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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...

Out of Time: Nottingham's John Shaw and the Battle of Waterloo

It was the most famous battle in human history, helping to shape Europe as we know it today and finally ending Napoleon’s dreams of a French Empire. While the Battle of Waterloo ensured that names like Bonaparte and Wellington would be forever etched into history, it was the exploits of one man from Nottingham that caught the public’s attention more than any other on that day in 1815. With 18 June marking the battle’s 206th anniversary, we take a look at the extraordinary life and death of Cossall-born John Shaw…

At The Wheel: Raleigh's New Managing Director Lee Kidger on The Company's Local History

Originally founded in Nottingham in 1885, The Raleigh Bicycle Company went on to become one of the oldest and most well-loved bicycle companies in the world. From transforming Notts into the world-leader for bicycle manufacturing and creating countless jobs in the city to being the workplace of Alan Sillitoe’s Arthur Seaton in Saturday Night and Sunday Morning and crafting the iconic bikes that would help shape a generation of cyclists, the name Raleigh is as tightly woven into Nottingham’s DNA as any other. A lot has changed for the company over the years, but it’s still firmly based in Notts (in Eastwood these days). We spoke to their Managing Director Lee Kidger…

Out of Time: The Pierrepoint Hangmen Dynasty

From rather innocuous beginnings in Sutton Bonington, Nottinghamshire, Henry Albert Pierrepoint – who simply went by Harry – would go on to create a rather unique, gruesome family dynasty. For at various times during the first half of the twentieth century, Harry, his son, Albert and brother, Thomas, all held the position of Hangman of England, executing 849 men and women between them…

Nadia on... Hate Crime

In her monthly LeftLion column, Nadia Whittome, MP for Nottingham East, discusses issues affecting both Nottingham and Westminster. This month, she talks about incidents of hate crime...

These Pictures of St Ann’s Taken Before Its Demolition Show the End of an Era

These pictures really do paint a thousand words...

Deep Fakes From Nottingham History

Ever wondered what it would be like to see video of historical figures who existed before video cameras? We've deep faked some figures from Nottingham history so you need wonder no more...

How Cricket Fans in Nottinghamshire are Making History and Coping with COVID

John Hess of the Trent Bridge Heritage Team provides an update on how the Notts cricket community has been coping with life during COVID...

We're All Black Down Here is Set to Explore the History of an African-Caribbean Miner in the East Midlands

George White talks to writer Milly James and producer Sophia Ramcharan about We’re All Black Down Here, a short film exploring the story of an African-Caribbean miner in the East Midlands...

Framework Housing Association Celebrate Helping Nottingham's Homeless Community for 20 Years

For twenty years, Framework Housing Association has helped tens of thousands of vulnerable people in Nottingham overcome issues of homelessness, addiction and mental ill-health to once again achieve social inclusion, financial stability and independence – changing the direction of their lives for the better. We look back on the history of the organisation, and learn the value they bring to our city, and the lives of the people who need them most… 

The History of Sir Frank Bowden and the Raleigh Cycle Company

We take a look at the life of Sir Frank Bowden, the man responsible for creating The Raleigh Cycle Company and making Nottingham the largest producer of bicycles in the world...

Out of Time: A History of Witchcraft in Nottingham

While many of the best-known events of England’s 17th century witch-hunt came with ‘Witchfinder General’ Matthew Hopkins in East Anglia, Notts was home to several high profile incidents of witchcraft, possession and exorcisms of its own. From exposing fraudulent exorcists to framing innocent women of murder, we take a look back at the history of witchcraft in Nottingham…

The History of Nottingham's Goose Fair

If 2020 hadn’t been enough of a stinker, this year’s Goose Fair has officially been cancelled for only the third time in its long history. In recent years, nearly half a million of us have flocked down to Forest Rec for both peas and prizes, and while both a reduced capacity or a longer ten-day run were considered, it was not meant to be. While we mourn the fate of all the pennies we could have wasted on the Waltzers, we did some investigating into the fair’s colourful history, and discovered twelve things you didn’t know about Goose Fair… 

Pete 'Woosh' Birch on the History of DiY Soundsystem

The DiY Soundsystem were one of the biggest raving crews of the nineties. Their ethos was all about rejecting profits and putting on damn good parties. Founding member Pete Woosh talks us through some of the highs and lows of being in the gang during the nineties...

