The latest news from our groups…..

Calling all Dissectologists, or those who enjoy doing jigsaw puzzles.
We have a selection of puzzles available to borrow and return for 50p or keep for £1
If you have any in good condition to donate, bring them along to the meeting.

Calling all Book Worms

For the readers among us, we have a book stall for donations and purchases, all genres, only 40p each or 3 for £1

Snapshot

Members are invited to participate in our “virtual group”. Below are the photos chosen for February. Others can 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

Breakfast Group

Fifteen members enjoyed a lovely breakfast at the Bakers Cafe  recently

Gordon Brown

Trips & Visits

Twenty five members enjoyed a delicious and plentiful afternoon tea Patchills Pantry recently

Local History Group

An unusual topic for the local history group which none of us would have envisaged.
Who knew that Napoleonic prisoners of war would end up in Chesterfield?
Speaker Danielle Burton (pictured) gave us a detailed account of how this came about.
In 1803 the huge number of POWs was of great concern to the British government.
Lower ranks were separated from officers and were housed in hulks and, later, Dartmoor Prison, which they built themselves.
Officers (and their wives and servants!!) were sent to parole towns, as far away from the men and the sea as possible. Chesterfield was one of these towns, and in 1810, 400 of them were billeted there. They were placed on their honour as gentlemen not to escape, not to go beyond a one mile limit, and to keep an 8pm curfew. They were given an allowance and were able to make and sell things, to give language, art and music lessons, and where appropriate, to practise as doctors.  For this, the citizens of Chesterfield were very grateful.
By 1814 the prisoners were released, but some 200 remained. Some had married local girls and had families. Part of the Crooked Spire churchyard is called the French Quarter, as this is where they are buried.
It is not yet known how many present-day inhabitants of Chesterfield are descended from these prisoners, although there are families with French ancestor stories.  This is a further research task for Danielle to undertake.
Diane Hibbert.

Next month, (28thFeb), Andrew Tucker will be speaking about the history of Mansfield’s Palace Theatre.

Strollers

The  first  stroll  of  the  new  year, due  to  take  place  on  27th  January,  was  cancelled. We  were thwarted  by  storms  Eowyn  and  Herminia  which  created  havoc  with  very  strong  winds  and torrential  rain. The  decision  was  made  not  to  take  any  risks  as  we  were  due  to  walk  around Rufford  Park  where  there are lots  of  trees. Hopefully  on 24th  February  we  will  try to  do  this  walk  again, setting  off  from  the  car  park at  10.30am  as  usual. There  is a  parking  charge  of  £6 per car  so  anyone  wishing  to  car  share  could  you  arrange  this  among  yourselves please.

Andrew and Susan Goodison

Book Group

There are two books to review this month. In November, we enjoyed ‘The Man Who Died Twice’ by Richard Osman, the sequel to his Thursday Murder Club and again involving the same four septuagenarians who live in the Cooper’s Chase Retirement Community where they have formed a special friendship and are keen to share their skills as amateur sleuths. In this case Elizabeth, a former secret agent with MI5, is contacted by an ex-husband and former colleague, Douglas, who is being held in a safe house under the supervision of MI5 after stealing £20,000,000 of diamonds from the Mafia. Obviously, the Mafia, along with several others, are keen to get their hands on the diamonds and the twists and surprises along the way are very entertaining.

The December book was the Booker Prize nominated ‘The Man who saw Everything’ by Deborah Levy. The story begins in 1988 when the main character, historian Saul Adler, is hit by a car on Abbey Road but is apparently unhurt. He later travels to Berlin to research a paper about life in the GDR and meets Walter with whom he forms a relationship and also spends a night with his unhinged sister, Luna, who helps him bury a matchbox containing his father’s ashes. The second half of the book begins in 2016 when Saul has returned to London, has again been knocked down on Abbey Road but this time is critically ill in hospital. His recollections are completely muddled and he sees people from his past in his room and mixes up past events. A very strange book which those of us who persevered to the end never did really know what it was all about!

Betty Foster

Ringtones

The Ringtones singing group 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 future performances and enjoy a wide range of music. We have sung celebratory songs at our 10th anniversary celebrations, coffee mornings, Christmas party, our  AGM and the recent Garden Party. New members are always welcome, no audition required!

We sang at our Christmas party ( see events page ) and was invited to join with the Methodist Church members at their “Carols and Cake morning,”  a lovely community event which raised £200 for “Action for Children”

Garden Visits

In December the group visits a stately home decorated for Christmas and this time it was Harewood House near Leeds. They had gone to town with animated decor and talking objects! Titled “Mischief at the Mansion,” and sure enough little imps and naughty elves wreaked havoc. Each room portrayed a different theme but the animated talking plates in the dining room really amused us all. There were frolicking angels, flowers that opened and closed and cakes in the kitchen with moving decorations. However, the ceiling in the domed room was amazing as it changed shape. To view it there were cushions on the floor (providing you could get up again!!). A great day finished off with a walk in the grounds.

