Notts Going On: Golden boots and beautiful ballet
Hitting the Glasto main stage, a chic family home, comedy in the caves, and more...
Welcome to Notts Going On — your handy guide of news and what’s on to know about for the week ahead. It feels like events are really amping up now as the summer months are edging closer. We headed to It’s in Nottingham’s Ay-Up Market over the weekend and loved seeing so many people enjoy the wonderful independent shops and foodie places the area has to offer.
If you’re thinking ahead to next month, we have also got you covered with our May events guide, which is filled with a huge range of activities.
We’ll be back with Notts Going On on Tuesday morning next week, following the bank holiday weekend. Fingers crossed for some sunshine!
Notts Going On
By Eve Smallman
Chocolate drink shop Knoops is opening this Friday. Credit: Canva
News 🗞️
🍫 Milking it: This is one for anyone who has walked down Clumber Street and kept salivating at the shop sign for chocolate drink specialists Knoops (not just us, right?). The store is officially opening Friday, May 3. You’ll be able to customise your own drink, with over 20 different ones to choose from, as well as plant-based options. CEO William Gordon-Harris told the West Bridgford Wire, “Nottingham’s thriving city centre, full of history and shops, is fantastic to explore with a Knoops in hand.” westbridgfordwire.co.uk
🎶 Winner winner: Hip-hop sensation JayaHadADream was crowned the winner of Glastonbury’s Emerging Talent Competition on Saturday. This means she’ll be playing the Glasto main stage, as well as receiving £5,000 from the PRS Foundation for Talent Development. She studied in Nottingham and splits her time between here and Cambridge. Congrats, Jaya! glastonburyfestivals.co.uk / JayaHadADream on Spotify
😋 Guess who’s back: Big Mike’s Cheesecakes, which was a lockdown hit, closed down the Carlton shop in December 2022. But, if you’ve missed Mike’s decadent makes, you’ll be pleased to hear that he’s back, with collection only from Bingham. We always kept meaning to go out and get one, so we’re thrilled that we can finally try the famous sweet treats. @big.mikes.notts
💥 Crisis averted: A bomb squad was called to Woodthorpe on Wednesday after a suspected World War Two grenade was discovered in Arno Vale Road. From here, the disposal team carried out a controlled detonation of the bomb. No evacuations were necessary due to the rural location. Phew. This is perhaps your sign to rootle through any old belongings you have, just in case. bbc.co.uk
⚽ Golden Boot: Notts County’s Macaulay Langstaff won the Sky Sports EFL League Two Golden Boot, having scored 28 goals throughout the season. He was awarded the trophy for this at Saturday’s game at Forest Green, where Jodi Jones also received Notts County’s Players’ Player of the Season award and an Outstanding Achievement award for his 24 assists — the most ever in English football. nottscountyfc.co.uk
🗳️ Time to vote: Just as a reminder, it’s the inaugural East Midlands Mayoral Elections on Thursday. We highly recommending Notts TV’s guide on the priorities each candidate has outlined before you head to your local ballot station and cast your vote. nottstv.com
Hot property 🏡
Light, spacious, but seriously regal — this gorgeous home in Edwalton is a combo of all the best things. Downstairs, we’re loving the diner-style kitchen, the breezy conservatory, and the entrance fit with literal red carpet. Upstairs there are four bedrooms, including a master with an en-suite and dressing room. Our favourite part has to be the garden dining area, which we bet would be a dream for al fresco dining. It’s listed by Rex Gooding and priced at £1.1m. rightmove.co.uk
What’s On 🗓️
Northern Ballet: Romeo and Juliet 🎭
When: April 30-May 4
Where: Theatre Royal, Nottingham
How much: £15-£52pp
Romeo, Romeo, wherefore art thou, Romeo? Well, he and the rest of the crew from the Shakespeare show will be performing at Theatre Royal, in this beautiful ballet rendition. This is one of the Northern Ballet’s most acclaimed productions and promises to help you rediscover the story as if it’s the first time you’ve ever seen it. Dazzling dancers, stunning sets, and mesmerising music… it sounds truly magical.
