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Left Brian: June 2023

After something of a hiatus, LeftLion's monthly Nottingham Forest FC column is back with reflections on staying up, new and old signings, waiting for Hendo, Lingard-ium Leviosa and ...erm Goldilocks. 

Nottingham Students Design Exclusive Collection With Sir Paul Smith

Two Nottingham powerhouses have teamed up to cement Nottingham’s place on the map for top fashion...

Nottingham Castle Set To Re-Open In June?

Nottingham City Council has set out plans which will see Nottingham Castle re-open in June, if given the go-ahead next week.

In Photos: Rob Green at Rescue Rooms

One of Nottingham's finest artists took over one of Nottingham's finest venues this week - we stopped by to check him out...

Starring in Snow White as the Dame, David Robbins Chats All Things Panto

David Robbins dons his frocks again to play the dame in this year’s Theatre Royal pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. But what’s a dame’s life like? David shares the highs and lows, alongside the secrets of his costume-making and wig-crafting skills, with us...   

Out of Time: Norman Robert Pogson and His Groundbreaking Work in the Field of Astronomy

From discovering Isis (the minor planet, that is) to having a mathematical equation named after him, Nottingham-born Norman Robert Pogson was one of the most influential astronomers of the nineteenth century - yet remained relatively unknown on British soil. We take a deep-dive into his fascinating, and unlikely, cosmic career…

6 of the Best Events in Nottingham This Week: Maximo Park, Robin Hood Beer & Cider Festival and More

Beer, bands and bold art exhibitions are the talk of the town... 

We Hear From Ella Burns Robbins about the Nottingham Poetry Festival and Their Wide Range of Wellbeing Workshops

The Nottingham Poetry Festival isn’t just a place to discover the finest wordsmiths in the city; with a range of wellbeing workshops and activities on offer, it also provides the perfect opportunity to switch off and unwind. We run through some of the highlights…

The Best of Robin Hood on Screen and in Literature

With the green hat, archer’s bow, and occasionally a goatee, Robin Hood is a true icon of Nottingham. Our home-grown legend has been featured in thousands of different stories around the globe since his conception hundreds of years ago – here are some of the most notable examples of his pop culture presence..

Nusic New Music Podcast #255 with Rob Green, Tori Sheard, Snowy and more...

This week’s New Music Podcast features new music inspired by coffee, new music inspired by fighting bears, plus the MC who has just made history.

The Podcast may contain some fruity language. Sensitive ears – you have been warned.

Review: Robin Perko at Broadway Cinema Gallery

Raised in Nottingham and trained across Europe, portrait painter Robin Perko's work is currently being exhibited at the Broadway Cinema Gallery...

Paul Smith Talks Hello, My Name is Paul Smith Exhibition at Nottingham Castle

We get a one time only look around as Sir Paul Smith makes a homecoming to Nottingham Castle to visit the Hello, My Name is Paul Smith exhibition on its last stop of a fourteen-country world tour – the Design Museum’s most successful touring exhibition in its history.

Under Cover Artist: Seth Smith

Art of Beer illustrator Seth Smith talks us through the process of designing three different covers for our August Food and Drink issue...

The Hood, The Bad and the Ugly: A Century of Robin Hood on Film

It’s been well over a century since Robin Hood first graced the silver screen. Since then, the revered revolutionary has been portrayed by Hollywood legends, Soviet stars and a cartoon fox. We take a look at the most memorable movies from the leader of the Merry Men, as well as some of his more disappointing depictions...

A Robin Hood in Notts

Donning the famous feathered hat and snug green tights of the city’s most famous legend is a unique experience. One Robin Hood discusses their time as the leader of the Merry Men…

A Brief History of Nottingham's Robin Hood Statue

Today, Saturday 24 July 2021, marks 69 years since the unveiling of the famous Robin Hood Statue outside Nottingham Castle. Bob White, the co-founder of the World Wide Robin Hood Society, explains some of the history of this iconic city landmark...

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at 30: Ilene Starger on Her Experience as Casting Director

A $50 million budget, Hollywood’s biggest star, England’s most famous legend, an Oscar nomination, a BAFTA win, a song that became one of the best-selling singles of all time, that performance from Alan Rickman and a box office take of almost $400 million. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves left a huge impact on the legacy of Nottingham’s folk hero and, to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its release, we caught up with some of the people responsible for bringing it to life, finishing with Ilene Starger...

8 Rebels From Around the World Who Channelled Their Inner Robin Hood

Whether he was a real man or not, the figure of Robin Hood inspired countless acts of rebellion against injustice all over the world. So much so, in fact, that the name Robin Hood became a moniker for those who mirrored many of the legend’s tropes: robbing from the rich to give to the poor, standing up against tyranny or being a talismanic hero in the face of adversity. While the list of latter day Hoods is endless, we’ve rounded eight of the best stories of Robin Hoods from around the world…

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at 30: Nick Brimble on an Awkward Premiere and Shooting in a Waterfall

A $50 million budget, Hollywood’s biggest star, England’s most famous legend, an Oscar nomination, a BAFTA win, a song that became one of the best-selling singles of all time, that performance from Alan Rickman and a box office take of almost $400 million. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves left a huge impact on the legacy of Nottingham’s folk hero and, to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its release, we caught up with some of the people responsible for bringing it to life, continuing with Nick Brimble...

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at 30: Editor Peter Boyle On Clashes, Costner and Walking Away from the Project

A $50 million budget, Hollywood’s biggest star, England’s most famous legend, an Oscar nomination, a BAFTA win, a song that became one of the best-selling singles of all time, that performance from Alan Rickman and a box office take of almost $400 million. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves left a huge impact on the legacy of Nottingham’s folk hero and, to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its release, we caught up with some of the people responsible for bringing it to life, including editor Peter Boyle...

Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves at 30: Mike McShane on Playing Friar Tuck

A $50 million budget, Hollywood’s biggest star, England’s most famous legend, an Oscar nomination, a BAFTA win, a song that became one of the best-selling singles of all time, that performance from Alan Rickman and a box office take of almost $400 million. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves left a huge impact on the legacy of Nottingham’s folk hero and, to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary of its release, we caught up with some of the people responsible for bringing it to life, starting with Mike McShane...

The Thompson Brothers on Nottingham Castle, Old Money and Their Favourite On-Screen Robin Hood

Nottingham's most opinionated grocers on...

Paul Smith Exhibition Set To Open Nottingham Castle

Nottingham Castle, has revealed it will be welcoming city-legend Paul Smith back to his hometown, in conjunction with the Design Museum, as its first major exhibition since its £30million redevelopment...

Robin Hood Beer And Cider Festival Set For 2021 Trent Bridge Switch

Robin Hood Beer and Cider Festival, Nottingham CAMRA’s flagship annual event, has secured a new home at Trent Bridge cricket ground.

Under Cover Artist: Rob White

Multidisciplinary artist Rob White takes us inside his sixth LeftLion cover, an ode to putting 2020 behind us for good...