Winter festival dedicated to the arts
A weekend dedicated to all things local — books, films, art and music — takes place from Friday, March 2, to Sunday, March 4. The Lowdham Festivals Winter Weekend replaces Flicks In The Sticks this year.
The organisers, Ross Bradshaw and Jane Streeter, are applying for funding to buy film equipment for Lowdham Village Hall so they can show films more regularly.
The weekend begins with a talk on local heroes by journalist Andy Smart in the Methodist Chapel tomorrow at 2pm. Their Names Will Live On features interviews with war veterans and their inspiring stories of bravery and commitment.
It continues with a quiz on food, art, books, local history and characters in The Old Ship Inn at 7.30pm. In the interval chip butties will be served.
On Saturday in the village hall at 11am, Bob Sparham, vice-president of the Nottingham Society of Artists, will talk about major figures, past and present from Nottinghamshire’s art world, including Harold and Laura Knight, John Arnesby Brown, Arthur Spooner, Edward Seago, and Evelyn Gibbs.
There is a local history walk for people wanting to learn more about Lowdham’s colourful past. Anyone interested should meet at the village hall at 1.45pm.
Writer and historian Tony Hadland will give a talk in the village hall at 3.45pm called On Your Bike — 125 Years of Raleigh Bicycles.
Those interested in film, television and screenplays can spend An Evening With Billy Ivory in the village hall at 7.30pm.
Billy, who was brought up in Southwell, once worked as a dustman. He is now known as one of Britain’s leading television and theatre writers. His work includes Journey To Knock, Common As Muck and the film, Made In Dagenham. Billy will talk about his life, his work and his local roots.
On the Sunday at 11am in the village hall, Christy Fearn marks the 200th anniversary of Lord Byron’s maiden speech in the House of Lords about the Luddites and the publication of his poem, Childe Harold’s Pilgrimage.
The event called Byron And Brunch: Lord Byron — 200 Years On will be accompanied by music, images and brunch.
Historian Chris Weir will guide the audience through the history of Victorian Nottingham in Lace, Slums And The Occasional Riot in the village hall at 2pm.
The festival will end in the village hall at 4.30pm with Tales Of Robin Hood with storyteller Amanda Smith. She will tell the tale of Robin’s bid to outwit the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham.
On Saturday and Sunday from 10.30am to 4.30pm county artists will exhibit and sell their work in the village hall.
Tickets for the shows are available from The Bookcase in Lowdham.
