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How to get hold of a copy of LeftLion #128

Our magazine is back in print. But because so many venues are still closed you might find it a little harder to get hold of a copy than you did before. However, here’s some tips of where you can find it and few new ways you can get your hands on a copy

Heavens Gate

Left Duck: 2020 Season Preview

With the 2020 cricket season about to start, we take a look at how Nottinghamshire are shaping up to take on the COVID-impacted schedule.

Murda Man's death disco

The Young Hustlers Are A Brand-New Panel of Teens Putting Their Stamp on the City's Future

Meet Nottingham’s Young Hustlers, a group of six 13-16 year olds looking to make their mark on the city’s creative future…

Two Proper Comforting Chicken Recipes

As we start to see family members again, it's only natural that we'll want to cook the tastiest food for them. Two of our food writers share their favourite comforting family recipes...

Nottingham City Council Wants the City to Be Carbon-Neutral by 2028

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… 

Left Magpie: Home Improvements

During Lockdown, I became particularly partial to home improvement programmes. There was something quite therapeutic, during a time of intense instability and incoherence, watching someone making sense out of chaos by turning a decommissioned Soviet missile into a glamping pod.

Free Barbie

25 Years Later: Kids

A hyper-realistic, fly-on-the-wall story, Kids is the product of 19-year-old writer Harmony Korine and photographer-cum-filmmaker Larry Clark. 25 years old this month, the film is set in the heart of New York, where Clark and Korine capture the disturbing hedonism and reckless nature of pubescent youth...

Alfresco Dining in Nottingham's Market Square

Pop-up outdoor dining is coming to Nottingham’s Old Market Square from Friday. The area, organised by Nottingham City Council and supported by Nottingham BID, has been designed to support local food and drink outlets as part of the city’s re-opening strategy from the Covid lockdown restrictions.

Exhibition Review: Dot Dot Dash

Ewan Cameron checked out Dot Dot Dash, Surface Gallery's eclectic online exhibition which is still available to view...

Circle of Light is Back This August: 2020 Applications Now Open

Following the staggering success of last year’s debut Circle of Light project, new Youth Music funding has been secured to give more young people the chance to get hands-on experience in the music industry - even during the current climate. Read on to learn how it will work, the mentors leading the way, and how you can apply for a place at the workshops this August…

Finger the Old

Notts Photographer Lamar Francois On Photographing Mindfully

You may have spotted Lamar Francois around Nottingham BC (before COVID) shooting a multitude of events, people and scenes with an approach that combines mindfulness in photography with a keen eye for getting the perfect shot. Alex Kuster caught up with the writer and photographer over Zoom to see how he’s been doing during lockdown, and what his future plans look like…

10 Years Later: Toy Story 3

A decade on, Screen Co-Editor George White thinks it's time for people to finally admit that this is the best film in the Toy Story quadrilogy...

Film Review: The Kissing Booth 2

Netflix’s much-anticipated sequel to The Kissing Booth, sees best friends Lee and Elle tackle their senior year, as well as Elle dealing with her long-distance relationship with Noah.

Exploring the LGBTQ+ Community and Nottingham’s Night-time Culture

As part of his studies in Notts, promoter and DJ Rory Evans spent time exploring the link between the gay community and disco music. For Leftlion he turns this interest local, speaking with Nottingham’s key LGBTQ+ figures to understand this side of our city’s clubland further, and in light of recent club closures, show why these empty dancefloors are just so significant…

Support LeftLion Magazine on Patreon

For seventeen years and 127 printed issues, LeftLion magazine has shone a light on Nottingham’s culture and entertainment scene. Now we’re asking our readers for a bit of help to get back on our feet...

Out of Time: The Chilwell Catastrophe

It was one of the worst wartime disasters in British history, as well as the country’s biggest involving an explosion. The month marks the 102nd anniversary of the Chilwell Catastrophe, in which a World War One ammunition factory exploded, killing 134 Nottingham workers and injuring dozens more.

Penny Lane's Take a Pitcher It Will Last Longer Sangria Recipe

We may not be able to hog the 2p machines at Penny Lane on Fletcher Gate right now, but luckily you can mix up your own pitcher of their Sangria at home. It’s perfect for afternoon drinking in the sunshine, and – if you close your eyes really hard – you can try and imagine being on a Spanish beach instead of being in your back garden…

Notts Rebels: William Brewster

Our Notts Rebels series continues with William Brewster and his Separatists, a group from North Nottinghamshire who fled England in search of religious freedom, sailing aboard the Mayflower to found the Plymouth Colony in America…

Queer Today, Gone Tomorrow: The LGBTQ+ Spaces Nottingham Has Lost

As Nottingham gets set to celebrate Pride 2020 in a very different, online-only way, it’s probably time to remember that the city hasn’t always had such an open gay scene. With a long history of secret bars, hidden backrooms and, erm, gay flats, it’s important to remember just how far Notts has progressed. We asked Chair of Nottingham Pride, Leigh Ellis, and David Edgley of Nottingham Rainbow Heritage to share their memories of some of the LGBTQ+ spaces we’ve lost...

Southwell Jewellery Store Last Night I Dreamt on Setting Up Shop, Significant Trinkets, and Sending Love During Lockdown

The bright lights of Nottingham’s city centre might not be quite as bright – or as busy – as they were six months ago. Yet, for one shop in Southwell, lockdown has been a little different. Nestled in North Nottinghamshire, Last Night I Dreamt is not only a curated collection of the best treasure that British brands have to offer, but is also a hive for jewellery lovers up and down the country. Our Fashion Editor, Anna Murphy, spoke to its owner, Rebecca Gibbions to find out more...

LeftLion Football Podcast Episode 9: Paul Severn

Gareth, Colin and Jim welcome Paul Severn to try to make sense of Forest's meltdown as they lose a grip on their playoff place. The team look forward to Notts County's upcoming playoff match as well as get excited by new signings at Mansfield. As well as continuing to reflect on lockdown mental health issues, there's also discussion on the situation at Wigan and the murky world of FFP.