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Out of Time: how truth serum solved a theft case in Notts

When it comes to court cases, there have been few in Nottingham that have ended up in the history books for their sheer oddness, but for this month’s Out of Time we recount a bizarre whodunnit that happened on Ilkeston Road and claims to be the first time in Britain that a truth drug was admitted into evidence… 

Pick six: Veronica Pickering, Nottinghamshire's Lord-Lieutenant

To celebrate International Women’s Day we put some questions to Veronica Pickering, the first woman to be appointed as Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, a former High Sheriff, and a champion of our local communities.

Out of hibernation: You Want Fox is Back!

Nottingham’s own female-based grunge rock duo, You Want Fox, have returned from their much-awaited hiatus, after almost two and a half years away from our stages. Channelling sounds from the likes of Royal Blood, and Deftones, to the nineties Riot Grrl movement - it’s clear duo Colette Elton and Natalie Caulton are a formidable act, once again ready to get Notts’ crowds moshing to their ethereal voices and heavy-hitting riffs. LeftLion caught up with the pair ahead of their comeback performance later this month…

Pick six: Hana Glover, owner of The Bead Shop Nottingham

For this month’s Pick Six we turn to Hana Glover, who has been running Nottingham’s crafty paradise The Bead Shop on Market Street since 2000.

Class of 2026: six local music acts set to take Notts by storm in 2026

2025 in Notts music was mostly defined by awards. Rave-metal sister duo ALT BLK ERA won a MOBO award, rapper Jayahadadream won two Youth Music Awards including the Rising Star prize – and beloved venue The Bodega was crowned Grassroots Champion at the LIVE Awards.

Locally, we also saw the return of Splendour Festival with the Future Sound of Nottingham winners Saffron Gray and Archie & The Astronauts opening the festival main stage. This got us thinking – who are the next breakout stars from Nottingham and who can we expect to shine in the year ahead? After much deliberation, here’s six artists we expect to have a big 2026…

Pick Six: Adrian Bhagat of Sherwood's vegan emporium The V Spot

To celebrate Veganuary, for this month’s Pick Six we reached out to Adrian Bhagat who looks after Sherwood vegan emporium The V Spot, and runs the successful Sherwood Vegan Market.

Any way you slice it: we check out new pizza joint The Slice

We check out The Slice: a new artisan bakery and Roman pizza spot on Middle Pavement...

Out of Time: The Lonely Hearts Magazine of Nottingham

When it comes to dating, we often think of Tinder, Grindr, Hinge… the list goes on. But how did people meet each other before we could swipe right? Surprisingly, the history of the personal advert is thought to go back to the 1700s, but one of the earliest examples from Nottingham was a monthly magazine called The Link. CJ De Barra delves into its history and the repercussions of its ‘improper’ use…

Out of Time: The bank robbers who escaped history

Back in 1970, two daring heists in the Nottingham area lasted minutes, left clues behind, but never led to arrests – could the two be connected? 

Boutique chic: a look inside Flying Horse Walk's high fashion outlet Gigi Bottega

Nestled in the heart of the city centre at Flying Horse Walk, Gigi Bottega has quietly clothed a range of stars and fashion-savvy style lovers for ten years. As thousands of shoppers gear up to hit the city and get their hands on Christmas treasures, we talk to owners Gabriella Trivigno and her mum Debra Trivigno about how this hidden boutique is flying the flag for independent luxury fashion in Notts.

Pick Six: Craig Revel Horwood from BBC's Strictly Come Dancing

For this month’s Pick Six, we heard from Craig Revel Horwood who stars as the Wicked Stepmother in this year’s Christmas panto at the Theatre Royal – Cinderella – and is also best known as a fixture on legendary TV show Strictly Come Dancing. 

Night Creatures Podcast #3: Killer Jim from Out To Lunch on 25 years of Northern soul, jazz funk and jazz dance events in Nottingham

Night Creatures is a new LeftLion podcast, shining a light on the promoters of Nottingham. Your host and interviewer is Beane, co-founder of Nottingham’s beloved Soul Buggin’ night and he brings with him over twenty years of experience of putting on great parties in the city.

