Stay up to date with all the latest stories across Nottinghamshire in the daily Nottinghamian newsletter. You can receive the newsletter straight to your inbox every weekday by signing up right here.
Here is The Nottinghamian from Monday 21 November:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings news of Nottingham Castle's closure as the site is preparing to enter liquidation. Having been open for just over a year-and-a-half following a £33million renovation, it is a sad day for the city. We try to understand what will happen next and what the closure means for Nottingham.
On a lighter note, we also have the top ten things to do this week across the city and county as well as all the insider secrets from a Nottinghamshire santa.
'Heartbreaking day'
Nottingham Castle has closed to visitors as the trust responsible for the site has announced it is preparing to enter liquidation. Officials from the Nottingham Castle Trust confirmed it had now started the process of appointing liquidators, describing it as a "heartbreaking day".
Nottingham Castle reopened in June last year after a three-year £33million renovation. However, despite the trust's goal for it to open as a "world-class" heritage site, the last 18 months have been marred by a number of high-profile incidents.
Former chief executive Sara Blair-Manning left in August 2021, with Ms Blair-Manning taking the trust to an employment tribunal, claiming she was unfairly dismissed. A letter of no confidence was also sent to the trust board and there were allegations of hate incidents within the castle grounds.
A statement published by the board today said: "We are saddened and hugely disappointed to announce that today, Nottingham Castle Trust has begun the process of appointing liquidators. This is a heartbreaking day for trustees, our staff, visitors, and the city. Despite the immense dedication of staff and volunteers, the castle is now closed to visitors."
What now?
The castle site is now being handed back to Nottingham City Council ahead of Nottingham Castle Trust beginning the process of appointing liquidators. The council said it is "clearly a significant blow for the city."
Nottingham City Council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, said: "The council's immediate priority is to work with the appointed liquidators to support those staff at the castle who have been affected by this sad news, and to safeguard the site and its collections while it is not operational. We appreciate the significant efforts that the employees of the trust have put into the site and understand how devastated they must be by this news."
He added: "We will reopen the castle as soon as possible." Tourists have still been turning up to the castle, having not heard the news. Wathsala Wijesingne, 51, of London, said: “It’s really disappointing. Before I came here to visit I told them I need to see this place so they booked tickets online. We came here and were not informed.” Roxanne Weir, 56, added: “We were going to visit it for the last day of our trip, we’re from America.”
Weather and trivia
Weather: A chilly start on Tuesday, with areas of fog and low cloud perhaps giving the odd spot of rain at times. Some limited brighter intervals possible later. Light winds expected throughout. Maximum temperature 8°C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Floral tributes left outside scene of fatal house fire
Trivia question: During the 60s, S. Thomas and Co. of Bulwell were the world’s largest manufacturer of what?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
What's on
Christmas at Newstead, Newstead Abbey - Weekends from Saturday 26
Head to Lord Byron's ancestral home this festive season to experience a magical storybook Christmas. This year the theme is Alice in Wonderland, where festive storybook scenes with Alice, the White Rabbit and many more well-loved characters unfold as you embark on a self-led walk through the house. Each weekend in December, there will be a craft market in the cloisters with a range of local handmade goods. Book here.
Christmas at Woodthorpe, Woodthorpe Park - Weekends until December 18
Woody the giant reindeer is lighting the way to the annual Plant Shop Christmas Market. Pick up your tree or find a gift for friends and family from over 30 artisan craft stalls. The shop and stalls are open every weekend from 10am until 4pm Saturday and Sunday. You can also book a magical Santa Claus Experience or make your own wreath at one of the wreath making workshops.
White Christmas, Theatre Royal - Tuesday 22 to Saturday 26
Start your festive season off with a charming live musical, made famous by the 1950's film starring Bing Crosby. Join veterans Bob Wallace and Phil Davis as the all-singing, all-dancing duo follow the Haynes Sisters, Betty and Judy, to a Vermont lodge for a special Christmas show. Their journey takes a misstep, and their rhythm is thrown off when they discover an old friend in desperate need of help. Tickets here.
Festive Cocktail Fizzics Workshop, The Alchemist - Wednesday 23
With a splash of magic, get 'fizzical' at this bath bomb making workshop in collaboration with LUSH cosmetics. Enjoy a festive cocktail while conjuring yourself a festive fizz-tastic bath bomb to take away. You'll learn how to conjure the 'Snow Dragon' bath bomb - this Christmas creature will glide around the bath, leaving streaks of blue, white and silver glitter, crackling away with popping candy. Creative cocktail included and non alcoholic options available. Book here.
