If you didn’t catch her article in our June issue, (Little Miss Lockdown, #126) Jagoda Brown-Polanowska explained what lockdown...
The latest Nottinghamshire releases...
Being forced into lockdown has seen Notts’ creative cohorts turn their hands to all sorts of projects, from live-streaming music to socially-distanced filmmaking. But for seventeen-year-old Alice Lynn, lockdown provided the opportunity to create something personal. We caught up with her to find out more about BelieveMe, the new project aimed at creating a safe space for victims of bullying...
A proper good slice of cake can always help put the world to rights, and Sam Rose of Betty Rose Bakes knows how to do just that, and more. Her sweet treats are made with beautiful local ingredients, as she has a keen focus on them being environmentally-friendly. We chat to her about the makings of her business and how she’s been keeping calm and baking on during lockdown…
Stranded boats at sea. Last breaths in lorries. Traumatisation by traffickers. These are just some of the horrific risks refugees take to reach the UK – a place that historically has been full of promise and hope for them. Yet when they arrive here, they’re met with a hostile government and campaigns of hate. However, the Nottingham and Nottinghamshire Refugee Forum provides a range of services to help them survive and thrive in the face of adversity. As it celebrates its twentieth anniversary, Eve Smallman talks to Director Matt Atkins about what they’ve achieved and how you can help them carry on their work…
Tempura, tofu, and other tasty treats...
After shopping centre giant intu collapsed into administration, causing yet another Broadmarsh development plan to fall by the wayside, Ewan Cameron decided it was time for something different. Creating an online petition calling for the area to be turned into a communal green space, his campaign has over ten thousand signatures at the time of printing. Here’s exactly why he thinks the plan to turn Broadmarsh green is essential for Nottingham...
From its three-story base in the heart of Sneinton, BACKLIT is home to more than eighty studio artists, spanning a diverse range of practices, including fine art, contemporary craft and creative businesses. The independent, artist-led gallery has provided affordable studio spaces for artists, graduates and emerging local talent for almost twelve years. With the studio currently still closed to the public, we took a look around to find out more about some of their exciting artists, including what they’ve been up to during lockdown...
One of the fascinating by-products of increasing globalisation is the thought that, right now, someone in China is watching a tour of Ruddington Village Museum online. The reason for that is Feixue Huangdu, whose tours of local heritage spots have gone viral in her native China. We caught up with Nottingham Trent Museum and Heritage Development graduate to discuss the surprise success of her videos and the importance of sharing cultures...
With a ten-year vision of turning Nottingham into a globally-recognised cultural heavyweight, and a board including the likes of Shane Meadows and Vicky McClure, last month saw the ambitious launch of The Nottingham Project. Spearheaded by the new Nottingham Board for Culture and Creativity, the project will seek to rejuvenate the city in the wake of a pandemic that has decimated much of the creative industry. As the director of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games Organising Committee, Project chairman Greg Nugent knows what it takes to deliver on the biggest scale. We caught up with the man at the helm to find out more about what the city’s creative community has to look forward to...
Cheat day without the guilt? Yes please.
It’s impossible to underestimate the devastating impact COVID-19 and the ensuing lockdown has had on independent businesses. The boutiques, breweries and bars that form the lifeblood of our community were forced to shut their doors four months ago, with many never to open again. But with some semblance of normality returning to the high street, we decided it was time for a catch up with some of Notts’ independents to find out how they’ve coped during lockdown, and the steps they’ve taken to re-open safely…
We took to the streets to find the most stylish folk in town...
They say it takes a village to raise a child. But really, they should be saying it takes a village to make a bloody good bottle of gin. Ruddy Fine Gin has been two years in the making, but now they’ve perfected their recipe, and they’re ready to launch in Ruddington and beyond. We chat to the co-owners, husband and wife duo Cheryl and Rory Stretton, to find out all about it…
There aren’t many things in life that are a given these days. One exception, however, is the guaranteed beauty of a new album release by Notts-born singer songwriter Natalie Duncan. Free, which was released on 31 July this year, is Nat’s first full-length album since 2012, and is full of her customary soul-infused melodies and candid lyrics. Featuring tracks written over a number of years since 2012, it’s one heck of an expansive record, brimming with vivacity and ambition. We caught up with Nat to chat about her Notts roots, the new record and her musical life in the age of COVID-19….
What it's really like to be a part of one of the most controversial groups in the UK...
We've turned this month's magazine into one big treasure hunt of clues and puzzles. If you think you're smart enough to solve all of them, you could bag yourself a free escape room at Escapologic...
We’re back in print with a bang, and Stuart Jones’ cover – a love-letter to all things print – is the cherry on top of this 48-page cake. We chat with this month’s cover artist to find out more about his work...
As Nottingham Mela Network, in partnership with New Art Exchange, gets ready to celebrate the 32nd year of Nottingham Arts Mela in the UK, Alex Stubbs previews the exciting, eclectic online programme of cooking, films featuring South Asian diaspora worldwide, music, dance, debates, poetry and spoken word, family art workshops, murals, archives activated, morning raags and yoga…
Nottingham's most opinionated grocers on...
Big Baby's back on the prowl...
Since 2005, Nottingham has reduced its carbon emissions by more than double the target goal first laid out by Nottingham City Council. But now there is a new target – to become the first carbon-neutral city in the UK by 2028. Ahead of the launch of their 28 day challenge, taking place on social media throughout August, we speak to Sally Longford, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder Energy, Environment and Democratic Services about how they intend to make it happen…
As the world gets ready to remember the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, photographer Jagdish Patel explores the role of Commonwealth soldiers – many of whom were conscripted under the threat of violence – in Britain’s victory.