Exploring one of Nottinghamshire’s hidden gems

LIVING LANDSCAPE © The HopBarn

Back in August, Angie Atmadjaja was one of the first guests live in the studio for more than a year and a half when she joined June to share the story of one of the county’s hidden treasures.

Just a few miles up the A612 from Newark, The HopBarn is rapidly becoming known as a centre for contemporary culture in rural Nottinghamshire, a place where visitors can discover arts, music and nature through its events.

High on the agenda for that chat was Living Landscape, a trail created by artists and makers through The Hopbarn’s wildlife-rich land…

And two of the creatives whose work it features will be on Girls Around Town next weekend to share their own stories.

First up and on the phone to the studio at just after 10.20am is Susan Isaac, a Cardiff-born painter and sculptor now based here in Nottinghamshire whose contribution to the trail is a living sculpture entitled Green Fuse.

Then shortly after 11.10am it’s the turn of woodworker Steve Hunt, in the studio to describe how he adapts Scandinavian designs to develop finished items with well-proportioned, elegant shapes that are both practical and sculptural.

Both Susan and Steve will be telling listeners how and why they became involved in Living Landscape, the inspiration behind their own contributions and the reactions from some of the visitors over the past two months.

Make sure you’re tuned to 107.8FM or listening online, on the free Radio Newark apps or on Alexa between 10am and 12 noon next Sunday to hear what they have to say…

And, if you haven’t already done so, to find out how you can visit The HopBarn to see and enjoy not only their work but that of the nine other creatives taking part in this trail uniting nature and art.

Sunday – best day of the week once more!

At last, the news you’ve all been waiting for – Newark‘s favourite show by, for and about women will be back on 107.8FM and online soon!

There’ll be a few small changes to the format, in line with government guidance about safety and social distancing, but rest assured June, Rosalyn, Rachel and Claire will still be going all out to keep you informed and entertained between 10am and 12 noon every Sunday morning…

Kicking things off on Sunday 12 July, June will be in the studio catching up with fellow presenter Ros by phone in the first hour.

Then in the second hour, it’s time for Wendy Baird from Carriages to give her a call and talk about the fantastic work the team at the Newark café has been doing recently.

Believe it or not, over the last few months literally hundreds of meals have made their way to the homes of Newark residents, many of whom would have normally visited Carriages every Wednesday evening for the Community Café

Make sure you’re listening from 11.20am to find out from Wendy how, with the help of local businesses and lots of willing volunteers, those meals just kept on coming – and will continue to do so.

There’ll be plenty of good music throughout the show too and news of some of the other guests already lined up for the next few weeks…

When lockdown began at the end of March, the Girls Around Town told you they’d be back as soon as possible and finally they’re ready to make good on their promise!

Season’s greetings from the Girls Around Town

Wow, what a year this has been! The Girls Around Town have been busier than ever throughout 2019 and by Sunday 29 December will have

  • Presented 51 shows (just one weekend off for the coverage of the Newark Half Marathon in August)
  • Welcomed 59 different guests to the studio
  • Brought you 60 interviews

From books and bras to death cafés and dance, fashion shows and flowers to loos and laughter yoga, pop up shops and pants to wills and wellbeing…

June, Rachel, Rosalyn and Claire have covered them all – and a lot more besides!

They couldn’t let the year end without saying a huge thank you to all the lovely ladies (and a few brave blokes as well) who gave up their own Sunday mornings over the past 12 months to make the shows so entertaining, informative and such great fun.

And thanks too to those of you follow us on FacebookTwitter or Instagram and especially to everyone tuning in to 107.8FM each week to listen to the stories all those guests had to tell…

If there’s one New Year resolution your four favourite Radio Newark presenters will be making, it’s to keep up the good work – welcoming guests new and old to the studio and bringing you lots more news, views and laughter throughout the months ahead.

Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for something brand new coming your way from the Girls Around Town next year. They’re keeping it under wraps for now but all will be revealed soon – in the meantime, from Newark’s Fab Four

Thank you one and all – have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year – here’s to a great 2020 together!!