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Here is today's edition of The Nottinghamian:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian focuses on pop group Steps' visit to Nottingham earlier today. Noughties music fans were full of excitement as they met the band and even joined in a rendition of Tragedy (dance moves included).
We also take a look at how a Nottinghamshire rabbit farm was forced into closure following intense scrutiny from animal rights groups as well as the closure of a vegan café being brought forward. I have also taken a look into Nottingham's past and discuss possibly the most missed building in the city.
Steps
The noughties is officially back in town after Steps greeted fans in Victoria Centre earlier today. Music fans queued up in excitement to meet the group known for their hits One For Sorrow and Heartbeat/Tragedy.
Steps are celebrating the launch of The Platinum Collection, which marks 25 years since the band started making music together, with in store meet and greets. HMV Nottingham shared the news that Lee Latchford-Evans, Claire Richards, Lisa Scott-Lee, Faye Tozer and Ian "H" Watkins would be appearing at the store to sign copies of the new record.
Tom Baker and his daughter Amelia travelled in from Long Eaton to be the first in the queue. He said: "I got into the band late as my wife introduced me to them but I'm here with my little one today. This is primarily who we are here for as she is the next generation of fan. We got here at 10am as she's a big fan." Amelia, who was one of the youngest fans in the queue at nine years old, added: "My favourite song is 5,6,7,8."
Intense scrutiny
The owner and manager of a rabbit farm in Nottinghamshire say they have been forced to close their business after animal rights activists persisted in storming the premises. It has meant more than 200 rabbits have been handed over to a campaign group.
T&S Rabbits in East Bridgford, which belonged to Phil Kerry, bred the rabbits for meat. It came under intense scrutiny from campaign groups and even comedian Ricky Gervais, who is a prominent celebrity animal rights campaigner. On Saturday, Mr Kerry and manager Anne Wright handed over the remaining rabbits to the 'Shut Down T&S Rabbits' group, having bowed to increased pressure.
The pair described the last year as "traumatic", with a number of night raids by animal rights groups operating under different names. Rabbit meat farms are legal in the UK, and the fur which results from the processing of the meat can also be sold on. Farms cannot simply sell fur, however, as per the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act 2000. Read more here.
Weather and trivia
Weather: Cloudy with periods of rain, heavy at times, but drier with brighter spells tomorrow During the afternoon scattered showers may develop. Maximum temperature 28 °C.
Pollen: High
Further reading: NUH update as communications boss suspended after blocking families on Twitter
Trivia question: Nadia Whittome became the youngest MP elected during the last general election when she won the seat for Nottingham East. In what year was she born?
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Notts Nostalgia
Possibly one of the most heart-breaking demolitions Nottingham has seen, the Black Boy Hotel was knocked down to make way for the 70s building which is home to Primark today. The former coaching inn dated back to the 17th century and was rebuilt in 1886 by renowned architect Watson Fothergill.
He designed over 100 unique buildings in the city and took influences from Gothic Revival and Old English vernacular styles. The 90 bed hotel was considered the most up to date across the whole of the Midlands and had an unrivalled reputation for banqueting. During the golden years of the 1950s it welcomed celebrities including Gracie Fields, George Formby, Gregory Peck, Laurence Olivier and sports stars.
In one of the biggest planning rows of the era the building was demolished, making way for the nondescript 1970s block which housed Littlewoods. Such was the affection for the building that people openly wept in Long Row when the wrecking ball smashed away into the walls in 1969. It still stings in the memories of some today and one can only wonder what the centre of Nottingham would be like if it still remained to this day.
Early closure
A vegan cafe in Beeston has brought forward its closing date after sharing a plea on social media for someone to take over the building. Feed Me Fully Loaded is popular among the city's vegan community and is located in the Rylands on Lilac Crescent.
It offers a wide variety of vegan and vegetarian options including loaded fries which are topped with ingredients such as jackfruit chilli, jerk black beans and fried tofu. The cafe began as a pop-up in Sneinton Market in 2018 before the owners decided to look into premises of their own.
They opened their doors in February 2020 just before the Covid lockdowns. The cafe continued trading but now, the last day will be September 11. The team announced on Facebook that they were sad to be bringing the date forward but will be hosting one last event, a Halloween-inspired Little Shop of Horrors themed brunch.
That’s all for now
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, Nadia Whittome became the youngest MP elected during the last general election when she won the seat for Nottingham East. In what year was she born, is 1996.
