Unleash your inner artist

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paint a sunsetFancy trying your hand at watercolour painting? Whether you’re a absolute beginner and don’t know where to start or you’ve dabbled a bit but want a few hints and tips, RELoved‘s Paint a Sunset workshop could be just what you need…

Learn the basics of watercolour painting step-by-step in an intimate group setting with artist Lynn Norris and take home your very own masterpiece.

From drawing out to mixing the colours and applying the paints, Lynn will take you through each stage of sunset painting in the two-hour session from 7.30pm to 9.30pm on Thursday 25 September.

Places are £20 each and all materials are provided, along with yummy cakes and refreshments too. Just book in advance and turn up for a fun and informative evening, where you’ll learn all the basic techniques of watercolour painting and pick up the kind of valuable advice only an experienced watercolour artist knows.

The workshop takes place on the top floor of RELoved at 53 Stodman Street in Newark. For more details or to book a place, talk to Colleen or Emma next time you’re in town, email newark@relovedboutique.co.uk or give them a call on 01636 918746.

An evening with Julie Summers

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julie summersBest-selling historical author and broadcaster Julie Summers will be in Retford later this month to talk about the experiences of British people at their best during World War Two.

She will also talk about the bravery of one man on the front line – the unsung hero Colonel Philip Toosey, who was fictionally portrayed by Alec Guiness in Bridge on the River Kwai. In real life Toosey elected to stay with his men instead of being evacuated as Singapore fell. Following their capture, he did all he could to ensure their survival in the face of brutality from their sadistic Japanese guards.

An expert on the lives of millions of Britons on the home front including the experiences of our parents and grandparents, Julie has published books in conjunction with the Imperial War Museum and the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

jambustersAmong her books is Jambusters, which is currently being turned into a new six-part drama series by ITV, hoping to repeat the success of Call the Midwife and Foyle’s War – so expect Julie soon to become a household name.

Julie is a passionate and knowledgeable speaker, having narrated documentaries for the Yesterday Channel and appeared on BBC TV and radio numerous times.

An Evening with Julie Summers takes place at Retford Town Hall on Friday 29 August. Doors open at 6pm for a 7.30pm start and books bought on the night will be signed by Julie.

Tickets are just £8 each – for more details contact paultrickett@hotmail.com call 01636 684672. Tickets are also on sale at Retford Tourist Information Centre and can be booked online here.

On the IPA trail in and around Newark

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ipaNo fewer than 18 pubs in and around Newark will be joining forces in a 10-day celebration of the classic beer style IPA (India Pale Ale) next month.

Organised by the Newark branch of the Campaign for Real Ale, the second IPA Trail takes place from Friday 1 to Sunday 10 August, in recognition of International IPA Day on Thursday 7 August. The trail will be launched at The Organ Grinder on Portland Street at 12 noon on Friday 1 August.

Pubs taking part in the Newark Trail will be

  • The Flying Circus – Newark
  • The Prince Rupert – Newark
  • The Fox & Crown – Newark
  • The Organ Grinder – Newark
  • The Castle & Falcon – Newark
  • The Sir John Arderne – Newark
  • The Castle Barge – Newark
  • The Rose & Crown – Balderton
  • The Chequers – Elston
  • The Final Whistle – Southwell
  • The Bramley Apple – Southwell
  • The Hearty Goodfellow – Southwell
  • The Old Coach House – Southwell
  • The Roaring Meg – Newark
  • The Real Ale Store – Newark
  • The Grey Horse – Collingham
  • The Castle Pub – Newark
  • Just Beer – Newark

Throughout the 10 days, they will all be featuring IPAs, with drinkers able to pick up a collector card from any of the pub and get a sticker for buying a pint or a half in participating pubs. Completed cards will be entered into a grand prize draw and there will also be a second prize draw for those visiting 10 pubs or more but not completing the Trail.

In recent years, Newark has become a real ale hub. With many pubs opening and breweries thriving, it is a stark contrast to the scene elsewhere in the country, where up to 30 pubs are closing each week on average.

Newark is also home to a number of other real-ale related businesses. Its real ale and pub scene helps to strengthen the town’s night time economy and provides a welcome boost to the town’s economic prosperity as a whole.

“There are numerous ale trails across the country, with many of them themed on a particular beer style,” said Derek Graham, Vice Chairman of Newark CAMRA and one of the Trail organisers. “But we believe we were the first to celebrate IPA this way, when we held the first trail last year.

“Originally brewed in London and Burton-on-Trent for the colonial market, particularly the troops in India, this was once a classic British beer type and is now increasing in popularity again.

“We are expecting more than 40 different IPAs to be available during the 10 days and the Trail also gives us a chance to showcase many of the excellent pubs we have in the branch area.”