Our Celebration of 50 years of NWR
We braved the wintry weather to gather for two meetings to celebrate 50 years of NWR.
At our first meeting of the year, twelve members each looked at a different month in the year 1960. It was very interesting to follow some stories through the year in particular the presidential election campaign of John F Kennedy, the number of African countries which gained independence and the capture and trial of American U-2 pilot Gary Powers. It was also the year of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's 'Wind of Change' speech in South Africa.
We also remembered the songs which were hits in 1960 and the Rome Olympics which took place that year.
Gold was the theme of the next evening presented by three members. Firstly we heard about the metal gold, some of its chemistry, its properties and where it is found. The methods of present day mining and processing were outlined with reference to the resulting pollution and hazards.
Another member told us the history of Gold from Ancient civilisations through the Gold Rushes of the 19th Century and the effects of these throughout the world. We heard of a visit made to the villages and towns of the Australian Gold Rush by a member whose family live in that area.
Most Gold produced is used in jewellery but we discovered that it has a wide variety of other uses. The evening concluded with a look at the symbolism of Gold and a light hearted quiz.
