News

The latest news from our groups…..

Members are invited to participate in our “virtual group”. Below are the photos chosen for October. Others may be found in the newsletter.
Please email me ONE snapshot you have taken on your phone, or digital camera, sometime before a general meeting. I will compile an informal slideshow of the results and show them at the next general meeting. There are no themes, no prizes, no meetings, just a monthly picture gallery.
Select wisely, remember only ONE snapshot.
No people snaps! Not every one wants to be plastered all over the village hall screen and I would feel uncomfortable with personal data. So please stick to – animal (not human), vegetable and mineral please. Snaps will be deleted after 1 month, ready for the next gallery.
Let’s give it a go. What could possibly go wrong?
My special email “snapshot gallery” address is:
snapgallery21@gmail.com
Ian Hibbert

The photo below is a view of the eclipse through a colander!!!

 Miss Potter

Naughty Peter Rabbit got into the works half-way through the story of his creator Beatrix Potter. However, we got the film running again and were able to enjoy a charming period drama with Renee Zelweger in the heartwarming title role.

Beatrix overcomes many obstacles in her quest to become a writer and enjoys the annual Lake District holiday where she can pursue her interests that later made her a noted naturalist. She becomes famous for her illustrated children’s books, including The Tale of Peter Rabbit. Parts of the film show her interacting with animated versions of her characters.

She agrees to marry her publisher, Norman Warne, but sadly he dies. Grieving, Beatrix shuts herself away and cannot even draw. The only cure is to leave the family home, buy Hill Top Farm and other land in the area to prevent it being built on. She marries her solicitor and on her death leaves her property in trust for the nation.

Ian and Diane Hibbert

Strollers

Our Strollers enjoyed a wonderful morning in the sunshine at Brierley Park followed by refreshments in the Community cafe.

         Andrew and Susan Goodison 

We weren’t singing for our supper we were queuing to order our lunch at The Sherwood in Rainworth!
Sixteen of us enjoyed the usual good quality of food and service from the staff, always friendly and welcoming.
On our list for another visit probably early New Year.

Jackie Massey

Book Group

Tiny Pieces of us

Our book last month was by New Zealand author Nicky Pellegrino. The main character, Vivi, was born with a heart defect but given a second chance after a transplant, the donor being a 16-year-old boy killed in a cycle accident. The boy’s mother, Grace, had offered his organs to save the lives of others and some years later, still trying to come to terms with her grief, she wants to meet all the other recipients who have been given tiny parts of her son.

Vivi, by now working as a journalist for a tabloid newspaper, publishes an article to raise awareness of organ donation and is contacted by Grace who asks for her help in tracing all these people so she can feel closer to her son again. Vivi reluctantly agrees and with her journalistic training eventually tracks down the small group of strangers. We are introduced to them one by one and, as their lives become intertwined, they become a new kind of family and Vivi discovers a whole new world waiting for her.

A large amount of research must have gone into all the details regarding transplants and donors and I felt as though I learnt a lot from reading this. A book we all enjoyed.

Betty Foster

Local history group visit to the Mining Remediation Authority at Berry Hill.

“Where and what is that?” you might ask. Well, it’s on your doorstep, a modern building in the grounds of Berry Hill Hall.

The aim of the Authority is to manage public safety arising from coal and mineral mining.

Many communities live alongside our mining heritage. Hazards can include subsidence, ground collapse, gas, water issues and unsafe mine shafts. However, these are rare, and the Authority’s record keeping and data gathering help keep us safe.

The country’s mining records have all been gathered here in this centre – plans, surveyors’ notes, accident reports – shelf after shelf of hand -drawn rolled linen maps greeted us in the cold-storage room. The temperature is 12*C and the fire prevention is by argon gas, not water, at £3000 a cylinder!

The records have been digitised over a 6 year project, but the precious originals remain here and are carefully preserved.

For me, the massive wooden panelling showing inventions and discoveries connected with coal mining was a highlight.

We learned a lot from our guide Jackie, who certainly knew her subject. It was fascinating to know that a seam from Crown Farm Colliery ran right underneath the building. Anyone wanting to know if a coal seam runs under their house is free to come and use their computer records to find out. Remember, it’s on the doorstep and it’s free.

Diane Hibbert

For October, we’re back at Cambridge Close on Friday 23rd.

Garden Visits

Our visit for September was a slight change of plan and instead we had the delights of Brodsworth Hall and Gardens near Doncaster. They are known for their stunning bedding planted gardens and we were not disappointed. It was a lovely sunny day so they were at their best and dazzling colours. Plenty of different gardens besides these and included formal topiary, a fern filled dell and children’s section. After walking round them we had a light lunch and then toured the house. Am afraid I found it very dark and gloomy! Not attractive at all. Finally a tour of the shop and home.