Pam Berry

Wine Appreciation

In December instead of the usual wine tasting / judging a specific grape, we got together for a lovely meal where we all provided a course,  so we sit down to 4 courses with wine of course! Thank you Sheila for hosting and the quiz which was a little easier this year!

Then in January we tasted an unknown grape Chilean Carmenere, a red wine that is a member of the Cabernet family. As often the least expensive came out best! We then enjoyed a delicious supper from our host Linda Tift. Another thoroughly enjoyable evening.

Pam Berry

Odeon Group

Our December visit was a ballet and featured “Cinderella” with music by Prokofiev. Beautiful and comical as well. The latter provided by the two ugly sisters and the beauty by the Seasons fairies and Fairy Godmother. Cinderella and of course the Prince gave us some spectacular dancing.
Then in January a few of us really enjoyed the opera “Tales of Hoffmann.” Three acts featuring a different love of his life from a schoolboy (all in school clothes and pranks abounding) which contained the robotic doll superbly performed, then an early romance with a poorly young girl and finally an older conquest for his infatuation. All came together in the finale revealing all these romances were the same woman: Stella. Brilliantly sung and performed with ballet included and our own private screening (we were the only few present!).

Now booking for:

Swan Lake Thursday 27th February at 7.15pm
Romeo and Juliet ( ballet) Thursday 20th March at 7.15pm
All £20
Pam Berry

Lunch Group 1

The extended lunch group at Christmas once again enjoyed good food and entertainment at the Hostess Restaurant.

We didn’t win the Quiz but discovered that 75 turkey dinners had been served that lunchtime!!!

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, 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.
Diane has made a model plane in the past!

The hats were knitted by Louise for family Christmas gifts.

We mix with table top games so you can do either or both at a session. Bring a mug for the teabreak.

Mary Howarth

 

Indoor Games

Maltese Cross was played this month with the “Dixon variation”. This led to wins by Ian (twice), Diane and Jackie – only her 2nd time playing – but unfortunately not for Wendy.

Kurling gave us a bit of physical exercise on a cold day. This month, the Reds got their act together, beating the Blues by 64 points to 46.

Ian demonstrated how to solve the Helicopter puzzle (having watched a You tube video previously). It comes apart by centrifugal force, spinning like helicopter blades to release 2 metal rods. It was left to Lynden to puzzle out how to put it back together again!

Diane Hibbert.

Pub Quiz

Nine members enjoyed festive food and a quiz at the Oak Tree Pub recently.
Gordon Brown

National Trust Visits

This timber framed Manor House located near Solihull was built in the 1500s. In 1925 the house was inherited by Graham Baron Ash (his name, not title) who spent the next 20 years creating a Tudor style house. He purchased collections of 16th and 17th century furniture, some from nearby Baddesley Clinton that our group had visited quite recently. In 1941 the property was donated to the National Trust.

The intriguing gardens have a collection of yew trees known as the Yew Garden and are supposed to represent “The Sermon on the Mount”. 12 great yews are known as “The Apostles” and 4 others “The Evangelists”. A spiral path leads to “The Mount” and a single yew known as “The Master”. Smaller ones are known as “The Multitude”.

Although this is a popular group, we sometimes have spaces available. Please ask to be put on our reserve list if you are interested. It isn’t essential to be a National Trust member, entry can be paid on admission.

Ann Mills

Card Craft

At our last meeting we welcomed Debbie as a new member, and all made two lovely but different Christmas cards.
We realise we need to start making our Christmas cards now, as there are only 90 days left to Christmas – perish the thought!
A different card is demonstrated each time for members to copy. Come along and make a greetings card to send to someone special. We provide all necessary materials and help. The group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at the Rainworth Methodist church hall, 2 – 4pm.

Jill Pullan

Ten Pin Bowling

At this month’s session, Wendy got the highest score and Jill the most strikes.

Lynden 

Lunch Group 2

Armchair Film Club

The inaugural meeting of our new interest group, the Armchair Film Club, was held on Wednesday 22nd January.
From a variety of DVDs we chose “Million Pound Note”, a comedy based on a short story by Mark Twain, starring Gregory Peck. Also notable in the cast were Joyce Grenfell and Wilfrid Hyde White.
Two wealthy brothers strike a wager.  They draw up a currency note worth £1 million which must not be cashed.  The bet was, would it be useless for a poor but honest man to use, or, just by possessing the note, could any man live like a lord?
Henry Adams (Gregory Peck), a young impoverished American in London, is chosen to find out.  Will the note change his life for better or worse?  Will he get the girl?
A portrait of a more innocent time; a bygone age where two steak dinners cost 3/10d!
Thanks to all those who helped with equipment, refreshments, suggestions and furniture arranging.
Diane Hibbert