Retford Mayflower WI’s meeting on 12th June, with 21 members and one visitor present, was an illustrated talk by Rod Auton and Kath from the Chesterfield Canal Trust.
Rod talked about the history and design by James Brindley of the 46-mile canal and said that coal from Derbyshire was transported to Worksop, Retford and down to the Trent, with backloads which included hops for beer production. In 1834 the Houses of Parliament burnt down and was rebuilt using stone quarried at North Anston and taken along the Chesterfield Canal to the River Trent.
West Stockwith is the last lock (or first!) on the canal before joining (or leaving) the Trent. In 2018 the Trust was presented with the Queen’s Jubilee Award. Plans for the future hopefully include building a basin in Chesterfield.
The 10th July meeting was a craft session to plan ahead for St Swithun’s Christmas Tree Festival. Only halfway through the year and already members’ thoughts are turning to festive decorations! A second litter pick had been planned for July but due to unforeseen circumstances was postponed until the autumn.
On Wednesday 14th August members will enjoy a picnic in the garden at Stephen House on Chapelgate when hopefully it will be a nice sunny evening – but if not, it will be an indoor picnic!
Mayflower welcomes visitors to come along at 7.30pm on the second Wednesday of the month to see if the WI appeals to them, and a first visit is free. The 11th September meeting will be a talk about hedgehog rescue.