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Nadia on... the right to protest

Nottingham East Labour MP talks about the right to protest

Chapters of history: author Simon Smalley turns the pages on Nottingham’s queer past

The history of St. Ann’s has always been a fascinating one. Today, the idea that the council could bulldoze entire areas of communities separating neighbours and friends is one that is difficult to imagine. However, for those who lived it, it’s still all too real. CJ De Barra speaks to St Ann’s born-and-bred author Simon Smalley about growing up in the area as a young gay man in the 60s and 70s.

The hidden history behind Nottingham's Express Building

Many people pass by the Tesco Express on Parliament Street in Nottingham every day, unaware of the rich history behind this iconic building. Known simply as the Express Building, this early Gothic-style masterpiece stands as a testament to the brilliant vision of renowned British architect Watson Fothergill. For over a century, it has been a distinctive feature of Nottingham’s cityscape - serving multiple purposes, adapting with time, and telling the story of a city in transition.

Heart and Coal: the history and future possibilities of Ratcliffe-on-Soar

The end of September saw the closure of the UK’s last remaining coal-fired power station: Ratcliffe-on-Soar. Environment Editor Adam Pickering reflects on the past and future of this instantly recognisable Nottinghamshire landmark, the conflicted feelings that surround it, and how it could be re-purposed in the years to come.

Our September cover artist D.A Orli talks 3D art, consumerism and the ownership of history

We sat down with this month’s cover artist D.A. Orli to hear about some of his previous work and inspirations…

History, style and roses: we visited The Bath Inn in Sneinton Market

Among Nottingham’s huge array of historical pubs, The Bath Inn, near the LeftLion offices in Sneinton Market, is one of our favourites, distinctive for its quasi-Egyptian decor, beautiful flower arrangements and the rich sense of history that hits you from the first step you take through the door. We visited for a chat with the Nottingham-born landlord Piers Baker, previously a rose grower by trade, to find out how the 19th century bar became the unique spot that it is today. 

We delve into Notts Queer History with CJ DeBarra

With the colour and joyfulness of Pride celebrations now a key part of our calendar, it’s easy to forget that not too long ago the LGBTQ+ community had to carefully hide their identities. The history books may skirt around it, but Queer people have existed forever - in Notts and beyond - and gradually their stories are coming out. Historian and journalist (and LeftLion’s newly appointed History Editor), CJ DeBarra has been researching Nottingham’s Queer history ahead of the upcoming release of their LGBTQ+ History Project. LeftLion HQ caught up with them to hear more about Nottingham’s Queer history…

Ahead of Pride, Hockley's Rainbow Crossing is being repainted for it's fifth anniversary

The rainbow crossing on Hockley's Broad Street turns five this year. Our History Editor CJ DeBarra tells of how it came to be.

Gay-bourhoods: a history of Nottingham queer bars

It has long been established that Broad Street is Nottingham’s official queer area complete with the rainbow crossings to prove it. Home to Lord Roberts, Rough Trade, Broadway, the Transgender clinic and health shop, it has the highest number of queer and queer adjacent businesses and support services. It hasn’t always been the only queer area of Nottingham throughout the decades… Here’s a brief history of queer spots in Notts.

On Record: A Brief History of Nottingham Music Zines and Publications

Music has always been a pivotal part of the fanzine and publishing movement and were it not for the punk scene of the ‘70s it’s likely the word ‘zine’ might not even be in common parlance. Here is a brief history of ten self-published, small run publications we know of that were from Nottingham and centred around music.

Dear Sisters at Lakeside Arts documents the Women’s Liberation Movement in Nottingham feminst history

For the Women’s Liberation Movement of the ‘70s and ‘80s zines were an integral tool of connection and communication. The Dear Sisters exhibition at Lakeside Arts showcases how the movement connected, campaigned, and made waves through an impressive collection of ephemeral documents.

A History of Notts County fanzines

For a relatively small league club Notts County more than punched its weight in fanzines. The Pie was the dominating one in the scene, but there were quite  a few others over the years…

We visit The Sparrows' Nest, an archive of activism, anarchy and radical history spanning over fifty years

It’s often the places you least expect that can lead you into a treasure trove of forgotten secrets and hidden gems. This is true of The Sparrows’ Nest, which recently celebrated fifteen years. Disguised as a regular house in the middle of St Ann’s, it houses an incredible collection of flyers, books, leaflets and most importantly, local press and zines centred around activism, anarchy and radical history spanning over fifty years.

