Hundreds of residents visited Selston Country Park on Saturday 24 June for Ashfield District Council’s free open-air cinema day. The sun was shining on the award-winning Selston Country Park, as families and friends gathered in their hundreds to watch Minions: Rise of Gru and Top Gun: Maverick.
Children were entertained with giant garden games, an inflatable slide and bouncy castle, as well as free face painting and balloon models.

Open-air cinema day

Families flocked to Hucknall Leisure Centre to celebrate the official opening of the new £2.7million family pool on Saturday 15 July. Ashfield District Council and facility operator Everyone Active threw a pool party, which was attended by dozens of local residents and Ward Councillors. There was also free face painting and balloon modelling on offer.
The council has now spent £5.5 million on Hucknall Leisure Centre, as part of a £22.5 million investment into the district’s leisure centres, which has transformed Hucknall Leisure Centre into a fully equipped, modern facility. The second pool is specifically designed for swimming lessons with a warmer temperature and a Poolpod for accessible entry.
For more information on swimming lessons, telephone Hucknall Leisure Centre on 0115 956 8750.

Hucknall Leisure Centre official opening

Not even torrential rain could stop the party on Sutton Lawn for Ashfield Day. Thousands of visitors showed true British spirit as they wrapped up in raincoats and wellies, armed with umbrellas and a positive attitude, to support Ashfield District Council’s event on Saturday 5 August.
Despite the classic summertime weather and mud, stall holders lined the central path through the park selling everything from home baked cookies to bags, wax melts, and bespoke Disney-inspired ears.
The rain didn’t stop the funfair, or put off the visitors who enjoyed the rides, which featured adult and children’s rides. The fair also opened on the Sunday so people who couldn’t come on Saturday could experience a small part of Ashfield Day.
The event closed with tributes to George Ezra, Taylor Swift, and ABBA on the main stage whose performances were enjoyed by hundreds of residents. The final act on the stage, Ibiza Nights, truly brought the party spirit to the lawn. The night ended with wet, but happy, visitors dancing in the mud to classic Ibiza anthems.

Ashfield Day

Ashfield Food and Drink Festival returned to Hucknall High Street on Sunday 20 August, for its fourth festival celebrating the best food and drink producers in the East Midlands.
Visitors were treated to a huge variety of street food from around the world, independent beers and ciders, fresh cheeses, as well as gourmet cakes, brownies, and cookies. Festival-goers were also able to watch, interact, and try vegetarian food cooked live by a healthy eating chef.

Ashfield Food and Drink Festival

Over 700 job seekers and students attended Ashfield District Council’s 2023 Careers Fair, which took place at the new Kirkby Leisure Centre on Friday 6th October. The Careers Fair brought together representatives from over 70 local businesses who spoke to attendees about a range of career and training opportunities. Representatives on the day included Heroux Devtek UK LTD, Amazon Rolls Royce Plc, Surescreen Diagnostics LTD and Aluminium Bending Specialist to name a few of the first time exhibitors. The event also had great support from local businesses such as Care4Notts, Ashfield Citizens Advice, West Notts College, Peter Smith Transport Training, and Boneham &amp; Turner, offering support for those wanting to gain new skills and start a new career journey. Ashfield District Council is committed to supporting employment and training in the District and will continue to champion Ashfield as the place to be for businesses and transformation. This also includes supporting residents to meet the skills needed as technologies advance and change as we move into the future together.
<div class="mceNonEditable embeditem" data-embed-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPCWhwqDeP8" data-embed-height="346" data-embed-width="720" data-embed-constrain="true"><iframe width="615" height="346" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cPCWhwqDeP8?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen="" title="Careers Fair 2023"></iframe></div>

2023 Careers Fair

Ashfield District Council brought the festive spirit back to Sutton in Ashfield town centre with the return of its annual Christmas celebration event. In Sutton, event-goers were treated to performances from Leamington Primary Academy, St Mary Magdalene Primary School, Dalestorth School Choir, Regency Dance Centre, and Star and Stage, with a grand finale by Breanna.  The event had a Christmas market, and hot food and drinks to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. It concluded with the Christmas light switch on of the tree on Low Street, town centre lights, and 3D feature lights of a giant snowman illuminated on Portland Square.

Sutton in Ashfield Christmas 2023

Ashfield District Council brought the festive spirit to Kirkby in Ashfield town centre where hundreds of people gathered for the annual Christmas celebration event. The stage was packed with entertainment by Kingsway Primary School, Ashwood Church, Greenwood Primary School, Christine March School of Dance, Orchard Primary School, Kirkby Chorus, and the grand finale by Red Hot Band. The event also included a host of entertainment on the stage, a Christmas market, and hot food and drinks to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. It concluded with the Christmas light switch on of the tree on Lowmoor Road, town centre lights, and 3D feature lights with twinkling penguins.

