News

The latest news from our groups…..

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

We had a good response for our first visit to The Welly in Rainworth, 20 of us enjoyed a variety of meals. All were very reasonably priced and plentiful from a really wide choice of dishes. This is definitely worth another visit and will be added to our ” Local Luncheon ” places to eat.

Jackie Massey

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

Book Group

– Home Coming by Luan Goldie

Moving between London and Kenya, Home Coming follows the journey of Kiama, a young man seeking to find answers by returning to Kenya where he tragically witnessed his mother die 10 years earlier. He asks Yvonne, his mother’s best friend, to accompany him. Long burdened by guilt she agrees, setting off a chain of revelations that force everyone involved to confront old wounds and unravels hidden secrets left in the past. These secrets belong to Yvonne and Kiama’s father, Lewis, and have been left untold for at least a decade. So, whilst facing his own demons, Kiama also wakes up those of Yvonne and the guilt she has always felt comes flooding back.

Betty Foster

Strollers

Would you believe it? After we had to cancel the previous two months strolls due to the severely hot weather, on Monday 27th July we set off on our stroll with drizzly RAIN!! Leaving the car park at Pleasley Country Park we suddenly started donning our cagoules. Anyway it didn’t last for very long and before half way along the route we were taking them off and experiencing the heat again.
A few people and dogs were taking advantage of the cooler day, also there was plenty of fresh evidence that horses had preceded us. The flora and forna everywhere were looking extremely dry but some bushes had a plethora of berries, a few even looking like blueberries although we resisted the urge to pick them not knowing if they were poisonous or not.
The cafe provided us with the usual good quality refreshments in a newly arranged seating plan.

The next stroll will take place at Creswell Craggs on Monday 24th August (avoiding the August bank holiday weekend) meeting up in The Dukeries Garden Centre car park for leaving at 10.30am.

   Andrew and Susan Goodison 

There was no shortage of sun at Southwell!

We visited on the hottest and sunniest day of the week to see the Helios exhibition by Luke Jerram at Southwell Minster.

There we viewed the actual sun through two specialist telescopes, courtesy of Nottingham Astronomical Society.

Helios was the Greek god of the sun, who drove his four-horse chariot daily across the sky, giving the earth its hours and seasons.

This exhibition consists of a 7metre diameter sphere, internally lit and suspended in the nave, with detailed features of the sun’s surface such as sunspots, flares and spicules. The scale is 1:200 million.

Outside, we were able to see these features in reality, 93 million miles away, by looking through the two solar telescopes.

We appreciated the cooler conditions back in the Minster as we were able to wander around at our own pace or have a welcome sit-down.

Diane Hibbert.

Reminder

Our next visit is to the two barges at Newark on Wednesday 26th August.

Meet at Tolney Lane carpark (Riverside, opposite the castle) NG24 1DA, at 10.45am for the Leicester Trader floating museum.

More information is on You-tube at “The Leicester Trader with Les Reid”

Lunch afterwards at the Barge floating pub for those in need of refreshment.

Garden Visits

In July we made our second visit to Burnby Gardens, Pocklington, East Yorkshire as previously we came here for the magnificent display of tulips. As they are renowned for water lilies we had to come back! We were not disappointed as what a show! The gardens are home to the National Collection of over eighty varieties which bloom in the Upper and Lower Lakes between June and August.

The lakes also contain carp and roach which can be hand fed. One of our members did this and the over enthusiastic fish managed to soak her! The walkways take in also a walled garden, a secret garden, rock garden and stumpery so a delightful walk in beautiful sunshine. There is also a small museum featuring the travels of the original owner and a restaurant where we enjoyed a delicious lunch. The day finished with plant buying. Of course!! 

Pam Berry

ODEON GROUP

I am booking for the latest Andre Rieu concert film “VIVA MAASTRICHT” on Sunday afternoon 9th August at 2.45pm, cost £18.50. Meeting in foyer of the cinema at 2.25pm.

The programme for operas and ballets is out for the Autumn/Spring and although reduced in number there are some new and old favourites showing.

Manon (ballet) Tuesday 27th October

Carmen Tuesday 10th November

The Nutcracker Tuesday 1st December

Pam Berry

My Big Fat Greek Wedding

An unlikely relationship develops between on-the-shelf Greek daughter, Toula and non-orthodox Chicago guy, Ian, much to the consternation of her huge Greek family.

In this feel-good family film, the couple overcome all difficulties, true love finds a way, and they live happily ever after.

The Greek celebrations and wedding ceremony were impressive, and the in-laws induction into the Greek way of life was funny, if overwhelming at first.

Lots of colour, lots of noise, lots of music, lots of fun.

Diane and Ian Hibbert

Armchair Film Club will be back in September after a Summer break.

Breakfast Group

A few of our members enjoyed a nice breakfast at the Bakers Shop cafe recently although not so many as usual due to it coinciding with the trip to Ely.

Gordon Brown

Indoor Games

Diane had an unusual run of luck at 12 spot dominoes, winning the first 3 games in a row, until Andrew ended her lucky streak, followed by Jim and Maureen.

After a reviving coffee break it was Kurling – Ladies v. Gents. This session was nip and tuck all the way, with the lead continually changing hands until the final round and ended in a draw at 68 points each.

Maureen then called for shipboard rules – each person having one throw for nearest to the bull, by which the Ladies just managed to squeak home.

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.

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

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.