Published on Monday 28 May 2012 14:50
A BLOW-by-blow guide to the attractions laid on for this year’s International Byron Festival.
FRIDAY JUNE 1
6 PM: BURGAGE MANOR GARDENS — visit the exquisite gardens of Burgage Manor, Southwell, which is a former home of Lord Byron. A minibus will be going from Hucknall. Cost: £3 bus fare.
7 PM: THE GHOSTLY TALES OF ANNESLEY HALL — a sensational supernatural evening, hosted by expert Dick Starr. It will include a tour of the hall and the grounds, plus ghost stories and information on the fascinating history of the house. Also to be staged on Wedneday June 6 and Friday June 8. Cost: £8 (advance booking essential).
SATURDAY JUNE 2
9.30 AM: BLUE BOAR SCOOTER CLUB — more than 30 scooters from the Hucknall-based club (named after the former pub, now The Bowman, where they used to meet) form a spectacle on Hucknall Market Place. They then proceed to Hucknall Leisure Centre, where visitors get the chance to inspect the scooters. Cost: Free.
10 AM TO 6 PM: FUN DAY FOR CHILDREN — take your children to enjoy hours of fun at Hucknall Leisure Centre. Cost: Free (but parents must remain with their kids).
11 AM TO 2 PM HUCKNALL BOOK FAIR — this ever-popular event includes short talks by several local authors. Refreshments will be available for visitors. Cost: Free.
2 PM TO 6 PM: SPONSORED SWIM — Hucknall Leisure Centre hosts the swim to raise money for the Help For Heroes charity. If you’d like to be involved or to get sponsorship forms, ring 01636 813818. Cost: Free.
2.30 PM TO 3.30 PM: FAMILY STORYTELLING — the reading of several stories that are suitable for children of all ages. There will also be a short creative-writing session for youngsters. Cost: Free.
SUNDAY JUNE 3
10 AM TO 3 PM: BASKETBALL TOURNAMENT — the Hucknall Hornets under-16s’ team compete against other clubs for The Byron Trophy. Cost for spectators: Free.
11 AM TO 3 PM: HELLESPONT CHALLENGE — can you match Lord Byron’s epic swim in 1810 when he became the first known person to swim the two miles across the open water from Europe to Asia. He did it in honour of Leander who, in Greek mythology, swam every night across the Hellespont to his lover, Hero. Now you can do it for fun at the Hucknall Leisure Centre pool! Ring 01636 813818 for more details. Cost: Free (but advance booking is essential).
MONDAY JUNE 4
2 PM: HUCKNALL TOWN CENTRE HERITAGE WALK — discover the heritage of Hucknall town centre, including its buildings, people and social history on a walk that features a tour of Hucknall Parish Church. Cost: Free (meet outside Hucknall Library).
TUESDAY JUNE 5
1 PM TO 5 PM: TOUR FROM ANNESLEY OLD CHURCH TO NEWSTEAD ABBEY — a guided tour of Annesley Old Church, followed by a visit to the village’s ‘new’ All Saints Church. After refreshments at the Newstead Abbey cafe at 3 pm, enjoy a guided tour of the abbey itself. Cost: £4 (meet at the old church on Mansfield Road, Annesley).
7 PM BYRON WALK AROUND HUCKNALL PARISH CHURCH — a walk-cum-tour that focuses on Lord Byron, led by expert Ralph Lloyd-Jones. Included will be many fascinating facts about Hucknall Parish Church and the churchyard. Cost: Free.
WEDNESDAY JUNE 6
10 AM BYRON PILGRIMAGE WALK — and eight-mile walk along the trails to Newstead Abbey and back to learn amazing facts about local history and Lord Byron. Cost: Free (meet at the church).
6 PM CRICKET MATCH — the under-15 team of Hucknall Cricket Club take on their Kirkby Portland counterparts in a Twenty20 match for The Byron Trophy at Titchfield Park, Hucknall. Cost for spectators: Free.
7 PM: THE GHOSTLY TALES OF ANNESLEY HALL — see Friday June 1 entry. Cost: £8 (advance booking essential).
THURSDAY JUNE 7
7.30 PM: BYRON DINNER — the John Godber Centre on Ogle Street, Hucknall hosts one of the highlights of the Festival, with an after-dinner speech, entitled ‘Byron And Sport’, by expert Ralph Lloyd-Jones. Cost: £13.
FRIDAY JUNE 8
2 PM: BYRON AND SPORT TALK — a talk at Hucknall Library by expert Ralph Lloyd-Jones on Lord Byron’s passion for sport. Was he a team player or was he swimming alone against the tide? Cost: Free.
7 PM THE GHOSTLY TALES OF ANNESLEY HALL — see Friday June 1 entry. Cost: £8 (advance booking essential.
SATURDAY JUNE 9
10 AM TO 3 PM: HERITAGE DAY — the Central Methodist Church on Baker Street, Hucknall hosts an exhibition by several local groups. The day also includes an exhibition on ‘Byron And Sport’ at Hucknall Library, plus a talk at 1.30 pm by David McClay on the Byron John Murray Archive. Cost: Free.
2 PM TO 4 PM: SPORT AND DANCE — alternating demonstrations on Hucknall Market Place by the St George Amateur Boxing Club, of Hucknall, the Kimberley Fencing Club and the Ripley Morris Men. Cost for spectators: Free.
7.30 PM: POLICE BAND CONCERT — an evening of entertainment at Hucknall Parish Church by the county’s police band. Cost: £5.
SUNDAY JUNE 10
ALL DAY: BYRON GOLF TOURNAMENT — dozens of local golfers compete at the Leen Valley Golf Centre, off Wigwam Lane, Hucknall, for the Lord Byron Open. For full details, ring the centre on 0115 9642037.
2 PM: BYRON BOWLS COMPETITION — Titchfield Park in Hucknall hosts the annual challenge match between the men of Titchfield Park Bowls Club and Hucknall Ladies. Cost for spectators: Free.
3.30 PM: POETRY COMPETITION — Hucknall Parish Church hosts the annual event, which includes readings and presentations. Cost: Free.
6.30 PM: SERVICE OF THANKSGIVING — the Festival concludes with a Communion service, a talk on the Byron Funeral Book and an official presentation of a facsimile copy of the book. Cost: Free.
TO BOOK FOR ANY OF THE EVENTS LISTED, ring the John Godber Centre on 0115 9639633, unless otherwise stated.
HUCKNALL LIBRARY will be hosting a Byron And Sport exhibition throughout the Festival.
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