Science Group

The June 16th meeting was led by John Tedstone ably supported by Terry Hill. 28 members ventured out on a very warm day.

John’s topical presentation about the current state of our water supplies and the rise in pollution of waterways and the sea due to untreated discharges led to some lively discussions.

Shades of ‘Mrs Merton’s heated debate with participants putting forward a case for or against what the water companies should or should not be doing even if it wasn’t their personal belief.

Discharging into the Trent

Our trip to Magna has been cancelled so we will meet at the John Godber Centre on Friday 21st July 10am to 11.30 this month

We have a change of room as the main hall is in use – We will be in The Bailey Room (downstairs)

We have a guest speaker- Mr Ian Allen

 Ian is a local expert, photographer and data collector of dragonflies and damselflies which are beautiful, graceful flying wetland creatures, belonging to the Odonata order of insects. They’re incredibly ancient, and date back to prehistoric times when giant versions the size of eagles roamed the skies. We will learn more on the 21st

We will take a summer break in August and reconvene on Friday September 15th at 10.0am JGC.

David Rose

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History Group

The History Group always welcomes all U3A members especially new ones. Our indoor meeting place is Central Methodist Church on Baker Street: time 2pm – 4pm ish.

The visit to Ashby de la Zouche town and Museum on June 21st. was just brilliant. Weather super even touching a bit too warm at times; plenty of places with good food to eat, a town market to browse and St. Helen’s Church was really interesting. Did you follow the ‘mouse’ trail and did you try out the finger pillory? Our visit ended with a visit to the museum which was am-a-zing. Usually it closes on Wednesday afternoon but the staff were there to welcome us for a private viewing with ephemera and artefacts brought out of storage specifically for us. What can I say? Just fab-u-lous. Ashby is a town worth visiting. I think we all enjoyed the trip.

Maureen

Kathy, Sue and I will be having a break during July and August when there are no meetings. The three of us will look forward to seeing members on 20th September when Robert Mee will be with us with an illustrated talk about ‘Nottinghamshire Castles – Eleven Sites and more besides’. How many do you know of?

Meetings and visits 2023

July and August – Holidays

September 20th 2023 – Robert Mee, whom we have enjoyed listening to before, will talk about Nottinghamshire Castles. He says – Eleven sites and more besides

October 18th 2023 – Potteries Museum & Art Gallery Staffordshire Hoard on display. Leave Hucknall 10.30am – leave Stoke 4pm Cost of visit £12.50

November 15th 2023 – Michael Cooke, is another of our previous speakers, who usually tells about European history, this time I think it might be around England.

December 21st  – No meeting (too close to Christmas)

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Pub Quiz and Lunch

The Pub Quiz took place on the 12thJune when 22 of us met at The Nabb Inn.  All are welcome – we prefer a maximum of four to a team where possible as we can always add a person to another team if you would like to attend but haven’t got a team of your own. Sometimes the quiz is easy and occasionally it is very hard, but the idea is to have a bit of fun and to socialise whilst enjoying a lunch. The next Pub Lunch Quiz will be on Monday, 10th July at 12 noon.

And here are the answers to the June quiz (and yes, I know they were easy but it’s just a bit of fun!)

1. What type of trees do dates grow on? Palm trees

2. The country of Lesotho is completely surrounded by which other country? South Africa

3. In the nursery rhyme, whose wife “could eat no lean”? Jack Sprat’s

4. By land area, which is the largest state in the USA? Alaska

5. According to an old proverb, what “gathers no moss”? A rolling stone

6. Which type of cycle has only one wheel? A unicycle

7. The nickname Geordie is often given to a person from which large city? Newcastle (a Geordie is a person from the Tyneside area, which includes Newcastle)

8. What is the name of the rubber disc hit in an ice hockey match? A puck

9. Which sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain?  Irish Sea

10. Which queen of the British Celtic Iceni tribe famously led an uprising against the occupying Romans? Boudica

11. What was the name of the large balloons anchored to the ground by cables in London during the Second World War? Barrage balloons

12. Bill Gates was the principal founder of which computer company? Microsoft

13. How many sides does a decagon have? 10

14. The first expedition to reach the South Pole was led by which Norwegian explorer? Roald Amundsen

15. If your hobby is philately, what do you collect?  Stamps

16. Adolf Hitler was born in which country? Austria

17. Hollywood is a suburb of which American city? Los Angeles

18. Haematology is the branch of medicine concerned with the study of what? Blood

19. What type of animal are you ‘sick as’, if you are heart-broken or very disappointed? A parrot

20. What do Americans call Autumn?  The Fall

21. Name the only American president to resign from office? Nixon

22. Which gas is balloon gas, which is used to fill party balloons that float in the air? Helium

23. What year did the Titanic sink in the Atlantic Ocean on 15 April, on its maiden voyage from Southampton? 1912

24. What is the title of the first ever Carry On film made and released in 1958? Carry On Sergeant

25. What is the name of the biggest technology company in South Korea? Samsung

And here is the July quiz:

1.Which singer fronted the 1970s’ pop group Showaddywaddy?
2. Which now famous TV chef started cooking at the age of eight in his parents’ pub, ‘The Cricketers’, in Clavering, Essex?
3. Which Dutch darts player won the 2012 BDO World Championship at the Lakeside Country Club, Frimley Green on 15 January?
4. Which metal was discovered by Hans Christian Oersted in 1825?
5. What is the capital of Portugal?
6. How many breaths does the human body take daily?
7. Who was Prime Minister of Great Britain from 1841 to 1846?
8. What is the chemical symbol for silver?
9. Who invented Cat’s Eyes in 1934 to improve road safety?
10. What is the world’s smallest bird?
11. Who played ‘Bodie’ and ‘Doyle’ in The Professionals?
12. What is the doll, Barbie’s, full name?
13. What does Paul Hunn hold the record for, which registered at 118.1 decibels?
14. What did Al Capone’s business card state his occupation was?
15. What is the lifespan of a dragonfly?
16. Which year was the first Tonka truck made – 1945, 1947 or 1949?
17. Who invented the tin can for preserving food in 1810?

Name the country in which these landmarks can be found:

18. Giza Pyramid and the Great Sphinx
19. Colosseum
20. Angkor Wat
21. Statue of Liberty
22. Sydney Harbour Bridge

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Weekenders

We had a very enjoyable Gin Tasting Social afternoon at Siobhan Lee’s on 10th June.  A chance to try different gins, along with snacks and cuddles from the two cockerpoos and Siobhan’s five ladies (bantam hens).  We met at The Broomhill to celebrate Janice White’s birthday.   A few of us also went to the Thursday Silver Screen sessions at the Arc Cinema to see “The Incredible Journey of Harold Fry”, Love Again, The Book Club Next Chapter and plan to go again next month.

The June Coffee Club was on 24th and on 26th June we had an outing to the Cascades Gardens at Bonsall followed by lunch and shopping at the Peak Shopping Village.   

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Reading Group

The July Reading Group will meet on Wednesday, 5th July.  There was no June book choice but we have all read a variety of our own choices and we will discuss those books. 

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