Pam Berry

Our first events of the new season are about to start.

I am now booking for:-

Manon (ballet) on Tuesday 27th October at 7.15pm £18.50

Carmen (opera) on Tuesday 10th November at 7.00pm £18.50

Pam Berry

Indoor Games

In a well-earned break between 12 spot dominoes and Korridor Kurling, Jim gets to grips with Shut the Box while Lynden enjoys a cuppa.

We all had a go with Shut the Box and Susan eventually succeeded, being determined not to give up.

With Kurling, we all seemed a bit rusty at first, but Reds surged ahead. Blues were in hot pursuit but fell 4 points short in a first- to -50 game.

Diane Hibbert

The Wine Appreciation group met recently.  Linda hosted the group this month, and we tasted 4 bottles of Sauvignon Blanc from Greece.  The wine was exceptionally good, and none of us had tasted Greek Sauvignon Blanc before, it was a pleasant surprise.  Linda provided a delicious supper and the evening ended around 9.15pm.  The most expensive bottle came second in our evaluation.  The most expensive seldom wins and we taste all the wines blind.

This month’s visit was to Moseley Old Hall.

The hall is near Wolverhampton and is famous as one of the hiding places of Charles II following his escape from the Parliamentarians to France after his defeat at the Battle of Worcester in 1651.

He hid in the priest hole for two days before moving on.

The beautiful gardens comprise a walled garden, orchard and a (recreated) knot garden.

Scorchio!!

Ann Mills

Ringtones

The Ringtones singing group is about having fun and performs at meetings and social events.
At our monthly rehearsals at the Methodist Church Hall in Rainworth, 10am-12pm, on the second Monday of each month, we plan for any future performances and enjoy a wide range of music. We have sung celebratory songs at our 10th anniversary celebrations, coffee mornings, Christmas parties, our AGM and  Garden Parties. New members are always welcome, no audition required!

Ian Hibbert

Breakfast Group

Our group enjoyed a good breakfast at The Snipe yesterday morning despite several members being unable to attend.

Gordon Brown 

We were all so looking forward to our annual Crazy Golf and lunch day at Ramsdale Golf Club. Sadly the weather was awful so we all met up in the Clubhouse for coffee and a great social chat. It’s surprising how much you can learn of your fellow members previous employments, holidays, music tastes and shopping preferences over a cup of coffee. Lunch was served a bit earlier than booked and was well received, as usual the food was delicious and service spot on!!
In spite of the awful weather we all had an enjoyable day.

Jackie Massey

A U3A visit to Ely coincided with the Knife Angel  going to Ely from Newark.  This will be the last time it is on tour, and it will return to Liverpool after Ely, unless  another town or city requests it to be displayed

It is an astonishing sculpture made from knives that have been confiscated from yobs and criminals.  The beautiful face is one of compassion and sadness and the hands are begging.  The message is ‘do not carry a bladed item, ever’  So many young lives have ended due to stabbings.  It weighs 3 tons and has to have special transport to move it.

Jill Pullan

Canasta

Our Canasta group has also started and takes place in the Methodist Hall at the same time as Card Craft, Hobbies and Indoor Games, come along and join beginners at this card game with expert instruction from Enid. Three “newbies” had  mastered the rules by the end of the 1st session, another “learning curve” for our u3a!

Enid Thomas

Our numbers were a bit depleted at the last quiz night. As usual we did our best but didn’t win! If we look cold in the photo we were, the pub’s heating had broken down on the Monday, but hopefully will be fixed by the time we go again!

Jackie Massey

Hobbies

This group covers several hobbies at present but we are always on the lookout for more!
Please come along if you want to have a go at any hobby or craft. We meet on the 3rd Monday, 2-4pm at the Rainworth Methodist Church Hall.

We knit squares that are made into blankets and donated overseas, this is our latest contribution, three beautiful blankets crocheted by Linda and  squares by other members.

Some of the beautiful cards being made recently at the Card Craft group.

Why not join us – all materials are provided to make the card.  We meet on the 3^rd Monday of the month at the Methodist Hall on Southwell Road, at 2.00pm.  Interested?  Contact Jill  07719165800

Thirty four members attended the Christmas lunch at the Hostess restaurant and enjoyed the usual high standard of food, entertainment and service.

Several took to the dance floor to burn off the calories.