Do if: You’re looking for a show-stopping date-night idea.
Boutique Shopping Night 🛍️
When: May 2
Where: Cleaver and Wake, Nottingham
How much: £5pp
We don’t know about you guys, but we don’t get much time to properly enjoy going around the shops during the week. Luckily, you can do just that at this luxe evening shopping event, where you can sip a glass of fizz as you peruse wares from inspirational female-led brands. As well as this, massage therapist Andriana Ward will be on hand for soothing treatments and personal stylist Steph Hanson will share top fashion tips.
Do if: You think you’ll be in need of a mid-week pamper.
Counter Culture 🖼️
When: May 2-July 21
Where: Lakeside Arts, Beeston
How much: Free entry, talks £3pp
Boots has to be one of the most iconic brands in the country, never mind Notts. Find out more about how shopping has evolved throughout the centuries through a mixture of designs and social history. The launch event is Thursday from 5.30-8pm, but the exhibition and various talks run until July, so you’ve got plenty of time to check it out. We’re going to be writing a wider piece on it, so keep your peepers open for that.
Do if: You want to learn about a key part of our county’s heritage.
Comedy in the Caves 🤣
When: May 3
Where: The Whistle and Flute, Nottingham
How much: £10pp
Nottingham’s caves will provide an atmospheric setting for this fun night of comedy, which will host five comedians throughout the evening. Headliner Danny Posthill made it to the finals of Britain’s Got Talent and has appeared on Pointless Celebrities. Meanwhile, opener Sully Sullivan has supported Tim Vine and middler Lovdev Barpaga is known for his joyful humour. MC Katie Mitchell was selected for Best in Class at the Edinburgh Fringe 2023 and shortlisted for the BBC New Comedy Award. Basically, they’ve all got major comedy cred.
Do if: You want a comedy night that will actually make you laugh — we’ve been to an Ian Whitcombe Comedy show before and can confirm it was a hoot.
May Bank Holiday 🌳
When: May 5-6
Where: Sherwood Forest, Edwinstowe
How much: Free entry, archery £3 for five arrows
Head down to Nottingham’s most famous landmark and enjoy the beauties of spring over the bank holiday weekend. On Sunday, the Nottingham Band of Royal Engineers will be drumming down and performing in all their traditional glory, while on Monday Feet First will be dancing away. Also on Monday, you’ll be able to try your hand at being Robin Hood, with The Sherwood Outlaws providing guided archery.
Do if: You’re looking for a fun, family-friendly bank holiday day out.
For the benefit of non-Nottingham folk who will drawn by the must-see ‘Boots Counter Culture’ exhibition at the Lakeside Art Centre, it’s worth pointing out that the Toton Lane tram from the city’s railway station stops right outside Lakeside (Nottingham University south side tram stop), which is also directly linked to the University’s excellent Archaeology Museum and is within sight of the D H Lawrence Centre and Weston Gallery, plus a lake and two good cafe eateries.
Four bus routes from the City Centre, as well as the tram, also stop outside the Lakeside Art Centre: Nottingham City Transport’s 34 bus (Angel Row); Trent-Barton’s Indigo and Skylink buses (Friar Lane); and CT4N’s 18s from Beastmarket Hill. All from within sight of one another. Between them there are 21 daytime journeys per hour!
If you come to Nottingham by car, park in the large Toton Lane Park & Ride Car Park off the A52, where The Tram begins its journey to the city centre and Hucknall, passing Lakeside Art Centre, Nottingham Contemporary, the Bonington Gallery and the New Art Exchange (Forest Fields tram stop) art galleries, along the way.
This is a great substack site, made even better by publicising how reach places by public transpor, especially The Tram!.🐰