Litter Picking

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A total of 14 bags of rubbish have been collected from our area this month by members of the group who are doing a sterling job trying to keep our environment tidy.

One ‘grot spot’ which has been identified is the bottom end of the bypass. The problem is that it doesn’t take long to fill a bag with rubbish. The bags then become rather heavy to carry to the nearest litter bin which is in a layby on the bypass. The area around the litter bin is also frequently strewn with rubbish some of which is from bags which have been ripped open probably by wildlife. Together with The Wombles who are also prolific Hucknall litter pickers our aim is to have another litter bin installed towards the lower end of the bypass.

Wish us luck with that project!

Val (Gant)

National Trust

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Visit to Kedleston Hall on Wednesday 24th September.

We set off an hour later than usual for this month’s destination which involved a much shorter journey to neighbouring Derbyshire. Despite encountering heavy traffic close to Derby itself we still arrived safely by 10.30 am. The weather was now looking favourable as we were met by a member of staff from Kedleston Hall.

The estate at Kedleston is both beautiful and extensive and many members used the estate walks to explore the estate taking on walks ranging from 1.2 miles to over three miles in length. Surrounded by beautiful water courses the walks were well explored.

The Hall itself proved a popular venue to explore as we looked  at the Curzon family’s fine collections including fine arts, furniture and Asian treasure. There were also gardens, café, gift and plant shops to  explore over the day.

The final National Trust visit this year sees us venture to Nostell near Wakefield in October before ending the year with a visit to Chester’s Christmas Market in early December.

A huge thank you must go to Vallance Coaches who have provided coaches to a very high standard on all of our trips. Special thanks to the excellent drivers, Bob, Mick and Wayne.

Barrie

Not So Grumpy Old Men

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In September, following the cheering up of some Grumpy Old Men, 26 of the combined Not So Grumpy Old Men Group visited the Hucknall Flight Test Museum, a venue many of them visited under its Rolls Royce Heritage banner 6 years before, but now expanded and improved.

Rolls Royce transformed aviation by innovative engineering solutions and designs and shaped the path of the modern jet engine, claiming many world firsts along the way.

After an introductory talk about the origins of the museum and how acquiring grade II listed status ensured at least a small part of the Rolls Royce site was not “developed” into housing, we were treated to guided talks on the world-leading testing facilities, the evolution (over a surprisingly short timeframe) of aero engine design and manufacture and an incredible collection of hand-built scale models of over 30 aircraft.

Many of the group were ex-Rolls Royce employees and the museum volunteers were keen to try to get them back to work!

Enthralled by the talks and exhibits, it was difficult to drag ourselves away for the post-visit lunch at the Nabb Inn.

Mark Jackson

Vegetarian Cookery

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A good-sized group attended the September meeting when 3 recipes were again demonstrated and eaten.

It has been a while since we last met so it was good to come together again. A huge thank you to Jane and to those who helped in the kitchen and those who served the tasty morsels to the rest of the group. I could not do it without you.

The next meetings are 27th October, and 24th November, both the 4th Mondays of the month.

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

Anne Wilkinson

Discovering Britain

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Our most recent excursion began aboard a beautifully restored 1946 vintage bus, whose polished chrome and distinctive character instantly set the tone for the day. From Hucknall we travelled in style, enjoying the gentle hum of the old engine as we made our way through the countryside towards Wirksworth, in truth it was quite noisy, but fun.

At Wirksworth we transferred to an atmospheric steam train, its plume of white smoke curling above the carriages as we boarded. The rhythmic chug of the locomotive and the whistle’s call brought an air of nostalgia, transporting us back to a golden age of travel. The journey offered fine views across the Derbyshire hills, made all the more enjoyable by the leisurely pace.

We were treated to a hearty full English breakfast; with eggs, bacon, sausages, beans, and toast, it was a satisfying highlight and provided the perfect opportunity to relax and chat while soaking in the traditional surroundings.

Re-boarding our vintage bus, we continued to the Crich Tramway Village. There we admired the heritage trams including a ride on the trams, an old fashioned sweet shop, ice cream and a satisfying pint in the Red Lion pub before beginning our final leg homeward, on ‘Walter’ our vintage bus. Returning to Hucknall in the ‘comfort’ of the 1946 bus completed a truly memorable day full of nostalgia, camaraderie, and timeless transport experiences.

Mark Thornley