News and views from Soar Valley u3a: reports of Group activities, thoughts on how we can benefit our members, useful information, and more ...
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History Group Goes to the Crags
It was forecast to be the hottest June day on record. That called for some swift action: frantic telephone exchanges to arrange an impromptu crash course on operating the air conditioning for the driver of the Soar Valley bus that was to take us to Cresswell Crags the next day. Apparently the system is more…
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Outings, Friendship and the Pleasure of Being Out and About
As August begins to draw towards to a close, there is often a subtle change in the rhythm of life. The long, light evenings remain, but the holiday season is beginning to wind down. Family visits are over, trips have been taken, and the familiar routines of autumn are starting to appear on the horizon.…
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The National Military Medical Facility On Our Doorstep
It used to be where the Co-op carried out staff training. Set in lovely grounds, Stanford Hall boasted an open air pool to take the children to and a quaint, traditional theatre to entertain the adults. But in 2018 the military rehabilitation unit established at Headley Court in Surrey eighty years ago relocated here and…
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Engineering & Innovation Visit Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility
On 7th May 2026, sixteen members of our Engineering & Innovation Group met in Shepshed for a visit to the Newhurst Energy Recovery Facility (ERF), located near Shepshed, a major waste-to-energy plant designed to process up to 455,000 tonnes of residual waste each year. The facility was created to reduce the amount of non-recyclable waste…
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Historical Heritage Visit to Bennerley Viaduct
The Historical Heritage Group visited Bennerley Viaduct and the Industrial Museum at Wollaton Park on Thursday, 16 July 2026. The group of twelve went on the outing by minibus. On arrival at the Viaduct we had a guided walking tour led by two of their volunteers who were very knowledgeable and explained the history of…