LeftLion Magazine - April 2020 - Issue 124

#124 April 2020

Credits

Contents

Self Alsolation Alan Gilby (alan.gilby@leftlion.co.uk) Editor-in-Chief Jared Wilson (jared.wilson@leftlion.co.uk) Editor Ashley Carter (ashley.carter@leftlion.co.uk) Assistant Editor Emily Thursfield (emily.thursfield@leftlion.co.uk) Editor-at-Large Bridie Squires (bridie.squires@leftlion.co.uk) Events and Food Editor Eve Smallman (eve.smallman@leftlion.co.uk)

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Sub-Editor Lauren Carter-Cooke

Get Busy

From spring cleaning and exercise, to catching up on your reading and learning a new language. This is your comprehensive guide to keeping busy at home

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Love Your Locals

This is a miserable time for many, but the city’s hard-working independent scene is among the hardest hit. Here’s how you can help support them

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Screen Time

Some of Nottingham’s biggest and best cultural institutions have gone digital to fill all of your cultural needs during lockdown

Designer Natalie Owen (natalie.owen@leftlion.co.uk) Sales and Marketing Manager Adam Pickering (adam.pickering@leftlion.co.uk) Creative Digital Assistant Curtis Powell (curtis.powell@leftlion.co.uk) Videographer Georgianna Scurfield (georgi.scurfield@leftlion.co.uk) Web Developers Tom Errington (tom.errington@leftlion.co.uk) Hamza Hussain (hamza.hussain@leftlion.co.uk) Art Editors Laura-Jade Vaughan (laura-jade.vaughan@leftlion.co.uk) Rachel Willcocks (rachel.willcocks@leftlion.co.uk)

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Ghost Town

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Create Your Own LeftLion Cover

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The Big Notts Quiz

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Mental Health Page

In Lighter News...

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Thirst Aid

New School

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Let Byrons be Byrons

Namaste At Home

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Out of Time

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Community Editor Caroline Barry (caroline.barry@leftlion.co.uk) Fashion Editor Anna Murphy (anna.murphy@leftlion.co.uk) Literature Editor Kate Hewett (kate.hewett@leftlion.co.uk) Music Editors Eileen Pegg (eileen.pegg@leftlion.co.uk) Becky Timmins (becky.timmins@leftlion.co.uk) Screen Editors Jamie Morris (jamie.morris@leftlion.co.uk) George White (george.white@leftlion.co.uk Stage Editors Rebecca Buck (rebecca.buck@leftlion.co.uk) Dom Henry (dom.henry@leftlion.co.uk)

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Photographer and writer Lamar Francois took to the city streets to grab some snaps of an emptylooking Nottingham

Fancy flexing your creative muscles? Whether you’re a seasoned design veteran or a complete novice, have a crack at designing our May cover

You might be Nottingham born and bred, but it means nowt unless you ace our Big Notts Quiz. Give it a go and find out how NG you truly are...

2020 has pretty much felt like being fired out of a cannon directly into a skip. Why not focus on some of the year’s happier stories…

Looking after kids can be hard at the best of times, so we’ve put together a list of fun activities to help keep the little ones entertained

Yoga instructor Victoria Louise offers a few yoga moves you can try out at home to make sure you’re keeping physically active during self-isolation

/leftlion

Featured Contributor

Sports Editor Gemma Fenyn (gemma.fenyn@leftlion.co.uk)

Cover Natalie Owen

Photographers Sandra Bartley Stuart Bramford Daniel Candé Martyn Cooling Richard Davies

Missing your pamper sessions? Fear not, as Hannah Cooke tells you how to have a much-needed stay-athome spa treat

Helping Hands

We profile some of the charities working flat out to provide food, shelter, advice and much-needed help to those most affected by the health crisis

LeftLion legend Leosaysays takes over the mental health page with a full-page comic offering advice on how to deal with being self-isolated Having written for Sight & Sound, The Guardian and Little White Lies, film writer Christina Newland talks about her new book, She Found it at the Movies

If you enjoyed reading about Byron’s family tree in our last issue, you’re going to love hearing all about Emily Brand’s new book...

While the Black Death was tearing through 14th century England, one Nottingham doctor became a medical pioneer

@leftlionmagazine

Thanks to All Our Supporters Julian Bower, Frances & Garry Bryan, Nigel Cooke, Caroline Gilby, Rachel Hancorn, Rhys Hawkins, Friday Club Presents, David Knight, D Lawson, Ben Lester, Barbara Morgan, Ron Mure, Reg & Lynette, Livi & Jacob Nieri, Dr Lesley Prince, In memory of Jenny Smith, Jed Southgate, Spicer, Steve Stickley Storyteller, Ivy House Environmental, Nigel Tamplin, Helena Tyce, James Wright

Photography Editors Fabrice Gagos (fabrice.gagos@leftlion.co.uk) Tom Quigley (tom.quigley@leftlion.co.uk)

Writers Hannah Cooke Molly Dodge-Taylor Rory Evans Lamar Francois Esther Kearney Victoria Louise Sam Nahirny Lucy Parker Adrian Reynolds

@leftlion

Spa Day and Chill

Lamar Francois James Girling Mann Hans Illustrators Raphael Achache Emily Catherine Anna Keomegi Leosaysays Jenny Mure Corrina Rothwell Kate Sharp Emmy Smith Ali Taylor-Perry Carmel Ward

If you’d like to advertise, contact Adam on 0115 9240476, email adam.pickering@ leftlion.co.uk or visit leftlion.co.uk/rates

Carmel Ward Carmel has always enjoyed drawing. She has been a contributor to Leftlion for almost a year and has always enjoyed the variety of the assignments that come through. When she's not drawing things for LeftLion, she's usually drawing martial arts-related drawings or portraits (when she's not at the day job or walking the dog, that is).

Sometimes she goes to the town square in Nottingham to draw too. Maybe she'll see you there...

Love reading a free, independent magazine every month?

Become a LeftLion Supporter.

We’ll post you every print issue, plus treats. leftlion.co.uk/supporters

You can see Carmel’s illustration on page 30 leftlion.co.uk/issue124 3

THINGS ARE WEIRD. WE MISS YOU ALREADY. RUNNING PUBS AND BREWING BEER IS WHO WE ARE. FOR MANY OF US, IT’S ALL WE’VE EVER KNOWN. WE’LL BE BACK AS SOON AS WE CAN BE. IN THE MEAN TIME, LET’S KEEP IN TOUCH. LOVE ALWAYS, TEAM CRB x

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BLOG SERIES FOLLOW OUR BLOG TO SEE WHAT THE DEVIL WE’RE UP TO A SERIES OF THOUGHTS AND MUSINGS PENNED DURING THE COVID-19 CRISIS WWW.CASTLEROCKBREWERY.CO.UK/BLOG-CV

FOLLOW US FOLLOW, SUPPORT AND ENJOY YOUR CASTLE ROCK LOCAL VIRTUALLY LET’S CHAT. IF YOU’RE VULNERABLE, ANXIOUS OR JUST BORED, GIVE YOUR LOCAL A MESSAGE. JOIN IN WITH LIVE PUB QUIZZES, TASTING SESSIONS AND MORE . @CRBREWERY // CASTLE ROCK BREWERY // WWW.CASTLEROCKBREWERY.CO.UK

THE HARDSHIP FUND THE HOSPITALIT Y INDUSTRY HAS BEEN HIT HARD BY CV-19. WE’RE DOING EVERY THING WE CAN TO PROTECT OUR EMPLOYEES WITH A HARDSHIP FUND FOR THE MOST VULNERABLE. GOFUNDME.COM/F/CASTLE-ROCK-HARDSHIP-FUND

W W W. C A S T L E R O C K B R E W E R Y. C O . U K

Editorial

As the surreal events of the last few weeks unfolded, I kept finding myself thinking about something I read a couple of years ago. In the opening to his superb book Tribe, Sebastian Junger describes a historical anomaly which occurred when white settlers arrived in America and began to interact with the Native population. The clashing of the two cultures one apparently ‘civilised’ and, as history tells us at least, one not – led to waves of one culture leaving their society to live with the other. As I did, you may have expected the Native Americans, enticed by the supposed superiority of Western life, to live like the Europeans.

The opposite was true. There are thousands of examples of white Europeans leaving their ‘civilised’ societies to live among the Natives. They adopted their names, married their women, ate their food and prayed to their gods, much to the bemusement of all who recorded the phenomenon at the time.

There are even examples of white settlers who, having been taken captive by the Native Americans and returned to their own societies during prisoner swaps, escaped to rejoin them at the first opportunity that presented itself. More interesting still, there isn’t a single example of a Native American man, woman or child choosing to do the opposite.

There was a sense of community that existed in Native American society that simply didn’t appear anywhere else in Europe at the time. They lived in much smaller groups, and every member of the tribe had an important, definitive purpose. Their communal strength provided something that the materialistic, capitalist Western society did not, as French émigré Hector de Crevecoeur wrote at the time, “There must be in their social bond something singularly captivating and far superior to anything to be boasted of among us.” Each member of a given tribe knew the intimate details of every other member, and the ties that bound them together were closer than family.

At the time, I compared this to an average Saturday afternoon walking around Nottingham city centre where I might see two thousand people, recognising maybe one or two. I wondered how strong our communal bonds were. But in the space of a month, the entire landscape of the city has changed beyond recognition.

After seeing how many people in Nottingham have responded to the ongoing health crisis, it’s a question I no longer ask myself. The way our independent scene has come together to support one another, offering love, advice and support in times of panic and confusion has been indescribable. I’ve seen and heard stories of young people offering to help the elderly, of people who, although struggling financially themselves, are offering to give money to others who have suddenly lost their income and of NHS workers who are tirelessly working in conditions so dire that they defy description.

The fact remains that we are not a small tribe, but rather a city with almost 300,000 people. Within that number, it’s all too easy to feel that this is all someone else’s problem. What difference can one person make in a sea of so many? At the time I was reading Junger’s book, I was travelling around France and Belgium making a documentary about the continuing impact of WWI, and was struck by the story of George Collett. The Newark-born soldier was just fourteen years old when WWI broke out, and lied about his age in order to serve his country. He went over the top on the first day of the Battle of the Somme, and was killed two weeks later by a German artillery shell, aged just sixteen. His body was never recovered.

Just as WWI was the biggest challenge facing George’s generation, the current health crisis appears to be ours. We should count ourselves fortunate that, rather than facing bayonets and bullets in the mud and carnage, we’re tasked simply with staying indoors, avoiding contact with other people and washing our hands. When I write that, it doesn’t seem like much, but every day sees more and more stories published about people defying those seemingly modest demands.

The way our independent scene has come together to support one another, offering love, advice and support in times of panic and confusion has been indescribable Like all of you, I have no idea how long this will all last. But I do know that it will test the strength of us as individuals more than anything we’ve had to face in a generation. We’ll find that strength in both offering and taking support from our community groups, be they creative, social, philanthropic or familial, Nottingham is going to have to band together and take responsibility in making sure that we’re there for each other until this is just a miserable distant memory.

This is the first time in our sixteen-year history that LeftLion has not put out a print edition, and deciding to go online-only with a skeleton crew has certainly brought its own set of challenges. We had an art-themed April issue ready to go, but made the decision to scrap it all and start from scratch in order to offer practical advice, positive news and, we hope, some entertainment for everyone selfisolating and social distancing.

I’m constantly amazed by the creativity and fortitude of our own little community, and the last few weeks have been no exception. Thank you to all of you who’ve contributed words, illustrations, ideas and photos to our digital April issue. We hope it brings you something, be it levity, guidance or simply momentary distraction during what I’m sure is an extremely difficult time.

Rest assured that LeftLion will be back in Nottingham’s cafes, bars, leisure centres, theatres, cinemas and wherever else you pick us up as soon as it’s safe to be. Not only that, but we will be back better and stronger than ever, continuing to celebrate all that’s unique and wonderful about Nottingham’s artistic communities. In the meantime, whether you’re an independent business, charity, or individual that needs help, talk to us. We’ve always been proud to support Nottingham’s independent scene and are here to help you through this challenge. Although we’re going to have to ride this out as a series of small groups, pairs and individuals while self-isolating, we’ll survive and rebuild together, as a community.

On behalf of everyone at LeftLion, I want to send love and support to all that are currently struggling, particularly those actively doing their part to combat the spread of the coronavirus. Take care of yourselves and your loved ones, and try to stay positive. There will be a time when we come through this and our communities will be stronger than ever.

Until then, remember that history will judge each of us by how we acted in the coming weeks, so make sure you’re doing your part.

Ashley Carter, Editor ashley.carter@leftlion.co.uk leftlion.co.uk/issue124 5

Notts Shots

Calm in the car park, chaos in the aisles Daniel CandĂŠ - @photography.cande

Just keep dancin’ Mann Hans - @mannhansphotography

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Hoop dreams Martyn Cooling - @martyncooling

Notts Shots

Feeling all reflective Daniel Candé - @photography.cande

Never has bedroom karaoke meant so much Richard Davies - @chudphotography

There’s always next season…

James Girling - @jsgirlingphotography

Trying to find some light in 2020 Sandra Bartley - @sandrabphotography

Only leave your nest if it’s essential Stuart Bramford - @shutter_stu

Want to have your work featured? Send your high-res photos from around the city, including your full name and best web link, to photography@leftlion.co.uk

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Notts Goss with Jenny Joss I’m not one for wicked whispers, but my job hasn’t half been made difficult for me this month, dear readers. How am I supposed to reap the darkest secrets of this town when we’re all holed up in our living rooms? But no need to worry – this darling’s quill never pauses, and my supermarket spies have left me much to dish. Not only have you fools bought into the panic-buying trend, but some of you have got so riled up you’ve earned yourself a ban from an unnamed supermarket in the Arb due to your aggressiveness over baked beans. Silly really – everyone knows the real prize is tinned mac and cheese.

My favourite dickie-bird has also been tweeting in my ear about a certain scoop that went viral last month involving what appeared to be a stolen NHS lanyard and a desperate attempt for what the kids are calling ‘clout’.

When Sharon posted a picture online of her nurse’s badge next to a parking fine from City Hospital, tweeters were confused when the name on her badge appeared as Adele.

Further investigation found that Sharon just illustration: Carmel Ward

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didn’t know how to retweet, and only wanted to share poor Adele’s message – but this didn’t stop the punters coming out in their masses to ‘cancel’ her for begging sympathy. Honestly, tweeters. Shouldn’t we be spreading kindness at a time like this?

Finally, to pass the time, I was scrolling through the dregs of a certain local media outlet when I ran into the juiciest tit-bit of all.

Using an online profiler, I was able to uncover that a certain editor-in-chief, who claims to be the ‘last living descendant of Robin Hood’ has one of the least ‘Nottingham’ surnames in the LeftLion office. Seems to me like he’s been fibbin’ all along.

