October 2nd saw 8 of us visit Wingfield Station, near Alfreton. Unfortunately, our ‘leader’ was indisposed so this report has been written by Val - so any errors are entirely my fault! Our excellent guides were Liz and Dave. They told us how and why the station was built where it is, its subsequent rise and fall into disrepair and final rescue.

George Stephenson’s North Midland Railway chose this quiet spot because of its valley bottom location - less hassle to build and less strain on the early, low-powered locomotives. Francis Thompson was the line’s architect with a brief to design buildings that conveyed gravitas to impress the public - not everyone welcomed these loud, fire spitting monsters rumbling past their houses! Wingfield has a Grecian theme and was completed in 1840.

On Wednesday 6th November we have booked a guided visit to the Museum of Time Keeping, at Upton Hall, Nottinghamshire, meet at 10.30am. The tour costs £12 per person and lasts for 2 hours. That includes three 20-minute talks and an hour’s free time to explore the remainder of the museum. We have to pay a minimum of £120, so the cost per person would rise if less than 10 came, (more than this have indicated that they will be coming). Upton Hall, a fine Georgian mansion, is on Main Street, Upton, Newark on Trent, NG23 5TE, just beyond Southwell. Contact Graham to share lifts.

Wednesday 4th December is our Christmas Fuddle meeting at 10am at the schoolroom at the rear of Swanwick Baptist Chapel, Chapel Street, off Derby Road, DE55 1GA. Parking is very restricted on Chapel Street, park in one of the two free car parks in Swanwick or on street in the village. This is an opportunity to talk to the group for 10 minutes or so about any history topic that interests you, or you have researched, or to just listen to the others. Festive snacks welcome. And we will discuss your ideas for next year’s programme.
N.B. No January meeting.

If you are interested in joining the Group or would like to find out more about it, please get in touch with the Group Leader.