In this “season of mists and mellow fruitfulness” I must add to the quotation, “and wind”. It has been responsible for leaf stripped runner and French beans, toppled sunflowers and hundreds of crab apples deposited for the delight of the local wasp population. read more

October already and Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s North Nottinghamshire Local Group members are heading for winter without their regular meetings to cheer them up!

Needless to say, their planned talk for October, by Dr David Fox on the World of Spiders, has been cancelled. David is not one to waste his time though and he is researching the Midlands distribution range of the green leaf spider (Nigma walckenaeri) which should be starting to appear about now. If you find any, please let me know where so I can pass the information on to David. If you want more information about them you can find it by Googling the Eakring Birds website.

I hope by the time you are reading this, Covid restrictions will have been eased and the Idle Valley centre will have reopened but it is unlikely that the local Wildlife Trust group will have resumed any of its activities. However, I remain optimistic and will let all of you on my email update list know of any changes as soon as I can and keep you up to date with members’ information about wildlife and, in particular, I hope to be able to bring you the story of Bullet the Buzzard who is named after the missile that ended his flying career. We’re hoping he makes a full recovery.
If you want any more information or you’d like a chat about things, call Jan on 01777 709974 or 07969 180067 or email janwilliamson133@gmail.com. If you would like to receive email updates of Local Group activities, please email Jan with your request.
Jan

Retford Community Singers are proud to announce that their latest video is now available on YouTube. ‘Roam around Retford’ celebrates beautiful buildings and landscape around Retford and is one of several songs composed by choir leader, Janet Wood, to celebrate the local community. The song is light, colourful and fun and is just one example of the type of harmony singing that anyone can enjoy at the choir. Just enter ‘Roam Around Retford’ in the search field at the top of the YouTube screen, or view www.youtu.beWgjxsX66UOM.=

The video was recorded by members singing individually at home and then skilfully put together to produce the finished product. It was officially launched as part of the September virtual Heritage Week celebrations organised by Retford Civic Society. Massive thanks are due to Janet, who encouraged the choir to do it, and to choir member John Freeman, who managed the technical side of the production. The project was a new venture for the participants, who are thrilled with the finished recording – and it helped to remind everyone of what a joy singing can be.

Their Zoom choir has now resumed every Tuesday evening, from 7.00pm to 8.00pm. Everyone is welcome, even if you think your voice is rusty and out of tune. The good thing about Zoom is that your voice will not be heard ‘live’, but you will be part of a friendly supportive group who can’t wait to get back to singing together out loud when permissible. They can offer friendly support with accessing Zoom if required. Call 01777 704154 for details of how to join and to receive word sheets. Alternatively use the contact form on www.retfordcommunitysingers.co.uk.

If you have an interest in the arts and would like to learn more, join the Arts Society Dukeries. They are the local group of the national arts association, The Art Society. Usually, they have monthly lecture meetings at the Civic Centre, Carlton (on the first Wednesday morning of the month, except for summer and winter breaks) and two extra, Special Interest Days of three lectures. read more

Retford Ramblers are back with their Sunday rambles. Join them and explore the local countryside, you see so much more when walking. During October they have rambles at Gainsborough, Grassthorpe and Carlton-on-Trent as well as visiting the Wellington and Nelson Monuments from Curbar in Derbyshire. read more

The local branch of the RSPCA is seeking to recruit volunteer trustees to help set the strategic direction of the branch, monitor its progress, ensure appropriate policies are in place and support the management team, staff and volunteers.
Doncaster, Rotherham and District branch supports the work of colleagues from the national RSPCA. read more

One of many Christmas highlights for Retford area families is when the Lions bring Santa in his sleigh to their street so that children can come out and have a chat to him. This year things will be a little different because of COVID-19. Santa’s helpers will not be able to knock on doors to tell people he is passing. Instead Santa will park his sleigh at selected stopping places and wait for children to visit him there. read more

At the time of writing it’s still looking unlikely that they’ll be able to reopen the Wednesday (Memory) Group to all their members, but there is a bit of good news for carers and that is that the wonderful Carers’ Roadshow, which would have been taking place in Retford in July and Worksop in June, but for the virus, is now available online 24/7 and is likely to stay there. Absolutely brilliant! read more

With the support of the local community, the two Bassetlaw Hospice shops are open and trading again! The charity is, however, keen to hear from anyone who may have a few hours to spare and would like to volunteer, getting involved in all aspects of the day to day running of the shops. For further information or to try a sample day, please contact Debbie at the Appeal Office. read more

Muddy Fork, Retford’s ‘gardening for wellbeing’ charity, based at Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust’s Idle Valley Nature Reserve, is poised to move forward as life starts to resume after lockdown. Two successful grant applications have put the charity on a far more secure financial footing, ensuring that when groups start again, post-pandemic, Muddy Fork is well-equipped to support the mental health needs of participants old and new. read more