Anyways, I’m off to dangle my legs from a Sneinton window and pray for some entertainment. Remember, lovers – keep your lips loose, your ears to the ground and your eyes on the goss.

JJ x

Nottingham’s most opinionated grocers on...

Business as unusual We plan to continue to offer fruit and veg to the local community for as long as it is possible and safe for us to do so. We are now only allowing a couple of people in the shop at any time, but there are provisions in place for delivery too. People can phone the shop to place an order. Although we personally don’t use Facebook much, our team will be sharing all the latest updates on our pages as things progress too.

Self-isolation We’ve actually been busier than ever since all this began – it’s fairly overwhelming. But if we do need to self-isolate we’ll do the garden and lay a new lawn, as it’s the weather for it. We’ll also have a good spring clean around the whole house. At the moment we are both very healthy and we are generally healthy people. We always eat our greens.

Keep calm, carry on I think people in Britain seem to be reacting to all this in a very sensible manner on the whole. I’m sure there are examples to the contrary, but I think on the whole people in Nottingham seem to have been rather good about it all. Long may that, continue and we’d advise people to eat their greens and have the occasional beer to keep the germs away.

Visit facebook.com/thompsonbrothersgreengrocers for the latest info on the shop.

interview and photo: Georgianna Scurfield

‘

Thabiso Muthui My name, Thabiso, means the ultimate being of happiness.

Walking outside every day, I can't help but grin. I love conversation and getting to know people. Everyone has something to say. It might not be something you agree with, but it's still a point of view of life. Conversation is the opportunity to learn something brand new. It shows ultimate respect when you can listen to people and say, 'Wow, I have nothing to say – I have only got much to learn from what you've gone through.'

I’ve always had a networking mind – I grew up in a family where both my parents were business people. I’ve always been taught to think ‘How can we further things? How can we develop?’ My sister and I would even do that when we fought as kids. I was born in South Africa and now live in Kenya where I work in the Maasai Mara as a director for my dad’s ICT company, sitting with game rangers and working out how we can use tech to save wildlife and combat poaching. I'm studying filmmaking and television over here in Nottingham for the meantime.

My ultimate passion, though, is music. It’s taught me to be open to criticism and not see it as personal, but as something which is going to build you and create an understanding of yourself and of how other people work. My ability to express myself comes from all the people I’ve met in life. Today I got a beret – I just looked in the mirror and I love it! If I had decided to stay comfortable and opinionated, I would've never had the guts to just say, ‘Yeah, why not?’

How do I cope when things aren’t going right? I once heard that the rain never stops, we just have to learn how to dance in it. So, I get on my skateboard, skate around Sneinton, fall and hit my knee on the ground because life is just like that – you're going to hit the ground and it's going to hurt. But the minute you get back on that board and keep pedalling, it shows that you're trying.

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leftlion.co.uk/issue124 9

Pick Six

Ashley Carter Editor

Film Once Were Warriors This changes monthly, but there’s something about Lee Tamahori’s brutal, brilliant exploration of alcoholism and domestic violence in an urban Maori family that means I watch it at least once a year.

Meal Mexican I make a decent Mexican, but nothing beats the feasts my Mum would make every birthday. She’d go all out with tacos, fajitas, nachos and all the trimmings.

With a couple of bottles of Tequila, you’ve got the perfect evening.

Song Smokestack Lightnin’ It’s a close call between this and Muddy Waters’ Mannish Boy, but Howlin’ Wolf just takes it. It’s a perfect song packed full of raw emotion and power. He had a unique voice, and every song on Moanin’ in the Moonlight is sublime.

Notts Spot Stonebridge City Farm Nothing in life brings me more joy than feeding animals. Located less than ten minutes from the LeftLion office, Stonebridge is perfect for when you want to take a bit of a mental break and just stroke some goats.

Book The Sun Also Rises I’ve read every word Ernest Hemingway ever penned – I genuinely think he’s the greatest writer in history. It’s hard to pick his best, but his story of expats travelling to the Festival of Fermin in Pamplona is right up there.

Holiday Paihia, New Zealand My favourite childhood memories were in Paihia, a small town in New Zealand’s North Island, eating ice cream and sailing on the Tucker Thompson – a topsail schooner ship.

Weirdly, I recently learnt that the town was named by a Notts missionary.

Rather than asking a well-known Notts face, we decided to task ourselves with picking a few of our favourite things...

Eve Smallman Listings and Food Editor

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Film The Rocky Horror Picture Show The utter madness of this film always makes me smile. It has iconic tunes such as The Time Warp and has a stellar cast too. I even have a Columbia costume that I drag out for Halloween!

Meal Mac and Cheese Utter comfort food. No packet or tinned rubbish though – it’s got to be homemade, with breadcrumbs and cheese bubbled under the grill. It was the first meal I learnt to make, and boy is it a good ‘un.

Song El Capitan - Idlewild Idlewild are my favourite band, with their rich Scottish vocals and magical way of creating a story. This song is so upbeat yet bittersweet, and the heartbreaking piano at the start always makes me shiver.

Notts Spot The Arboretum I’ve spent summer days walking around mini-festivals, autumn days crunching through the leaves, and winter days snapping photos of the icicles while my hands froze. I also love seeing the cute ducklings in spring.

Book The House at Riverton - Kate Morton Mystery. Romance. Tragedy.

All the things to tug at your heartstrings. It was also the first time I heard of shorthand. I first found it at a holiday home and finished the chunky book in one day.

Holiday Destination My Animal Crossing Island This game honestly brings me so much joy. Wandering around building fences, designing dresses, catching fishes, and chatting with cute villagers are just the most peaceful pastimes.

It’s just wonderful to escape to.

Natalie Owen Designer

Emily Thursfield Assistant Editor

Film The Lion King This will forever be the best Disney film! The original that is, not the remake – I can’t say that I was the biggest fan of that one. When the world is as crazy as it is right now, the only thing you can say is, ‘Hakuna Matata’.

Meal Lasagne When we were filming The Lord of Milan for LeftLion a few years back, Jared soon realised lasagne was my favourite meal when I went on a hunt to find somewhere that cooked it in Italy every night.

Song Time of Your Life - Green Day This was the first Green Day song I heard when flicking through Kerrang on TV when I was 15, originally released in 1994 for the album Dookie. Since then it has been my favourite song and they’re also my favourite band.

Notts Spot The Ice Arena I’m there most weekends either watching the Nottingham Panthers or at skating lessons. I used to go backstage a lot too when I was a cheerleader for the Panthers.

I’ve been a fan since I was eight years old!

Book The Thief of Always Clive Barker It’s a dark fantasy, based on wishes made by the main character, Harvey, but all is not as it seems. It reminds me of the story of Pinochicco.

Holiday - Walt Disney World, If you know me, you will know I am a huge fan of Disney! Disney World is for everyone, not just for the kids – drinking around the world at Epcot is definitely my favourite part of the holiday.

Film Almost Famous This is the story of fifteen-year-old William who is desperate to be a music journalist and ends up on tour with his favourite band after blagging an interview for Rolling Stone magazine. It has the perfect, sixties-inspired soundtrack.

Meal Cinnamon and Raisin Bagel When you’re such a big foodie, having to pick your favourite meal is like picking your favourite child.

One thing that brings me joy whenever I eat it is cinnamon and raisin bagels with peanut butter and banana.

Song In My Room - The Beach Boys It’s a toss-up between God Only Knows and In My Room: the first is what I tell people my favourite is, the second is probably the real answer – I love the idea of your bedroom being a haven to escape to.

Notts Spot Nottingham Canal When the weather is nice, I love walking along, peering at all the pretty houses and watching the canal boats drift by. Sometimes when you’re lucky you’ll even run into an ice cream van at the end!

Book Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway Susan Jeffers I like to think of myself as a connoisseur of self-help books, and this one affected me the most.

It’s the only book I’ve ever read that I’ve destroyed – underlining paragraphs and making notes.

Holiday Destination Kefalonia, Greece Last year I spent two weeks in Kefalonia working for a turtle conservation project. 5am wakeups and 12km daily bike-rides didn’t make it the easiest vacation, but the sunrises were beautiful and the scenery was mind-blowing.

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Ghost Town

words and photos: Lamar Francois

Making this set of photographs was the most surreal and intense photography experience I'd had for years. On Friday 20 March 2020, the Government formally announced the closure of pubs, bars, nightclubs and entertainment venues to slow down the spread of the coronavirus. By the following Monday, Boris Johnson had announced the closure of all nonessential businesses apart from supermarkets and pharmacies and ordered people to stay inside their homes.

Photography for me, in a personal setting away from client work, is something of a solitary pursuit; a continuously unfolding dialogue with me interrogating the world and the answers coming back in images. The weather and ambient conditions change the environment, which in turn change the light and the way stories can be told with it.

With all entertainment venues shut at the time of the shoot, the city centre suddenly took on a very different atmosphere. It bordered on the surreal, but I also found it strangely relaxing.

I was able to focus more squarely on finding images in the urban landscape, with its fabric stripped of people and all their movements, voices and colours.

These photos were taken between Friday 20 and Sunday 22 March 2020.

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picturedbylamar.co.uk

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LIVE VIA FACEBOOK

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A Self-Isolator in Notts The first day is weird. It’s a bit like the day after you get back from being on holiday, but before you’ve gone back to work – you feel like you should be doing something productive, but you actually just sit around watching the hours tick by. Day two is when you plan on getting yourself sorted and make a list of everything you want to achieve. The likelihood is that we’re all going to be stuck indoors for at least twelve weeks, so may as well try and make the most of it, right?

Despite my best intentions, day two comes and goes with very few signs of progress. My social media is clogged with people posting: half of them in a blind panic, the other half making colour-coded charts detailing the amount of weight they’re going to lose, the languages they’re going to learn and the books they’re going to read. I could do with making a chart. I’ve only got a black biro though, and it doesn’t quite feel the same. Would it be bad if I just slept for twelve weeks? Bears hibernate, and look at them. They aren’t bogged down with a virus threatening to wipe out half of bear-kind.

On day three I finally get round to making the list I wanted to make on day two. It mostly consists of responding to all the people sending texts, emails, Facebook and WhatsApp messages. Most of them say the same thing. I know Tom Hanks has it. I know Idris Elba has it. I know Prince Charles has it. I know there are idiots still going out for picnics. I know, I know, I know. A COVID-19 meme that was made at 9am is already old news by midday. The entire country is shut down, and we’re just shuffling the same titbits of news back and forth with each other.

I decide I’m going to focus on reading as much as possible. I like reading, but always find myself either too busy or too tired to get much done, and have a shelf filled with half-read books. Now is the time to finish them, I guess. But being inside for so long does weird things to your head. I don’t know if it’s the lack of sunlight or human interaction, but it feels like someone has peeled my skull back and replaced my brain with concrete. It reminds me of something my dad always used to say: “A 5lb bag filled with 10lbs of shit.”

Everything is fuzzy, like I’m caught between being awake and asleep. I take a nap knowing that I’ll be up most of the night as a result. That’s the thing when you’re not staying active – your body doesn’t need as much sleep. I want to sleep for eighteen hours a day, but I’m lucky if I get five. The days are ticking by so quickly, but each hour feels like a

lifetime. Maybe it’s time to take Joe Wicks up on his offer of some P.E. lessons.

A week has passed and life has settled down into its own routine. I force myself to focus on the little things: get up, have breakfast, shower, get dressed, work, exercise. I’ve always harboured a weird thought that I’d do well in prison. Not socially, of course. I think I’d be passed round the bigger boys like a rag doll. But the idea of being alone in a room for the majority of the day, without having to worry about work, tax, notifications, emails, and all of the other fog of life has had its own bizarre sense of appeal to me. The last week has firmly knocked that notion out of my head. Humans need interaction with other humans. It keeps us sane.

I’d have considered myself a libertarian before all of this, but would gladly have watched her get dragged away by her hair by some Doc-Marten-wearing military type

Benjamin Franklin quote, “Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.” It feels right in theory, but I don’t know. I want the entire country to be locked down because it just seems like the thing we need. And just because Ben Franklin said it, it doesn’t make it gospel. What does some old philanderer in a white wig and stockings know about coronavirus? The entire country needs medicine. And you know what? Sometimes medicine doesn’t taste nice, but it’s good for you.

The bizarre haze of those first seven days has lifted, and I feel an obligation to make the most of the spare time I’ve been granted. I think of things that I can do that will actually help others that are suffering. You know, independent businesses and the like. I send some money over to a group that’s raising funds for out-of-work artists, and I feel a bit better about myself. Is that selfish? I don’t know.

I feel helpless. I go to post about it on Twitter but decided against it. There is a wafer-thin line between raising awareness and being a smug twat.

And no one likes a smug twat.

Boris’ announcements become another part of the routine. I find myself settling down to watch them every night like my Nan used to watch Coronation Street. That’s what this whole situation feels like: some weird, long-running TV drama that we’re all being forced to binge watch. I try and focus on the things that are real: the NHS workers who are being pushed beyond the limits of human endurance; the supermarket staff who are working around the clock to make sure people have everything they need; the elderly and ill who are living in constant fear of catching it. My own grievances pale in comparison, and I feel a sense of guilt at how little I’ve actually achieved in my first week of self-isolating.

I sound so self-involved, but it’s hard not to be when you’re stuck inside all day with your own thoughts.

I don’t know anyone who has been directly affected by everything that’s going on. Other than people who have lost a bit of work here and there, my friends and family are all safe and healthy. I’m viewing everything from a distance and it’s hard to believe it’s all actually happening. I think of people living through World War II and realise that they didn’t know they were living through the war the way we do. To them, life changed for the worse, and they didn’t know when it was going to return to normal. I don’t know if it ever did. It wasn’t just normal on Monday, then on Tuesday they were rationing, dropping bombs and losing loved ones.

Things happened incrementally, and I hope there were some good days amongst all the suffering.

People adapt to whatever life throws at them. At least they did. We’re different now: more selfish, self-involved and solipsistic. I’m not judging either.

I’m no different.

I see a video of a woman shopping in London. She tells a bemused reporter that if she changes her way of life, the virus has won. I think of how quickly my belief system has changed in the face of a crisis.

I’d have considered myself a libertarian before all of this, but would gladly have watched her get dragged away by her hair by some Doc-Martenwearing military type. People keep posting that old

For people like me, life has just been paused for a bit like on Bernard’s Watch. I’m thankful that I’m ok, and sad for everyone that isn’t. I want to do more to help, but know the best thing I can do is stay indoors and not risk catching or passing it on. A wave of guilt washes over me as I admit that I’m actually quite enjoying being self-isolated. Is that allowed?

illustration: Jenny Mure

get

busy

We don’t know how long this self-isolation lark is going to last, so we may as well make the best of a bad situation. After all, there’s only so much Netflix you can watch. While we appreciate that this is a time of stress for many, we’ve come up with some suggestions for how those who are feeling the strain of being stuck indoors can fight the boredom...

