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Common Ground: Alan Lodge's upcoming exhibition documents protests, parties and festivals over the last fifty years

Opening this month at Bonington Gallery is Common Grounds: Counterculture & Confrontation since 1976, a retrospective of the work of Alan ‘Tash’ Lodge. One of the UK’s most prolific photographers of alternative lifestyles, Alan’s work gives a vivid first person insight into the new age traveller movement and the 90s free-party scene, raising questions about the right to gather, policing, surveillance and community.

From the kitchen: With Massimo Bellavista, owner and head chef at Compa

For this month's instalment of From the Kitchen, we heard from Massimo Bellavista: owner of twin family-owned Sicilian restaurants Compa. 

Out of time: anti-vaxxers in Victorian Notts

When we think of the anti-vaccination movement, we tend to think of COVID and anti-lockdown protests. However, the anti-vax movement is surprisingly far older than typically expected – and one that the East Midlands played a significant part in. In the Victorian era, thousands demonstrated against the new compulsory smallpox vaccinations, leading to fines and arrests… 

How Much Does a Divorce Cost? Court Fees, Solicitors and Online Options

If you’re trying to work out how much a divorce costs, there isn’t one figure that covers everything. You’ll usually need to budget for the court fee, any solicitor’s fees and, separately, the cost of sorting out finances or arrangements for children.

Theatre Review: Grindr the Opera at the Nottingham Arts Theatre

If you’ve ever opened Grindr “just for a look” and somehow found yourself three hours later discussing your entire life with a stranger, then Grindr: The Opera might feel less like theatre and more like an intervention...

Undercover artist: Iulia Matei celebrates creative pastimes with our September 2026 cover

This month’s cover artist Iulia Matei talks comics, creativity and letting things figure themselves out.

Make your mark: ten creative opportunities coming up in Nottingham

Nowadays, it’s not always easy to be creative in the UK, especially if you don’t have the money or family connections for the strongest possible head start. Luckily, our city’s ‘do-it-yourself’ culture has given rise to various creative opportunities, competitions, training projects, and free showcases. Here’s ten of the best in Nottingham, which if you're a creative person might be just what you were looking for…

Left Brian Sept 2026 - Glasnerism

For fans of the red team it’s been quite the summer for upgrading to a new leader who seems to have genuine beliefs and a determination to implement them. For this edition of Left Brian, I’ll focus on the steady opening month for Oliver Glasner’s Nottingham Forest...

Overheard in Notts: August 2026

Karma and iPad watches feature in this month's Overheard in Notts...

From the Kitchen: With Bryan Henesey, owner at Breadmill Bakery

Bryan Henesey owns Sneinton Market Avenues' award winning Breadmill Bakery. For this month's instalment of From The Kitchen we chat to him...

Out of time: Nottingham's history of opium

Content warning, substances and the historical passing of children

Although it’s hard to believe today, in early to mid-Victorian Britain, it was possible to walk into a chemist’s and pick up a bottle of laudanum (opium) or cocaine, with or without a prescription. Even stranger than that, you might do so with the intention of giving it to your baby. You might even send your oldest child to go and pick it up for you. 

Preview: Our Story at Nottingham's Libraries.

Our Story is a creative heritage project currently touring our local libraries that celebrates the lives of the county's trans and gender diverse people. Rosalie Spring the Project Producer and Director Jo Tyabji talk Left Lion through the event...

Warp drive: visiting Warp Miniatures, Sneinton Market's own fantasy wargaming haven

Nottingham company Games Workshop and its ‘Warhammer’ brand of science fiction and fantasy miniatures have become part of our city’s cultural makeup. But just as every giant planet tends to have moons, a group of smaller stores orbit  it, comprising what’s often called the UK’s ‘Lead Belt’. Sneinton Market’s Warp Miniatures, run by Alex and Wingshan Huntley, is one such business.

The wondrous world of Ruby D’Woo: meeting Nottingham’s own burlesque and cabaret star

From workshop classes in Haus of Ruby D’Woo, to hosting top-notch live burlesque and cabaret shows across the county, Ruby D’Woo is Nottingham's award-winning burlesque and cabaret artist. Ahead of the Cosy Cabaret coming up next month, she tells us what brought her to the burlesque stage, how she crafts performances, and why burlesque has become a journey of self-expression, confidence, and empowerment for so many…

Art works: White Falcon I by Marcus Rowlands

For this month’s Art Works we heard from Marcus Rowlands, whose intricate wooden mandalas are on display at the New Art Exchange’s Open exhibition throughout this month.

Left Brian: The 2026 Season Preview

Out of Time: Noel Coward in Nottinghamshire

Noel Coward is remembered as a playwright and actor most often associated with the West End and London. Yet, his work has been performed for decades on stages across Nottingham’s leading theatres, with his film adaptations regularly screened in our historic cinemas. The Midlands also became something of a retreat for him. Here’s the role that our part of the world played in his life… 

From The Kitchen: with Kushi-ya Head Chef & Owner Simon Carlin

Simon Carlin, Head Chef & Owner at Japanese small plate restaurant Kushi-ya, talks fried mochi skewers and favourite restaurants...

Festival review: Splendour goes out in style

As the old saying goes, all good things must come to an end. For 18 years, Splendour Festival has been one of the highlights of the summer here in Nottingham, a community celebration that brings together UK music legends with some of the very best up-and-coming local bands. It began in 2008 with names including Kate Nash, The Charlatans and Ocean Colour Scene on the bill. However, with the event no longer able to viably continue, the 2026 edition marked the end of an era for our city's premier two-day festival. Determined to go out on a high, here is what took place at the last ever Splendour…

Overheard in Notts: July 2026

This month you've been talking about bacon vodka, chakras and thrash metal...

Artists, Lovers, Outsiders: the new exhibition at Nottingham Castle

The latest exhibition over at Nottingham Castle tells the story of Robert MacBryde and Robert Colquhoun, two Scottish artists, lovers, and outsiders, whose mark on mid-century Modernist art has largely been overlooked. Sophie Gargett caught up with curator and award-winning writer Damian Barr, whose fictional biographical novel The Two Roberts sheds light on a love story that was hidden for decades.

Life Behind Bars: with Craig Pennington-Hayes, Owner of The Lord Roberts

Craig Pennington-Hayes, wwner of Hockley's Lord Roberts pub, talks community spaces, famous guests and dogs called Robert.

Pride and Joy: the organisers of Nottingham Pride talk parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival

Later this month Notts Pride is set to take over the city once again, bringing a celebration of colour, unity, diversity, and acceptance. Local author Becki Jayne Crossley met Chairperson Leigh Ellis who has been organising the festival for the past ten years. They covered how parades, protest, and vital services come together at the festival…