Author: Trevor

  • Twycross Zoo

    Twycross Zoo

    This is Jess Zara, senior conservator at Twycross Zoo. She came to talk to us about the conservation work which she and her team, and indeed everyone at Twycross Zoo, carry out throughout the year. Their brief is very wide-ranging, and includes working with zoos around the world to preserve and protect wildlife, especially endangered species…

  • Happy birthday, Ann!

    Happy birthday, Ann!

    We were enjoying a delightful meal at The Greyhound, Woodville when the Staff heard that it had been Ann’s birthday the day before. And when they came out with Ann’s pudding, this is how it was presented! What a delightful gesture by the lovely Staff at The Greyhound! And not only do they serve delicious…

  • Bach to the Beatles and Tall Stories!

    Bach to the Beatles and Tall Stories!

    Bach to the Beatles and Tall Stories! Peter, John, Iris, and Mary together are the After Eight Quartet, and we were treated to a viruoso a capella performance from Bach to The Beatles via Elvis and more, all interspersed with witty banter, jokes and tall stories. Needless to say, there was much laughter and appreciative…

  • The ancient skill of Hula Hoops!

    The ancient skill of Hula Hoops!

    The ancient skill of… hula-hooping! John Parnell – the Hoop Guy – presented a fascinating and very amusing talk in three parts. He first described how hula hoops had been found in the ancient world dating back to 500 BC. In 14th century England, doctors treated patients with pain, dislocated backs, and even heart failure due…

  • Strawberry Tea!

    Strawberry Tea!

    Not just Strawberry Tea at Nailstone Church! You can see everything about our recent visit to Nailstone Church in this picture. The Church background of course, the sumptuous tea which we were served along with strawberries and fresh cream, our members of course, but also the Nailstone School Choir who sang two delightful songs, one…

  • What a card!

    What a card!

    We never knew we could learn so much about playing cards! And yet Mike Lister returned this year to tell us even more! Everything from the history of playing cards to the many different designs around the world, the fascinnation with playing cards clearly has known no bounds for millennia! Here’s a fascinating fact! The…

  • What a buzz!

    What a buzz!

    Forgive the pun, but Trevor Moore’s excellent talk on beekeeping created quite a buzz among our members! In the three years since he took up the hobby, Trevor has become an expert on keeping bees and about bees themselves. We were treated to a superb explanation of how to make honey, we sampled two different…

  • Soprano & Lute

    Soprano & Lute

    We very much enjoyed the recent performance of a wide range of Elizabethan Music by well-known local musician Chris Susans playing the lute, and also accompanying Wendy Nieper, a soprano who has sung for film sessions, jazz, opera/classical, and rock and pop, and recorded with some of the rock greats. And it was a great privilege…

  • Potty Plotters at The Palace!

    Potty Plotters at The Palace!

    Potty Plotters at The Palace! Elaine and Julia will tell you, truthfully, that they just had tea at the Palace! But it was The Palace Community Centre here in Ibstock, not, sadly, the bigger one in London! But never mind, these Potty Plotters brought right royal entertainment to our Group!  With subjects ranging from big…

  • Ringtons

    Ringtons

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    A visit by Raymond of Ringtons is always very popular, and this week was no exception. As usual, Raymond brought a good selection of Ringtons’ delicious goodies and sales were brisk!Ringtons history goes back to 1907 when the founder, Samuel Smith OBE, began selling tea from a horse and cart in Newcastle upon Tyne. Fast…

  • Blood bikers!

    Blood bikers!

    Leicester & Rutland Blood Bikers Colin and Jim came give us a talk about their work, and what work they do! They belong to one of 25 Blood Bike groups which cover between them most of the UK population. As a totally volunteer-based charity, they support local health organisations in the Leicestershire and Rutland as…

  • Music Quiz!

    Music Quiz!

    Feet were tapping tapping and arms were waving when Janet presented her Music Quiz!  Janet played snatches of music from each decade from the 1930s to the 1990s, and we were challenged to name that tune, name the singer or singers – everyone from Vera Lynn to Wham! and all styles inbetween – or to…