Vegetarian Cooking

by WebmasterVegetarian CookeryPosted on Comments are Disabled

At  April’s meeting a large attendance tried 3 different recipes. 

These were Spinach and Cheese crustless Quiche, Summer picnic swirls using frozen pizza dough, and old fashioned ginger biscuits. As usual everything was consumed and all enjoyed the different flavours. 

There will not be a meeting in May as it is the Bank Holiday so the next meeting will be on Monday 23rd June.

This group is at present full and cannot take any new members for now.

Anne Wilkinson

Gardening Group

by WebmasterGardening GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

Last month’s meeting was a talk from Patsy Rayner who spoke most interestingly on Japanese Gardening.

She has a son living there so has visited several times and now tries to incorporate some of the ideas into her own plot. She showed how easy it is to add some to our own gardens, including height, to reference Mount Fuji, and gravel or moss paths to represent dry river beds or springs, or to use moss and simple green planting  instead of varied flowering plants. Quite a change to what we are used to seeing and doing here.

May’s group meeting is a trip to Middleton Hall, near Tamworth.

Anne

Medium Walks – Elvaston Castle

by WebmasterMedium WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

Possibly our warmest April walk so far started at Elvaston Castle, near Borrowash, and just over the border in Derbyshire. The estate is owned by Derbyshire County council, and became one of the first Country Parks, in 1970. The castle, which is not open to the public, was the home of the Earl of Harrington, and mostly dates from the early 1800s, although part dates back to 1633.

We had a pleasant stroll through the grounds, pausing for our mandatory group photo, then left the park to follow the River Derwent, along the Derwent Valley Way. This was a new area for us to explore, and only about 35 minutes drive from Hucknall. We retired to the Queen’s Head in nearby Ockbrook afterwards, although several members of the group took a wrong turn on the way there, and didn’t arrive! Thanks to Gill Hunt for organising this walk.

John Tedstone

History

by WebmasterHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

It is quite difficult to say much new about the Holocaust Centre, but I think we all enjoyed?? not the correct word I know; but I do think we enjoyed each others company.  

The visit began well with Vallances Coach and Chris the driver whom we have had many times before.  I think I will have to buy him a new joke book though.  On such a cold day the hot drink on arrival was very welcome and we drank it as we watched the introductory film. Wandering round the exhibits made us wonder how supposed human beings could do such awful things to other humans.  The talk by two younger people explaining how their grandmother or grandmother in law survived through the years of ordeal was amazing and she is still alive aged 98.  A little later the drinks and cakes at the café plus souvenir shop were well attended before our coach was homeward bound back to Hucknall.  

I felt this was an example of cruelty to some sections of people (had they heard of ethnic cleansing then?) that we should all try to ensure does not happen in the future.  Incidentally it was suggested that we go again in a couple of years to see if the building alterations are completed.  What do you think?

May 21st is the date for our next indoor meeting at Central Methodist Church, time 2pm, when David Amos is coming to give us “A Brief History of Annesley Part ll”.  I’m sure those of you who heard part one will want to know the rest of the story which he puts over so well.

Before that though on May 14th at the main u3a meeting, John Godber Centre,  Kathy and Sandra will be taking names and money for the Lincoln visit on June 18th: cost is £10.50p which is just the coach fare.  We leave Hucknall Ogle Street 10.30am – leave Lincoln 4pm.  The table for bookings will be in the refreshment area.

Bye for now

Maureen