The Winter Talks are held on  Wednesday evenings from October to April at The Crossing, Newcastle Street, Worksop, S80 2AT

In the Summer Months the Association organise a visit each month from May to September.

Meetings are open to non-members .

Summer Visits 25

Wednesday 21st May          Thackray Medical Museum, Leeds, and Nostell (NT) (change)

Tuesday 10th June              Richard III Centre and Cathedral, Leicester

Thursday 10th July              Easton Walled Garden and Belton House (National Trust), Grantham

Wednesday 20th August    Nunnington Hall (NT) and Stillingfleet Lodge Garden & Nursery, near York

Thursday 25th September  Lyme Park (NT), Stockport

Winter Talks 25 / 26

2025

Wednesday 15th October       History of Anaesthesia by Alan  Kershaw

Alan retired from the NHS in 2017, having worked in Anaesthetics since 1985, and spent time with a variety of international charities in Africa. Anaesthesia is seen by the general public (and surgeons) as something of a "Dark Art" and this talk will bring us from those murky beginnings to our present understanding.

Wednesday 19th November   Martin Rowley on Electric Cars The "Myths and the Facts (Change)

A summary of Electric cars and the pluses and minuses 

The history from 1880 to present day and the future of vehicle travel 

Who makes what… and who is in control of the industry

Wednesday 10th December   Crown Jewels by Keith Hanson RVM

Why is it that  collection of 23,578 Diamonds, Ruby's Emeralds and many Semi Precious stones are such a part of the fabric of the nation and the envy of the world? Discover the answer at this presentation by Keith Hanson RVM, a former Chief Exhibitor at the Tower of London.

2026

Wednesday 21st January       BECOMING A YOUNG SHEPHERDESS - by Gracie Arnold  (Change)

Ever wondered what it’s really like being a woman in wellies, wrangling sheep and shearing wool for a living? In this lively and hands-on talk, I’ll share my journey from a young girl playing the harp to a full-blown shepherdess – mud, muscles, mishaps and all.  I’ll chat about what it’s like carving out a space in the farming world as a woman, the history of the women out in the fields long before me , the future of agriculture, and why British wool (and the people behind it!) deserve a bit more love.  You’ll also get to have a feel of different types of wool from various breeds I've sheared – so it’s not just a talk, it’s a bit of a show-and-tell too,  bringing the countryside to life .

Wednesday 18th February     The Seed of Kings – the Bloodline by Mike Ogden  

Trace the ancestry of the British monarchy from King Alfred the Great to Queen Elizabeth II. Learn how King Alfred’s seed has passed down the generations to the modern royal family

Follow its sometimes tortuous route as it travels outside England, passing through Flanders, Normandy, Scotland and Germany You will encounter many kings and queens in this talk, but you will not always follow the crown as it passes peacefully, or violently, from one head to another.  

The talk will lead you around familiar periods of history like the Wars of the Roses and the Tudor and Stuart dynasties They are incidental to this story, for they were times when seed and crown parted company for whole centuries, before coming together again.  

Wednesday 18th March          Walled Garden at Clumber by  Maggy Watkin  

The grand 18th Century 4 acre Clumber Park walled garden has a magic all of its own. It has 15’ brick walls which provides a micro climate within it and an herbaceous border full of colour and vibrancy all year round. Here is the longest glasshouse in Britain and the Dukes of Newcastle would take their special guests for afternoon tea in the Palm House providing exotic out of season fruit for them. The garden celebrates both heritage and creativity.

Wednesday 15th April            AGM 7.20 pm & Tricks of Light & Colour by Bob Massey  

The story of optical illusions that fool the eye and brain.  How will we interpret the images?  Will all give the same answer, and if not why not?  

Money raised goes to National Trust Projects