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Here is The Nottinghamian from Thursday, November 3:
Hello,
Today's edition of the Nottinghamian brings news of Raleigh giving back to its hometown. The bike company is gearing up to open its first experience centre in the city, offering a community space and an immersive shopping experience.
We will also discuss a Nottinghamshire pub being ranked in the top four in the UK and how the city's caves are being opened up to the public in order to celebrate their history. Plus we have today's street style.
Hometown experience
Nottingham-based bicycle company Raleigh has announced plans to launch its first experience centre in the city. Raleigh says the new centre on Maid Marian Way will focus on local consumer experiences and embrace the current and future direction of the brand.
It will exhibit hero bicycles from different chapters of their history, such as the iconic Chopper, Burner and Grifter, alongside showcasing key milestones for the brand, including how Raleigh was created. The new centre will offer a social hub for like-minded people to connect, learn and gather.
The purpose is to create a community space where local schools and organisations will be invited to partake in initiatives that promote the use of safe cycling. The experience centre will also offer a fully integrated shopping experience for customers, with the option to try out a range of sizes so customers can find out what works best for them.
Raleigh hopes to open the doors to the new centre in late November. Nottingham residents will be invited to join the opening day festivities and celebrate the new experience centre. Read more here.
Fab four
The Horse & Jockey in Stapleford has been rated as one of the top four in the country in CAMRA’s Pub of the Year awards. The Campaign for Real Ale described The Horse & Jockey as a 'welcoming' free house boasting 13 real ales, including at least one dark beer and five brewed locally.
Horse & Jockey manager Paul Guilford said: “We are so pleased to have got to the last four in the country again for the CAMRA award, it's a great chance to show off our little pub. A big thank you should go out to the breweries, near and far, who supply our ales. Also, to our great customers and staff who make the pub what it is, cheers!”
Pubs in the competition are selected by CAMRA volunteers and judged on their atmosphere, decor, welcome, service, community focus and most importantly, the quality of beer. Other finalists in the competition are the Station House in Durham, the King’s Head in Norwich and the Tamworth Tap in Tamworth. The four finalists will now have the chance to win the National Pub of the Year award, which will be announced in January 2023.
Weather and trivia
Weather: After a chilly start with any early fog patches slowly clearing, Friday will be a largely dry and fine day with sunny spells. Maximum temperature 12 °C.
UV: Low
Further reading: Derelict college site set to be transformed with new homes after plans passed 'with deep regret'
Trivia question: Where does the name Beeston come from? (Clue: it has nothing to do with bees!)
The answer to today’s trivia question is at the bottom of the newsletter.
Street style
Claire Louise looked stylish as she visited Nottingham from Northern Ireland. The 47-year-old salon owner describes her style as "smart but casual". Claire gets her style inspiration from the internet and magazines. She said: "I usually go for soft colours and depending on how I have my hair is how I decide on my outfit for the day." When asked to give one piece of style advice, Claire said: "Do not dress too young, keep to your age bracket." Claire was in town shopping and added: "I love visiting my hometown of Nottingham, I love all the shops they have here."
Outfit breakdown:
- Coat - Zara
- Jumper - Primark
- Jeans - Primark
- Trainers- Adidas from Schuh
- Bag - Guess from Houston's in Northern Ireland
Celebrating our caves
Rarely seen caves underneath Nottingham are set to open to the public as part of a festival celebrating Nottingham's unique history. The Being Human Festival will run from Thursday, November 10 until Saturday, November 19 with free exhibitions, tours and talks. The event will examine the hundreds of caves that exist underneath the city including access to a rare tour of a cave system at Wollaton Hall.
Visitors will learn how the caves were created, what they have been used for throughout history and what they reveal about life in Nottingham throughout the decades. There will also be a free 'City of Caves' tour at the National Justice Museum along with interactive exhibitions at Nottingham Contemporary and family-friendly activities at the Nottingham University Museum of Archaeology.
The full programme of events is available on the Being Human website and all events are free but visitors must book tickets in advance. There are thought to be around 800 caves underneath Nottingham and have had many uses including being used as air raid shelters, wine and ale cellars and accommodation. The caves at Wollaton Hall even housed an underground plunge pool and the largest cave was discovered under the John Player tobacco factory which was thought to be able to house 8,000 people.
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, where does the name Beeston come from, is the Saxon Beos-tun which means bent grass, reeds or rushes.
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