History Group

The History Group always welcomes all u3a members – especially new ones – we have plenty of room. 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.  Due to a visit the next indoor meeting is on 15 May.  If you have not booked for the visit I will see you then.  

In March we had one of our favourite speakers Andy McKinnon to tell us about the history of Bestwood, it  was amazing.  It seems the map of Bestwood has stayed the same for hundreds of years. We heard that Nell Gwynne one of Charles II mistresses, who had some of the King’s children, rode round the area to claim it for her son, could we say for services rendered?  He became the Duke of St. Albans.  John Bentley one of our newer members was able to give us the benefit of his knowledge as well.

Pleasley Pit is the venue of our visit in April and we have a full bus of members.  I am told we will get a guided tour of the premises and be able to see colliery items that are not usually on show. They also have a tearoom/canteen where we can get drinks and snacks.  Great.

The next indoor meeting is 15th May when we have David Amos coming to show us images and give details of ‘A Brief History of the Village of Annesley’.  David worked at Annesley Colliery and has been researching the village for years, I think we are in for a good afternoon.  If you are not booked on the visit I will see you at the meeting in May.

Maureen Newton

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Ukulele for Fun

Our new look Ukulele Group is proving to be a success. The majority of us are now downloading the song books from the internet, saving time and money. 

The formula of a playlist followed by “Group Members Choice” is proving successful.

If you feel you would like to become a member why not come and listen sometime, you might enjoy it! 

Contact the group leader for details –

Phil Attenborough

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Litter Picking Group

Whenever possible members of the litter picking group have been active during March.

One such member collected half a bag full of beer bottles and cans but couldn’t carry it any further so he deposited it in a litter bin in Linby. He also found a car jack, a car tyre and ¼ of a car bumper and is now looking for the rest of it so he can build a new car for himself. Oh and he also found an empty Viagra packet – someone must have been pretty desperate!

If you are inspired by these findings (!) please feel free to join the group.

Val (Gant)

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Vegetarian Cooking

March again had a good number attending and we all enjoyed tasting two savoury recipes. As it was near to Easter we also had mini egg cookies, very sweet and indulgent!

In April the meeting is on 22nd at 10.30 to 12.00 in the church hall for St Peter and St Paul’s on Ruffs Drive.  We have just 3 spaces left in the group, so if anyone wants to join us, you are very welcome, please contact me.

Anne Wilkinson

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Gardening Group

Last month’s meeting was a talk from the NGS online about Kiftsgate, a garden in the Cotswolds that has been nurtured and looked after by three generations of ladies from the same family.  Each generation has respected the ideas and plans of the previous incumbents but have also developed and added their own ideas and interests.  It looks well worth a visit if you are in that part of the country and can be found quite close to Hidcote gardens.

This month’s meeting will be a talk entitled “A Blue Garden”, and surprisingly there are a large number of blue flowers to be found.  There will also be a plant swap at this meeting, so if you have any you want to share or are interested in adding to your own plot, please come along at the usual time and place, all are welcome.  

We will also be taking names and monies for our next trip, in May, to Packwood House in Warwickshire.

Anne

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