Once again, January has sprung upon us like an unwelcome morning alarm. The new year, with its best intentions of changing habits and fresh starts, can seem cruelly placed back to back with the gluttonous festivities of December, but once the Christmas debris has been cleared and desire for revelling abated, it’s time to look ahead and see how you can decorate your days over the upcoming year.
Want to run away with the circus in 2025? Fancy brushing up on your Spanish in time for your next holiday? Feel like it's time to learn those outdoor survival skills for when the revolution comes? Look no further. In Nottingham there are dozens of classes, courses and groups to join, offering valuable skills and time well spent in the company of likeminded people. To brighten up the dark nights as we trudge towards spring, we thought we’d shine a light on some of the things you can get stuck into.
Curious minds…
If you have a curious mind and enjoy discussing art, history and the world, over at the historic Nottingham Mechanics Institute you can take a range of courses in all manner of unusual subjects. Learn about Mediaeval kings and queens of Britain, life in Nottingham during the Georgian period, the history of highway men, cutthroats and pirates, the art of movie soundtracks, mystery authors, economics, Japanese culture and lots more. Courses last four to ten weeks and begin at around £8.50 per class.
Pottering about…
Ever fancied yourself a potter? If you’ve ever sat down to watch The Great Pottery Throwdown, you’ve probably wondered if getting your hands on that soft, silky clay is as therapeutic as it looks. At the Nottingham Ceramic School you can learn how to throw on a wheel or roll clay and produce bowls and other clay objects, with options to fire and glaze your creations. Six week courses start at £170 with levels for beginners to intermediate, and taster sessions available too.
Green fingers…
If you dig deep enough, you’ll probably find a small thriving community in your local green space, whether that’s a park, allotment or community garden. Some, like Bulwell Forest Garden, offer a range of courses for both families and adults that encourage growing, playing, socialising, cooking, and caring for the land, whilst enjoying a bit of peace in the great outdoors. Check out their website to see what’s on, with topics like bird watching, medicinal plants, and sustainable gardening.
Tinkering and making…
Are you a budding inventor? Or maybe you just enjoy making and tinkering? For a monthly membership, over at Sneinton’s Hackspace you can use all manner of equipment and machinery, including 3D printers, laser cutters, wood and metal-working tools, electronics, sewing and embroidery machines. There’s also a pretty cool community, with hack-a-thons, robot building and gaming events. Taster tours run each Wednesday at 7pm and membership is based on a ‘Pay what you think is right’ system, with a small minimum fee.
Pulling stunts…
If you want to spice up your exercise routine by adding some theatrics, why not try a bit of circus? Over at Sneinton Market’s Circus Hub you can have a go at aerial hoop and silks, trapeze, and swing in a friendly and supportive environment. Starting in January, their Lost Performers sessions are a safe, non-judgemental space for the neuro-diverse, Disabled and LGBTQ+ community, and there are lots of other classes available, for adults and young people, with beginners, improvers and advanced options. Check out their website for all the info.
Get crafty...
If a mug of tea, a natter, and an afternoon of creativity sounds like bliss to you, get yourself down to a Crafternoon at Debbie Bryan in the Lace Market. With an ongoing variety of projects, you can choose from candlemaking, clay play, dried flower embroidery, pot or plate painting, knitting, lace embellishment and lots more. Not only will you be instantly inspired by the gorgeous interior, but you can also enjoy sweet treats, afternoon tea or a grazing platter as you while the hours away.
Sing your heart out...
Singing is one of those things - great for lifting the spirits, but easy to feel self-conscious about. Meeting each month, Crazy Little Sing Called Pub provides a solution. Aiming to make ‘a harmonised choir out of a bunch of total strangers’, this isn’t a night for the perfectly tuned. Instead, you can communally belt out rock and pop anthems, get a little guidance from choir leader Abi Moore, and enjoy a drink if so desired. Their next event is Sunday 19 January at The Malt Cross, and you can check out their website for more dates. Tickets cost £12 with £4 going to YMCA.
Back to basics…
If you’re feeling the encroaching dominance of technology over your existence, it might be time to check out Back2Basics, a bushcraft experience located in the countryside just near Arnold. Check out their two or four hour survival courses, during which you can learn about making fires, creating shelters and other principles of survival. They also provide overnight courses, events for corporate, stag and hen dos, and outdoor laser tag games!
Big screen business...
Not only is Broadway Cinema a brilliant destination for watching movies, you can also go further and join one of their excellent film courses. Choose from one off talks or weekly courses popping up throughout the year, with expert course leaders and the opportunity to chat to other film enthusiasts. Options coming up include practical courses such as screenwriting and filmmaking, or the chance to delve deeper into different genres and directors, such as Tarantino, fantasy and spectacle in cinema, detective films, Oscar Wilde adaptations and more.
Let’s dance...
If you enjoy dancing and want to get the blood pumping without formal classes, perhaps a ceilidh night is for you. Pronounced Kayligh, this upbeat Scottish dancing isn’t a highly technical dance - a dance leader will be there to shout out the moves, so you don’t need to worry too much about remembering choreography. Described as ‘fun, social and inclusive’, Schuggies Ceilidh’s are taking place at Copper City on Thursday nights throughout January and are free to attend, with a separate Burn’s Night celebration.
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