Practical -

Whether it’s filling a hole, putting a picture up or unblocking a sink, you’ve finally got the time to sort out those annoying DIY jobs.

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Take care of your immediate environment by tackling those cleaning jobs that you’ve been putting off for months. Tidy house, tidy mind and all that.

Creative

Have a look through your wardrobe and see if there’s anything that’s been lurking there unwanted for months.

Put it aside and donate it to charity once it's safe to do so.

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Have a crack at designing a LeftLion cover on page 22.

We’ll showcase the best attempts in our May issue, and pick one design to be our cover.

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If you’re fortunate enough to have a garden, give it all of the attention you can, while you can. Get all green fingered with some weeding, planting and mowing.

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Start writing. Whether it’s a journal, short story, essay, novel or poem, it can help occupy your mind and provide a creative outlet. We’ve even given you some helpful starting points on page 28.

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Unread texts, unsaved contacts and thousands of accidental screenshots. Sound familiar? Give your phone a good clear out.

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If you’ve got a scrapbook or empty photo album lying around, get busy making something pretty to remember a holiday, birthday or even a creative take on being self-isolated.

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Show your inbox a bit of TLC by unsubscribing from all of those annoying spam emails you waste hours deleting.

You can even sign up to the LeftLion newsletter while you’re there...

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You don’t need a fancy camera to take up photography, as most of us have the ability to take semi-decent shots on our phones. There are countless free YouTube tutorials that will teach you the basics.

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Take up a hobby that you never thought of trying, like knitting or crocheting. You never know, you might find a talent you never knew you had...

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Make a short film using your camera and basic editing software. Adobe are currently offering a free two-month subscription, as are Notts-based Serif and their Affinity software. And, there’s also plenty of online materials to help you get started.

Wellbeing -

Maintain regular contact with friends and family via Houseparty, Skype or WhatsApp video

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Rearrange a room that you spend the most time in. A change of scenery, even if it’s just slight, can make a huge difference.

Have an at-home spa session by checking out the handy tips on page 35.

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Plenty of zoos and animal sanctuaries are live-streaming their animals, including White Post Farm, who have already streamed new lambs being born.

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Write a travel bucket list of all the countries you want to visit in the future. This lockdown is temporary, and we’ll all be itching to explore as soon as it’s over.

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Let’s Day Out, the app that provides unique online experiences to socialise and meet new people, have launched Let’s Day In which offers the same, only from home. The events, which range from virtual parties to workout sessions, are all free.

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Take a break from the constant stream of notifications and negative news and put your phone away for an allotted amount of time. You won’t regret it.

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Take a nap. We all hated them when we were young, and would kill to be able to take them now we’re adults.

Get a blanket, turn your phone off and grab a cheeky twenty minutes.

Head over to the Active Nottingham website for a comprehensive list of online resources that will help you maintain a healthy body.

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If you’ve spent the last week in the same pair of pyjamas, make the effort to get dolled up and feel fancy, even if it’s just for you.

Dance. Seriously. Even if you’re by yourself, slap some headphones on, select a banger and have a boogie.

You’ll feel better for it. And plus, this time nobody really will be watching.

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Feelings of helplessness are completely natural during a time of crisis, so if you’re looking for a way in which you can help (other than washing your hands and staying inside, obviously) we’ve put together a list of charities that are in need of support at the moment on page 37.

Fitness -

Keep your mind calm and your body flexible by trying out yoga. We’ve even given you a handy starter’s guide on page 31.

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Take advantage of the School of Calisthenics Bodyweight Basics YouTube channel, which they’ve made available for free.

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Make time to get fresh air as often as possible. If you have a garden, take advantage of it. If not, head to one of Notts’ beautiful green spots.

Check out the NHS Get Fit for Free scheme, which has loads of hints, tips and advice about staying active during lockdown.

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Losing your regular routine can have a knock on effect on all sorts of aspects of your life, including drinking water. It might sound obvious, but remembering to stay hydrated is hugely important to keeping yourself feeling fresh.

Food -

Obviously some essential ingredients are in short supply, and we’re not suggesting you lot go wandering around town looking for flour and eggs. But if you’ve already got the right bits and bobs in, get stuck in to some baking. When was the last time you felt sad after eating cake? Exactly.

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This is one that we’ve pinched from Twitter, but we’re big fans of it. Pick a nation and have a themed meal including food, music, fancy dress and a film of choice all from that country. Italy is a nice easy way to start, assuming you’ve got a Super Mario Brothers costume lying around.

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Some of Notts’ best restaurants are still providing a delivery service via UberEats and Deliveroo, so if you fancy a night off from counting out your pasta shells, show them some support by ordering a takeaway from an independent restaurant.

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Missing your nights at the pub? Us too. Fortunately, Pull the Cork has set up a virtual wine tasting event via their Instagram page every Saturday. Order one of their isolation wine tasting kits (£45), follow them in Insta and get sipping.

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Notts is blessed with some belting breweries, so show your support to a local independent by getting a beer order in.

We’ve listed some of them still offering a delivery service on page 18.

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We’re also lucky to have some cracking coffee suppliers in NG, and they’re no doubt feeling the pinch as hard as anyone. Throw some business their way by getting your beans delivered to your door. You can find out who's doing what on page 18, too.

Educational -

Learn a language. We know, it’s the one that literally everybody is suggesting, but it really is as good a time as any to learn your cul from your coude, and there are plenty of free online resources to help you out.

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Just because their doors are closed, it doesn’t mean Nottingham’s cultural institutes aren’t still there to feed your cultured souls. Places like Notttingham Contemporary and the New Art Exchange have loads of virtual tours of past exhibitions to get stuck into. There’s a full list of what’s on offer on page 20.

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Get stuck into a great documentary. Whether it’s the absolute insanity of Tiger King on Netflix, or our own film, The Lord of Milan, which we’ve made free to watch, you can get some great entertainment and learn something at the same time. Sorted.

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Be honest, you wanted to go to Hogwarts when you first read Harry Potter, didn’t you? We knew it. Luckily for you, Hogwarts Is Here is offering just that, with a string of witchcraft and wizardry classes available for you to sign up to. Magic.

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Explore outer space by taking a trip to the NASA website and checking out their seemingly endless list of resources.

From breathtaking high-res photos, to podcasts, clips and live-stream videos, you can escape into the vastness of space without leaving your living room.

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Brush up on your history. We bloody love a bit of history here at LL, and our city is fortunate to have a past to rival any other. Dip into our Out of Time series, which is all available to read on our website, and learn a bit more about some of the weird and wonderful episodes from yesteryear.

You can check out the National Justice Museum’s website for some great historical resources, too.

Entertainment -

What’s that TV series that everyone in the world has seen except you? The Wire? The Sopranos? Whatever it is, now is the time to get stuck in and binge-watch the living daylights out of it.

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It might not be Christmas, but why not crack out the board games anyway. We know that the average game of Monopoly increases the risk of a fist-fight by around 600%, but it’s a fun, screen-free way of keeping your brain active and having fun.

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If now isn’t the time to catch up on all of those books you pretended you’d read, when is? Pick an author you’ve always wanted to get stuck into and get reading.

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It’s super important to keep your brain active during periods of isolation, so spend some time every day doing puzzles, crosswords and quizzes. You can even start off with our Big Notts Quiz on page 25, if you feel so inclined.

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LeftLion are committed to keeping you lot entertained for the duration, and our Sofa Sessions will deliver a livestreamed performance from a Notts artist via our Facebook page every evening at 8pm.

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The theatres have sadly closed their doors, but you can still enjoy archive live performances online: The National Theatre Live have started streaming some of their most famous plays, shows and musicals for free.

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If you feel yourself missing your favourite Notts location, have a look at how you can support your independent cultural centres on page 18. There are options to help the likes of Broadway Cinema, Nottingham Playhouse, New Art Exchange, Theatre Royal and plenty more.

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Might not be a popular choice with the neighbours (so make sure you invite them first), but chucking some tunes on the TV and belting your heart out with a karaoke session will provide a much-needed release of tension. Make sure you pay a proper tribute to Kenny Rogers by starting with Islands in the Stream, though. It’s what he would have wanted.

Love Your Locals

We’re a city with a long and proud history of independence, and currently boast one of the most diverse, active and eclectic independent business communities in the country. Unfortunately, the ongoing health crisis has resulted in many of them being among the hardest hit, and the majority of Nottingham’s independents have had to either close their doors or find creative ways to stay afloat until things return to normal. While these are obviously times of financial uncertainty for many of us, there are still ways that you can support your local independent businesses without leaving the house…

Food

Little Brickhouse The Little Brickhouse are offering a brand new delivery option for some of their menu items, which currently changes daily. Fresh Turkish Delight, cinnamon rolls and more have all been on offer, but it's worth checking their social media pages regularly to see what tasty stuff you can get your mitts on. facebook.com/TheLittleBrickhouse Tough Mary’s Bakehouse Tough Mary's can deliver all the sweet comfort food you're currently craving to north, south, east, and nearish city-centre Notts areas. They've got certain times for certain areas, so check their socials for when you can nab some of the goodness. facebook.com/ToughMarysBakehouse No. Twelve No. Twelve are offering fresh produce boxes for home delivery in the Nottingham area, which have proved to be pretty popular so far. The boxes are available in a range of sizes and prices, and you can also include a selection of wines, beers, soft drinks, chocolate and plant-based milks. facebook.com/No.TwelveNottingham

Studio Chocolate Chocolatey goodness at its finest. You can still order chocolates, brownies, cakes and all their other amazing stuff. They even have chocolate-scented candles, for those looking for a little relaxation.

And, they're offering free delivery in the Nottingham area too. studio-chocolate.co.uk

Drink

The Thompsons The fruit and veg legends are providing a home delivery service to make sure that everyone in Notts is still getting their five a day. Demand has been huge so far, so you might have to be a bit patient. thompson-brothers.co.uk

Outpost Coffee The team at Outpost Coffee is also offering a discount for online orders – using the code MYCORONA2020 will get you 15% off all coffee orders posted online. outpost.coffee Casa Agave Seeing as 400 Rabbits is closed for the foreseeable, owner Jen is keeping Notts sufficiently lubricated with tequila, mezcal and a range of other spirits through Casa Agave’s online store. Help them out by ordering a bottle or two, it’d be rude not to. casa-agave.com

Kerry’s Fresh The family-run fresh produce experts are currently still open, and are also offering a home delivery service on a reduced line of their products. High demand means that delivery may be between 7-10 days at the moment. kerrysfresh.co.uk The Fruit Basket The West Bridgford fruit and vegetable establishment is also still open and offering a delivery service, with a huge range of fresh produce, including bread, milk and eggs. thefruitbasketdirect.uk Although they’ve had to close their doors for now, there are plenty of independent food establishments in Nottingham, like Doughnotts, Annie’s Burger Shack, Kushi-Ya, Alchemilla and plenty more that you can support by purchasing gift vouchers to use when they eventually re-open.

Vegan

The Filthy Vegan Takeout Notts’ vegan fast food kings are targeting different postcodes in Nottingham, allowing you to pre-order prime meat-free grub on set dates. They’re also available on Deliveroo and Uber Eats, so their kebabs, burgers and hot dogs are only a few clicks away. facebook.com/TheFilthyVeganTakeout Prickly Pear The Mansfield Road eatery is still going, offering some of the best vegan food in the city via Deliveroo, or by calling them directly on 0115 958 1339. You can also help them out by picking up a £5, £10 or £20 gift card from their online store. pricklypearcafe.co.uk Clemie’s Vegan Cakes Although their shop has closed, a limited selection of Clemie’s delicious vegan sweet treats will be available for as long as the postal system stays running. Go on, treat yourself. facebook.com/pg/ClemieVeganCake

200 Degrees Fancy a strong brew? We all need one of them at the minute. You can now subscribe to 200 Degrees' coffee bean subscription service and claim 50% off with the code TWOHUNDREDFF, valid until Wednesday 30 April.

200degs.com

Trent Navigation Inn (Navigation Brewery) Treat yourself to 18 or 36 take-home pints of any of Navigation Brewery’s ales – fresh from the brewery of course – and as a token of their appreciation, you’ll be invited for a complimentary brewery tour when restrictions are lifted. If you live locally, they’re also offering to deliver for a limited time only. facebook.com/NavigationBreweryNottingham Brew Cavern Take advantage of Brew Cavern’s mail order service and stock up on your favourite bottles. They’re also offering 10% off orders over £30 with the code LOYALTY, and free shipping on orders of £50 or more.

You lot were so pleased with this offer you almost broke their website – so keep up the good work. facebook.com/brewcavern Castle Rock Brewery Castle Rock pubs are hopeful you lot will be kind enough to purchase gift cards to use in their establishments once this all blows over. Alternatively, check their web shop for merch. facebook.com/CastleRockBrewery Magpie Brewery The brewery behind Crafty Crow, Doctor’s Orders and The Barrel Drop have opened an online shop so you’re still able to get your fix. Bottles, cans, polypins and mini kegs are all available for click and collect at the brewery in NG2, and there’s free delivery for orders of £20 or more. facebook.com/MagpieBrewery Neon Raptor You can get 10% off Neon Raptor's online shop, which includes gift cards, snapbacks, beanies, bags and tons more, by using code SUPPORTLOCAL. neonraptorbrewingco.com

The V Spot The Mansfield Road haven for all things vegan is still open for collection, and have an improved home delivery service on a range of products including pizzas, pies, tofu and plenty more. v-spot.co.uk

Nottingham Brewery For anyone in self-isolation craving their favourite tipple, you can purchase Rock Bitter, Rock Mild, Legend, EPA, Cock & Hoop, Bullion, Sooty Stout or Supreme in 18-pint or 35-pint boxes for home delivery. facebook.com/nottsbrewery

Out of This World If you’re struggling to get hold of your meat-free essentials, you can head to the Beeston-based store to stock up. As well as offering no restrictions on pasta, lentils and rice, Out of the World provide a home delivery service/ ootw.co.uk

Blue Monkey Brewery Blue Monkey are busy pumping out 5lt mini casks of all the beers they currently have at their brewery, pubs – both the Organ Grinder Nottingham and Arnold – and even some remote sites (the staff's gaff's). They're happy to deliver to anyone who gives the brewery a call and books a slot.

