Notts Going On: Lighting up the night and painting book benches
Nottingham is sparkling and shining this week, with plenty of dazzling opportunities
I know difficult things happen everywhere, but it has been a bit harrowing recently for those of us living around Nottingham, hasn’t it?
Thursday saw Valdo Calocane being sentenced for manslaughter. It was the first time a sentencing was broadcast at Nottingham Crown Court, but what really got me was watching the family statements on the steps. I hope they get the justice they deserve, for Barnaby Webber, Grace O'Malley-Kumar and Ian Coates.
Meanwhile, last week also saw the two family members who passed away in the Selston house fire being named, including a nine-year-old. I drove past the street where it happened and saw crowds of people nestling around raffle tables to help raise money for the family affected, which was so lovely to see. If you’d like to donate, the fundraiser is here and has currently raised over £10,000.
So, I’m hoping the near future is a little more joyful. We’ve rounded up a range of useful events and tidbits to keep in mind this week, and are working on plenty of lurve-related stories for the month ahead.
As ever, if there’s anything you think we should know about for February (and beyond!), email us at editor@thenottsedit.com.
Notts Going On
Curated by Eve Smallman
✨ On Friday and Saturday this week, Light Night will be making the streets of Nottingham sparkle with over 30 free exhibitions. Highlights include the Our Beating Heart in Old Market Square made from thousands of mirror fragments, the ‘ghost particle’ Geist in Sneinton Market, and music and belly dancing at Binks Yard. You can find out more from It’s in Nottingham, which has an app you can download that has an interactive map to follow.
🥐 It’s National Croissant Day on Tuesday, January 30, which is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a flaky, buttery bite. If you want to grab one or two, we highly recommend getting down early to Tough Mary’s Bakehouse on Derby Road or going to Dispatch Coffee in Hockley. At both of these beautiful spots, you can also enjoy a cosy coffee.
🧊 We know it’s only January, but we’re absolutely craving ice lollies. Last Thursday, Nottingham-based ice pop brand Pola appeared on Dragons’ Den. While it didn’t secure any investment from the dragons, it still did well out of appearing on the show, saying on its Instagram it got two years’ worth of orders within 24 hours. You can shop juicy pops and alcopops alike on its site. Oh, and it also does the most satisfying TikToks showing how the lollies get made.
🎵 Our city’s music scene is vibrant and thriving, so it’s always a good idea to turn up and support our local artists. You can do this on Wednesday, January 31, with BBC Introducing in the East Midlands hitting the stage at Metronome. This year’s line up includes Lucy Crisp, April Tapes, Set in Motion, and Jude Forsey, and the show will be hosted and curated by the legendary Dean Jackson. The tickets are free but need to be booked in advance to secure your place.
🎨 Have you got a creative side? Newark Creates and Wild in Art are on the hunt for artists from Sherwood, Newark, and the East Midlands area to commission to paint ‘Book Benches’, reports the West Bridgford Wire. Suggestions include books, local heritage, and nature, but artists are encouraged to let their imaginations run wild. If you’re interested, you can obtain a copy of the brief, design template and specifications by sara.bullimore@inspireculture.org.uk, and expressions of interest should be submitted by February 23.
⚽ On Tuesday, Forest is playing Arsenal at The City Ground — so keep that in mind if you’re travelling that way heading home. Since 1995 they’ve only played 13 games against each other, with The Tricky Trees taking four wins (including one last year), The Gunners winning eight, as well as one draw. Over the weekend, Notts County drew 1-1 against Barrow in their first game with new manager Stuart Maynard at the helm and Mansfield lost 2-1 against AFC Wimbledon.