Why we need Crime Fiction (and performance and activism)

Contemporary crime fiction is like a pendulum beam swinging backwards and forwards revealing and hiding modern britain in a way that no other form quite matches. In crime fiction everyone is present. When you start reading you’re built in to the characters and plot in a way that makes you a participant. It’s a kind of […]

Picture Pick FriYAY: Winter Solstice

Happy Winter Solstice. This year we participated in the luminary walk that our little town sponsors. People walk the candle-lit path and reflect on their year and gaze at the festivities, the river… Source: Picture Pick FriYAY: Winter Solstice

The whole world in a grain of sand: the difference between a thought out composition and a snap view. Assume nothing Image Ben Wilson Chewing Gum Artist

Our eyes are baggy with culture, whether we’re young, middle aged or old from the time we can talk we have to be experienced, look cool in our evironment, wear the t shirt. Act as if we know what we’re doing….. Source: The whole world in a grain of sand: the difference between a […]

The art of photography is in the detail: new ways of seeing: Martyn Williams Photography

One of the problems all towns, cities and rural areas have at them moment is that building and development, although a great thing, can also be a problem for local people, even local creative people as it can seem sometimes as if it’s all gone too corporate, everything is bland and the same. This is […]

Victoria Centre Market: Can we speak truth to power, explain why the fishmonger, the butcher the baker, the nut shop, the plants, the cafe, the bag shop, the fabrics and the quality make up shop are so important to the beautiful shopping mall in the Centre?

Featured Image: Victoria Centre early evening December 2017 Martyn Williams Below: George and Veena Sharma of Sharmas Fabrics, Ravinder and Kamla Kawal of Classic Handbags, Sandra Handley of Madhouse Cards (and the Nut Centre), Elaine McFarlane of Peggy’s Kitchen, Kamal and Sharda Verma of Top Fashion, JW of JW Stone (Plants and Nurseryman). Source: Victoria Centre Market: […]

Crime Fiction: Dreda Say Mitchell for christmas…or anytime really!

Crime novels can encourage conversation, discussion, debate, even regeneration! Dreda Say Mitchell’s first novel bursts in on the vibrance and horror of the way gangs impinge on the lives of … Source: Crime Fiction: Dreda Say Mitchell for christmas…or anytime really!

Alphabet of Opportunity: Pop Press Hand Printed Shop, St James Street (and order online!)

Nottingham and Newcastle fire many fantastic careers: they’re similar, with a heritage that just won’t shut up. Both cities have a strong and creative industrial history, encouraging insightful experimentation because there’s a respect for people and the past that’s challenging yet respectful. As you may know, Nottingham is the Unesco City of Literature, let’s not forget […]

Eon Lunchtime, Max and Alisha, Hilton Nottingham Concierge Michael Brady

Late lunch from Eon for Max and Alisha who’d love it it there was less traffic in the city….this is echoed by Hilton concierge Michael Brady who feels that although things have improved recently more could be done so that traffic can smoothly come and go from the hotel. Although he was excited by the […]

Aroyalkin: Lauren Simpson 40% off everything at Christmas

Lauren works with Karen Hawey at Craig Poynter’s Bakehouse in Sherwood Town Centre (Sherwood Shops on the purple, lime or blue lines). She’s a product designer who graduated last year with a vision and a fashion line: ARoyalKin Contact Lauren Simpson for more information: lauren@aroyalkin.com

Mary Sewell: painter

The journey of an artist is always an interesting one and Mary Sewell, now based at co-op Portland Works in Sheffield, produces beautiful abstracts from word, print, paint and photography like Seed: I’m very interested in art and artists. Seed is a poetic document through photography and print, word and image of what being at Portland […]