We Are Nottingham Together In Poetry

Nottingham Together

Between May and July 2018 Bridie Squires (Editor of LeftLion magazine) and Georgina Wilding (Nottingham’s Young Poet Laureate) curated a series of poetry workshops in Nottingham. These took place in Lenton, Hyson Green, Bulwell, Bestwood, Sneinton, Clifton and the city centre.

The aim of the project was to bring people together from across communities. To create a uniting environment - for people to feel a sense of connection to each other and to the city we all share. We wanted to celebrate that, in Nottingham, we are far more united, and have more in common than things that divide us.

The workshops discussed all the things people loved about Nottingham and felt defined the experience of living here. Bridie and Georgina then took some of the themes that had come up in the workshops and worked them into a single poem, titled ‘Our Nottingham Things’. You can read that poem and some other work from the sessions in this booklet and view our videos online at leftlion.co.uk/nottinghamthings

Our Nottingham Things St Ann's Allotments and Bromley House Library Market Square lions, the pride bus through Highbury Owls on shoulders and Little John dings These are a few of our Nottingham things Ice cream van jingles and skateboards in Sneinton George the Gorilla, and Garvey in Lenton Fish and chip dinners, we’re eating like kings These are a few of our Nottingham things

Goose Fair in Autumn and shopping in Hockley Curries, jerk chicken, all cooked good and prop'ly Peacocks in Newstead and coots on the Leen These are a few of our Nottingham things When the goose bites and there's no pudding or the brew’s too sweet We simply remember our Nottingham things And together we feel... “Alright duck”

Ayups in Radford and Colwick Park swimming Monkeys in Broadmarsh who never stop spinning Poetry pub nights, the Arb in the spring These are a few of our Nottingham things Our city's got good films and local bands playing Think This is England and Sleaford Mods’ slaying Bless up Jah Digga and Nina Smith too These are a few of our Nottingham crew

Robins in Sherwood and horses in Clifton Bulwell Bogs paddlin’ and carnival visions Castle Rock Brewery, and Forest Rec swings These are a few of our Nottingham things When the beer's froff'd our chips are freezing or we can't find a seat We simply remember our Nottingham things And together we feel... “Alright duck”

The following poems were written by the people of Nottingham in our workshops

The castle grace is calming, spiritual and royal It is a place to feel calm and safe The castle would look beautiful as a painting With every colour just right

Shannon Taylor

My favourite view is from the highest point of Nottingham Castle I have visited this location on numerous occasions I’ve never been left disappointed by the experience Serenity, tranquillity and trans-dimensional feeling attained.

The view is panoramic and scans far and deep into the landscape The horizon of the city gently brings the sky and architecture together as one.

Irrespective of whether you’re looking North, East, South or West The views are breathtaking and illuminating, softly inviting you in.

Once you have experienced the all-encapsulating appeal of these views You may find you have the power to allow you to drift, escape and transcend Suddenly free from the chains and restraints of the physical self To be free like a spirit or a cloud or the wind…

Errol Walton

The wind blew and blew And tried to blow the Skymirror down But the Skymirror looked up to the wind and said “You can huff and puff, but you can’t blow me down.

I am strong and will stand forever.”

The wind got very cross and blew even harder and went red in the face But the Skymirror just laughed The wind got crosser and crosser And had a heart attack and eventually died.

The End

Pauline Tilley

Ever wandered around Nottingham Looked up and down these streets And then found those happy lions Outside the Council House One on each side they are placed How often have I walked and my poor feet paced They say these lions have each been given a name I can’t remember and that’s a flamin’ shame I’m Nottingham born and bred But those lion names aren’t anywhere in my head.

Trish Parker

I like spending some of my time sitting in the Market Square watching the world go by I find the Square relaxing A tranquil place to be I can sit there for hours sometimes And quite easily get lost in my thoughts If it’s a nice day I take my cross-stitch with me And also a packed lunch I may just sit and do a lot of thinking And maybe go for a drink I have a Jack Russell called Jack Sometimes I take him with me He’s nuts but so adorable I love him with all my heart

Anita Young

Sitting in the Market Square On a sunny day in Nottingham I see the children playing in the fountains And the pigeons scrounging for food.

I can see the council house with the lions either side The left lion is crowded as this is the meeting spot for most people.

The fountains look cold But the children don’t seem to care As they splash each other.

The square is always full on a hot day As people sit and eat their lunch Or people-watch like me.

Eleanor Usherwood

Our Nottingham Cloughie stands When the rest of us are sleeping Watching the stumbling students Staggering around and Flying high on a their night out.

He stands tall and proud He poses perfectly for the selfies The meet-ups, the speeches The protesters and all.

Cloughie stands when we’re all sleeping Watching the light and darkness of the night The hidden figures huddled in doorways The unsure heels clicking like crickets taking flight.

While he stands there never sleeping His presence stands there steady and sure.

Abi Pitt

The house that birthed the Salvation Army Still standing, a museum encrusted with newer buildings, newcomers.

It’s seen a lot rise and fall.

Well kept, like William Booth himself in later years, Medal polished and shining.

Now she feels a stir, new life People again, young, inspired, Buzzing around me at the centre.

David Jones

Batman, Hollywood, Big Screen But before that summer Outside living, deer, ice cream.

Family and friends visiting Showing off Cricket, rounders and picnics.

Animals, museum, our own natural history Bright light Early morning visits, Dewey and misty Deer relaxing, No-one else around The view from the top On top of the trees On top of the world Pride, Proud of our inclusivity Anyone welcome, everyone welcome Link from history to today The strong, solid protector Grand and open My city, Our city.

Becky Aram

Green’ws Windmill sang with anticipation As the weekend streets swarmed with people As he turned again and again The excitement welled up inside.

He dreamt of what the humans would be up to A sweet melody filled the air His mind raced, the more he thought The further the mill turned.

The winds swayed, Overflowing with the anticipation of the days ahead.

By the conclusion of the weekend The Mill sat back in ease He witnessed days never to be forgotten All had not been for nowt.

Victoria Hickey

The heart of Nottingham First the people, kind and helpful And with what great fortitude They came through the war Helping the bombed-out people Taking them in Our Market Square Lord Mayor on the balcony on VE Day The crowds!

Our lovely Trent Bridge and River Where we swam as children Rides on the trolley buses With the poles coming off.

Our beautiful Colwick Woods Where we used to pick bluebells And primroses (then allowed).

Our Robin Hood Our Caves Our Subterranean passages Our Castle

M.A. Nash

Book produced by Extended Agency Design and illustrations by Natalie Owen

Nottingham Together