Kirkby in Ashfield Christmas 2023

Ashfield District Council brought the festive spirit to Hucknall town centre where hundreds of people gathered for the annual Christmas celebration event. Hucknall’s event was opened by Holgate Primary School, followed by Believe Academy, Flying High Choir, Phase One Dance, Elise Florence Dance Company, Linby cum Papplewick and Hucknall National Schools Choir, Believe Academy, Torkard Ensemble, and Hucknall Ukulele Group. The stage shows finished with a grand finale by Ziggy Pop. The occasion also included a Christmas market, and hot food and drinks to get everyone in the Christmas spirit. It concluded with the Christmas light switch on of the tree, town centre lights, and 3D feature lights. Hucknall Market Place car park became home to Charlie the polar bear, with the Christmas tree across the road on the High Street.

Hucknall Christmas 2023

After the success of the Discover Ashfield Awards 2022, this year's event returned to Kirkby Leisure Centre to mark the achievements of 2023. There were eight categories to celebrate people, groups, places, and businesses across Ashfield within the last 12 months.  The awards were presented by Discover Ashfield ambassadors including the chair of Discover Ashfield, Martin Rigley OBE, vice chair Louise Knott, ATTFE College principal Liz Barrett OBE, and Pete Edwards, and the evening's entertainment was from local artists The Red Hot Band. Discover Ashfield Awards 2023 worked in partnership with the Education and Skills Partnership.  <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/your-council/news/discover-ashfield-celebrates-local-people-with-award-ceremony/" target="_blank">Here is the full list of categories and winners from the Discover Ashfield Awards 2023</a>

Discover Ashfield Awards 2023

Ashfield District Council celebrated the annual event of Commonwealth Day with a flag raising ceremony. The theme for the service this year was ‘One Resilient Common Future’. Commonwealth Day is held every year on 11 March, and marks the start of a week-long series of events and activities happening around the globe. Chairman of the council, Cllr Dale Grounds, hosted the ceremony outside the council offices in Kirkby in Ashfield. Commonwealth Day is annually held across the country on the second Monday in March, and celebrates the bond between Commonwealth nations around the world. <a rel="noopener" href="https://thecommonwealth.org/commonwealth-day" target="_blank" title="Learn more about Commonwealth Day.">Learn more about Commonwealth Day.</a>

Commonwealth Day 2024

THIS EVENT IS NOW OVER, but look out for other events at Nottinghamshire Libraries. Watch the award-winning Broadway musical hit, On the Town, at a dementia-friendly screening of the film at Kirkby in Ashfield Library. The 1949 film features Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, and Jules Munshin as sailors on a 24-hour shore leave to see the sights, and includes famous tunes such as New York, New York.  This relaxed screening is particularly suitable for people living with dementia and memory challenges, and their family and friends - but anyone is welcome. Please feel free to talk, sing, and move during the screening. Doors will open 15 minutes before the film starts and there will be a 20-minute interval. The screening is sensitive to the audience's needs concerning lighting and volume, and there is a quiet space for anyone needing a brief break from the film in the main library. 
This is part of a series of dementia-friendly screenings of films and musicals at libraries across the area. <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/arts-culture/film/" target="_blank">Here is a full list of screenings.</a> <a rel="noopener" href="mailto:ask@inspireculture.org.uk" target="_blank">Email for any additional requirements or questions before booking.</a> <a rel="noopener" href="https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/whats-on/events/dementia-friendly-film-screening-of-on-the-town/" target="_blank">Learn more about the On the Town dementia-friendly screening and booking here.</a>

On the Town dementia-friendly film screening

Ashfield residents were able to view famous works of art in Sutton in Ashfield, as part of a free mobile museum tour across the UK.  The district was chosen as one of the places for the Art Explora Mobile Museum to visit, as part of a 12-week tour with Tate and MuMo. The mobile museum had a unique trailer designed by French designer Matali Crasset, and hosted the exhibition - Soup, Socks and Spiders! Art of the Everyday. The exhibition included paintings, drawings, photographs, prints, film, digital art, and sculpture by artists including Andy Warhol, Cornelia Parker, Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Dorothea Tanning, Fernand Léger, Nam June Paik, Phyllida Barlow, Roy Lichtenstein, Vanessa Bell, and Wolfgang Tillmans. During the week schools and community groups received guided tours of the exhibitions and workshops hosted by the Mobile Museum team. As part of this unique tour, Ashfield District Council hosted a free event in Sutton in Ashfield to view the exhibition and visitors took part in creative workshops, participated in arts and crafts, and listened to music by Inspire’s Red Hot Band.

