On 8th December 2011, an intrepid group of a dozen or so hardy walkers braved the inclement weather for a five-mile walk around Ormskirk. We started at the bus station, had a brief coffee stop at Aughton Community Centre and ended at the Fiveways pub, where we enjoyed a very pleasant lunch. The heavy downpour of rain and sleet taught us the difference between water resistant and waterproof and at least two of us found it necessary to invest in a new outer coat.
Our first walk of the New Year found us meeting at Sandhills Station for a five-mile linear walk ending at the Britannia Inn. Despite the gloomy weather forecast, on this occasion we were blessed with beautiful sunshine. The walk took us along the canal towpath, past the Eldonian Village, then down to the river’s edge passing the Three Graces and on for a short break at the New Museum of Liverpool. We then continued along the excellent path all the way to the Britannia Inn for an enjoyable carvery lunch.
We had to alter our planned journey home. Due to a suspected gas leak, trains were not stopping at Central Station so we trekked across town to Moorfields station where we caught the train for Maghull.
The February walk will commence from the Hare and Hounds, Liverpool Road North – almost opposite the site of old Library – at 10.30 as usual.
This will be a circular walk around rural areas of Maghull including part of the Mersey Forest.
New series: BRITAIN AND THE WORLD:
International Relations in 20th Century.
Tuesday 21st February 2012 14.15 – 16.00
Geoff Kean considers the claim that the peace terms imposed on Germany in 1919 were neither fair nor wise.
Cost £1.50 including refreshments which will be served on arrival. The talk will begin at 14.30 sharp.
Meetings in February:
Wednesday 1st February
History of computer communications
Wednesday 15th February
Trains
Wednesday 29th February
History of the Internet
Thursday 16th February 2012
Walk starting 10:30 at Hare & Hounds, Liverpool Road North, Maghull. Mainly fields and footpaths, approx 5.7 miles long, no hills, return to the H&H for optional lunch. .
Next meetings: Friday 10th and 24th of February and 9th and 23rd of March.
Venue: Lydiate Village Centre Lambshear Lane, Lydiate
In our new venue we have plenty of room to work on our various pieces of art. Visitors welcome. Come and see what we are doing.
Friday 3rd February at 13.30 Lydiate Village Centre
We will consider the Ancestry and Find my Past websites and their respective merits.
We will also have our usual sharing of difficulties and discoveries where we learn from one another. We hope that new members may come along with some unusual problems.
Members may be interested in the following event organised by organised by North West Regional U3A:
Science in the North West, past and present.
Tuesday 6th March West Lancs Investment Centre, Skelmersdale.
This is an all day event - Contact Bill Howarth for more details.
Led Brian Leach (531 8928) this new group continues to meet monthly at Melling Tithebarn.
Thursday 23rd February 2012 13:30-15:30
Topic: Scottish independence, Yes or No
In the Chair – Bert Dowell
Thursday 22nd March 2012 13:30-15:30
Topic: Alcohol, do we need to change the laws?
In the Chair – Wanda Leach
Venue: Maghull Town Hall
Wednesday 12.00-13.30 & 13.30-15.00
Contact Carol Daley 531 9645
There are numerous jobs to start in February and most gardeners will be thinking of the coming spring.
Do not rush, the season hasn’t started and there is a lot of time to catch up.
I usually plot and plan. February is a great time to be sorting out all your ideas for the spring. I have decided to grow some veg this year in tubs and and large pots and will now sow seeds of broad beans and early carrots plus some lettuce .
Flowers and Shrubs: you can now plant anemones, ranunculus, gladioli in groups where you want them to flower.
Divide clumps of perennials, plant evergreens like Laurel and if you have a greenhouse sow some hardy annuals. One job I do now is to cut back winter flowering shrubs as they finish flowering.
Lawns: Aerate and rake as often as possible this will ensure you have a healthy lawn when the grass starts to grow. it’s a job I do weekly whenever the weather permits and visitors to my garden always remark on my lawn - it’s all down to preparation, so start now .
Dahlias are one of my favourites and its now I place the tubers in a box with compost near a window in the garage and within 4 weeks they are starting to show signs of growth it enables me to take cuttings and the dahlias are also well established by May for planting out. Norman.