Unfortunately, the speaker booked for July has had to cancel, at short notice a new speaker has been found. Bert Flitcroft is a member of Madeley & District u3a in Staffordshire. Bert runs poetry/art/writing events and will share a few poems with us. He will tell us their origins and why they were written, with an emphasis on how they should be read for best effect. He does encourage the audience to take part.
Vegetarian Cookery
There was a break in May due to the Bank holiday, so our next meeting is on Monday 24th June at St Peter and St Paul’s church hall on Ruffs Drive at 10.30.
We still have a few spaces left in the group so if anyone would like to join us, please contact me.
Anne Wilkinson
Gardening Group
Last month members enjoyed a lovely visit to Packwood House and gardens in Warwickshire.
The dry day enabled us to enjoy walks around the kitchen garden, the Yew garden with over 100 trees of varying ages heights and health, the Orchard with bee hives, the Carolean garden, a spiral walk up the Mound to view the House and a walk around the lake. Some even ventured along the marked trails through the wood.
The House was last owned by the Ash family and was restored to its Tudor character with lots of artefacts and furniture of that period. The house has a warm, cosy atmosphere, with lots to enjoy, and is well worth a visit if you have never been.
This month we welcome Lizzie Impey who has a Cutting Garden at Priory Wood and she will be talking about her work there. All are welcome at 1.30 on Tuesday 18th June at the John Godber Centre. We will also be taking names and monies for our next trip in July to East Riddlesdon in Yorkshire.
Enjoy your plots as they flourish in this warm wet weather!
Weekenders
Hucknall and Linby Brass put on a superb performance at St Peter’s and St Paul’s Church on the 11th May.
There was a varied programme with the conductor introducing each piece with witty and informative comments. After the interval, the band struck up unannounced with a crash! Every instrument came in on the first beat of the bar, much to the surprise of all those still chatting! Thanks to Pam for organising the tickets.
Our numbers have been somewhat depleted lately due to family commitments and ill health, but we did get out for Sunday lunch at the Green Dragon on the 19th. We found lots to discuss and agreed it was an enjoyable way to spend a few relaxing hours in good company.
Our summer planning meeting was on the 25th.
Medium Walks
After the hottest day of the year, the drizzly grey skies that greeted us at the start of the walk at Pentrich were a bit of a contrast. The weather improved as the walk progressed and the “gentle undulations” afforded some lovely views towards Fritchley, with Crich Stand in the distance.
We learned about the Pentrich Revolution of 1817 and the Butterley Gangroad Rail Tunnel, which is the oldest railway tunnel in the World, all whilst negotiating many styles of stiles and 2 fields of curious cows.
Post walk refreshments at the Dog in Pentrich were most welcome.