Notts Going On — Santa’s Grotto and Panthers tributes
Final festive treats, an Edwardian home in Long Eaton, thoughtful homages, and more...
Hello and welcome to Notts Going On — your weekly guide with events, property, news, and more.
This is the last NGO of the year. There’s a feature going out this weekend, New Year’s Eve events will be sent out instead of NGO on Monday, and then the final 2024 piece will be a round-up of the best The Notts Edit long-reads this year. I’m starting to wind down for Christmas and I imagine a lot of you are as well, so I thought this would be a good balance of everything!
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Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman and Sam Swain
What’s On 🗓️
A Christmas Celebration 🎶
When: December 18
Where: Southwell Minster
How much: £6-£18.50pp depending on seating
The atmospheric Southwell Minster is the perfect location for an evening of Christmas entertainment. The special evening will reflect on the themes of hope and peace throughout, which are central to the Christmas story. There will be a mixture of carols old and new, as well as poetry readings. Actor Richard Goulding is guest narrating, who has featured in The Windsors, Scoop, and The Crown.
Do if: You want a reminder of the true meaning of the holidays.
Christmas Pet Photo Shoot 📸
When: December 20
Where: Attenborough Nature Reserve
How much: £8pp (that’s per pet!)
Head down to the scenic Attenborough Nature Reserve, where Sophie Bell Photography will be ready from 11am-4pm to take snaps of your pooch (or pooches!). Various photo options will be available on the day, so you can get whatever shot you need. The price also includes a Christmas cracker present. Once you’re finished, you can stroll around the reserve and see all the wonderful winter waterfowl that make it their home this season.
Do if: You’d like to add a cute pic of your pet to your Christmas presents (or to your wall!).
Santa’s Grotto 🎅
When: December 21-24
Where: National Ice Centre, Nottingham
How much: £18pp
Walk up from town to the National Ice Centre, where you’ll be able to go inside Santa’s cosy grotto, chat with the man himself, and even get a gift from him. As well as this, you’ll be able to do some ice skating to really get into the seasonal spirit. For little ones who love getting creative, there will also be a festive colouring station. There are time slots for the morning and afternoon of each day, so you can work around your last-minute Christmas shopping accordingly.
Do if: Your kids have been asking when they can go and see Santa this year.
22nd Annual Covers Party 🎶
When: December 21
Where: The Bodega, Nottingham
How much: £13.20pp
A host of Nottingham artists will be playing covers of sing-along-worthy songs during this legendary yearly occasion. Acts this year include George Gadd + The Aftermath, Vanity Project, and Content Provider. All proceeds will be split between this year’s three charity partners, which are Nottinghamshire Hospice, Zephyr’s, and the Lucy Phillips Art Fund.
Do if: You’re finally ready to let your hair down and have festive fun.
Christmas Essentials 🎄
Out and About 🌳
Where to go for winter walks around Nottingham
There are so many stunning places to go on winter walks around Nottingham, from nature reserves to historic homes.
Shop Notts 🛍️
EverWild is creating beautiful moments and memories in Nottingham
EverWild in Sneinton Market has fast become the go-to spot people who love picking beautiful blooms and going to mindful workshops and events.
Hot Property 🏡
This Edwardian home in Long Eaton has both original and contemporary features which makes it bright, inviting, and characterful throughout. On the ground floor, the extended kitchen diner provides a relaxing place to cook and chill out. I also love the tiling in the hallway. Head upstairs from here and you’ll find four double bedrooms on the first floor — one of which has an en-suite bathroom with a bath and a shower. On the second floor, there are two further bedrooms. The property is marketed by HoldenCopley, which is considering offers over £800k. rightmove.co.uk
News 🗞️
👐 Remember me: The Nottingham Panthers paid an emotional tribute to Adam Johnson on Saturday. Johnson's #47 jersey was retired ahead of their game against the Fife Flyers, and tributes were paid by his teammates and Panthers CEO Omar Pacha. Adam’s aunt Lynn DeGiro spoke of how the Nottingham crowd had enveloped them “with love, messages, and prayers while we were in our darkest hours.” The Panthers put on a show to mark the occasion, winning the game 6-0. panthers.co.uk
💪 Muscle power: Plans have been approved to turn the former Tales of Robin Hood attraction into a super gym. These were submitted by the owner and co-director of Castle Gym, which was based in Castle Boulevard until the building was sold off in 2022. In October, Notts TV went into the building, which has been shut since 2009, and took some fascinating pictures (peep the cheap-as-chips menu!). bbc.co.uk / nottstv.com
Scores on the doors ⚽
🌳 Nottingham Forest
Anthony Elanga's first goal of the season secured a stunning comeback win for Nottingham Forest, who came from behind to beat Aston Villa 2-1 at the City Ground. The result moves the Reds up to 4th in the table, and into the Champions League qualification places.
🦌 Mansfield Town
The Stags ended a run of five successive defeats with a hard-earned 0-0 draw with Charlton Athletic, leaving them 11th in the table, but only 6 points outside the League One playoff places.
🐦 Notts County
Notts also sit 11th and outside the playoffs following damaging defeat away at Salford. A 3-0 defeat means that Notts are winless in League Two since October.
🏒 Nottingham Panthers
It was yet another 4-point weekend for the Panthers, who on the weekend of the jersey retirement for the late Adam Johnson beat Manchester Storm 4-3 away after overtime. They then blew away the Fife Flyers 6-0 at home. The Panthers sit 6th in the Elite League.
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