History Group

by WebmasterHistory GroupPosted on Comments are Disabled

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members – especially new ones.  Our indoor meetings take place at Central Methodist Church on Baker Street – Time 2pm – 4pm.  It is always on the third Wednesday of the month, in March it is 20th.

Last month we had one of our regular speakers Stephen Flinders with the topic ‘Stanton at War’.  He showed an original film taken in wartime at the Stanton works located just ‘ovver t’ brook’ (the river Erewash) near Ilkeston.  It seemed most of the people at the works were young women who could easily have been our mothers or grandmothers doing heavy work using cranes and making bombs which were taken over targets in Germany by Lancaster aeroplanes.   Some Italian prisoners of war also worked there.  Stephen is such good value as a speaker we will look forward to seeing him again.

Our speaker in March is Andy McKinnon who is going to tell us about ‘The History of Bestwood’.  Andy is another of our favourite speakers and I’m sure some of you will remember when he came to John Godber Hall to tell us about the Hucknall people who served in the Great War. 

There might still be seats available for our visit to Pleasley Pit; please ask Kathy or Sue for details.

Maureen Newton

Short Walks

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In February we had an exhilarating walk around Gedling Country Park.

It was a dry breezy day and from the viewing platforms it was possible to identify some of the landmarks and features towards Newark and Lincoln.

At the end of the walk we enjoyed a well deserved drink in the café.

Smiling walkers standing near the miners memorial

And now for something a little bit different. Our next walk on Thursday March 21st will be led by Liz and Phil Attenborough. It includes a tram ride and an interesting urban walk from the Nottingham Midland Station tram stop.

We will meet at Hucknall Tram station to catch the first tram after 9.30, for those wishing to use other means of transport meet at Midland Station tram stop at 10.15. The walk is along the canal and down to the river, taking in the Memorial Gardens on the way. The distance is about four and a half generally flat miles.

David Rose

Science

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At our February meeting David Vincent, ably assisted by Christine, presented a very interesting Part 2 of the ‘Greening of Nottinghamshire’

He described the early planning stages and then went on to explain how the many coal spoil heaps in the county were transformed into the country parks and in some cases farmland that we enjoy today.

In addition to the spoil heaps there were miles of interconnecting railway lines, many of which are now walking and cycling trails.

You may recognise Linby Colliery

March Meeting Friday 15th 10.00 am JGC

Terry Hill will be telling the tale of ‘The Unlucky 7’ scientists who came to a premature end.

I will be introducing an environmental theme starting with the location of rainforests and their climate plus exploring the significance of the different layers of the rainforest.

Finally there will be a briefing about the April visit to Oxford.

David Rose

Not so Grumpies’ Scalextric Visit

by WebmasterNot So Grumpy Old MenPosted on Comments are Disabled

In February, the Not So Grumpies motored into Nottingham to try their driving skills (or lack of) on the recently redesigned and extended Scalextric track at the Dragon featuring many of Nottingham’s historic landmarks and locations.  

After free practice in which participants theoretically acclimatised themselves to the circuit, three qualifying rounds were held to determine the six fastest drivers who then raced against each other in the nail-biting final.

To everyone’s surprise, the favourite to win (Senna(Pod)) only managed third place, being soundly thrashed by AlanDenham in second place, and FieryNikiL who, despite a number of allegations of track and grid violations during which a number of rivals were forced off the track, finished in first place. However, despite winning, his overall times fell far below the 10 lap record, set by Claire Balding in the inaugural race following the commissioning of the new circuit, which still remains unbeaten.

After the race, all drivers repaired to the Long Row Social to analyse the race violations, consider their appeals, and partake of much-needed fortifications.