Cultural

Nottingham Contemporary Nottingham Contemporary might have closed its doors, but it's still offering virtual visits and a range of family activity resources through their website. As a registered artistic and educational charity, you can chuck them a few quid by way of saying thanks and showing your support during this difficult time. nottinghamcontemporary.org New Art Exchange NAE have a huge range of exciting films, talks, events and artist profiles available to watch on their YouTube channel, and their archive has details of all of their past exhibits. There’s an option to donate too, so if you’re able to spare some cash, they’d appreciate it. nae.org.uk Creswell Crags One of Nottingham’s most important historical sites was already facing financial uncertainty before the coronavirus took hold, and now faces the threat of permanent closure due to having to close its doors to the public.

You can help secure the future of the 60,000 year old landmark by donating to their JustGiving page. justgiving.com/campaign/ supportcreswellcrags National Justice Museum The ever-popular National Justice Museum has always provided an eclectic, interesting array of events, talks and exhibitions, and now’s the time to say thank you. You can either make a donation via their website, or spend £20 on becoming a National Justice Museum Friend. nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk National Holocaust Centre From welcoming schools to their engaging, interactive centre, to providing a platform for Holocaust survivors like Arek Hersh to share their memories, the National Holocaust Centre constantly boast one of the most harrowing, important cultural sites in the country. Their website offers you the opportunity to make a single donation or sign up for a monthly payment to become a member. holocaust.org.uk

Fashion

Mimm We might all be self-isolating, but there’s no need for your sense of style to do the same. Treat yourself to some new threads from Broad Street’s best by visiting Mimm’s online store. mimm.co.uk Stick and Ribbon As another shop affected by COVID-19, Stick and Ribbon are still offering the best of their ladies clothing boutique through their online shop. Priding themselves as offering something unique compared to other high street retailers, check them out and treat yourself to something new. stickandribbon.com

Gifts

Handmade Nottingham Dedicated to showcasing the best of Nottingham’s local creative talent, Handmade Nottingham have got something for everyone in their online store. Got a birthday or anniversary coming up and can’t get out to get a present? Handmade have got you sorted.

handmade-nottingham.myshopify.com

Dukki It doesn’t really get more Notts than Dukki, does it? From prints and calendars, to cards and hoodies, they’ve got your back when it comes to celebrating Nottingham. Head over to their website to see for yourself.

Dukkigifts.co.uk

Cinema

Broadway Cinema It’s not an easy time to be an independent cinema, so if you’re a fan of the Broad Street mainstay you can head over to their site and help them out in their time of need. You can make a one-off donation, sign up for an annual membership or dedicate a seat to a friend, loved-one or family member for £250. broadway.org.uk Savoy Cinema Another independent cinema that has closed its doors as a result of the health crisis, Savoy are feeling the loss of income as hard as anyone else. You can show your support by buying a £5, £10 or £50 gift voucher from their website. savoyonline.co.uk

Theatre

Nottingham Playhouse As a registered charity, Nottingham Playhouse rely on ticket sales for over 70% of their income. They’d hugely appreciate your help in a number of ways, including allowing them to retain some or all of the ticket price for cancelled shows as a donation or in exchange for a future show. nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk Theatre Royal The Theatre Royal are also offering a number of ways in which patrons can support them during this difficult time.

As well as booking tickets to a future show, you can make a donation, pay to name a seat or join their membership scheme which will help them to safeguard two of Nottingham’s most beautiful, historical cultural landmarks.

Music

Rock City We’ve all relied on Rock City to bring some of the best nights of our lives, so why not return the favour by helping them out while their doors are closed. You can buy a piece of their famous dancefloor, pick up a gift certificate or grab a DVD copy of Frank Turner’s 2000 th live show all via the merchandise section of their website. rock-city.co.uk

Peggy’s Skylight While Peggy’s are offering refunds for all events that have been cancelled due to coronavirus, they’d greatly appreciate any patrons who are in the position to waive the refund and treat the purchase as a donation to keeping the establishment open. peggysskylight.co.uk The Bodega You might not be able to enjoy a live performance and a pint any time soon, but you can help the Bodega out by buying a 20th anniversary t-shirt (£11) or tote bag (£4.50). bodeganottingham.com

Literature

Five Leaves Their physical bookshop is closed, but Five Leaves are still accepting online orders after their suppliers reorganized their entire warehouse to ensure safe working practice. Let’s be honest, now is the perfect time to catch up on all those books you said you already read… fiveleavesbookshop.co.uk Page 45 If you’re most into graphic novels, then head over to Page 45’s website and get your comic fix with an online delivery. If now isn’t the time for a bit of escapism, we don’t know when is. page45.com

Animals

Stonebridge City Farm It’s not just people who are going without during lockdown, but without the regular flow of visitors to their community farm, the animals at Stonebridge are in need of your help too. Spend an hour browsing their beautiful animal galleries online and chuck them a few quid via the donation page for the pleasure. stonebridgecityfarm.com White Post Farm Offering three levels of annual sponsorship packages, White Post Farm gives you the opportunity to support their animals during a time when they need it the most. Options include love birds, piranhas, pygmy goats, reindeer, meerkats and loads more. whitepostfarm.co.uk All information is believed accurate at time of printing, but we appreciate that things are changing on a daily basis. If any of the above information is incorrect, please let us know at editorial@leftlion.co.uk

illustration: Emmy Smith

The closure of Nottingham’s galleries and museums has left a culture-shaped hole in all of our lives. Luckily, there are some fantastic creative organisations in the city that have developed an innovative range of free activities that you can try at home. There’s plenty to stimulate the curiosity and imagination of young and old alike – perfect for any budding scientists, artists, writers or performers.

Ignite Futures For children fascinated by the curious world around us, Ignite offers a great range of science activities including a back garden scavenger hunt, creating cabinets of curiosity, and science-based magic tricks which question how our brain perceives the world. One experiment, which spans over several weeks, involves cultivating mushrooms to create intricate architectural models. There’s something for everyone – from toddlers to grown-ups – and the activities come as easily printable worksheets. ignitefutures.org.uk/resources National Justice Museum Parents: be prepared to see your faces on ‘Wanted’ posters pinned around your house thanks to the National Justice Museum’s activities. There are also quizzes, role-play activities, and crimes to solve. Depending on your child’s world view, you can learn about being law-abiding, consider how you’d change the justice system or plan your own protest. nationaljusticemuseum.org.uk/education/free-resources New Art Exchange New Art Exchange has come up with a clever way to repurpose envelopes into a really unique sketchbook. By making use of the envelope windows, you can peek through the window of a castle, look at the sea life in a fish tank, see how many clowns will fit in a clown car – or wherever your kid’s imagination takes you... nae.org.uk/page/online-resources Nonsuch Studios Nonsuch has set themselves an ambitious task: twelve weeks of daily creative challenges, with one set for kids, and one set for grown-ups. With a total of… *does the maths*... 168 activities sent by email, you’ll have plenty to keep you and the family occupied. The coffee float recipe looks divine (don’t worry – that’s one for the adults!). wearenonsuch.com/creativequarantine Nottingham Castle To any heritage nerd, finding a plaque can be a special moment where your surroundings become infused with the romance of a bygone era, and you suddenly feel connected to someone or something unexpected. Nottingham Castle has “researched” the lives of Robin Hood and his friends, so families can have a go at making their own plaques. Plus, if you share it with #NottmHeritageHunters there’s a special prize up for grabs... nottinghamcastletrust.org/category/learning

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Nottingham Contemporary Nottingham Contemporary has come up with some really imaginative art activities, including creating cardboard sculptures, drawing challenges determined by the roll of a dice, and using family members' clothes to create a crowd of dancing people. A drawing activity, for children and adults alike, invites you to draw the view from your window, while experimenting with the techniques of one of their exhibiting artists. They are creating new activities each week, so keep an eye on their website. nottinghamcontemporary.org/record Nottingham Playhouse The digital content produced for Nottingham Playhouse really is for all ages. The whole family can learn to sing together with a video from their choir conductor: warm-up with fun vocal exercises, and then sing ‘Bring me Sunshine’ with piano accompaniment – an uplifting and soothing song for these troubling times.

Also, be sure to watch a performance of a musical number from Sweet Charity.

Beautifully shot with excellent audio quality, it captures the joy-inducing, skintingling magic of the theatre, from home. nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk/participation/community/digital-playhouse Read On Nottingham The National Literacy Trust has a huge number of creative resources available.

There’s plenty of activities linked to beloved CBeebies characters, and you’ll find visually exciting worksheets including colouring-in, creating your own newspaper, or an activity helping your little one begin dreaming about their ideal job for when they’re all grown-up. There are also videos, allowing you to draw along with a professional illustrator, or hear a story read aloud by the author. literacytrust.org.uk/news/we-launch-family-zone-to-help-parents-during-school-closures

Nottingham Forest As well as offering staff with teaching qualifications to deliver classroom support and PE activities to schools that are remaining open for children of key workers, Forest have provided a wide range of online teaching materials to allow young people to continue learning, including football challenges for families to take part in from the safety of their own homes. nottinghamforest.co.uk

SCREEN TIME You know it feels like you’re stuck in a Black Mirror episode, when visiting places in virtual reality, actually feels like a return to reality. The possibilities of Virtual Reality exhibitions interest me, but until writing this article my experience has been one of casual sightseeing – a few clicks through my desktop to jog my memory of an in-person visit. I have been dubious of how VR could replicate the things that make an inperson gallery visit so special.

Right now, VR is a very welcome escape from the confines of my house, and so I find myself transported to a variety of environments that have been digitally scanned by Nottingham-based V21 Artspace including: the National Justice Museum, New Art Exchange, Nottingham Contemporary and Newstead Abbey...

Beginning chronologically with the National Justice Museum, I loaded ‘Washing, Dancing, Singing’ – an exhibition of historic photographs showing women's lives in prisons. While the bleakness of prison is evident, the narrative of the exhibition focuses on the collective effort of these anonymous women, working to fulfil a common goal. The National Justice Museum has gone to great lengths to offer a really rich VR experience. A soundtrack composed especially for the exhibition plays in the background, setting the tone and adding to the immersiveness. Also content such as video works, meaningful quotes, and close-ups of artworks have been embedded into the experience, as well as behind the scenes footage of the exhibition install and audio of the soundscape rehearsals.

The VR successfully continues the themes of the show by including the virtual visitor in this sense of community – something I particularly enjoyed in light of enforced isolation. As well as being able to browse through visitor feedback, many of which are lengthy responses or illustrations, they also scanned the Project Lab – a room for visitors to reflect, share ideas, and creatively respond to the shows. Within the VR, 360-degrees video footage documents a creative workshop, and I greatly enjoyed virtually joining a group of women as they chatter and embroider together. v21artspace.com/washing-dancing-singing v21artspace.com/project-lab-national-justice-museum New Art Exchange has a selection of exhibitions in VR, but I particularly enjoyed revisiting Hassan Hajjaj’s exhibition. Through vibrant large-scale photographic portraits, often framed by tinned food products, Hajjaj explores the meeting of culture, brand and identity in a global world.

The VR conveys the scale and three-dimensionality of the work that a photo could not capture. The exhibition design, with its brightly painted walls, only enhances the work, which is already brimming with pattern and colour.

The exhibition features a gallery space designed by Hajjaj to recall a traditional Moroccon living room, complete with patterned wallpaper and household furniture. Photographs of his travels across Africa and the Middle East are treated almost as background decoration, instead highlighting the experience of gallery visitors who are invited to perform, socialise, research and relax. While it is a visually exciting space to explore, I would have enjoyed seeing the digital space animated by the creativity of the public, forming organic collaborations with the artist.

Nottingham Contemporary’s exhibition ‘Still I Rise’ explores global resistance movements from a gendered perspective. It is an exhibition that demands a long visit due to the sheer quantity of ideas and exhibits, but luckily I’ve already spent a lot of time exploring in person. Visiting in VR allowed me to appreciate the exhibition design differently, particularly how the curation gives each work its own space.

The VR includes embedded video works (there’s lots), as well as footage of interactive artworks including some humble millstones by Jesse Jones that emits smoke in a dramatic display. While you may lose the spontaneity of seeing the millstone’s unexpected transformation, from some angles in the VR you can see wisps of smoke – a sight that would normally cause alarm, yet has an intriguing mystical effect. nottinghamcontemporary.org/record/virtually-visit-us The romantic atmosphere of Newstead Abbey is reason enough to want to virtually visit, but VR visitors will also find site-specific installations as part of Lace Unveiled. A lace-inspired intervention by artist Shane Waltener hangs across a canopy of yew trees. The VR is unable to replicate the sense of a discovery upon finding the artwork, however I enjoyed watching an embedded video of the installation process, and ‘walking’ through nature that has been scanned with a level of detail that exceeds Google Street View.

In the house, artist Lucy Brown’s sculpture fills Lord Byron’s former Dressing Room. Draped from wall to ceiling, reconfigured lingerie is bound with lace tendrils resembling chains, alluding to scandalous histories. Scanned from within the installation, the VR allows views from many angles without the usual risk of damaging the art, yet I also feel something is missing in a VR experience – the feeling that the walls around you might be holding secrets. v21artspace.com/lace-unveiled-newsteadabbey Usually I enjoy stepping away from technology when I visit an exhibition, as it’s a chance to remove myself from everyday life which is allconsumed by screens. Yet, visiting an exhibition in VR did replicate some feelings on an in-person visit – placing oneself in a new environment and inviting impromptu encounters.

I enjoyed exploring how galleries are embracing inventive approaches to VR that go beyond documentation, and I believe VR succeeds when it offers an experience which is distinct from the physical world, but is still meaningful and engaging in its own right. Enjoy exploring!

nae.org.uk/page/v21-artspace-3d-virtual-walkthroughs/1085

words: Laura-Jade Vaughan

illustration: Anna Keomegi

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#117 September 2019

#121 January 2020

#115 July 2019

#119 November 2019

Create Your Own LeftLion Cover!

Ever fancied creating your own LeftLion cover?

Well, seeing as we’re all stuck indoors, now is your chance. Whether you’re a seasoned design veteran or a complete novice, we want to see what Nottingham’s creative community has to offer, and will use our favourite design as the cover of our digital-only May issue.

Either print out or download the PDF template opposite, create your cover and email it to editorial@leftlion.co.uk by 5pm on Friday 24 April. As well as choosing one to be the next cover, we’ll showcase all of the best submissions in the next magazine. All ages and abilities are welcome.

#123 March 2020

Get doodling...

#101 MAY

#114 June 2019

Craft Beer Week 2019 Brochure Free inside!

#112 April 2019

#125 May 2020

illustration: Kate Sharp

Our Editor-in-Chief is keeping himself busy by timetravelling through Nottingham’s past. Can you spot Jared enjoying himself at the Goose Fair in 1928?

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Seeing that we’re all stuck indoors, why not pass the time by seeing how much you know about our fair city? No cheating...

