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The Thompsons: November 2026

Chatting to Nottingham's most opinionated grocers about the Emett Clock, asylums, and folklore... 

Overheard in Notts: November 2026

Is Coventry in England or is England in Coventry? 

Bulwell author Charles Towlson talks his new novel Creep

Bulwell based author Charles Towlson tells us about his latest novel, Creep, a psychological story about a guy called Zeek who lives in a basement, which explores connection, memory, and the enduring impact of people from our past… 

A woman's world: poet Leanne Moden talks her new collection

Nottingham poet, theatre maker, and workshop facilitator Leanne Moden tells us all about her latest poetry collection Ophelia of the Bathtub – a vivid and defiant depiction of womanhood – her creative process, current projects, and dismantling patriarchy. 

Five intriguing exhibitions from the history of the Nottingham Contemporary

Whether or not you’re into contemporary art, it’s hard to deny that it remains relevant, strange, weird and wonderful as ever – regularly getting people talking – and over the years, the Nottingham Contemporary art gallery has showcased some of the most interesting examples of it. To mark the currently showcased, posthumous exhibition by Nottingham artist Sarah Cunningham (read more about that on page 14) here’s five memorable exhibitions which have happened there… 

F is For Film: November 2026

Nottingham is a city for film. So why don't we act like it? 

Art works: Bea Giaquanto's multi medium exhibition marking Framework's 25th anniversary

For this month’s Art Works we hear from Bea Giaquinto, the artist behind a forthcoming exhibition about homelessness at St Mary’s Church, which marks the 25th anniversary of local charity Framework. 

About time: Pete Dexter on maintaining the Emett Clock before it returns to its former location

It’s almost time! The Aqua Horological Tintabulator, or the Emett Clock – a pride of Notts city centre created by 20th century inventor and cartoonist Roland Emett – is returning to its original ground floor spot in the Victoria Centre: the place where lots of us have treasured memories of it being. Since 2011, retired engineer Pete Dexter has been its designated caretaker, and he’s in his third stretch of maintaining it in his workshop under the Centre. Pete told us how it’s coming along… 

Midnight sun: a new exhibition of the late and loved Notts artist Sarah Cunningham's work

Nottingham Contemporary celebrates the work of late Nottingham artist Sarah Cunningham with Midnight Sun, the largest presentation of her work to date. Senior Curator Katie Simpson and Senior Marketing Manager Catherine Masters tell us about bringing Sarah’s work home, remembering the artist behind it, and creating an exhibition that feels like stepping inside one of her paintings.

In bloom: Notts ambient rockers Eyre Llew talk their new second album and their show at The Nest

Notts ambient rockers Eyre Llew became local heroes in Notts in the late 2010s, and went on to tour their immersive sound across continents. Now, they’re back with their second album: Bloom, and a show this month at The Nest, which is set to be truly spectacular… 

Gig review: Ibibio Sound Machine at Rescue Rooms

Ibibio Sound Machine have very quickly become pioneers within the world music scene and have some extremely admirable accolades to their name. To frequent shows such as Later… with Jools Holland as well as having one of the worlds biggest bands (Coldplay) asking you to support them on their stadium tour suggests that you not only need to be releasing music to an impeccable standard, but you also need to deliver a live show like no other. And as Rescue Rooms saw last Saturday night, Ibibio Sound Machine did just that...

LeftLion Issue #201 November 2026

The 201st issue of LeftLion features the work of late and loved Nottingham artist Sarah Cunningham, the return of the Emett Clock to its former location, the Nottingham Folklore Society, Eyre Llew, the Drawing Room Gallery, and plenty more to read about... 

The Thompsons on cycling, comedians, and 200 issues of LeftLion

Our latest conversation with Nottingham's most opinionated grocers. 

Haunting: Write Queer’s third DIY zine collection launches at Nottingham Central Library this spooky season.

It’s not just Halloween to be getting excited about next week! Last month, Write Queer announced the chosen writers to be featured in their third grassroots zine collection, Haunting. Next Friday brings a celebratory launch event of the new issue, local creatives, and LGBTQ+ voices together at Nottingham Central Library.

LeftLion's Latest Listens #54: Notts music we're currently spinning

In this 54th edition of LeftLion's Latest Listens, our music team reviews new releases from ROB GREEN, Revenge of Calculon, Pillow Fort, Lucas Walters and A-Tota-So

The next stage: 25 years of the Nottingham Arts Theatre

For the past 25 years Nottingham Arts Theatre has been serving the city with a programme of local and touring indie stage shows in their iconic 200 year old Hockley building. We spoke to poet, and theatre Chair director Campbell Kay about the theatre’s journey, its role as an educational charity nurturing theatrical talent in Nottingham and their diverse range of shows…

Hockley Hustle 2026: what's happening this year at Young Hustlers?

Theatre review: Underneath the Lintel at Nottingham Arts Theatre

Marilyn Ann Bird gives a spectacular solo performance in Underneath the Lintel this week at Nottingham Arts Theatre...

Nottingham Comedy Festival 2026: chatting to the performers

Starting Friday 30 October, the Nottingham Comedy Festival is back, bringing ten days of national talent and hilarity to bars, pubs and clubs of Nottingham. We spoke to a few comedians involved to find out what’s so funny…

Bringing Nottingham Together Through Film: Inside Nottingham Film Festival

Director of Programming Ciaran Shea discusses Nottingham Film Festival’s expansion, its commitment to local filmmakers and sustainable cinema, and its ambition to make film accessible to everyone across the city.

Theatre Review: Thick & Tight: Natural Behaviour at Lakeside Arts

Two moths, a pantomime horse, a lesbian seagull and the dust in Quentin Crisp's bedroom walk into a theatre. It sounds like the start of a joke, and to be fair, sometimes it is. But Thick & Tight's Natural Behaviour is also one of the more quietly radical things to land at Lakeside this year...

Nottsword answers #201 November 2026

This month's crossword was themed around some of the people we have intervie4wed in LeftLion over 200 issues. Did you get the answers right?

Beyond the senses: author Kerry Ward discusses her new publication This Book Will Make You Psychic

The concept of having psychic powers beyond our physical senses is one we often associate with movies – a rare talent reserved for a special few – but can these abilities be learned? This Book Will Make You Psychic is a new guide by local author and professional tarot reader Kerry Ward, created for anyone interested in tapping into their psychic abilities. We sat down with Kerry to have a chat about mindfulness, intuition, coincidence, and what lies beyond our physical senses…

Theatre Review: The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time

An autistic teenage girl investigates a murder...

Digging through the archives: 200 issues of LeftLion

200 issues of LeftLion is a lot, to say the least. Back when co-founders, Jared Wilson, Al Gilby, and Tim Bates founded the mag in their 20s, both Notts and the world at large was very different, and lots of changes, and odd, unexpected parts of Nottingham culture, past and present, have been immortalised in our print mag. Here, we have a timeline for you – an alternate history of Nottingham culture, and some of the most intriguing things we’ve had land on our desks and in our inboxes, lots of which you might not expect…