History Group

by John PrettyHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

Our March meeting brought Denis Hill to explain to us about the mystery of Kirkby Castle. Although it was shown in the older maps of the area nothing seemed to be left on the ground. (I think some members thought it was a scam because there was no such thing). The location proved to be a good place for a castle with extensive views over the river Erewash. It seemed on the whole it was a fortified manor house rather than a ‘Disney type’ castle.

Denis is a fantastic speaker and in his presentation the images were extremely good – he had also brought some books of what the Kirkby Archaeological Group found as they researched the subject.

Denis also brought with him 2 pre-used working projectors which Greg passed on to Liz Attenborough (technical equipment manager) for the benefit of any of our u3a groups. Thank you Denis.

The meeting next month is a visit to the Hollocaust Centre at Laxton by coach; I have suggested we take a packed lunch just in case their building and alteration work is not completed. The coach has a full complement of members: leaving Hucknall Ogle Street at 10.30 am and leaving the Centre at 4pm.

At the indoor meeting on 21st May at Central Methodist Church David Amos is coming to tell us about Annesley Part ll.

Also Kathy and Sandra will be taking names and money £10.50 (to cover the cost of coach only) for our visit to Lincoln on 18th June.

Maureen Newton

Social Committee

by John PrettySocial CommitteePosted on Comments are Disabled

There are a few tickets left so if you want one of these:

Look out for the glamourous 1940’s ladies selling them at the back of the hall for £12.00 each at the 9th April Monthly Meeting

Short Walks

by John PrettyShort WalksPosted on Comments are Disabled

The short walk on Thursday 17th April starts from the large lay by next to Greasley Church.

Church Road Greasley NG16 2AB

Meet at 9.30 am for a 9.45 am start

The route has some gentle undulations but no long steep ascents.

At the end we pass through the church yard with an optional visit to the ‘Parish Oven’

café which is run by volunteers for a drink and maybe more.

David Rose

Science Group

by John PrettyScience GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

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

National Trust

by John PrettyNational TrustPosted on Comments are Disabled

Packwood House, Warwickshire

The first visit of 2025 got off to a very good start as we enjoyed very smooth and traffic jam free journeys to and from Packwood House. The weather also played its part with the sun shining down all day.

Packwood is a lovely venue boasting a very interesting main house where enthusiastic volunteers kept you well informed. The group were all given timed entry tickets for their tours which begin from 11.00 am at fifteen minute intervals.

As the sun continued to shine the organised garden tours proved popular with the group while others enjoyed the lakeside walk or walks which took you round the beautiful local countryside where new born lambs and spring flowers adorned the fields. A lovely setting.

There was still plenty of time to visit the large well stocked cafe, the plant sale area and gift shop.

Leaving promptly at 4.00 pm we were safely back on Hucknall Market shortly after 5.30 pm after a very good day out.

Barrie