1. We all love a good burger from Annie’s Burger Shack. But which British comedian has a burger named after him? a) Jimmy Carr b) Harry Hill c) Russell Brand d) Johnny Vegas 2. What are the names of the two lion statues Joseph Else sculpted for the Market Square? a) Hector and Achilles b) Agamemnon and Menelaus c) Priam and Ajax d) Patroclus and Paris 3. What year was LeftLion established? a) 2003 b) 2004 c) 2005 d) 2006

8. In which year was Sir Paul Smith knighted? a) 2000 b) 2002 c) 2004 d) 2006

15. Which of these is not a song by Sleaford Mods? a) I Missed My Bus b) Tweet Tweet Tweet c) Tied Up in Nottz d) No One’s Bothered

9. What is Nottingham known as in modern Welsh? a) Cwis diflas b) Yr ateb yw c c) Y Ty Ogofog d) Noswaith dda

16. Which visitor attraction is purportedly built on Nottingham’s oldest site? a) The New Art Exchange b) Nottingham Contemporary c) National Justice Museum d) Green’s Windmill

10. Which of these acts never played at Rock City? a) Ozzy Osbourne b) Oasis c) Johnny Cash d) Public Enemy

17. 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? a) 1994 b) 1995 c) 1996 d) 1997

4. What did PETA once campaign to get Nottingham to change its name to? a) Not-Eating-Lambs b) Not-Eating-Ham c) No-Hitting-Rams d) No-Kicking-Clams

11. Nottingham Playhouse is home to the famous Sky Mirror sculpture. Which artist created it? a) Anish Kapoor b) Lynn Chadwick c) Phillip King d) Phyllida Barlow

5. Nottingham is famously the birthplace of HP Sauce. But who invented it? a) Frederick Gibson Garton b) Frank Garsworth Gibley c) Alan No Shoes Gilby d) Francis Garfield Gamlin

12. Which Quentin Tarantino film had its UK premiere at Broadway Cinema? a) Jackie Brown b) Reservoir Dogs c) Kill Bill: Volume I d) Django Unchained

6. What was legendary Nottingham Forest manager Brian Clough’s middle name? a) Nigel b) George c) Abraham d) Howard

13. Which famous comedy duo spent a Christmas in Nottingham in 1953? a) Bing Crosby and Bob Hope b) Jay and Silent Bob c) Morecambe and Wise d) Laurel and Hardy

7. Who once said that “Nottingham is a county there to fill the spaces up”? a) Katie Hopkins b) Jeremy Clarkson c) Margaret Thatcher d) Jacob Rees-Mogg

14. Which Sneinton man founded the Salvation Army in 1865? a) Wallace Bryce b) Walter Barnes c) William Booth d) Wesley Bolt

18. In 1876, a 12,500-year-old rib fragment was found in the Robin Hood Cave at Creswell Crags. The head of which animal was carved into it? a) Woolly mammoth b) Velociraptor c) Goose d) Horse 19. Which food did Marshal Tallard introduce to Britain during his imprisonment in Nottingham? a) Celery b) Patê c) Sushi d) Stroopwaffels 20. In 2011, Nottinghamshire Police received reports of 34 ghosts, 46 witches and 3 UFOs over the previous six years.

What did they all turn out to be? a) Kites b) Fireworks c) Chinese lanterns d) 34 ghosts, 46 witches and 3 UFOs

illustration: Raphael Achache

See how you got on by checking the answers on page 47. leftlion.co.uk/issue124 25

A sudden burst of inspiration coloured her mind as she started to undress, fuelled by the thrashing energy of the stream

The Siren

A short story about nature, nostalgia and new beginnings…

The grass sung with a choir of crickets, a symphony of beings unseen by the naked eye.

The steady tempo of footfall on gravel caused the city woman to look up in surprise, catching the runner’s puzzled gaze as he dashed past.

She stood, having long foregone her shoes which dangled slack at her side like a dead animal pelt.

Corporate and clinical, her black suit stood out against the soft summer hues.

And yet, undaunted, she continued to walk along the river seeking out the thin dirt path that wound down to the water’s edge, hidden by a curtain of foliage.

It was a little shabbier than she last recalled. Now overgrown, viridian shoots clambered through the thicket. They wrapped themselves around the weary willow tree, embracing it as it wept into the river below. Her eyes circled the clearing, taking in the engraved initials forever etched into its bark.

The sight triggered memories of melodious laughter and disjointed scraps of conversation. New love had grown in that space, the young couple’s eyes shining with delight and wonder. Their hideaway was transformative, even the discarded empty cider bottles took on an eerie otherworldliness, glittering in the sun and projecting jewelled shadows onto the neighbouring trees.

Her gaze fell upon a log sat in the middle of the copse. The ghost of a fire burnt into the ground, its ashy remnants like a birthmark on the otherwise sandy earth.

Time stood still in this haven.

Days of teenage innocence and charisma-fuelled dreams had once peppered this space. The woman felt herself give in to bittersweet nostalgia as her lips twitched with the faint shadow of a smile.

broke the illusion. The truth was hard, but time and experience had taught her that partners came and went like the seasons. It had taken her a while to realise that only self-love was reliable and steadfast.

And yet, it amazed her that the shell her consciousness inhabited differed so much from the person she felt she was on the inside.

Her skin seemed a muted grey, the black linen a dark, impersonal uniform that society had gifted her.

This existence is tiring to me, she thought as she stood and dipped a toe into the cooling stream. The sound of her watch ticked away, counting towards some indefinite deadline calling her back to the isolation of her office cubicle.

A teardrop skimmed the surface of her skin before landing in the pool beneath her, disappearing within that large body of water.

But it doesn’t have to be.

And with that she became something other.

A sudden burst of inspiration coloured her mind as she started to undress, fuelled by the thrashing energy of the stream.

Her skin drank up the sunshine as the water lapped eagerly at her heels, coaxing her in.

Now she was completely naked, her long auburn hair caressing the small of her back, fanning out around her like a fiery red cloak.

Slowly she lowered herself into the river, feeling the water rise up and meet her like a lost friend.

Hello. It said.

Her abandoned belongings left a trail of breadcrumbs to the person she had been mere seconds before.

Her hands skimmed the surface of the scarred tree, the years were displayed clearly in its wrinkled flesh and the sap that bled from the lettering, once promising an eternity of potential.

Then she shed that skin.

She couldn’t help but notice that her heart still skipped as she set down her tattered picnic mat and glanced out at the blanket of water before her.

At once she understood the voice, rediscovering her long-lost mother tongue.

In the distance she could hear the cry of teenagers splashing flirtatiously, wearing skimpy bikinis and torn denim shorts. Raw and bare, they scurried up the embankment and flew into the icy depths propelled by the momentum of an old rope swing.

You’re safe now.

Fully submerged, every cell began to vibrate and transform as she was swept along by the undercurrent. The water was her dancing partner, twisting and enveloping her with maternal care as she pirouetted along the riverbed.

They couldn’t see her, but she could make out their silhouettes against the dusky horizon.

Now she flowed into the water, her fingertips stretching out into the endless expanse, listening for the distant echo of whale song and the chatter of her fellow sisters who had also been reclaimed.

Concealed, the din of passers-by faded away as her eyes fluttered closed.

The more she reached, the more she gained as with every leap and bound something new was borne.

There her mind fled to a memory from long ago. Two bodies intertwined, drunk on cheap wine in the English summertime.

The hours had trickled by as the sky filled with a thousand blinking eyes staring down at them.

Her skin glistened, reborn. The pale freckled hue turned an ethereal blue with a sheen of iridescence that mimicked sea-glass. Within another breath, her legs disappeared into a soft shimmering tail and newly created gills began to form, the ridged folds blooming into petals along the surface of her skin.

We were immortal.

Remnants of excitement from their joint fiction of ‘what ifs’ and ‘we will’ flooded her mind, before a glance down at her calloused hands

Blinking up, she gazed at the sunlight dappling the water and watched on as a barge lazily chugged by none the wiser.

The siren marked her new beginning.

words: Esther Kearney illustration: Ali Taylor-Perry

Write Ideas words: Hannah Cooke

Ever yearned to be one of those people who could just put pen to paper? Maybe you struggled to know where to start? We’ve rounded up our best ideas for creative writing at home...

Begin journaling

Start a blog

Set some goals

Try the gratitude list

Perhaps one of the easiest writing exercises to get started with, as it suits all ability levels from the seasoned novelist to the writing novice. Journaling is a great one because you can write about literally anything you want to; your day, your dreams, achievements, quotes that inspire you, reading lists, the series you want to watch on Netflix, your to-do list… we could go on forever. Journaling can be super beneficial for helping you to chill out and clear your thoughts, all by writing about whatever comes into your head. Just grab a pen and a notepad and get started.

You can split these out into professional or personal goals, or you can even go one step further and start a list for each area of your life: family, work, health & fitness, community – or whatever those might be for you. At the risk of sounding like your manager, make sure your goals are SMART – that’s specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, time-based – for those of you who have forgotten.

Basically, just make sure that they’re realistic goals you can actually achieve. Also, don’t forget to look back on your list of goals to make sure you’re keeping track of progress or see if they need updating.

Delve into poetry

We’re not necessarily talking about writing a Shakespearean sonnet or a limerick about a man from Cork – although you can totally do that if you want. Poetry can be about anything you want, and written in any way you want. You just need to make sure you’re writing about something that’s meaningful for you which, hopefully, shouldn’t be too hard. Poetry can help improve your other writing as you’re usually forced to choose your words carefully to fit into the rhythm and pace of the poem. And, if we’re getting real deep, it can also assist you to get in touch with your emotions and even help get you through a difficult time.

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You’d be lying if you said it had never crossed your mind.

But maybe you thought you’ve missed the boat? Despite what most people think, blogging is most certainly not dead, and now is the perfect time to start. Whilst there are thousands of blogs out there, you can always bring something new to the table. Perhaps you have a crazy cool job you could write about, or are really into your vegan, gluten-free, baking and want to document and share your greatest recipes. Write about what you love and you can never go wrong.

One of my personal favourites and one that we’d encourage everyone to have a go at now more than ever is the gratitude list. So simple, yet so powerful. The gratitude list has the ability to instantly lift you up out of a bad mood. Start with the simple things (WiFi counts) and you’ll quickly see there are so many things to be grateful for. Incorporate this practice into your daily routine or whenever you’re feeling a bit down and see how quickly it can change your perspective. There are literally no excuses to not try this one – there’s always something to be grateful for!

Write that novel

You might not have had a J.K. Rowling moment – where the idea of a best-selling fantasy series comes fully formed to you while waiting for a train – yet, but we’re sure you’ve had at least some idea of an interesting story in the past.

Now’s the time to write it. Research your idea, develop your plot, set a daily word count target and just get going.

Or if you’re struggling for ideas, there are hundreds of sites where you can get writing prompts to start your next big blockbuster. Here’s an idea to get you started: put your favourite Spotify playlist on shuffle, take whatever song comes on first and use the title or first lyric as your starting point.

IN LIGHTER NEWS...

We don’t want you to get too bogged down in the doom and gloom of it all without keeping one eye on the light at the end of the tunnel. There’s no doubt that 2020 has been a bit of a shocker, but it’s not all bad. Here are the positive news stories Nottingham has seen so far this year…

Nottingham Playhouse’s In House Theatre Group Awarded £40k of Funding The Playhouse’s In House theatre group – which supports those who have experienced homelessness, substance abuse and mental health issues has been awarded £40,000 of funding to enable it to run over the next three years. The group, which formed in 2016, gives people the opportunity to learn more about performing arts while building confidence and supporting their overall wellbeing.

Residents Put Up Christmas Lights to Spread Cheer Across the country, folk stuck at home have raided their lofts for twinkling lights, fur trees and other Christmas decorations to help bring some cheer back into their lives and living rooms. One family in Sutton-in-Ashfield said their decision to bring back Yuletide was inspired by their determination to stay positive in this time of anxiety and illness. Fair play.

Rabbit Found in Rubbish Pile in Southwell is Re-homed A malnourished rabbit was discovered “cowering and shivering” under an old mattress by an offduty police officer back in February. Insp Marcus Oldroyd took the bunny to the vet for recovery, and the RSPCA are happy to report they’ve found a permanent home for the fluff-ball. Insp Marcus is said to be delighted by the news.

Local Comedy Star Live Streams A Stand-Up Gig with Mega Success The Yorkshire-born lad based in Beeston, Scott Bennett, has been on our ‘ones to watch’ list for a while now, and it’s great to see him making the best of a bad situation. His first livestreamed thirty-minute stand-up routine was performed from his garden shed to an audience of nearly 14,000 people, all with the hope of putting a smile back on their faces.

Beat the Streets Festival Raises £75,000 for Framework Through the combination of ticket sales, merchandise, a tombola, donation buckets and bar takings, this year’s Beat the Streets festival raised enough money for the homeless charity to employ two mental health workers, with the aim of supporting rough sleepers with complex needs. Big up to any of you who got involved and contributed to the success.

Hand Sanitiser Donated to Vulnerable People by Local Gym Boss Businessman Luke Willmott found himself with over 1,000 bottles of hand sanitizer spare bought from a manufacturing mate after the closure of his gym. Instead of letting them go to waste, he’s now working to distribute them to homeless charities, churches and soup kitchens throughout the county, and will also send some on to elderly members of the community who may not be able to find them in shops.

CRS Gets a New Lick of Paint and an Expansion Thanks to Nick Knowles Popular renovation show DIY SOS will be filming its BBC Children in Need episode in Nottingham at the Community Recording Studio.

Based at the Russell Youth Centre in St Ann’s, founder Trevor Rose and team have worked for 28 years to keep young people away from knife crime and gang violence, and we’re made up for them. A well-deserved reward.

Housing Estate Named After Beloved Village Cat Wilbur the Cat is loved by the people of Ruddington, and is frequently seen prowling around the local pubs, cafes and shops, attracting food and attention from residents. Not only has the “King of Ruddington” stolen their hearts, he’s also the name-sake behind the new housing development, Wilbur Chase. While some think it’s an attempt by authorities to get locals to warm to the controversial build, we’re just happy Wilbur’s finally been given the recognition he deserves.

Do Nothing’s Stolen Equipment Found After Facebook Appeal Nottingham’s music scene rallied around local quartet Do Nothing at the beginning of February after they took to Facebook to ask fans to keep an eye out for instruments and equipment that had

been stolen from a city centre car park. Guy Elderfield, a local music producer, saw the post and, by chance, later spotted the items in a Cash Generator store, and restored faith in Do Nothing’s “cold dead hearts”.

Bus Driver Saves School Girl from Choking on an Apple Bus driver Mark Dawson has been driving around these parts for ten years now, but showed an act of bravery when picking up passengers in Wollaton in February. After he noticed a young girl was struggling to breathe, he quickly stopped the bus, ran down the aisle and began to perform the back blows that eventually dislodged the fruit and, potentially, saved her life.

