Nottingham Creative Community News

We Chat to 400 Rabbits Manager Julien Latil About the Venue’s History, Kiefer Sutherland, and the Social Media Story That Went Viral

400 Rabbits - the bar where Aztec mythology, tequila and mezcal come together to provide a unique experience for visitors. We chat...

We Chat to David Gill, One of the Last Remaining Blacksmiths in Nottinghamshire

15 May 22

From forging the hammer of Thor, the Norse god of thunder himself, to creating the ploughs that drove the British Agricultural Revolution, blacksmiths have played a crucial role in human history for millenia. Yet now there are only around 600 left in the entirety of the UK. We chat to David Gill, one of the last remaining blacksmiths in Notts, about the importance of the practice, what drew him to his line of work, and why interest in the craft is on the rise…

Remembering Nick Turner, 1949-2022

29 March 22

Sophie Gargett, close friend of the much-loved Nick Turner, remembers the life of one of Nottingham's finest...

We Take a Trip to Cluny Lace, the Last Traditional Lace Maker in the UK

19 March 22

It probably isn’t too much of a stretch to say that lace put Nottingham on the map, the industry reaching its height in the 1890s. But today just one traditional lace manufacturer survives. Utilising the same Leavers machines used in the 1840s, Cluny Lace in Ilkeston has been run by a member of the Mason family for over three centuries. Lizzy O’Riordan visited the factory to talk to Kate Knight and learn more about their history, the intricate process of creating Leavers lace, and how it feels to be the last traditional lace maker in the UK…

How Notts Photographer Lucie Nechanická’s Book I Didn’t Ask For It Is Breaking Stereotypes Around Sexual Harassment

14 March 22

Tired of the victim blaming narrative around sexual harrasment, photography student Lucie Nechanická created I Didn’t Ask For It - the photobook chronicling sexual harrasment in Nottingham. We chat to the budding photographer about breaking stereotypes, better sex education, and her process behind making the book…

Notts Sneaker Heads Discuss the Boom of the Trainer Industry

12 March 22

It’s hard to imagine a time when trainers weren’t everywhere you looked. For most of us, figuring out which sneakers to wear is just as, if not more important than, the rest of our outfit. But from an engineering breakthrough of fusing canvas and vulcanised rubber together in the early twentieth century to a multi-billion-dollar global business, the sneaker industry has taken over the world in a relatively short time. And Nottingham is no exception – walk down any high-street in the city and you’ll see multiple retailers flogging the latest creps, with queues forming outside some of the biggest brands before they open on most days. Footwear fan Isabella Read talks to some of Nottingham’s biggest sneaker heads to find out more about trainer culture in the city…

Squire PAC Announce Their Performing Arts Lineup

23 February 22

Featuring comedian Scott Bennett and poet John Hegley, The Squire Performing Arts Centre boast an impressive lineup...

The University of Nottingham's Professor Martyn Poliakoff Chats Knighthoods, YouTube and Trams

21 February 22

A knighthood, a CBE, a Nyholm Prize for Education - it’s safe to say the University of Nottingham’s Professor Martyn Poliakoff, a global leader in the field of green chemistry, is one of the brightest minds to ever settle in our fair land. We chat to the local legend about his favourite Notts spots, his aversion to science-fiction movies, and his YouTube channel Periodic Videos, which now boasts over 1m subscribers…

How Nottingham Is Helping to Track and Tackle Coronavirus

18 February 22

We take a look at the role Nottingham’s scientists have played, and will continue to play, in tackling COVID-19 - with experts from both the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University helping to analyse the virus, trial vaccines and protect the most vulnerable since the start of the pandemic…

Free Skateboarding Lessons This Half Term

14 February 22

In a collaboration with Free Movement Skateboarding and Concrete Jungle Foundation, Skate Nottingham are providing free skateboarding lessons for young people this half term...

National Justice Museum Launches New Podcast Series Open Court

14 February 22

The weekly podcast will dive into the UK's judicial system with first-hand accounts from the people working in it...

What Your Favourite Notts Spot Says About You

09 February 22

Here at LeftLion we don't like to be judgemental. We think of ourselves as open minded, free flowing types. That being said, here's a list of places in our great city, alongside an even longer list of stereotypes...

How the University of Nottingham’s Excel in Science Programme Is Helping to Promote Diversity in the Scientific Field

05 February 22

Can science ever be great without diversity? We catch up with Maria Augusta Arruda and Sara Sleigh from the University of Nottingham to learn more about Excel in Science - the programme pushing for greater diversity within the scientific field…

DJ Training Course for Underrepresented Groups Coming to Nottingham

03 February 22

The eight-week Mix Nights course is aimed at absolute beginners and those looking to build confidence in their music production skills...

Light Night Returns to Nottingham

02 February 22

The popular event is back for the first time since the start of the pandemic...

We Hear All About the Festival of Science and Curiosity From Organiser Megan Shore

02 February 22

The Festival of Science and Curiosity - a ten day celebration of the world of science - is back with a (big) bang. After a predominantly online schedule of events for their 2021 programme, this year’s festival looks forward to welcoming people of all ages to an eclectic array of in-person events, activities and talks. We speak to organiser Megan Shore to find out more…

Mesopotamia Charity Director Rachel Miller Lifts the Lid on Helping Refugees and Tackling Poverty in Nottingham

30 January 22

Mesopotamia charity is full of hidden depths, both literal and metaphorical. We chat with director Rachel Miller, whose story has seen her return from the front lines of the migrant crisis on the shores of Turkey and Greece to fight poverty in an unassuming corner of New Basford…

Notts Barrister Christian Weaver Opens Up on the Importance of His New Pocket-Sized Book on Human Rights

21 January 22

We chat to Carlton’s Christian Weaver, writer of The Law in 60 Seconds: A Pocket Guide to Your Rights, about his route into law, Kill the Bill, and why it’s so important to protect our freedoms…

Two Notts Creatives Discuss the Future of Ratcliffe-On-Soar Power Station

18 January 22

Architectural Designer William Harvey and artist Ryan Boultbee, two creatives obsessed with the built environment, discuss the uncertain future of Ratcliffe-on-Soar (R-o-S) power station - that’s the big’un, with the giant cooling towers, that you can see dominating the landscape on the approach to Notts…

How Notts Suburbs Have Seen a Resurgence Since the Start of the Pandemic

09 January 22

From greengrocers to coffee shops, the pandemic inspired people to shop independent and support their local high streets. Almost two years on from the first lockdown, we investigate whether these shopping habits stuck and how they’re transforming Nottingham…

5 Nottingham Acts to Check Out at Beat the Streets 2022

05 January 22

Beat the Streets, the city-spanning celebration of music which aims to raise money for local charities like Framework, is back this month. We take a look at some of the best Notts artists taking to one of the many stages on Sunday 30 January…

A Mental Health Expert at the University of Nottingham Explains Why Resolutions Might Not Be the Best Idea This New Year

02 January 22

We hear from mental health expert Paul Crawford, a professor of health humanities at the University of Nottingham, about why this is such a difficult time of the year, and how we can protect our wellbeing this winter…

The Nottingham Culture Review of 2021

31 December 21

A year that started badly, but ended with something of a return to normality. Long may it continue...

New Pop-up Project Offers Space for Creative Ways to Tackle Climate Change

17 December 21

The Green Light in the City project aims to offer a space for learning, fun, and discussion around environmental issues...

Emmanuel House Release Short Film to Show Impact of Homelessness Prevention

15 December 21

The eight-minute film is based on the experiences of the charity's service users...

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