The North Notts Association of National Trust Members’ February meeting will be on ‘Ethiopian Rock Churches’ by Roger Hailwood and will be held on Wednesday 21st February at the Crossing, Newcastle Street, Worksop, beginning at 7.30pm with coffee and biscuits from 7.00pm onwards.
Ethiopian Rock Churches were created some 900 years ago by King Lalibela of Ethiopia when he built eleven churches into solid volcanic rock. What’s so unique about these structures is that they were carved into solid pieces of rock.
The inside and outside of the churches were built into the ground on stretches of volcanic tuff rock. Workers would start at the top and carve down creating the roof and walls of the church. Then they would hollow it out to create the interior structure.
All eleven churches are still standing today in rural Northern Ethiopia. This is a fascinating historical story brought up-to-date.
A warm welcome is extended to all National Trust members, volunteers and staff living in the North Notts area including Retford, Tuxford, Ollerton, Worksop, Dinnington and Barlborough to join the association and become eligible to attend its winter talks and summer trips. Entry for association members is £3.00 and for visitors £4.00. Annual membership costs: Single £4.50, Joint £6.00. The remaining winter talks are:
- 21st March — Vice and Virtue: A Potted History of the English Monastics and Clerics — Paul Ellerton
- 18th April — AGM at 7.30pm with talk afterwards on Railways in a Cornish Landscape — Stephen Gay
A programme of summer coach trips (May to September) is also organised every year for association members. All money raised goes to National Trust projects. For more information please email norman.biggs@btinternet.com.