Vertical Farm Crops Donated to Help Feed the Homeless Nottingham Trent University has donated all the produce from its vertical farm to help feed the homeless during the pandemic.

From the two vertical gardens – run by Professor Chungui Lu and colleagues at the University’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences – they’ve put together boxes of pak choi, spinach, lettuce, basil and other greens and given them to Tracy’s Street Kitchen, a team of chefs who make and distribute food to people living on the streets.

Nottingham Trent University Installs an LGBT+ Rainbow Crossing on Clifton Campus Following in the steps of Broad Street, the University has painted the crossing to celebrate the institution’s inclusive culture and hopes it will increase LGBT+ students’ sense of community. And the students seem dead chuffed with it too – it’s great to see such an important and omnipresent institution in the city celebrating its diversity.

Cobbler’s Thumb Replaced with his Big Toe After Industrial Accident This is a good thing, we promise. After cutting through his right thumb while trimming the heel of a shoe at his shop, David Lee underwent a ten hour procedure to amputate his big toe and have it attached to his hand to replace the damaged digit. Our David’s overjoyed with the result, as it’s enabled him to carry on with his job, and doing what he loves.

Nottingham Chippy Named Best in UK Despite our eighty-mile distance from the coast, The Cods Scallops in Wollaton has been named the UK’s best chippy thanks to its menu, which boasts more than twenty species of fish as well as healthier, baked options. But it’s not just the scran that bagged them the award – they also came up tops on their sustainability and ability to cater for dietary requirements.

Nottingham MP to Return to Care Role to Support the Fight Against COVID-19 As if we didn’t have enough reasons to love her already, Nadia Whittome will return to her old job at Nottingham's ExtraCare as an act of solidarity. The MP, who was elected for Nottingham East in the latest election will juggle the extra shifts with her normal duties, and will be donating her salary to charities supporting COVID-19 relief.

New Robin Hood Fund Raises £10K in Thirty Hours to Help Elderly and Vulnerable Launched in response to COVID-19, the Robin Hood Fund vowed to support the city’s most in-need by providing food packages and financial relief to those affected. After backing from the city council, Nottingham Forest and other charities, they threw it out to the public, and you lot responded by chucking more than a few quid their way. The community spirit in this city really is humbling.

Over-Enthusiastic Cocker Spaniel Joins Police Force After Being Dubbed ‘Too Energetic’ for a Home Two-year old Cooper has finally found his forever home as part of Nottinghamshire Police Dog’s section, after he was deemed a bit too boisterous for a family environment. After his previous owners realised his energy could be put to better use, Cooper has now been trained in finding cash, drugs and firearms, and is more than excited to get stuck into his new role.

New School illustration: Carmel Ward

Sticky fingers. Messy tables. Wobbly lips. Yes, it’s gonna be like half-term every day for at least the next few months. Most parents are getting to grips with having to teach the kids and keep them entertained for all hours of the day, but there are loads of resources out there to help make this a little easier for you. Pull your kids apart from arguing, stop them going stir-crazy, and get them stuck into these activities...

Joe Wicks PE Lessons Sticking the kids in front of the TV or tablet will actually be useful for once. Yes, the famous curly-haired fitness hunk that mum dribbles over is now live-streaming PE lessons every weekday at 9am. It’ll help get their gears whirring before they start their school work, so they feel energised when they’re doing it. He’s even donating all proceeds to the NHS. Good lad.

Rainbow Window Pictures Who put the colours in the rainbow? Well, it could be your little ‘uns. All over the country people are drawing multi-coloured arches and putting them in their windows to help spread hope. We know the word ‘paint’ can bring a sense of dread to parents but, trust us, it’ll be worth it to help create a bit of much-needed joy. Plus, you can always use felt tips or pencils. Time for a cheeky art attack if you ask us.

Design a LeftLion Cover For the first time ever, we’ve got a blank cover. Well, we’re waiting for you to head back to page 23, print it off and colour it in. Get out your nicest colouring set, glue on some tissue paper, whack on some glitter… we think there’s loads you can do.

We’ve managed to come up 124 different ideas over the years, so if you want some inspo, have a gander at our archives. After you’re finished, show it off to us by tagging us on the socials. We might even be putting them to use in the future...

The Great Indoors With outside exercise limited to once a day and social gatherings banned, all the ‘typical’ Scout tasks are out for the foreseeable. However, they’ve now popped their rainy day resources on their website with short activities for a variety of age groups.

We’re lovin’ the look of the leafy hedgehog. The tasks are all really thoughtful and well-explained too. There is sure to be something to entertain – Scout’s honour.

Twinkl Learning resource website Twinkl have made all their shiny worksheets free for a month. When the school work dries up, you can download and print off a range of activities for the kids to get into. As well as school subject work, there’s colouring sheets, craft ideas and izzy-wizzy science experiments. They have resources for kids of all ages, so they’ll have no excuse to nag you about being bored.

Johnny and the Raindrops For obvious reasons, Notts musician Johnny is without his raindrops at the moment.

It’s not all bad though – he’s still jamming, and live-streaming kid-friendly musical songs that you can join in with. You can lob song requests at him, and he’s even doing shout-outs too so your children can get all starstruck. He also has some cracking original songs that you’ll have stuck on repeat in your head. Sorry in advance.

Cosmic Kids Yoga Such big life changes all at once is a lot to deal with, and your kids may be feeling a bit stressed about it all. Help them chill out and calm down by getting a bit zen. Not only are there yoga and meditation videos that are fun and easy for them to do, but the website also has resources for mindful parenting. You could do this indoors or even in the garden to make it extra relaxing.

Young Creative Awards Have you got a tween, teen or adult child in the house who is bursting with creativity? If they live, work, or study in the Nottingham area, they can enter these marvellous awards. There are ten different categories to choose from, and they’ve got plenty of time to enter it too, as the deadline has been extended to Monday 27 April. They can create something new, or even enter their university or schoolwork.

With it being free to apply, as well as cash prizes and industry experience up for grabs, you’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

And Remember…

It’s important for children to carry on their learning, but they have also had their whole routines taken away too and may be struggling to understand the situation.

Make sure to check up on them regularly, ask them if they have any questions about COVID-19 or anything else, and make sure they do something that makes them smile every day too. Bake a cake. Play in the garden. Just treasure the extra time with them.

Namaste at Home

Being stuck indoors all day can have a hugely negative impact on both your physical and mental wellbeing, particularly during a time of so much anxiety and uncertainty. So we’ve teamed up with local yoga expert Victoria Louise to offer some simple moves that can help keep your body and mind on track…

Yoga and meditation help connect you back into your body and out of any overwhelming thoughts. By slowing down your breathing and making it go deeper into your belly, you will create a more calming sensation as you activate your parasympathetic nervous system. Bringing more oxygen into your body provides the healing immune-boosting properties. Introducing the element

of yoga has the calming effect with the breathwork, and also balances your strength and flexibility, which in these times is important. We all want a strong, healthy mind and a strong, healthy body.

Yoga and meditation also teach us to sit with discomfort, look inside ourselves and understand what is really

Inhale Mountain Pose With your arms up, breathe in and lift your arms over your head, opening your heart and taking a full stretch.

Inhale Step Back to Lunge: Hip Opener

going on under the surface. In a time of the unknown and uncertainty, yoga and meditation practice bring awareness to what we do have control over in our lives and what we can be grateful for. We’ve put together some easy steps that beginners can use to start their practice, and that can be done easily at home.

Exhale Forward Fold: Spine Release Push your feet into the ground, feeling your own support. Tuck in your tailbone, and have your knee in line with your ankle.

Breathe into the hips.

Exhale Plank (Can move down to knees if you wish) Lower yourself down, building your inner support.

Have your tailbone tucked and your core engaged.

Push up between your shoulder blades, opening the back and using your own strength and energy.

With your weight into your heels, softly bend the knees, relax your neck, and breath into your legs and lower back.

Inhale Cobra

Exhale Downward Dog

Push into your hands, feeling the ground. Open the shoulders, softly bend the knees, and make sure to have a long spine. This inversion allows blood flow to the brain.

Push your pubic bone into the ground, opening your lower back. Activate your legs, draw your chest forward and elbows back. Breathe and open your heart.

You can join Victoria Louise online for workshops on breath work, meditation and yoga practices, as well as 1-to-1s.

iamvictorialouise.co.uk @iamvictorialouise

leftlion.co.uk/issue124 31

COME TOGETHER We never thought we’d see the day that all our city’s gigs had to be called off, but that bleddy COVID-19 has put a temporary stop to the lot. It’s a trying time and then some for everyone involved in the music industry right now, from artists and technicians to venues and record shops.

Yet in the face of this crisis we’ve seen some gargantuan spirit and rallying round in Notts, so while we’re not able to go to gigs for a while, we’ve chatted with some of our friends across the scene and scoured the net to show you what our music heads think of it all, what they’re up to and how you can support the local scene...

Maddy Chamberlain and Sam Keirl of DHP Family gave us their three top tips...

“Number one: Buy merch if you can, either from the artist or the festival or the venue.

These things massively help and now, in most cases, artists have a load of merch meant for the tour that they now won’t be on for months.”

“Number two: It’s a great time to go searching for new artists. Look at upcoming gigs for later in the year and discover the music of the local scene. Streaming sites are going to be our best friend for the next few months so check out our listings and grab a ticket for shows later in the year.”

“Number three: Keep chatting and interacting with venues and bands online.

Nottingham has such an incredible music community and we want that to continue digitally over the next few months. Messages really brighten up our day!”

Phil Booth, founder of JT Soar, shared some succinct wisdom...

“I'd say look after each other, see if spaces are doing crowdfunding and chip in or share if they need it. Buy bands who were due to tour's merch as it's likely they booked time off work for it and might get stiffed over that…”

It’s important to turn off the noise of the news occasionally, and tune into something a little more soothing. We’ve put together a peaceful playlist full of Notts artists to quieten your mind and liven up your quarantine…

Three Body – Palm Leaf Ella Knight – Q and A

Joe Fisher of Rainy Daze Recording Studio was able to remain open until a few days ago...

“We were basically just self-isolating in the studio, but trying to keep our doors open to anybody that wants to practise or record while taking all the right precautions. We also started a nightly radio show where people can get involved and have a chat so if they’re feeling lonely in isolation they can tune in. Everybody is in the same boat and I think we just all have to stick together and wait out the storm. We were just trying to keep spirits up.”

Radio has risen from the ashes Though heading out to live music might be off the cards, dancing at home is very much allowed, making it a big moment for internet radio stations. Two local outlets have risen from the ashes, setting up their platforms again (remotely) to showcase local talent and offer some musical therapy.

Mimm might have temporarily shut up shop, but they’re still pushing out that creative, cultural goodness after bringing back Mimm Radio.

“In the face of adversity, we have decided to make a negative into a positive. @ mimmradio will be back on air from next week so we can stay connected with you guys and support the local music scene through this tough time. We will create a safe environment for DJs, Promoters and Presenters to reach you at the comfort of your home over the coming weeks.”

The daily programming has recently seen Ella Knight, Trekkah and Saziso entertain its listeners. Alongside feel-good mixes and archive sessions, we can expect some conversational sets over the next few days - sometimes there’s nothing more soothing than hearing a voice mumble through the speakers… mimm.co.uk

Where Mimm offers mellow melodies, when you’ve got pent-up energy to release then another archive station, MyhouseYourhouse, can certainly offer the remedy. “We are MyhouseYourhouse. We’re back, because it’s time you were #BackInTheHouse” Established in 2005, this dance hub hung up its headphones in 2018 but is broadcasting once more to a very eager audience. Trekkah features again on the schedule, joined by Tasogare’s London Lockdown show, Self Oscillation from Matthew Orrell and Carole Kelly and House Cleaning with Kyle Douglas. myhouseyourhouse.net

Megatrain – Diana Jimi Mack – Soon Yasmin Lacey – Morning Matters Alice Robbins – G.D.F.S S.T. Manville – The Middle Sancho Panza – Rearrange the Diamonds Natalie Duncan – Lies Young T & Bugsey – Throw Me a Text Cinema Gold – Rooftops Camille Christel – Goldsmith Street Amber Run – I Found Nina Smith – Time Bent – So Long Without You Harleighblu – Queeen Dem Tindersticks - Tiny Tears

Charity hasn’t been forgotten Alongside artists supporting artists, and many rallying around to support the scene, there have also been beautiful efforts from local artists and promoters to support wider causes too. Krudd founder and Original Sounds MC Bru-C raised £1.1k for the NHS through a clothing collab with mental health project, eott., while Wigflex is offering dancers the option to donate ticket refunds from their EP launch party, planned for this weekend, to the Nottingham Robin Hood Fund.

Do Nothing – LeBron James

illustration: Raphael Achache

Support your local coffee roaSter

Don’t look at empty shelves in the shops order online

www.stewartscoffees.co.uk

Spa Day and Chill Just because you haven’t worn makeup in weeks or your beard is verging on the bushy side, it doesn’t mean you can’t give yourself a little TLC. Self-care is more important than ever, so we’re guiding you through how to throw the ultimate spa day experience at home...

Set the Scene You can’t recreate a spa experience at home without creating the perfect atmosphere.

Thankfully it’s easy to turn your bedroom/bathroom/living room into a soothing sanctuary. Blow the dust of your candles, dim the lights, choose your Spotify playlist and grab yourself a beverage – may we suggest a refreshing G&T. And no scrimping on the candles. Treat yourself by going all out and burning your biggest and best candle. We’re in a national lockdown after all. It can’t get more special than that.

to hand, make your own one by mixing avocado, honey and oats.

Dig Out the Unwanted Birthday Gifts No not the gift card for Next your nan got you – we mean that posh gift set stuff you thought you’d never use! It’s time to rummage through your toiletry box and dig out every bath bomb, face mask and body scrub you own.

Although do just check they’re all still in date. You might not be leaving the house but we still don’t want you coming out in an itchy red rash. Yuck.

Get Back on Your Feet If your new-found love for running has left your feet feeling worse for wear, a foot soak will help you get back out for your daily state-approved exercise in no time. If you don’t have a foot spa from the mid-nineties somewhere in the loft, fill a bowl with some hot water, add some Epsom salts or bath soak, sit back and relax. Follow up with some thick moisturiser and pop on a pair of cotton socks to make sure it all sinks in.

Get Steamy The only way to begin the perfect spa day is with a steaming hot bath. Throw in a bath bomb or some Epsom salts and, if you’re feeling extra fancy, you can even scatter some rose petals in there too (or the shrivelled petals of the wilting flowers in your living room). If you don’t have a bath, fear not, because you can still unwind just as well with a shower. Damp a face cloth with some essential oil or a spray of fragrance, hang it somewhere in the bathroom and let the steam from the shower do the rest.

