Notts Going On: Big reads and fabulous festivals
Free books, a countryside farmhouse, and plenty of disco fever...
Good morning and welcome to Notts Going On — your weekly guide of things worth knowing in the area.
This week’s edition is packed with activities, with our July events guide and a huge range of weekend festivals.
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Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman
News 🗞️
🍻 Cheers to that: If you've been to a pub in Nottingham that's not a Spoons, chances are it's a Castle Rock pub or is one that serves its delicious ales. The company has won Pub Group of the Year at the National Pub and Bar Awards, with managing director Colin Wilde telling the West Bridgford Wire, "We’re all chuffed to pieces and so grateful to our customers for their kind words which have led to us receiving this award, and for allowing us to continue to do what we love.” Grab a Harvest Pale or an Elsie Moe at your local and raise a glass. westbridgfordwire.com
📖 Read all about it: Nottingham City of Literature is giving away 2,000 books to young people across the city as part of its Big City Reads campaign, specifically targeting areas where they might not have access to their own books. The four books this year focus on the theme of 'Belonging' and are Vern: Custodian of the Universe by Tyrell Waiters, Electric Life by Rachel Delahaye, Stand Up Ferran Burke by Steven Camden and Seven Million Sunflowers by Malcolm Duffy. nottinghamcityofliterature.com
🚃 Extra pennies: If you're planning on getting the tram this week, it's worth knowing that NET has increased fares by 5%. Adult single journeys and day tickets have increased by 10p, while weekly adult tickets have increased by 50p. The price changes are to support NET's plans for further investment across the network. NCT and Trent Barton buses have kept their single fare prices the same. westbridgfordwire.com
🎳 Bowled over: Roxy Lanes opened up on Friday and has plenty of activities to get stuck into. It boasts a huge bowling alley, a batting cage, curling, a karaoke room, and more. This joins The Cornerhouse's Roxy Ball Rooms in the group's Notts repertoire, with the Thurland Street venue closing in January. We went to the Roxy Lanes launch party and can confirm that it's a brilliant, different addition to the city's bar scene. @thenottsedit on TikTok
⚽ New beginnings: England goalkeeper and West Bridgford's own Mary Earps has left Manchester United. In a statement posted on Instagram, Mary said, "The club is about to undergo a period of transition, and unfortunately I don’t feel it aligns with the timing of where I’m at in my career." She's now expected to join Paris St-Germain on a free transfer. With a Euros win, BBC Sports Personality of the Year, and a Golden Glove all under her belt, she’s sure to make an impact at the French club. bbc.co.uk
🗳️ Election time: You probably know the UK general election is this week, whether you watched the leaders’ debate brilliantly hosted by Nottingham Trent University on Wednesday or not. Notts TV has put together a handy guide of all the local candidates and has also done breakdowns of each constituency area, which are well worth reading. Thursday is polling day, so be sure to head out and vote. nottstv.com
Hot Property 🏡
If you've ever liked the idea of having your own farm, but don't want to deal with pigs and mud, Stockhill Farm in Burton Joyce is the property for you. This four-bedroom farmhouse is chic and charming, with characterful features like brick fireplaces, wooden beams, and a sky shaft in the garden room. I especially love the cute kitchen, which has a gorgeous green AGA cooker. Outdoors you can find formal gardens, along with a woodland, paddock, and vegetable garden. This is marketed by Elite Homes and is listed at £825k. rightmove.co.uk
What’s On This Month ☀️
Nottingham July events: 10 things to do this month
There are so many things to do in Nottingham this July that are well-worth filling up your calendar with. I have spent hours looking through venue and event sites to find the very best activities on offer in the city and Nottinghamshire this month. Whether you’d rather be partying in a field or polishing up your crafting skills, I’ve got you covered.
What’s On This Week 🗓️
Woodland Disco Festival 🎵
When: Saturday July 6
Where: Newstead Abbey
How much: £47.81pp, £78.75pp VIP
Grab your go-go boots and go to this dazzling festival, where you can dance the day away to acts such as Sister Sledge, Jocelyn Brown, and Gok Wan (he is a DJ now, FYI). If you want to go all-out, the VIP ticket gets you fast-track entry and access to the VIP area with a private bar and posh toilets. Fancy. This is one of our top summer events this year, and there are plenty of other festivals happening this season, too.
Do if: You want to experience Glasto vibes, but also want to go back to your own bed at the end.
Summer Plant Hunters' Fair 🌷
When: Saturday July 6
Where: Thoresby Park, Newark
How much: Free
Wandering around the beautiful Thoresby Park grounds and finding fabulous flowers sounds like a beautiful way to spend a Saturday. The nurseries will come loaded with a range of blooms, such as perennials, shrubs, wildflowers, rare species, and old heritage varieties. There will also be plenty of expert knowledge on hand, so you can pick the perfect blossoms to fill your outdoor space with.
Do if: You want to try your hand at gardening this season.
Waterfront Festival 🎵
When: Saturday July 6
Where: Canalhouse, Nottingham
How much: £8.80pp
Notts has such a brilliant creative scene, which is coming together for this festival that will have DJ sets and performance artists, as well as stalls from local traders. All the profits go to charities The Music Venue Trust and Emmanuel House, so you can party while knowing you're giving to a good cause. They do state that tickets tend to sell out, so it's worth snapping them up well ahead of the event.
Do if: If you're inspired to try Castle Rock's brews and see one of its best pubs after seeing the news about its award.
ABBA Fever Race Day 🎵
When: Saturday July 6
Where: Nottingham Racecourse
How much: £18pp, from £90pp restaurant package
Feel the beat of the tambourines (and other instruments) during this day filled with ABBA hits and racing. Fancy dress is encouraged, so dust off those flares and don your best glittery get-up. You can just go for the event or upgrade your ticket for a seat at Sherwoods Restaurant, which offers a great view, a two-course meal, drinks to your table, and a racecard.
Do if: It just isn't summer for you without hearing (or seeing) Mamma Mia.
Introduction to Improv 🎭
When: Saturday and Sunday July 6-7
Where: Malt Cross, Nottingham
How much: £125pp
Missimp — one of the longest-running improv groups in the country — is hosting this fun weekend-long acting course. You'll learn everything that makes an improv artist great, from active listening and teamwork to the basics of stagecraft. Along with this, it looks like a great way to boost your confidence, meet new people, and (most importantly) have fun.
Do if: You want to make your on-the-spot jokes funnier.
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