A History of Nottingham Forest FC Fanzines

We take a deep dive into the history of Nottingham Forest FC fanzines and fan publications, from the 1980s to the present day...

We take a look at the history of zines, including many homegrown mini-mags made right here in Notts

From its roots in 30s sci-fi fan fiction and 70s New York punk, the illustrious medium of the zine has sprouted many fascinating publications, with many homegrown mini-mags made right here in Notts. Let us take you on a whistlestop tour of this curious corner of culture…

Poetry, Light Displays, and The History of Electronic Music Here's What's On This Week in Nottingham: 15 - 21 April 2024

There's plenty to keep you entertained this week in Nottingham, from futuristic light displays in the sky to reflective poetry and the history of electronic music. Here's our top picks of what to get up to....

From Vesta Tilley to Douglas Byng, Learn More About Early History of Nottingham’s Music Halls and the Stars It Created

When it comes to the theatre, Nottingham has no shortage of stages, from the Playhouse to Nonsuch to the Theatre Royal. But we don’t often think of the wonderful history of old music halls and their star performers… 

Director Aaron Trinder on His Documentary ‘Free Party: A Folk History’ - Which Features Nottingham's Own DiY Soundsystem

Free Party: A Folk History is a timely DIY indie film that follows the birth of the UK's free party movement from the late eighties and early nineties and the social, political and cultural impact it's had on our present times, with appearances from the founders of Nottingham’s very own DiY Soundsystem - but those of you who were lucky enough to go down to Broadway Cinema’s screening of the film back in November will already know this, of course. Director Aaron Trinder tells us about the process of obtaining footage for the documentary from a time before mobile phones and his own experiences of the free party movement…

The Wonderful Queer History of the Scala Cinema in Nottingham and Beyond

As Jane Giles and Ali Catterall’s new documentary on the wonderful queer history of the Scala Cinema on King’s Cross in London is released, we look back at our own history of cinemas as queer hubs...

Bears! Nature, Culture and Beyond: The Lakeside Arts Exhibition That Gives an Insight Into the History of Bears

Local archaeologist Ben Normington interviewed the co-curators of the current exhibition in the archaeology museum at Lakeside Arts - Prof. Hannah O’Regan and Dr. Liam Lewis, both from the Department of Classics and Archaeology, University of Nottingham. The exhibition is called Bears! Nature, Culture and Beyond and gives an insight into the cultural history of bears… 

The Death of Disco: A Brief History of Nottingham Nightclubs

When it comes to nightclubs, Nottingham has more than its fair share of legendary venues from Rock City to NG One to Pryzm. There really is something for everyone. But there are many clubs that have had their last orders at the bar and closed the doors for good, leaving nothing but memories.

Some have become legends such as Isis, Bopp, Mario’s, Part Two, Media, Skyy Club, Kool Kat, The Garage and more. Hidden behind their new lives as solicitor’s offices, student accommodation or studios, here are four venues we have loved and lost.

Nadia on... Black History Month in Nottingham

In her regular column, Nottingham East MP Nadia Whittome talks about Black History Month in Notts

Celebrating Nottingham’s History of DIY Football Fanzines thanks to funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund

Two of Nottingham’s best loved football fanzines Brian and The Pie will be given a new lease of life thanks to a regeneration project by LeftLion, supported by The National Lottery Heritage Fund…

Catherine Ross: Voices from Nottingham's Windrush Generation

To celebrate Black History Month and the 75th anniversary of Windrush we have been working with the New Art Exchange and their NAE YOUnity Commission funded by Freelands Foundation. Our aim is to highlight the voices of Nottingham's Windrush generation and some of the challenges they faced...

Bettina Wallace: Voices from Nottingham's Windrush Generation

To celebrate Black History Month and the 75th anniversary of Windrush we have been working with the New Art Exchange and their NAE YOUnity Commission funded by Freelands Foundation. Our aim is to highlight the voices of Nottingham's Windrush generation and some of the challenges they faced...