If You Only Do One Thing Make it the face mask. No spa day is complete without the face mask. So much variety, so many choices. Whether you opt for a sheet mask that makes you look like a Disney princess, or a charcoal one that will also give you a full-face wax at the same time – it’s totally up to you. If you don’t have any face masks

Don’t Forget Your #bodyisatemple Often neglected, the skin on your body is just as important. Give yourself a good scrub first to slough off any dead skin, working from the bottom up in circular motions. Again, if you don’t have any scrub lying around, mix sugar and honey or olive oil to make your own. Follow up with a slathering of moisturiser to restore that natural glow.

Get Rid of the Panda Eyes Another very important area that’s usually skipped is the eyes. The skin around your eyes is way thinner than anywhere else which is why it’s usually the first giveaway of a late night. But don’t worry, you can fake a great night’s sleep with a reviving eye treatment. Pop some cold teabags or cool slices of cucumber on to your eyes, lay back and relax whilst listening to your favourite podcast.

Aaaaand Relax By now you should be feeling super zen, so you could even finish up your at-home spa experience with a bit of meditation – there are plenty of apps that can guide you through some chilled sessions. When you’re ready, cosy up in your comfiest pyjamas, shut your phone away and wind down with a good book, or head straight for an early night to catch some zzz.

words: Hannah Cooke

Tough times for creative businesses…

What are you going to do about it?

Now more than ever creative and digital businesses need to be online and active everywhere that can make a difference.

CQFinder is a space for Nottingham's creative and digital businesses to be present, to represent their work, to find customers and seek out collaborators.

It only takes a few minutes to sign up.

It could make all the difference.

An unprecedented challenge Covid-19 (Coronavirus) is the biggest challenge we have ever faced.

We are desperately concerned about the welfare of our services users and the wellbeing of our staff.

As this unprecedented crisis continues we will continue to house and support homeless people.

We urgently need your support now

Please help us to continue providing the following life-saving supplies for local people in need: •

Emergency food packages for vulnerable, isolated residents

•

Care packages for accommodation services with protective equipment and cleaning materials.

We know that many of you may also be struggling, but if you are in a position to do so please consider supporting this appeal.

Your support will help us to safeguard some of the most vulnerable people in our society, and may even save lives.

Thank you and take care.

Visit: www.frameworkha.org/appeals Find us on social media:

How much do we need?

A donation of £20 will allow us to put together and deliver one of either package.

We desperately need your support more than ever.

A Company Registered in England and Wales and Limited by Guarantee 3318404 Reg. Charity No. 1060941 RP No. LH4 184

illustration: Emily Catherine

While most of us have been ordered to stay indoors, a number of charities are still working around the clock to support some of the most vulnerable in society. Here are a few that you can support during a time when they need it the most…

The Robin Hood Fund Launched by representatives from Nottingham City Council and The Nottingham Project in a bid to raise much-needed funds for Nottingham’s most vulnerable residents during this unprecedented period, the project is led by Greg Nugent, Chair of the Nottingham Board for Culture and Creativity, and Councillor Rebecca Langton, Portfolio Holder for Communities.

Councillor Rebecca Langton said: “It’s going to be so important that we help each other in the coming weeks and we want to make sure people can do this safely, making sure help gets where it is most needed. That's why we're launching The Robin Hood Fund to help coordinate financial support. I'd like to thank everyone who has helped out already – from checking on a neighbour to shopping for others. The Robin Hood Fund will offer an opportunity for those who are willing to support their communities financially.

We will make sure that all the money raised gets to the people and places who need it most.” gofundme.com/f/3ytaf-robin-hood-fund

Himmah's Food Bank Appeal Himmah is a grassroots community-based initiative providing services to tackle poverty, racism and social exclusion. This includes campaigning and educational resources to meet the needs and aspirations of Nottingham's wider community. Their work is driven by the values of mercy, compassion, service and justice. The organisation is led by Sajid Mohammed, who this year was elected as Councillor of Mapperley Ward.

They raise money for local food banks all year round, but since the Coronavirus outbreak their stocks have become extremely low. They usually look after at least fifty families per week but at the moment, because stocks and funds are so low, they've had to cut this back to 32. They're asking people to pledge or, if possible, set up a regular direct debit so they can continue to get food out to the families most in need. justgiving.com/campaign/FoodBankAppeal

Emmanuel House Our friends at Emmanuel House (and the people they serve) don’t really have the choice to stay indoors right now. In response to the Government’s advice, they are targeting their services solely at those still sleeping rough through all this. They accept donations all-year-round and always need your help. They're also in fairly desperate need of handsanitiser, so if any of you have been guiltily hoarding a bit more than you need at home then please consider gifting an extra bottle to them. The last few charity projects we’ve done at LeftLion were for these guys, as they’re on our doorstep and we regularly see the good work they do. emmanuelhouse.org.uk

POW The Nottingham-based non-profit, voluntary organisation that supports the rights of sex workers and those at risk of being exploited are in need of help to make sure that their fantastic work can continue through this difficult time. Any financial support will go to providing hot meals to clients, the purchase of harm minimisation and healthcare supplies, and assisting those in need of emergency funds when they are in crisis. pow-advice.org.uk/get-support

Nottingham Artist Fund With live venue closures seeing all upcoming gigs and events cancelled, the loss of income for artists has been catastrophic.

The people who help make Nottingham the vibrant, colourful and creative place that we all love are being helped out by the establishment of the Nottingham Artist Fund, which will provide hardship funds for artists who are unable to work during the health crisis. Circle of Light and Hockley Hustle collaborated, set up the campaign and are hosting digital live stream festival Light Hustle on Saturday 4 April to raise money for the fund, which will feature Nottingham’s finest musical talent. gofundme.com/f/nottingham-artist-fund

Prisoner Solidarity Network The impact of COVID-19 has been difficult for us all, but those currently in prison will be feeling the effects more than most. As people begin to self-isolate and avoid travel and public spaces, many friends and family members are unable to attend visitations.

PSN also anticipate the possible cancellation of visitation by some prisons, which means that prisoners are having less contact with their loved ones at a time when they will likely be worried about them. Average wages in prison are £6 per week and phone calls are extremely expensive. Many people inside simply won't be able to afford extra calls to family in the absence of visits.

In addition, people without access to money to purchase extra food and healthcare/sanitary items, are set to face an increased risk of contamination. Prisoner Solidarity Network aims to raise funds to send to prisoners who would otherwise not be able to phone their loved ones or purchase essential healthcare and wellbeing items.

leftlion.co.uk/issue124 37

gofundme.com/f/covid19-prisoner-emergency-fund

'LET'S REDUCE THROW AWAY FASHION WASTE'

Soul and Flare CURATED FEMININE VINTAGE CLOTHING & RE/STYLED ACCESSORIES SELLING ON DEPOP. IRL CREATIVE SEWING STUDIO ON SNEINTON MARKET OFFERING A CLOTHING ALTERATIONS & REPAIRS SERVICE. UNIT 40, AVENUE C, SNEINTON MARKET, NOTTINGHAM NG1 1DW

Can-Do Attitude Recipes words and photos: Lucy and Lentils

When things get stressful in life, a plate of proper grub will always help ease the stress. After all, food is one of the best ingredients in life for comfort. If you’re struggling to make sense of the cans in your cupboard, then fear not – Lucy and Lentils has put together three recipes that you can easily cook at home and can make plenty of for the family too. lucyandlentils.co.uk @lucyandlentils

Bloody Mary Orzo Soup Ingredients For the base 1 tbsp olive oil 1 tbsp Cox’s Bloody Mary Spicer or Tabasco sauce 1 red onion 4 cloves garlic 1 400g tin butter beans or black beans 80g kale 200g passata 700ml veg stock 175g dried orzo or rice Spices and seasoning 1 bay leaf ½ tsp salt To top 3 tbsp fresh pesto

Method Finely chop the onion and add to a pot with a glug of olive oil and fry for around 5-6 minutes.

Mince the garlic cloves and add to the pan and fry for a further 1 minute.

Add the passata, veg stock, drained beans and bay leaf and bring to a simmer for around 5 minutes.

Add Cox’s Spicer or Tabasco sauce along with the chopped kale, orzo and a good pinch of salt to taste, and continue to simmer for a further 10 minutes.

Taste test, adding a little more spicer or salt if needed.

Serve into bowls, and top with 1 tbsp fresh pesto on each bowl.

Chana Masala Ingredients For the base 2 x 400g tinned chickpeas 2 x 400g tinned tomatoes 3 garlic cloves minced 1 medium heat red chilli 1 thumb-sized piece of ginger (1/2 grated and 1/2 finely chopped) 2 x 400ml coconut milk (optional to make it creamy as traditionally it's just tomatoes) 200ml water Spices and seasoning 1 tsp cumin 1 tsp garam masala 1/4 tsp turmeric 1/2 tsp sea salt flakes To top 150g fresh or frozen spinach A handful of toasted hazelnuts, pumpkin and sunflower seeds (optional) 90g rice with 180ml water

Method Bring the rice and water to a boil in a saucepan, then put the lid on and simmer for 10 minutes.

Drizzle 1 tsp coconut oil into a frying pan, then add the finely chopped chilli and chopped ginger with the drained chickpeas and fry for 5 minutes.

Add the finely chopped garlic to the pan and fry for 1 minute before pouring in the tinned tomatoes and water along with the spices, then bring to the boil for around 6-7 minutes.

Lower to a medium heat then add the grated ginger spinach and the coconut milk if adding, then stir together until combined.

Taste test the curry, adding more seasoning if needed.

Add the chana masala to a bowl along with the hot rice, top with toasted nuts and seeds if you have them, and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Blondies Ingredients

Method

For the base 120g plain flour 175g demerara sugar 1/2 tsp baking powder 1/2 tsp salt 40g chocolate chunks 80g dairy/vegan butter 170g peanut butter 2 tbsp dairy/alternative milk

Preheat the oven to 180 degrees

To top 35g chocolate chunks for the topping 2 tbsp Biscoff spread

Bring the dry ingredients together in a large mixing bowl. In a separate bowl add the peanut butter, milk and room temperature butter, then whisk together.

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and mix together with the chocolate chunks until combined, then spoon into a lined brownie tin.

Add the remaining chocolate chunks on top, pushing them slightly into the surface.

Bake for 22 minutes - don’t worry if the centre is still gooey, as it’ll firm when cooling down.

Place onto a baking tray and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before cutting.

Heat the Biscoff spread and drizzle over the top!

Preserving fresh ingredients

Top tips for making the most of your fresh fruit & veg Freezing produce is one of the easiest ways to preserve fresh veggies that might be on the turn.

Spinach and kale can be bought fresh and popped straight into the freezer without any prep.

Fresh ginger is a fantastic one to pop in the freezer and can be grated straight into the pan or sauce.

Batch cook meals such as soups, stocks and curries, as they can be frozen. They'll take an hour or two to make but will save you time later on.

Herbs that are going off can either be mashed into pestos, dressings or pastes.

Another good way to preserve them is to fill a freezer ice cube tray with olive oil and place the chopped fresh herbs to make little pockets of flavourful olive oil. These can be popped straight into the pan to add a boost of extra flavour to your dish.

Instead of throwing away broccoli stalks, spring onion ends, and any other scraps, try looking at recipes that help get the most out of the veg – creating vegetable stocks will always be more flavourful than shop-bought! Try experimenting with savvy recipes such as using sweet potato peel to make truffled chips, or broccoli stalks to make a crunchy stir fry. Pinterest is a great inspiration source for this!

Three Body Palm Leaf (EP) The long-awaited EP from Three Body is their first release on their Running Circle imprint; it’s electronica, re-imagined organically. Palm Leaf is undoubtedly danceable, but you can tell it’s been crafted by musicians with a live performance background. 808s are replaced by warm percussion slaps, offering earthy club tracks weaved together by layers of woodwind and brass samples.

Goosebumps aplenty – if you like Nicholas Jaar, especially his Darkside project, then you’ll love these six tracks.

Eileen Pegg

Coralie Rickshaw Bleeps (Single)

Baraccuda Persona (EP)

Head of local party Obnu and popular figure in the local dance crowd, Coralie knows a thing or two about the electronic melodies that soundtrack our underground venues. Rickshaw Bleeps contains all the mucky energy that has come to define the Notts techno scene while still maintaining enough electro wobble to fit Coralie’s signature sound; a dancefloor-ready smasher proves why international DJs like Hessle Audio’s Bruce have been quick to spin his tunes. Rory Evans

In his new incarnation as Baraccuda, Joe Weatherall strikes a delightfully frantic psychedelic chord. The metallicyet-buoyant opener Anxiety Concerto is followed by bluesy ballad Held My Tongue, and Weatherall’s signature wobbly guitar hooks infiltrate Silhouette, along with the surreal lyricism we loved in his Crosa Rosa days. Persona sees Weatherall harnessing his experimental streak while maintaining those virtuosic flashes, most exuberantly on Hendrix-tinged closing track Ember. Becky Timmins

Jimi Mack Soon (Single)

Ella Knight Q&A (Single)

There ain’t no voice or finger-picking extraordinaire better to soundtrack this self-isolation period. On Soon, Mack fortuitously captures that state of being in-between, of waiting it out. Applying his satisfyingly nostalgic tones to notions like algorithms, he takes listeners on a bittersweet journey through time. Among rich instrumentals he sings: ‘Soon I’ll take your picture by European waterfalls’; we hear ya, Jimi. We bleddy hope so, too. Becky Timmins

Ella Knight is a reoccurring name on the Nottingham music scene, and the energy surrounding her only continues to grow. Debut independent release Q&A proves why her talent needs to be recognised. Funky and mellow, the track features a blend of pop, jazz, soul and RnB which makes for some unique melodies. Holding a laid-back beat, Ella’s soothing vocals ensure that if you need to wind down, Q&A is the perfect soundtrack. Molly Dodge Taylor

If you’re from Nottingham and want to get added to our music writers list, or get your tunes reviewed, hit us up at music@leftlion.co.uk

NUSIC BOX

Your new Notts music tip sheet, as compiled by Nusic’s Sam Nahirny. Want more? Check out the fortnightly podcasts and live sessions on the Nusic website.