Queer Today, Gone Tomorrow: The LGBTQ+ Spaces Nottingham Has Lost

As Nottingham gets set to celebrate Pride 2020 in a very different, online-only way, it’s probably time to remember that the city hasn’t always had such an open gay scene. With a long history of secret bars, hidden backrooms and, erm, gay flats, it’s important to remember just how far Notts has progressed. We asked Chair of Nottingham Pride, Leigh Ellis, and David Edgley of Nottingham Rainbow Heritage to share their memories of some of the LGBTQ+ spaces we’ve lost...

Nottinghamshire's Rainbow Heritage's David Edgley on Our City's LGBTQ+ History

Established in 2008, Nottinghamshire’s Rainbow Heritage aims to preserve the area’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history. With many of the city’s venues under threat of closure due to COVID-19, Caroline Barry talks to the project’s David Edgley about Nottingham’s LGBTQ+ history, the dangers of complacent activism and what can be done to preserve the city’s safe spaces.

For King, Not Country: Why We Need a More Inclusive War Narrative in the UK

As the world gets ready to remember the 75th anniversary of VJ Day, photographer Jagdish Patel explores the role of Commonwealth soldiers – many of whom were conscripted under the threat of violence – in Britain’s victory.

Stop Wars to Stop Racism: The History Behind Belward Street's Iconic Street Art

For years, Richie 'Pops' Baker's 'Stop Wars' design stood as one of Nottingham's most recognisable and iconic street art pieces. Having recently been reimagined as the new 'Stop Racism' piece, the artist, who now calls New Zealand home, explains the history behind his design...

Out of Time: Tim Birkin and the Bentley Boys

Refusing to follow his father into Nottingham’s lace industry, Sir Tim Birkin’s eclectic life was full of exhilaration and tragedy, from flying planes in World War One to becoming one of the most famous names of the Vintage Racing era...

From Slums to Skate Parks to Shopping: The History of the Broadmarsh

From slums and skate parks, to shopping centres and abandoned residential plans, the intu Broadmarsh Centre has long proved to be a problematic piece of architecture in Nottingham’s cityscape. Plans have come and gone, ownership has changed hands, and promises have been made. As work on the latest development plans by current owners intu grind to a halt, Dan O’Neill explores the turbulent history of the Lister Gate location...

Norse Nottingham: How the Vikings Impacted Our City

Film Review: The Last Days of American Crime

Netflix’s new dystopian caper is another flop amidst a slew of hit-or-miss original films...

Letters of Constraint: How the National Justice Museum are Documenting Life in the Coronavirus Era

With the aim of encouraging people to reflect on their lockdown experiences to create a written legacy of the COVID crisis, the National Justice Museum’s new Letters of Constraint virtual exhibition is looking for your participation. We talked to Dr Martin Glynn, the museum’s writer in residence, about how you can put pen to paper and be part of Nottingham’s lockdown story... 

Notts Rebels: 1831 Reform Bill Riots

In celebration of the Nottingham Castle Trust’s #VoicesofToday campaign, our Notts Rebels series continues with a look at the 1831 Reform Bill Riots, which shook Nottingham 189 years ago...

The Battle of Stoke Field: The Story Behind Nottinghamshire's Only Registered Battlefield

It was the battle that finally ended the War of the Roses, the bloody civil struggle for control of the throne that plagued England for decades, and has been described as one of the defining moments in the country’s history. With this month marking the 533rd anniversary of the events that took place on Nottinghamshire’s only registered battlefield, we take a look at the story behind The Battle of Stoke Field…