Site search

Overheard in Notts: August 2026

Karma and iPad watches feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

Everything to know about The Garage: Chilwell's lively independent weekend market

At first the base of Nottingham bus operator Barton – in 1913 – and now the home of Nottingham’s largest independent market, The Garage in Chilwell has been a pillar of its local community since it began. Every weekend this family run business welcomes numerous traders and locals through its doors. From its most well known weekend markets to comedy and beer festivals, the success of The Garage is constantly evolving as a local favourite for Beeston and Notts residents alike. Here’s how they got to the point they’re at today… 

The Thompsons on St Ann's Allotments, singing and summer 2026

Our latest chat with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers. 

From the Kitchen: With Bryan Henesey, owner at Breadmill Bakery

Bryan Henesey owns Sneinton Market Avenues' award winning Breadmill Bakery. For this month's instalment of From The Kitchen we chat to him...

Forged in Mansfield: local playwright Beth Steel on her play Till the Stars Come Down and going international

Born and brought up in Warsop, playwright Beth Steel has seen her work performed in London, Tokyo, Mexico, Iceland, Peru and more.  What’s particularly brilliant about this is that they’re usually set in her hometown of Mansfield. She tells us more about her fifth play Till the Stars Come Down, which is coming home to Nottingham Playhouse one week from now …

LeftLion Issue #199 September 2026

Featuring playwright Beth Steel, musician Jim Ghedi, photographer Alan Lodge, The Garage in Chilwell, hidden spots in Nottingham, creative opportunities, and more...

Festival review: LeftLion at 110 Above

Almost hidden on a Leicestershire plateau set at the lofty altitude of 110m above sea level, the lucky few (hundred) can discover a music festival like no other. Without any sign of corporate sponsorship or gimmick, 110 Above exists to create a shared experience, for all ages, based on good music. LeftLion spent two special days there...

We talk to a band who define runaway success: Westside Cowboy

Manchester formed four-piece Westside Cowboy are one of the most exciting bands emerging on the current UK circuit. Within three years of forming during freshers week at university, they have toured with masterclass rock group Geese, secured the most viewed performance on the current series of 'Later… with Jools Holland', performed at  Glastonbury and filled venues of  thousands - all before their debut album was even released. Ahead of their Nottingham record store appearance, we sat down with Reuben (vocals / guitar) and Aoife (vocals / bass) to discuss the new album, their upcoming record store and headline tours, and meeting music legend Elton John...

Theatre Review: The Mantrap at Theatre Royal

Set on a wet and wild winter night, a desperate husband is searching for his missing wife and is confronted by a woman claiming to be her... 

Life Behind Bars: With Gaz Peacham, Deputy Manager at The Embankment Pub

For this month's edition of Life Behind Bars we take a jaunt down to Trent Bridge to speak to Gaz... 

Exhibition review: 86:26 LGBTQ+ Film, Heritage and Archive this week at Backlit

A collaboration between BACKLIT Gallery and the British Film Institute, 86:26 explores queer history and heritage in Nottingham. Under the direction of CJ De Barra from the Notts Queer History Archive, the exhibition is taking place in the BACKLIT main gallery from 24 August until 30 August.

Gig review: Antony Szmierek at Rough Trade

By now, there's a good chance you will have heard of Antony Szmierek - the Mancunian poet who has gained a massive following with his mix of electronic beats and spoken word verses. His debut album Service Station at the End of the Universe stood out among all the great music that graced last year. Now, supporting his follow-up offering Decoding Birdsong, Antony has gone on a record store tour giving new and established fans an increasingly rare chance to see him in intimate venues...

Why Multi-Family Chalet Holidays Demand a Geneva Airport French Side Car Hire

From farm to fork: the evolution of Spring Lane Farm

Established in 1939, Spring Lane Farm has been run by four generations of the Spencer family, growing from humble origins into a successful family-run enterprise. We sat down with Jessica Spencer and her grandfather Cyril to discuss the farm’s journey and learn more about its onsite cafe-restaurant, The Old Parlour.

Safe hands: the vital work of Nottinghamshire Hospice and how to keep it going

Nottinghamshire Hospice is one of the most important charities in our county, providing palliative and end of life care and support for the loved ones of those who need it. Sadly, there’s a lot of financial adversity facing organisations like them, but they’ve also got a hardworking fundraising department to help them. Frances Danylec finds out more about the work that they do, and how people around Notts can support it in diverse and often enjoyable ways. 

The Route to Cappyness: Notts filmmaker Sharon Walia on her brand new documentary

Nottingham filmmaker Sharon Walia’s work has covered a variety of topics – from guinea pigs to refugees. With her newest documentary, The Route to Cappyness, she looks at how the world’s largest rodent could be the key to positivity across the globe, from Brazil and Japan to the USA and Wheelgate Park. We spoke to Sharon about why the capybara is important, how she made the film, and her travels across the UK, USA, Brazil, and Japan. 

Nottingham Book Festival 2026 is coming to Broadway Cinema

For the first time in ten years, Nottingham is celebrating all things books. The Nottingham Book Festival will call Broadway Cinema home this year. LeftLion turns the page and delves into the small print…

Out of time: Nottingham's history of opium

Content warning, substances and the historical passing of children

Although it’s hard to believe today, in early to mid-Victorian Britain, it was possible to walk into a chemist’s and pick up a bottle of laudanum (opium) or cocaine, with or without a prescription. Even stranger than that, you might do so with the intention of giving it to your baby. You might even send your oldest child to go and pick it up for you. 

Gig review: Mystery Jets at Rough Trade

Following a six-year studio album hiatus - which could be seen in dog years in recording terms - indie-rock Londoners Mystery Jets are about to put their collective heads above the parapet once more with their seventh offering, A Hole To See The Sky Through. Rough Trade played host to the band for the Nottingham date of their promo tour...

Preview: Our Story at Nottingham's Libraries.

Our Story is a creative heritage project currently touring our local libraries that celebrates the lives of the county's trans and gender diverse people. Rosalie Spring the Project Producer and Director Jo Tyabji talk Left Lion through the event...

Theatre Review: The Nightmare Room

Two women in a deadly game, in a locked room...

Exhibition review: Pieces of Me at the National Justice Museum

Made by artist Elahè Raofi and built by the stories of members of Refugee Roots, a free exhibition at the National Justice Museum creates a space that says, ‘all are welcome’, while tackling themes of work, identity and belonging.

Gig review: Bob Log III and The Gadgets at Billy Bootleggers

The innovative, inventive and outrageous American bluesman Bob Log III is currently on a UK tour that reached Nottingham's own sleazy rock n' roll dive bar, Billy Bootleggers a week ago. Richard Wilkinson-Smith went down to the centre of the city to check out what this unbelievably entertaining gutter-blues space cadet was all about.