The first meeting of the North Notts Association of National Trust Members in 2025 took place on Tuesday 15th January at the usual venue, The Crossing, featuring an entertaining presentation by Ian Morgan titled Footpads, Kings and Highwaymen. The talk focused on the history of the Great North Road in Nottinghamshire, now largely known as the A1.
Although the road remains hazardous due to modern high-speed vehicles, the original Great North Road presented different dangers to travellers on horseback or in coaches, including poor road surfaces, dense vegetation, and the ever-present threat of highwaymen and thieves. The road has been re-routed numerous times over the centuries due to changing landscapes, rivers, floods, battles, and urban development, but many Nottinghamshire towns and villages still bear witness to its historic route.
Anyone interested in attending such talks can become a member of the Association by being a National Trust member and paying a small subscription. Membership costs £30.00 for individuals or £55.00 for joint membership, covering seven talks and five outings (which are paid for separately). Alternatively, a basic subscription costs £5.00 for individuals or £7.00 per couple, with each talk attended priced at £6.00. Visitors, including non-National Trust members, are welcome at all talks for £6.00 per session.
Meetings with guest speakers take place at The Crossing, Newcastle Avenue, on the third Wednesday of each month at 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start. An application form can be downloaded from the website, and details of talks are available via the mailing list.
Forthcoming talks:
- Wednesday 19th March – Plots and Petticoats: Women, Masters of the Sky – David Skillen
- Wednesday 17th April – AGM followed by The Rise of the Dukeries – Benedict Jephcote
For more information, email nthnottsntassoc@gmail.com or visit www.nthnottsntassoc.org.