Out of time: the curious case of the body in Room 24

It's not every day that police officers turn to psychics to help with their more mysterious cases, but one such case at the County Hotel left them with no choice. CJ De Barra investigates…

Pick Six: Craig Proud of Nottingham print studio Dizzy Ink

For this month’s Pick Six we turn to Craig Proud of print studio Dizzy Ink, who hosts Notts Zine Fest on Saturday 8 November at the Central Library.

Pick Six: Steven Sheil at the Mayhem Horror Film Festival

For this month’s Pick Six we turn to Steven Sheil, Co-Director at the Mayhem Horror Film Festival which takes place at Broadway Cinema between Thursday 16 - Sunday 19 October.

We catch up with local punk outfit Sunk ahead of their gig at The Chapel

Punk is a rather strange genre: it leaks out of the idea of being a music style and instead lives its own existence as a lifestyle, a spirit, one that always exists in every social system in the world, in one form or another. Punk is also deeply intertwined into the music scene of Nottingham. One up-and-coming band, who boast loud, chaotic but intricate and charged live shows, is Sunk. We caught up with them at The Angel on a wet Saturday night, an hour before they took to the stage of The Chapel...

Waste Nott want not: the Sherwood zero-waste outlet flying the flag for sustainable shopping

We may be used to the blaring brands and excess packaging of supermarkets, but in many neighbourhoods in Nottingham a more sustainable option exists for buying groceries in independent zero waste shops. We spoke to  Liz Thomas, a director and volunteer at Sherwood’s Waste Nott, to learn how the small not-for-profit is making an impact by cutting down unnecessary packaging and waste.

Pick Six: Nathan Bainbridge AKA Kid30

For this month’s Pick Six we turned to renowned Nottingham street artist Nathan Bainbridge, AKA Kid30.

How Hockley venue Movers is redefining nights out

Bringing chilled afternoons of coffee and music that blend into evenings of DJ sets and dancing, Movers is the latest edition to Hockley’s hive of cultural activity. Since opening at the start of July, the multi-use venue has been making waves in the area as the hottest new bar in town. We spoke to director and founder Felix Coulton, also one of the minds behind Notts’ own Swing Dash Radio, to see how it's going so far and what they have coming up...

Out of time: a idiosyncratic history of adult cinemas and shops in Notts

Sex sells….or so we’ve heard. We take a look back at Nottingham’s history of ‘adult’ entertainment cinemas and shops.

Gig review: Black Honey at Rescue Rooms (Rough Trade outstore)

Brighton indie-rockers Black Honey have been described as masters of escapism, but on the stage at Rescue Rooms they welcome all-comers into a cinematic world. As lead singer Izzy Phillips morphs from persona to persona, the evening becomes a rapturous, inclusive celebration...

Musicals, outdoor cinema and music gigs: Here's what's on in Notts this week, 18 - 25 August

While it's nearing the end of a summer of fun, Notts will never run of fun things to do. Here's our pick of the week...

Pick Six: Heidi Hargreaves

For this month’s Pick Six we turned to Heidi Hargreaves: co-founder and creative director at Dukki Gifts. 

Film Review: Jurassic World Rebirth

“It’s a bird, it’s a plane…no, it’s another Jurassic World movie.” Join us as we review Jurassic World: Rebirth to see if it was worth making… 

How the Queer Adventure Collective are connecting the LGBTQ+ community in the great outdoors

As much as we don’t endorse stereotypes at LeftLion, there is something to be said about the correlation between a large proportion of the Queer community, and the outdoors – we bloody love a hike! Queer Adventure Collective (QAC) began in March and is the Midlands’ new (and rapidly growing) LGBTQIA+ group. LeftLion caught up with founder Meg Atkinson, to talk about everything adventure.