Welcome to Region 05 – East Midlands

The East Midlands Region lies at the centre of England and has frequently been in the middle of historical events, from major battles in The Wars of the Roses and the Civil War to pioneering work in the field of medicine including the introduction of Ibuprofen and the MRI scanner.There is a huge variety of things to see and do either for pleasure for example walking in Derbyshire or visiting historic buildings and sites all over the Region; or for education such as the Space Centre in Leicester. Visits and activities for AOUG members are organised throughout the year, one of the most popular being lunch in Lincoln, everyone is welcome to join in along with friends and family.

Any suggestions for events are welcome as it is not possible for me to keep abreast of everything happening throughout the Region, I rely on members telling me of anything they are interested in or think may be of interest to others.

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative 

Previous Events

 Brightwater Gardens

On a beautiful February day a group of members and friends met at the Hay Barn at Brightwater Gardens, Saxby before taking a walk around the eight acres of gardens. There was a lovely mix of formal gardens and naturalistic gardens on a woodland walk to the Pindle Pond. 

The snowdrops were almost over but the hellebores were magnificent and the daffodils in bud promised a wonderful display. The formal beds were immaculate and although we searched diligently not a weed was to be found; we did find models of Ratty, Mole and Badger hiding among the trees.

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative

 Nottingham Contemporary Art 

In October we visited Nottingham to see the display in the  Contemporary Art Gallery. The modern works within the gallery were found to be both confusing and disturbing but they certainly had us talking and discussing what we thought the artist intended us to understand from their work. From the very modern gallery we walked a short distance to St Mary’s Church to see much older works of art in stained glass and a 15h Century work by Franu Bartolmeo, the contrast between the modern and the ancient works provoked much discussion. 

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative

Newarke Houses Museum 

In September members met in Leicester for a visit to the Newalke Houses Museum. The museum consists of two 16th Century houses, The cHantry House built by William Wystone, a wool merchant and Sheffington House built by Thomas Skeffington who was Sheriff of Leicester. We saw films depicting the history of Leicester and celebrations held over the years. There were several displays relating to a variety of industries including knitwear and footwear, a street scene and a toy gallery including a six foot tall teddy bear. On the first floor were display cabinets with uniforms, regimental colours and items of regimental silver from the Leicestershire regiment. Within the two houses was panelling and fireplaces brought from other properties in Leicestershire as well as stained glass from churches. Outside the gardens were very peaceful and it was difficult to believe we were in the middle of the modern De Montfort University. After lunch we took part in a tour of the magazine Gatehouse. A 15th Century building used to house Roman Catholic recusants in the 16th CEntury and a Parlimentary garrison during the Civil War. During the Napoleonic Wars it was a prison for French captives. There was much interesting gratti from all the different ages.  

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative

 Ecclesbourne Railway 

Members, families and friends assembled to ride a steam engine from Duffield to Wirksworth. After waiting some time for the train to leave, we were told thast there was a problem with the brakes on the steam engine and that we would have to wait for a diesel engine to arrive to pull the train. A few of our party decided they could not wait an inderterminate time and left the train. Those who waited the train  eventually started the journey almost two hours later than expected! At Wirksworth we met up with those who had driven to visit the railway museum there before the return journey by which time the problem of the brakes had been resolved and we enjoyed a steam engine ride.

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative

 Gibraltar Point

On a beautiful sunny day, we met in the cafe where we wwere given a brief talk explaining the history of the reserve and what we could possibly see and hear during our visit. We began with a walk around ‘The Plantation’, a wooded area full of cow parsley, forget-me-nots and nettles – a haven for insects. There were several bug hotels made from different materials with information boards giving instructions on how to build them. There were two large ponds made from sleepers and numerous small trapdoors on the ground for children to lift to see what small creatures they could find under them. A break for lunch in the cafe, then a stroll through the reserve to the shore watching the birds and listening to the cuckoo. The May blossom and the Spring flowers were beautiful and crossing a small bridge, we saw small crabs in the water below. Our final walk was to a point from where we could look across the fourteen miles of The Wash to the Norfolk coast. 

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative

Delapre Abbey 

We visited Delapre Abbey in Northampton. Almost nine hundred years ago a small community of nuns built an Abbey of St Mary de la Pre in a quiet meadow, this was one of only two Chuniac nunneries in England. In addition to the daily routine of prayers the nuns ministered to the poor and the sick and provided accommodation for travellers. In 1290 the body of Eleanor of Castile was rested at the Abbey on its final journey to burial in Westminster. King Edward I erected one of the Eleanor crosses at DeLa Pre in memory of his beloved Queen. During the War of the Roses after the Battle of Northampton King Henry VI waas taken to the Abbey to be cared for by the nuns. Henry VIII eventually evicted the nuns and closed the Abbey in 1538. Outside we enjoyed the walled garden and a wider wooded area.

Briony Dickinson – Executive Representative