Notts Going On: Hidden paths and dazzling light shows
Historical discoveries, remarkable progress, plus an adorable cottage...
“Byron will forever be a reminder to embrace individuality, question authority, strive for absolute creative freedom and dedicate yourself entirely to the thing that truly ignites your soul.”
This final, powerful paragraph from Ashley Carter’s fascinating piece for us about Lord Byron (it’s the bicentennial of Byron’s death this Friday, April 19!) has been on my mind this past week or so.
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Anyway — back on with the show. It’s Notts Going On time…
Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman
News 🗞️
🌱 A group of gardeners found more than just dirt and worms while digging around. The Marvellous Gardens team were planting apple trees around Elm Close in Mapperley when they stumbled across a path of striking mosaics dating back to the Victorian times. They found it may have even been put there by the mayor of Nottingham in the 1800s. Notts TV headed down and chatted with them about their findings. Watch on Notts TV.
🚆 For those who commute to Brum, this will come as welcome news. The Birmingham link improvement plan has proposed a train line between Nottingham to Birmingham every 30 minutes, some of which will skip smaller stations for speedier arrival times. The East and West Midlands combined are set to receive £9.6bn total after the HS2 line was cancelled north of Birmingham. Read more on the West Bridgford Wire.
🛍️ Commissioners who are in charge at Nottingham City Council will be meeting up with traders at the Victoria Centre Market to talk about its future. The BBC reports that a spokesman for commissioners said their attending of the monthly meeting between the council and traders is “a positive step.” We used to love wandering around the Victoria Centre Market, so we are thrilled that there is a little grain of hope here. Read more on the BBC.
⚽ Enjoying football in Nottingham is about to get a whole lot more fun, thanks to Notts County’s The Nest having planning permission approved. The venue will boast a 1,000-person capacity, street food vendors, and a large bar, all within close proximity to the turnstiles. On non-matchdays, it’s also planning to host events such as comedy nights, theatre, and e-sports. It’s tipped to open in the summer for the Euros, which will be great-timing wise. Read more on Notts County FC’s update.
Hot property 🏡
This isn’t one of our usual luxe properties, but we’re totally here for the cuteness of this cottage. It’s set in Sutton in Ashfield and is listed for £325k by Bairstow Eves. The Grade II listed property has charming and characterful features throughout, along with three bedrooms, a spacious living room, and an adorable kitchen. Outside, there are breathtaking views of open countryside. See it on Rightmove.
Events 🗓️
🪁 Straight from Broadway, the acclaimed theatre production of The Kite Runner is heading to Nottingham Playhouse from Tuesday until Saturday (April 16-20). Set in Afghanistan, the tale follows Amir’s journey as he confronts his past and finds redemption, following a terrible incident that tears him and his best friend Hassan apart. “For you, a thousand times over” is a quote that always stays with us. Pricing ranges from £11.50-£46.50. Find out more at the Nottingham Playhouse.
🎶 The world-famous BBC Concert Orchestra will be playing at NTU’s University Hall on Friday (April 19), which is a very beautiful building and the perfect setting for an evening of classical music. This performance of A Fiddler’s Tale will see Clarke Peters narrate alongside violins, bassoons, clarinets, and more. Tickets range from £5-£18 depending on the seat chosen. Find out more at NTU.
💡 Thankfully the weather has finally got a bit warmer, making it the best time to enjoy a dazzling outdoor event. The Evolution Drone Light Show is on at Trent Bridge on this Friday (April 19), which will showcase the tale of mankind through, you guessed it, brightly lit drones. Many of the stands have sold out, so if you are thinking about going, you might want to be quick. Find out more at Yuup.
🌸 For those who have fallen in love with all the beautiful cherry blossom trees fluttering around and love all the natural beauty of spring, this sounds like a real treat. The Festival of Blossom at Clumber Park will be hosting a range of blossom-themed activities from April 20-27. Highlights include a beekeeping demonstration and honey tasting on Sunday and the pop-up floristry on Thursday and Saturday. The event is free but the normal £5 admission applies. Find out more at the National Trust.
🎉 Celebrate Byron’s bicentennial in style at Newstead Abbey, which is hosting a two-day event (April 20-21) all about the legendary Romantic poet. Expect lively activities such as hunts, games, and dances, as well as calmer ones such as nature trails and talks. You might even catch a glimpse of Lord Byron himself wandering through the grounds. Site entry is free, but car parking is £6. Find out more at Newstead Abbey.
And finally 📸
Did you know that this majestic stainless steel sculpture is nestled in Sneinton? In 2006, the city council asked the residents what sculpture they wanted, and they responded with ‘a big, scary dragon.’ It was made by Nottingham-born artist Robert Stubley and stands at seven feet high.
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