BBC Introducing in the East Midlands, Metronome - Thursday 24
BBC Introducing in the East Midlands returns, giving you access to the best live and local music, for free. The show will be filmed and recorded for radio broadcast, hosted and curated by the legendary Dean Jackson. The line up includes Girlband, Cam Mannix, Stan Buckroyd and Gemma Danielle. Pre book your free ticket here.
Christmas in the Courtyard, Rufford Abbey Country Park - Weekends from November 26 until December 18
Running every weekend throughout the holiday season there will be a number of craft and gift stalls located in the twinkle lit courtyard. Soak up the Christmas spirit with the sounds and smells of winter with carols, mulled wine and mince pies to enjoy. New for 2022, is Santa's Grotto where you can meet the elves, snow fairy, and the big man himself. Santa will be visiting the grotto from 11am to 4pm every weekend.
Dick Whittington, Nottingham Playhouse - Friday 25 till January 14
Pack up your hanky and join plucky Dick Whittington and his trusty cat on their quest for fame and fortune. Their magical rags to riches tale takes us to London where the streets are paved with gold. Packed with dazzling dance, a brilliant live band and swash buckling adventure, the show reunites us with Nottingham’s favourite panto dame John Elkington, who’ll be serving up some comedy chaos as Sarah the Cook. Tickets here.
We Wish You a Merry Murder, National Justice Museum - Various dates
It's 1927 and the roaring twenties show no sign of slowing down. A dazzling Christmas party is taking place in Nottingham's Shire Hall, hosted by movie star, Frankie Faulkner. Guests include a renowned psychic medium, a retired colonel, and the best private investigator in the world. Personalities will clash. There's bound to be trouble… even murder! Join this evening of intrigue, accusations and suspicion – complete with cocktails, a three course dinner and laughter. Tickets £47.99 per person for over 18s only.
Ezekial Bone's Limelight Backstage Tour, Nottingham Royal Concert Hall - Various dates
Discover the world behind the curtain and learn about the amazing story of the Theatre Royal & Royal Concert Hall with their Limelight Backstage Tour. Glimpse at areas usually hidden to the public, explore behind the scenes, learn how the theatre works and find out all about the venue’s fascinating heritage. Lead by the knowledgeable & great storyteller Ezekial Bone, the tour costs £10 to £12. More information here.
Jake Bugg, Motorpoint Arena - Saturday 26
It’s hard to believe that it’s been ten years since Jake Bugg released his extraordinary self- titled debut album. Since then he’s become one of the UK’s most prolific and established songwriters. To celebrate, he’s playing a special hometown show at the Motorpoint Arena on Saturday. There's still some tickets left.
Santa's secrets
A professional Santa has shared the truth behind "one of the best jobs ever". Jack Griffin, 26, from Gotham, previously worked in holiday parks before making his passion for the festive season his job. He said: "It's one of the best jobs ever, I have been doing it for six years now and every year it gets bigger, better, and busier. I started when I was 20, so I was an extremely young Santa."
He added: "Christmas has always been a really big thing in my family so it just started off one year with a cheap suit and doing it with family and friends and I just caught the bug for it. Over the last six years I have invested a ridiculous amount of money really into suits, wigs, beards and moustaches and I work closely with some really good Santas across the UK - it's just so fun it's something for the family and the kids absolutely love it."
Jack is getting increasingly exciting opportunities as a performer and is looking to carry on until he resembles the big man himself. He said: "I'm planning to do this for many years to the point where I might not have to put a beard and moustache on. There's a big group of professional Santas and we all share tips and advice on Facebook and help out Santas that are starting out, selling old beards and suits. Everybody is trying to help each other become the best Santa they can be."
That’s all for today
Thank you for joining me for today's edition of The Nottinghamian. I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did why not sign up to receive it directly in your inbox every weekday by clicking here.
The answer to today’s trivia question, during the sixties, S. Thomas and Co. of Bulwell were the world’s largest manufacturer of what, is drinking straws.
READ NEXT:
Firefighters release images of wreckage after crash on major road
Neighbours say ever-growing city suburb could 'become like West Bridgford'
110 new ambulances and more 999 call handlers as EMAS prepares for winter
Predictive map of Britain shows large part of Midlands vanishing into sea in 80 years