Cinema Gold Born out of the ashes of The Shrives, Cinema Gold are taking a very different journey down big banger lane. Ethereal, quirky and with mad hooks, your nan probably won’t ‘get it’, but already in the few tracks we’ve heard they’re showcasing so much diversity they’ll probably make one that she likes soon. Before then, you can find them sitting somewhere in Electronic-Folk Stomp-Sample Land. Just down from Wow, How Do They Get That Much Gear (We Mean Instruments) On Stage Avenue. facebook.com/cinemagoldmusic

Valiant On a very different vibe is DJ and producer Valiant, who, with the right Tik Tok ad campaign, could find himself playing Ibiza’s Amnesia in three-months’ time. Mega diverse, showing excellence across the electronic music spectrum, it’s hard to pin him down to a single genre. No matter the style, it sounds like it was made in a 1.7 mil studio while Pharrell sipped a kale smoothie in the corner. Once we’re allowed back in the club, Valiant will be all over it. facebook.com/valiantdj leftlion.co.uk/issue124 43

Thirst Aid

Nottingham-based freelancer Christina Newland has penned articles for film mags from Empire to Sight & Sound, but now it’s her turn in the editor’s chair. We spoke to her about her new collection of essays, She Found it at the Movies...

How would you describe She Found it at the Movies?

I’m posing a series of questions and trying to find answers. I knew when I started out with an interest in the topic of women and sex in the movies – and how female audience members respond to sex in the movies – that it was something incredibly open-ended because desire is very subjective. I needed to reach out to as many different people as possible, which led to a collection of essays rather than something from one author. It’s an attempt at blending critical analysis and personal essays to answer questions about how women relate to things on screen that aren't necessarily meant for them.

How did you approach the different writers to work on the project?

I knew a lot of women and non-binary culture writers that I already really admired, so I reached out to a few of them. I got quite a lot of submissions too, and had to narrow it down through there, keeping in mind that I wanted it to be as diverse as possible.

Who is the book primarily aimed at?

It's certainly aimed at women, but I’d very much like to see film fans, people who are interested in feminism and people of all kinds to pick it up.

We tried to keep in mind throughout the editing and putting-together of the book that even if you weren't specifically interested in the topic of female sexuality, or specifically a cinephile – a real honest-to-goodness film geek – that you could pick it up and start to think about the depictions of women on screen, who's making movies, and how that relates back to us being able to find something sexy on the screen, particularly when the history of movies has been about the male gaze.

Which essays in the book are you most excited for people to read?

I would have to plead the fifth on that one, because I have really good relationships with a lot of my writers and I wouldn't like to pick favourites. But I would say that one I’d like to

flag is one by a Canadian writer named Willow Maclay, who's very talented. She's written a lot for RogerEbert.com and has really deep knowledge of film and film history. She's trans, and wrote a little bit about what it is to try and identify with sex on screen; what her tastes are and what her experience of sex is, versus what she sees on the screen.

In fact, the film that she found herself relating to most was Jonathan Glazer's Under the Skin. It's an alien in a woman's body, and the confusion that results when she realises that she doesn't have all the same functions as an anatomicallycorrect woman. I find it very, very moving.

Nottingham has a really nice, small but close-knit community What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when putting this collection together?

I’m a freelance writer; I didn't have much experience in being in an editorial position. I've worked with a lot of different editors, but it's not the same as being in the editorial capacity and having twenty people writing personal things. To have the sensitivity to guide them to where I needed something to be, but also to be very sensitive to their feelings about the project and their comfort zone, was certainly challenging at times. It was rewarding, though; I wanted to feel that care was taken.

The book release was initially planned to coincide with a film season at BFI Southbank.

What can people look forward to once this is rescheduled?

We had a couple of filmmakers planning to come out, which will be really exciting. We'll be screening some really fun mainstream movies like Dirty Dancing, Magic Mike XXL, but then a lot of lesser-known films as well; a lot of teenage coming-of-age movies like Diary of a Teenage Girl,

and a film called Pariah by the director Dee Rees.

One of her most recent films was Mudbound, which is a Netflix film.

We'll also have some older stuff like the 1931 film from Germany called Madchen in Uniform – that's one of the first films to ever depict a lesbian kiss. I would also say in the meantime, while everybody's stuck inside, there are quite a few choices across streaming platforms that people can check out. I believe Diary of a Teenage Girl is on BFI Player, and Dirty Dancing is on Netflix.

Do you have any plans to release another book?

I would say that the next book will be a real left turn from here. I have a variety of interests in cinema, and I think the next thing I do will not be a collection of essays but instead just a written book, probably more to do with film history.

What advice might you give to aspiring film writers in Nottingham?

Nottingham has a really nice, small but closeknit community. You have Broadway Cinema first and foremost – which will hopefully re-open soon – and there's such a good community there: there are film clubs, a lot of events, the BFI-run classes for young people, separate film courses on film history. The best thing you can do is get talking to people. I really believe that, and that's how I got started: meeting people that worked at Mayhem Film Festival. The guys that run that, Chris Cooke and Steven Sheil, are two guys that helped me to orient myself within British film culture and Nottingham film culture. Watch as many films as you can. The great thing about cinema is that you really can be kind of an autodidact; you can read and watch to your heart's content, especially in this day and age.

She Found it at the Movies is released on Tuesday 31 March @christinalefouIf

interview: Jamie Morris

leftlion.co.uk/issue123 39

interview: Kate Hewett

Let Byrons Be Byrons Emily Brand is a local historian who’s been researching the Byron family tree and all its drama-sprouting branches.

With a close look at life in the eighteenth century, her fourth book The Fall of the House of Byron is released this month. We sat down for a digital chat with the author to find out more...

For your fourth book, why did you choose to write about the life of Byron rather than the other Romantic writers?

The Fall of the House of Byron is my first major work of history, and there are a number of strands of research that brought me to what became a fairly epic family saga, tracing the story of the poet’s ancestry through the eighteenth century.

Much of my previous research has focused on the history of love and romance during that era, where the poet and serial seducer Lord Byron looms very large.

Having grown up in Nottinghamshire myself, I was keen on the opportunity to research a local figure – his ancestral home and family being based at Newstead Abbey.

But my book focuses more on the lives of his relatives – his father’s and grandfather’s generations. As well as an existing interest in the poet himself, I was initially drawn in by a beautiful portrait of his great aunt Isabella, and a remarkable survival story published by his grandfather John. At every turn a new and exciting life story presented itself, so I wanted to pull them all together and shed new light on the experience of living through the eighteenth century.

characters. In adopting the voice of Mr Darcy – a fictional character with whom I feel I have grown up – I was allowed more creative license, and I barely felt I needed to research him to capture his voice.

I have often been told off for spending too much time with dead people and not enough with the living What is your favorite part of being a historian, and what’s the most challenging thing?

First and foremost, I love working with the archival material. It’s such a privilege to be able to handle historical documents and objects, and to have the chance to revive interest in figures who are long dead or who have been entirely forgotten. I found this particularly in unearthing the story of Isabella Byron, many of whose papers appear to have sat undisturbed by researchers for decades. Being able to piece her story back together, and to share it with the public, does not only seem like a valuable exercise but is also great fun.

How do you start your research when writing a book like this?

I used a framework of existing studies, like financial and archaeological records of Newstead Abbey.

I wanted to insert the voices of the characters themselves back into the picture, so I needed their personal papers. I was extremely fortunate to find lots of material at the Nottinghamshire Archive, the University of Nottingham, the National Archives, Castle Howard, and too many others to name. The research took around three years – I won’t say to “complete”, as I’m sure there is much more hidden out there – and takes in wills, military records, court cases, household inventories, diaries and swathes of correspondence with spouses, children, employers, and friends.

The most challenging thing is perhaps the isolation – many long hours of reading and writing in silent libraries or late at night doesn’t always line up brilliantly with an active social life. I have often been told off for spending too much time with dead people and not enough with the living.

How has the process differed between your different books?

The Fall of the House of Byron has certainly been a new challenge for me. This book represents me taking the plunge into an accessible and colourful, but serious, study of eighteenth century life. Compared to my previous work, Mr Darcy’s Guide to Courtship, while largely based on the genuine seduction guides and romantic advice of the Georgian era, was a tongue-in-cheek homage to some of Jane Austen’s most beloved

One piece of advice I would give aspiring authors is to get active on social media, to build an online presence, to make connections and to learn more about what is out there. It may seem trite, but I have learned so much and met so many brilliant people by becoming a part of the online community – it’s brought me into contact with other authors, historians, agents, and editors and has been really invaluable. I think the more you know about each stage of the publishing process, the more likely you are to be able to find your place in it.

The publishing industry is notorious for being difficult to penetrate. What’s been your experience of the industry and how has it changed as you’ve published more books?

I worked for a number of years as an editor of academic and popular history, so I suppose I’ve seen both sides of the coin. Certainly, it’s a challenging industry to break into both as a publisher and as an author.

What would you like readers to take away from your latest book?

I really wanted to bring the women’s voices to the fore – his female relatives were interesting too, but have been almost entirely neglected. The numerous surviving letters of the poet’s grandmother Sophia and great aunt Isabella give such lively, comic and tragic accounts of living in wartime, of riots, of female friendship, of literature, of handsome young kings and so much more – their voices add real, vivid texture to the story. I hope readers will connect as much with the adventures of the Byron women as with those of their brothers and husbands.

Where did your interest in writing historical books begin?

I’ve loved history for as long as I can remember – I grew up surrounded by enthusiasm for family history, for Jane Austen, and for Horatio Hornblower!

I feel a sort of security in writing about real people who lived, loved and died, generations ago – I’m full of admiration for fiction writers, who have to devise their own plots, twists, and outcome. Being bound by the surviving traces of real lives, a historian already has their framework, and it’s a case of doing justice to your characters and the time in which they lived. With some figures in this particular family, truth really did end up being more sensational than fiction.

What role does Nottingham play in the book?

The book begins and ends at Newstead Abbey, with the birth of a boy in 1722, following him and his siblings through life until his death in 1798. This is when his heir – the future poet – inherits the family titles and estates. At the heart of the book, providing a mirror for the family’s gradual financial – and in some ways moral – decline, the Abbey itself suffers until eventually becoming a sort of mournful, gothic ruin. Though their travels take them across Europe and – in one case – even circumnavigating the globe, we also find them at cockfights in Newark, at Nottingham races, standing for the local council, having illegitimate children with the city’s women and skipping between the neighbouring stately homes of the county. It’s so important that ‘British history’ doesn’t just mean ‘London history’, so I hope I have captured something of the local Nottinghamshire flavour that should rightly permeate their story.

Emily Brand’s The Fall of the House of Byron is published by John Murray on Tuesday 16 April @EJBrand

As the most devastating pandemic recorded in human history, the Black Death decimated Europe in the 14th century, killing somewhere between 30-60% of the continent’s entire population. But amidst the death, misery and chaos, one Nottingham doctor named John Arderne blazed a medical trail that still sees him referred to as England’s first surgeon…

It’s been said that it wasn’t until World War One that medicine reached the levels of knowledge and practice that had been refined under the Romans. How valid that claim is remains debatable, but it’s evident that the fall of the Roman Empire and subsequent Dark Ages plunged Europe into a time of superstition and religious fervour. By the time that the Black Death started to rip through Europe’s population, medical knowledge was so poor that people were effectively helpless to stop it.

John Arderne was a man seemingly born ahead of his time. Little is known about his early life, other than he was born in 1307 – forty years before the plague reached Europe – he was presumably well educated, owing to the fact that he wrote his own manuscripts in Latin, and that he practiced medicine in Newark. But his name lives on in countless medical books for his pioneering work in surgery, which was groundbreaking enough for Dr. Logan Clendening to label him as England’s first true surgeon in his Source Book of Medical History. In a time when medical practice overwhelmingly favoured putting your trust in God and the Church to heal the sick, Arderne’s research and fieldwork saw him develop medical practices that are still in use today.

While the exact nature of his medical training remains a mystery, Arderne’s own writings tell us that he spent much of his young adult life gaining surgical experience during the Hundred Years War, serving first under the Duke of Lancaster and then under John of Gaunt. As bloody and barbarous as the battlefields of Medieval Europe were, there could have been no better schooling for a surgeon, and removing mangled limbs, healing sword and knife wounds and attempting to fix broken bones would have been a

regular occurrence. He was even present at the Siege of Algeciras where, for the first time in European warfare, gunpowder was used. His experiences clearly made a great impression upon Arderne, as his later writings are filled with references to his time spent on the field of battle.

The great thing about cinema is that you really can be kind of an autodidact; you can read and watch to your heart’s content, especially in this day and age After leaving military service in 1349, a 42-year-old Arderne returned to Newark where he engaged in a civilian surgical practice. It was here that he gained notoriety for revolutionising surgical practice. He practiced using opium as soporific and as an external anaesthetic so the patient “shall sleep so that he shall feel not cutting,” as well as taking a special interest in the rectum; he became the first surgeon to successfully treat an anal fistulae – a condition in which a large, painful lump appears between the bottom of the spine and the anus, a common injury among knights that came as a result of prolonged periods of horse riding.

The understanding of the condition and subsequent treatment is still used by modern doctors to cure pilonidal cysts. He also pioneered an ointment for treating arrow wounds and clysters made from

hemlock, opium and henbane, which proved far more successful than any other contemporary methods of treatment.

But more than specific surgeries, Arderne is remembered for developing a code of conduct that the ideal practitioner should adhere to. While he treated the wealthy, including politicians, statesmen, landowners and ranking military officers, he believed that financial standing should never be a barrier to seeking his medical help. As such, he offered his services to wealthy and destitute alike, charging rich men as much as possible, and providing remedies for the poor free of charge.

By the time the Black Death had reached its peak, the population of England had been reduced from an estimated 6 million to just over 3.5 million. It had ravaged rich and poor alike, mercilessly tearing through the country’s population without prejudice.

Not only did Arderne survive the plague, but he thrived despite it, ensuring that generations to follow would all benefit immensely from his trailblazing work.

After over twenty years as a surgeon in Newark, Arderne moved to London where he was admitted to the Surgeon’s Guild and continued to practice until his death in 1390. And, with the average life expectancy during the plague reduced to less than 30, reaching 83 was no mean feat. From his surviving writings – in which Arderne refers to himself as a ‘Master Surgeon’, we learn the names, professions and ailments of specific men he helped, as well as detailed analysis of how and why the treatments worked. From this work, undertaken amid the worst health crisis in recorded history, the surgeon from Newark created a medical

Answers 1. (d) 2. (b) 3. (a) 4. (b) 5. (a) 6. (d) 7. (b) 8. (b) 9. (c) 10. (c) 11. (a) 12. (b) 13. (d) 14. (c) 15. (a) 16. (b) 17. (c) 18. (d) 19. (a) 20. (c) How did you do?

0-4 – You’re from Derby and you shouldn’t be reading this magazine.

5-9 – You’re a student and haven’t lived here that long. No shame in that.

10-13 – You know your way around the City Centre, but that’s about it.

14-17 – You’re Notts through-and-through. Not too bad at all.

18-20 – Your Notts knowledge is scary, and you should probably be running this magazine.