LeftLion Magazine #131

Book Review: Equilibrium by Tonino Guerra

We checked out the debut release from Notts' newest indie publisher, MOIST...

Dekker on Rue Royale, Slow Reveal and making music with his five-year-old daughter...

We catch up with Chicago-born, Nottingham-based musician Brookln Dekker to talk Rue Royale, solo work Slow Reveal and making music with his five-year-old daughter...

Tim Bryn Smith on TAWN-19, The Actors Workshop Nottingham's new, socially-distanced film

27 November 20

Our Screen Co-Editor George White speaks to Tim Bryn Smith, founder of The Actors Workshop Nottingham, about their new, socially-distanced film, TAWN-19...

Deck the Hall: Wollaton gets set to host Christmas Lights Spectacular

23 November 20

This year has been full of compromises, tough decisions and – unfortunately – disappointment for many. As we lean into colder, gloomy nights, there are still question marks over Christmas 2020, and how we will be allowed to celebrate. While we already know we won’t be warmed by a bonfire at Forest Rec or filled with mulled wine in the Market Square, there is a light in the dark – Christmas at Wollaton, a light-up outdoor experience set to fill us all with wonder…

City Stylin' #31

25 November 20

We took to the streets to find the most stylish folk in town...

PSpowage Art Gallery Relocates to Mansfield Road

24 November 20

You might be used to seeing original artworks placed on canvases as you walk through Byard Lane, off Bridlesmith Gate. PSpowage Art Gallery has been based here since 1998, but due to recent pressures, you’ll now find Pete Spowage’s shop, gallery and studio on Mansfield Road. He tells us more about the history of his gallery, and why he’s relocating after over twenty years...

Ex-Kemet FM Host and Twitter Enthusiast Tony Bates is Leaving Nottingham

20 November 20

Kemet FM host, graphics company owner, Police Commissioner candidate and Twitter enthusiast; Tony Bates has spent the last 22 years in Nottingham, and has been both a catalyst and an observer of change. This month, he bids the city farewell to become Scarborough’s answer to Basil Fawlty. We had a catch up about his best moments here over the last two decades…

MOIST: Notts’ Newest Independent Publisher

23 November 20

Sarah Smith tells us about Notts’ newest independent publisher MOIST, and why regional publishing is on the rise...

Food Review: Le Mistral

22 November 20

My friends and I wanted to go somewhere special, while at the same time supporting a local business. For us, there was no better choice than Le Mistral in Sherwood...

Silver Linings: Bone Arrow's Clare Gregory on Crystals, Workshops and Life in Sneinton Market

16 November 20

5 Nottingham Artists to Listen to This Month

20 November 20

The latest Nottinghamshire releases...

Lee and Fletcher Have Been Roasting Coffee in Basford for Thirty Years

18 November 20

There’s nothing like taking a sip of a proper cup of coffee. The tantalising scent as it hits your throat, warm and bitter, utterly smooth and delicious. Jim Lee knows all about that – he supplies coffee to some of the city’s best bars and restaurants like Bar Iberico, Copper, and the Hockley Arts Club, making sure you get the perfect caffeine fix. To celebrate him reaching thirty years of doing just that, we took a gander down to the Lee and Fletcher warehouse to have a chat with him about how they handle the good stuff…

Food Review: Ye Olde Bell Hotel

16 November 20

During these COVID times, it can be easy to get into the habit of rolling to the same pub or restaurant in a variation of your loungewear. So when I was invited to sample the bottomless brunch (£30pp) at the Ye Olde Bell Hotel, I was very excited to have an excuse to doll up and go somewhere a bit different...

Enter the Nottingham Poetry Hunt and Win Goodies from Rough Trade, Five Leaves Bookshop, Metronome and More...

11 November 20

Like a beacon of light in a seemingly endless sea of darkness, Nottingham Poetry Festival is back with (at time of printing) a nine-day programme of online events, performances and workshops. As part of this year’s festival, you can bag yourself some goodies by taking part in a poetry hunt around the city. Simply use the clues to work out these Nottingham venues – there’s treasure in poetic form waiting to be dug up in their windows, websites and social media pages.

The History of Sir Frank Bowden and the Raleigh Cycle Company

15 November 20

We take a look at the life of Sir Frank Bowden, the man responsible for creating The Raleigh Cycle Company and making Nottingham the largest producer of bicycles in the world...

Creating Community at Artist Studio The Carousel

14 November 20

Book Review: The Beauty Within Shadow by Henry Normal

13 November 20

With a CV that boasts a contribution to British comedy that few can equal, you’d be right to expect more than your fair share of humour from The Beauty Within Shadow, the latest poetry collection from Henry Normal. But if laughs were all you were expecting, you’re in for a welcome surprise...

Poet Anthony Anaxagorou on Surrealism and Nottingham Poetry Festival 2020

12 November 20

As part of this year’s stellar online Nottingham Poetry Festival line-up, we chat to Anthony Anaxagorou: publisher, writer, poetry educator, Eliot Prize nominee and all-round prolific wordsmith. We talk lockdown, surrealism and his new book How To Write It...

Lone: Filmmakers Luke Radford and Toby Curson on Their New Promotional Short Film for Emmanuel House

12 November 20

A Reverend in Notts

10 November 20

"There’s this idea that Anglican priests are all fussy, elderly men who spend a lot of time running around rural villages getting agitated about their nicely trimmed churchyard like something out of Postman Pat"...

DiY Goodbye: A Tribute to Pete 'Woosh' Birch

07 November 20

Last month Nottingham (and the worldwide free party scene) said goodbye to Pete ‘Woosh’ Birch after a long battle with cancer. A driving force of the DiY Soundsystem, one half of the DJ duo Digs and Woosh and the founder of Spirit Wrestlers. Pete’s oldest friend Harry Harrison tells us about his remarkable life…

Masterchef winner and former Sat Bains chef Laurence Henry is Catering Education for the Children's Virtual Ball

09 November 20

With in-person fundraising events being off-limits at the moment, West Bridgford-based charity Education for the Children have adapted their annual ball to be a virtual affair over Zoom, with a three-course meal cooked by Masterchef winner and former Sat Bains chef Laurence Henry. We caught up with the man himself to find out all about it...

Nottingham BID on Their Five Year Plan for Nottingham Businesses

08 November 20

After securing an overwhelming victory in the recent ballot, Nottingham Business Improvement District is set to continue supporting businesses in the city for at least another five years. We caught up with BID Manager Lucy Stanford to find out more about their plans for the future…

Campaigner Dr Lisa Mckenzie on Why Nottingham Needs to Stop the Gentrification of Sneinton Market

05 November 20

Having spent six years fighting against gentrification in London, working class academic and Notts lass Dr Lisa Mckenzie returned to her native city to find the same happening here. With more development plans tabled for Sneinton Market, including the demolition and replacement of extensions to Gedling Street and Boston Street to create retail and commercial space, as well as more student flats, she explores the potential impact of gentrifying the area will have on the past, present and future of working class communities...

Under Cover Artist: Andy Williams

04 November 20

Illustrator Andy Williams gives us the lowdown on his weird and wonderful cover, and invites you to get involved with what happens next...

Nadia on... Sneinton Market's Redevelopment

03 November 20

In her monthly LeftLion column, Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, discusses issues effecting both Nottingham and Westminster. This month, she discusses the planned revelopment of Sneinton Market...

Overheard in Notts

02 November 20

What you been chatting this month?

The Thompson Brothers on Banksy, Rock City and Cricket