Art Explora Mobile Museum

THIS EVENT IS NOW OVER, but look out for other events at <a href="https://discoverashfield.co.uk/places-to-visit/mill-waters">Mill Waters.</a> Join the fairy folk, head hog, and wizened old oak for fun and magic outdoors in the Meadow and Little Woodland at the Mill Adventure Base, Kings Mill Reservoir. Ideal for families with children aged between one to 4-years-old.  <img src="https://media.umbraco.io/discover-ashfield-heartcore/sexdxrxk/wild-tots-fairy-tales-2.jpg?width=500&amp;height=160.48593350383632" alt="" width="500" height="160.48593350383632">
This Wild Tots! Fairy Tales event is £7.50 per child.  <a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/">Ashfield District Council</a> is working in partnership with <a href="https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/">Nottinghamshire County Council</a>, <a href="https://nottsoutdoors.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/">Notts Outdoors</a>, and the <a href="https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/">National Lottery Heritage Fund</a>. <img src="https://media.umbraco.io/discover-ashfield-heartcore/kp0d3a31/english_made_possible_logo_colour_jpeg.jpg?width=214&amp;height=77&amp;mode=max" alt="" width="214" height="77">

Wild Tots! Fairy Tales

The Willow Memory Café drop-in afternoon is held twice a month in The Discovery Room at Mill Waters Heritage Centre and Café, in Sutton in Ashfield. It is for people living with dementia, and for their friends, families, and carers.  Visitors can go on short walks, do crafts, or simply relax and socialise at this drop-in afternoon. Held every second and fourth Wednesday of every month, you can drop in any time between 1.30pm and 3.30pm.  <img src="https://media.umbraco.io/discover-ashfield-heartcore/sdilngpp/willow-tree-memory-cafe-dates-2024.jpg?width=450&amp;height=447&amp;mode=max" alt="" width="450" height="447"> There is no need to book and activities are free. Food and drinks are available to purchase from Mill Waters Café. Please note car parking is free for the first hour and charges start at £1 for 2 hours.  Future Wednesday dates for the café drop-in afternoon are April 10, April 24, May 8, May 22, June 12, and June 26.  <a href="mailto:millwaters@ashfield.gov.uk">Please email if you have any questions about the memory café.</a> Willow Tree Memory Café is part of the Mill Waters Project. Find out more on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/MillWatersProject/">@millwatersproject</a> <img src="https://media.umbraco.io/discover-ashfield-heartcore/h44fockg/screenshot-2024-03-21-103908.png?width=713&amp;height=114&amp;mode=max" alt="" width="713" height="114">

Willow Tree Memory Café

Stay and play at our Wild Tots! Café in The Discovery Room at Mill Waters Heritage Centre and Café every Thursday during term time between 9am and 3pm.  Pop in any time to play with our Wild Tots! toys best for children aged between 0 and 4-years-old. There is a free cup of juice or water for every child, and grown-ups are welcome (but not obliged to!) purchase food and drink at Mill Waters Café. <a href="https://www.ashfield.gov.uk/">Ashfield District Council</a> is working in partnership with <a href="https://www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/">Nottinghamshire County Council</a> and <a href="https://nottsoutdoors.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/">Notts Outdoors</a>.

Wild Tots! Café

May 2024 marks 30 years since Brierley Forest Park opened! To celebrate this milestone we are hosting a small event with The Brierley Café.
Join us on Saturday 11 May from 11.30am - 1.30pm for free face painting, arts and crafts, and a nature trail.
There might even be some special tasty treats available to buy from the café.
<img src="https://media.umbraco.io/discover-ashfield-heartcore/dddhq4no/dsc_7960-web.jpg?width=367&amp;height=311" alt="Statues at Brierley Park" width="367" height="311">

30 Years of Brierley Forest Park

The Ashfield Plant and Garden Fair returns to Sutton on 19 May from 9am to 1pm.
Due to renovation work set for Portland Square, the market will be held on Sutton North car park (near Costa Coffee) in Sutton town centre.
Get on down if you are looking for indoor and outdoor garden items such as:
<ul>
<li>Plants and trees</li>
<li>Fruits and vegetables</li>
<li>Tools and equipment</li>
<li>Garden accessories.</li>
</ul>

Ashfield Plant & Garden Fair 

Ashfield District Council is bringing back the Ashfield Show for 2024, for the first time in over a decade. Following the success of the inaugural Ashfield Day in 2022, which had 12,000 people flock to Sutton Lawn to enjoy a day of free family fun, the council has decided to extend the event and bring back the Ashfield Show. Sutton Lawn will play host to the three-day event, which will run on Friday 9 August, Saturday 10 August, and Sunday 11 August. Full details of the event will be released in the coming months, but visitors can expect live music, community performances, food, drink, the market village, activities, and so much more.

Ashfield Show

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