See our latest News on talks and visits, etc

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The 2021/22 Programme

VISIT 2021

Friday 17th September Museum of Making and Kedleston Hall, Derby

The Group enjoyed a successful first coach trip to the newly refurbished Museum of Making with several planning a return visit, and some members visited the nearby Cathedral; we spent the afternoon at Kedleston Hall.

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TALKS

.. ..start ..Start 7:30pm at The Crossing, Newcastle Street, Worksop, S80 2AT

20/10/21 .. .. .. .. .. ..Artistry in Stone, Wood & Bronze by Frank Tory & Sons, of Sheffield (architectural &monumental sculptors) by Dr Sylvia Dunkley

"Right across Sheffield and further afield can be found buildings skilfully and imaginatively decorated, both internally and externally, with the carvings of father and twin sons, Frank, Alfred and William Frank Tory. Founded by Frank who came to Sheffield in 1880 to work on the Duke of Norfolk’s Corn Exchange, the family firm was located on Ecclesall Road and over many years the members of the family worked on public buildings such as Sheffield’s City Hall and the Central Library, on local churches such as St John’s at or St Matthew’s in Carver Street, on early buildings for the University of Sheffield and on offices, public houses and shops all over Sheffield and as far afield as Hull, Leeds and Preston. This amply illustrated talk tells the story of the Torys and explores a number of examples of their work."

17/11/20 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Secrets Mysteries and Curiosities of Nottinghamshire by Chris Weir

Where in Nottingham was the mysterious statue of a man holding an umbrella, who was the man and why was he holding an umbrella!? These and other mysteries and curiosities are revealed in this fascinating and unusual talk. Most of us have visited the Major Oak but how did that famous tree get its name? And where is there a mini-Sherwood Forest, planted with acorns from that mighty oak? And how did hundreds of skeletons end up underneath Norton Cuckney church? Did they die in a terrible battle? And what was Roger De Mampton, a local chaplain, getting up to when he hopped over the wall to visit the wife of John Bilby in 1389?! Oh, and not forgetting little known information about the Robin Hood statue near Nottingham Castle, about ducks in Romano-British culture, the secrets held in a 1962 Enid Blyton diary, what happened to poor Clara Hunt in the 1880s and the ‘goings-on’ in the household of the noble George Chaworth. And how to live to the grand-old age of 99

08/12/21 .. .. .. .. .. .. .The Victorian Music Hall by Michael Whysall

Nottingham grew through the industrial revolution from a ‘small’ market town to have very congested housing and slums surrounded by filth and poverty. The frame knitters, mill workers and navvies needed an escape from their day-to-day hardships; this was often through alcohol in the many pubs and bars To keep their custom, landlords provided music in Pubs which was one of the first steps on the way to the Music Halls. Nottingham had many Music Halls and other entertainments which included self-improvement, and diversions, especially the Malt Cross Music Hall which is one of the best preserved halls in England. The talks then moves on to the many different types of acts and performers

19/01/21 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..My Life in Music by Dr Martin Ellerby

16/02/21.. .. . .. ... .. ..Fairtrade Tea by James Pogson

16/03/21 .. .. .. .. .. .. ..Portland-Druce Exhumation Case by Susan Deal

20/04/21 .. .. .. .. .. ..AGM and Bolsover Castle by Ian Morgan

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VISITS 2022

Tuesday 18th May .. .. .. . . .. ..Wentworth Woodhouse & Wentworth Castle

Wednesday 14th June .. .. .. . Nottingham Castle & City Walking Tour

Thursday 7th July .. .. .. .. .. . Black Country Living Museum, Dudley

Thursday 18th August .. .. .. . City Tour of Hull

Tuesday 13th September .. . Ropewalk Barton on Humber & Burton Constable