LeftLion Magazine #124

Love Your Locals: How to Support Your Independents in Their Time of Need

We’re a city with a long and proud history of independence, and currently boast one of the most diverse, active and eclectic...

3 Lucy and Lentils Recipes You Can Make With Cupboard Ingredients

26 April 20

When things get stressful in life, a plate of proper grub will always help ease the stress. After all, food is one of the best ingredients in life for comfort. If you’re struggling to make sense of the cans in your cupboard, then fear not – Lucy and Lentils has put together three recipes that you can easily cook at home and can make plenty of for the family too.

5 Nottingham Albums to Listen to This Month

24 April 20

The sounds of Notts, reviewed. If you'd like to write for us, or want your tunes chatted about, get in touch by emailing [email protected]

How Nottingham's Music Scene is Responding to Coronavirus

23 April 20

We never thought we’d see the day that all our city’s gigs had to be called off, but that bleddy COVID-19 has put a temporary stop to the lot. It’s a trying time and then some for everyone involved in the music industry right now, from artists and technicians to venues and record shops. Yet in the face of this crisis we’ve seen some gargantuan spirit and rallying round in Notts, so while we’re not able to go to gigs for a while, we’ve chatted with some of our friends across the scene and scoured the net to show you what our music heads think of it all, what they’re up to and how you can support the local scene...

The Write Ideas: 7 Ways to Put Pen to Paper

21 April 20

Ever yearned to be one of those people who could just put pen to paper? Maybe you struggled to know where to start? We’ve rounded up our best ideas for creative writing at home...

Historical Author Emily Brand: "I feel a sort of security in writing about real people who lived, loved and died, generations ago"

20 April 20

Emily Brand is a local historian who’s been researching the Byron family tree and all its drama-sprouting branches. With a close look at life in the eighteenth century, her fourth book The Fall of the House of Byron is released this month. We sat down for a digital chat with the author to find out more...

Out of Time: Nottingham Doctor John Arderne, England’s First Surgeon

19 April 20

As the most devastating pandemic recorded in human history, the Black Death decimated Europe in the 14th century, killing somewhere between 30-60% of the continent’s entire population. But amidst the death, misery and chaos, one Nottingham doctor named John Arderne blazed a medical trail that still sees him referred to as England’s first surgeon…

Positive Nottingham News from 2020

18 April 20

We don’t want you to get too bogged down in the doom and gloom of it all without keeping one eye on the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a bit of a shocker, but it’s not all bad. Here are the positive news stories Nottingham has seen so far this year…

Under Cover Artist: Natalie Owen

17 April 20

We talk to LeftLion's own Natalie Owen about the beautiful she designed for our April issue...

The Siren - A Short Story by Esther Kearney

17 April 20

A short story about nature, nostalgia and new beginnings...

She Found It At The Movies: Author Christina Newland on Her Book on Female Desire in Film

16 April 20

Nottingham-based freelancer Christina Newland has penned articles for film mags from Empire to Sight & Sound, but now it’s her turn in the editor’s chair. We spoke to her about her new collection of essays, She Found it at the Movies...

The Big Notts Quiz

15 April 20

Seeing that we’re all stuck indoors, why not pass the time by seeing how much you know about our fair city? No cheating...

8 Ways to Keep Kids Entertained During Self-Isolation

14 April 20

Struggling to keep the little'uns entertained during lockdown? Don't worry, we've got you covered...

Create Your Own Spa Day at Home

14 April 20

Just because you haven’t worn makeup in weeks or your beard is verging on the bushy side, it doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself a little TLC. Self-care is more important than ever, so we’re guiding you through how to throw the ultimate spa day experience at home....

4 Virtual Reality Exhibitions to Check Out in Nottingham

13 April 20

Just because Nottingham's cultural institutions have closed their doors, it doesn't mean you can't check out what they've got to offer...

Get Busy: The Ultimate Self-Isolation To Do List

13 April 20

We don’t know how long this self-isolation lark is going to last, so we may as well make the best of a bad situation. After all, there’s only so much Netflix you can watch. While we appreciate that this is a time of stress for many, we’ve come up with some suggestions for how those who are feeling the strain of being stuck indoors can fight the boredom...

Free Activities from Nottingham's Galleries and Museums

12 April 20

The closure of Nottingham’s galleries and museums has left a culture-shaped hole in all of our lives. Luckily, there are some fantastic creative organisations in the city that have developed an innovative range of free activities that you can try at home. There’s plenty to stimulate the curiosity and imagination of young and old alike – perfect for any budding scientists, artists, writers or performers.

Yoga at Home Routine with Victoria Louise

10 April 20

Being stuck indoors all day can have a hugely negative impact on both your physical and mental wellbeing, particularly during a time of so much anxiety and uncertainty. So we’ve teamed up with local yoga expert Victoria Louise to offer some simple moves that can help keep your body and mind on track…