Just some of the reasons to visit this fabulous market town on 6th April, by Olivia Wheeler
Sense of Community
From when we first met our lab group we were blown away by their sense of community and pride in their town. This infectious sense of pride has shaped the festival and inspired the name WE ARE ASHFIELD.
Love in ‘Idlewells’
Idlewells shopping centre is the heart of the town, and with a huge footfall has become the perfect centre for the festival. We have taken inspiration from Love in Idleness to Idlewells and will be filling the shopping centre with hearts and bunting (made by primary school children
The Regency Ballroom
Behind an inconspicuous door just off the high street is the Regency Ballroom. This beautiful space is a family run business that was setup to achieve one thing – To teach people how to dance! Specialising in teaching Ballroom & Latin-American dancing however, along with other qualified teachers, offer lessons in Sequence and Salsa as well as fitness classes including Zumba Fitness and FitSteps.
We hope to be able to work with the venue to provide a backdrop to music and theatre on the day.
The Art of Disguise
We were really excited to hear the one of the members from out Lab Group belongs to a national re-enactment group, who meet on weekends and take part in large improvised battles and theatrical productions. These guys will be the perfect accompaniment to Henry V on 6th April, parading through the town and rallying up troupes.
Biggest Sundial
Sutton-in-Ashfield is home to the largest sundial Europe. It was located in the middle of Portland Square, adjacent to the Idlewells Shopping Centre and Sutton Community Academy. The sundial was unveiled on 29 April 1995 and is central to the markets which take place every weekend. On the 6th April we will be having walkabout and buskers throughout the space, interacting with the public in their own community.
More?!
Rare Visions
Grab yourself some distortion glasses from our very own opticians and you too will discover how love is blind. In addition there will be wonky mirrors in the shopping centre for people to see themselves in a new way.
What country friends is this?
There will be a photography exhibition of residents of Ashfield and these will be displayed throughout the town on the weeks leading up to and after the festival.
