One of the county’s much-loved landmarks provided the backdrop for Nottinghamshire Day celebrations today (Thursday, 25 August).
A flag-raising ceremony took place at Newark Castle with world-famous legends Robin Hood, Maid Marian, and Little John at the helm , courtesy of Notts Outdoors, the county council’s outdoor education service.
After #NottsDay trended on social media last year, today’s second-ever Nottinghamshire Day is again celebrating everything that is great and good about our county and its people, whether it’s our fascinating heritage and world-famous legends, well-loved tourism sites, market towns and nightlife or the top-class sports grounds and teams.
Nottinghamshire County Council Chairman, Councillor Roger Jackson, led the commemorations by raising the county’s distinctive green, red, and white Robin Hood flag.
He was joined at the showpiece event by the Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, Sir John Peace, local MPs, representatives from the county’s district and borough councils as well as Nottingham City Council plus other local organisations.
Cllr Jackson said: “Nottinghamshire has many wonderful things to celebrate in its past, present, and future – so it is fantastic to have this special day as a firm fixture in our calendar.
“Newark Castle played an important role in the English Civil War era. It is therefore fitting that we have come together to celebrate Nottinghamshire Day at the castle on the day King Charles I started the English Civil War in 1642 by raising the standard in Nottingham.”
Sir John Peace, Lord-Lieutenant of Nottinghamshire, said:
“Nottinghamshire Day is not only about celebrating our history, but our current achievements and successes too. It is a chance to encourage people to discover our fantastic countryside, visit our local businesses and explore all of our fantastic attractions, including Nottingham and Newark castles, Southwell Minster, Rufford Abbey, Sherwood Forest and Clumber Park, to name but a few.
MP for Newark, Robert Jenrick, initially championed the idea of having a County Day.
He said: “I am delighted that this year we are celebrating at Newark Castle.
“Newark was an important Royalist town in the Civil War. Queen Henrietta Maria owned Newark Castle and the town and castle were built in a great strategic position, where two major roads and the River Trent met.
“Parliament surrounded Newark in three sieges, but they never managed to defeat the Royalist forces here.
“County days allow us to celebrate the history that unites us as a country and reflect on how our past continues to shape our future.”
On Saturday 27 August, celebrations will continue with the first-ever Nottinghamshire Day Festival to be held at Sherwood Forest Country Park from 11am to 8pm.
Nottinghamshire County Council Leader, Ben Bradley MP, said:
“We are very proud to be holding the first-ever Nottinghamshire Day festival to showcase some of the best things about our county.
“Everyone is welcome, and it will be great way to kick-start the bank holiday weekend.”
Hosted and headlined by local soul and R&B star Rob Green, the line-up will include 15 musical acts, all hailing from Notts.
The free-to-attend event will have plenty of stalls and family-friendly activities, including an exhilarating two-part combat show with Robin Hood and his outlaws, courtesy of Notts Outdoors and the Sherwood Outlaws.
Car parking charges will apply.
• Nottinghamshire Day Festival: Line up revealed for first-ever county day music festival
