News - Nottingham Robin Hood medieval village 'still possible'

The Sheriff of Nottingham has said he is confident a £25m medieval village tourist attraction could still be built at the foot of Nottingham Castle.

Plans were put forward as part of the Sheriff's Commission two years ago.

The aim of the commission was to suggest how the city could make more of the legend of Robin Hood.

Several investors registered an initial interest in the plans but everything went on hold when the country entered a recession, Councillor Leon Unczer said.

The idea was to create an "adventurous and fun but historical in context" medieval village which could attract 500,000 visitors a year, Mr Unczer said.

"Commitment-wise it needs the backing of the city and somebody with a lot of money," he said.

"It's megabucks but there is always somebody who you can get that money from."

The sheriff denied his theme park plans were just "pie-in-the-sky".

'Mildly cautious'

"We had some names (of interested parties) before the recession, so when it actually lifts the game could be back on and I sincerely hope it will be," he said.

Mr Unczer admitted that no-one at Nottingham City Council was as confident as he was about the plans.

"They are mildly cautious, most politicians are," he said.

The Sheriff's Commission was set up in 2009 prior to the release of the Hollywood blockbuster Robin Hood.

The sheriff admitted that two years on the city's Robin Hood offer was still not good.

But he said improvements had been made with a new audio trail and exhibitions at the Galleries of Justice museum and castle.

"There's lots to be done. If you are adventurous enough and brave enough let's do it," he said.

The Sheriff's Commission initially said it hoped to build a "new, truly world-class Robin Hood visitor experience" by June 2018.

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-nottinghamshire-16795503

Event - Robin Hood Pageant (Nottingham)

Come along to Nottingham Castle on Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 October, 10.30am - 5pm and experience the life and times of our famous outlaw, Robin Hood!

Celebrate Robin Hood at the ancestral home of his arch enemy - the Sheriff of Nottingham! To book tickets call the Royal Centre Box Office on 0115 989 5555 and then on the day you will be able to jump the queues with Fast Track entrance!

Every autumn, during the October half term weekend, Nottingham Castle plays host to the two-day Robin Hood Pageant, re-creating an atmosphere of a time long past.

The grounds of Nottingham Castle will be transformed into a medieval village encampment complete with a range of colourful characters allowing you travel back in time to the 12th Century.

Meet Robin Hood and his Merry Men, King Richard I in his royal camp, look out for living history demonstrations, experience wandering minstrels and historical entertainers, try your hand at turning lead into gold at the Alchemists laboratory or visit the medieval alehouse!

Cheer on your hero in the amazing live jousting tournaments and enjoy combat displays in the arena. Children can then try their hands at archery and jousting by participating in the medieval sports day with team captains Robin Hood and Maid Marian.

Children will love interacting with the costume characters and trying their hands at medieval crafts, see traditional skills such as falconry at practise, wood carving, table weaving and fletching, have a go at archery and much, much more!

Save time - buy your tickets in advance of the event and benefit from Fast Track entry on the day. Advanced booking is highly recommended and tickets can be purchased at the Royal Centre Box Office (0115 989 5555). Alternatively tickets can be purchased on the gate.

Ticket prices:

Adults £8

Children & Concessions £6

Family £20 (2 adults & up to 3 children)

Under 4s go FREE

For more information call 08444 77 5678 or to book call the Royal Centre Box Office on 0115 989 5555.

Please note: Joint admission with Brewhouse Yard does not apply for this event.

From: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=1020

Event - Civic exhibition opens at Nottingham Council House

This year's Heritage and Civic Exhibition at Nottingham Council House is on Thursday and Friday this week (July 28 and 29)

On display are the civic regalia and information about Nottingham's Lord Mayors and Sheriffs going back more than 100 years, scrolls presented to the honorary freemen of the city dating back to 1895, royal charters dating from 1155, 1284, 1879 and 1953 granting the city various rights and privileges, including city status in 1897, and other ceremonial and civic items.

There is also a large collection of paintings of the city from the 1880s until the 1930s by Nottingham artists Thomas Hammond.

The free exhibition is open from 11am until 5pm on Thursday and from 10am until 5pm on Friday

From: http://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=15468

News - New Robin Hood exhibition to open (Nottingham)

A NEW Robin Hood exhibition is set to open at the Galleries of Justice.

The Nottingham: A Divided Town project was created by students from Nottingham Trent University.

Tim Desmond, chief executive of Galleries of Justice Museum, said: "The Galleries of Justice Museum are now at the forefront of promoting Robin Hood and championing him as an icon for Notts.

"NTU students have created an exhibition for local people to be proud of."

Local artists, the Sheriff of Nottingham and the High Sheriff also contributed.

The exhibition explores crime and punishment in the Dark Ages and is interactive.

Neville Stankley, course leader for Nottingham Trent University's MA Museum and Heritage Management, said: "For students to have a live project for such a high profile museum as the Galleries of Justice, in a city where Robin Hood means so much, is a fantastic opportunity."

The exhibition opens on April 16

From: http://www.thisisnottingham.co.uk/news/New-Robin-Hood-exhibition-open/article-3428788-detail/article.html

News - Society joins fight to save Robin Hood's forest

Britain’s oldest national conservation body is fighting to save one of England’s most celebrated forests from being sold off.

The Open Spaces Society this evening threw its weight behind a campaign to save Nottinghamshire’s public forests, including Sherwood Forest, the site of Robin Hood’s legendary battles with the Sheriff of Nottingham.

The society pledged its support in the growing campaign against the coalition Government’s plans to privatise Forestry Commission land in England.

Speaking at a gathering of a local history forum this evening, OSS trustee Jean Macdonald said: “Nottinghamshire and the east Midlands have fewer open spaces than many parts of the country, because the inclosure movement, back in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, bit hard and deep.

“Large areas of common land were stolen from the people.

“So Nottinghamshire’s remaining open spaces, public woods and forests are of special importance, for recreation and refreshment. Places like Sherwood Pines and other woods, many of which are part of the ancient Sherwood Forest, are of immense public value.

“There is increasing evidence that access to green spaces is vital for both mental and physical health.  The society is opposed to the sale of any publicly owned woods or forests unless the existing level of public access – or better – on foot, horse and bike, is guaranteed in perpetuity.

“The Government’s current proposals for selling Forestry Commission land do not provide those guarantees, so we are opposed to them.

“In any case, industry sources suggest that these sales are likely to raise less than half the money that the Government is hoping for, so they are a complete waste of time in the current financial climate.”

Sherwood Pines, at 1,335ha (3,300 acres) the largest single tract of forest open to the public in the East Midlands, is home to many mountain bike trails.

And though there are many theories as to the real identity of the mediaeval hero Robin Hood, the people of Nottinghamshire and Sherwood Forest have claimed the man who stole from the rich to give to the poor as their own and the Major Oak, a tree aged up to 1,000 years old in the forest, is reputed to be the outlaw’s hideout.

From: http://www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2011/02/15/society-joins-fight-to-save-robin-hoods-forest