On 11 April in glorious sunshine we visited Leicester wherethe remains of Richard III were found.
The newley opened Richard III Visitors Centre proved to be informative and very well presented, The ground where his body was found, on the former site of Grey Friars Priory, has been preserved and the volunteers were very informative. The final resting place is in Leicester Cathedral next door to the Visitor Centre.
Our 18th April meeting is at 10.00am to 11.45am in the main hall (Portland) at JGC.
John Tedstone has prepared a presentation about an interesting group who called themselves the Lunar Society. The members became known as ‘Lunarticks’.
The Lunar Society of Birmingham was a British dinner club and informal learned society of prominent figures in the Midlands Enlightenment, including industrialists, natural philosophers and intellectuals, who met regularly between 1765 and 1813 in Birmingham. At first called the Lunar Circle, “Lunar Society” became the formal name by 1775. The name arose because the society would meet during the full moon. It still exists.
Original members included James Watt, Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgewood and Matthew Boulton.
John will have much more to tell us about this interesting group.
After a short break there will be a presentation about the RAF Cosford Museum and a video which highlights the contribution to aerospace and flight made by ‘Hucknall Heroes’
David Rose
In March a total of 20 bags of rubbish were collected by members of the group.
One member, Maureen, sent out a request for help in clearing litter around the bushes near Butler’s Hill Tram stop before the spring growth. There were a few offers of help but eventually this request was met by David R. Together they collected 6 bags of general rubbish, several tins of ‘stuff’, a nitrous oxide (laughing gas) cylinder, a pair of pants, a shirt, a coat, 2 bags and an umbrella frame. It was difficult for them getting to rubbish in the brambles but the area now looks much tidier so a big thank you goes to Maureen and David for their efforts.
If anyone knows of any ‘grot-spots’ which need our attention please let us know and we will do our best to help.
Val (Gant)
On a beautiful Spring morning our Strollers group alighted from the tram for a walk through the Arboretum and round to the Forest where we were able to sit outside and enjoy a coffee in the excellent coffee shop.
It was interesting to see the aviaries are still standing in the Arboretum, including a memorial plaque to Cocky the Cockatoo who lived to a ripe old age, most of us remembered him from our childhood visits!
Another lovely walk!
The second group to visit The Mary Potter Heritage Centre enjoyed an afternoon learning about Mary Potter and her life’s work, both in this Country and abroad.
If you should get the chance to visit – do, it’s well worth it!