Since we moved into Old Bolsover Yard and began working on renovating the site one of the things that was apparent was the history that surrounded the buildings. All our renovation work to date has been done sympathetically to try and retain the character of the area.

We know that the yard was once the town slaughter house with a meat processing area, with a butchers shop on Castle Street. Our Heritage Lottery Project is funding more work in finding out about those who lived and worked at Old Bolsover Yard before we came and turned it into a Craft Courtyard. 

As you can see a timeline is starting to develop for 2 Castle Street but we still need your help in filling in some of the blanks. Come along to our Show and Tell event being held on Saturday 14th March to help us further with finding out about those who lived and worked at Castle Street. Extra points if you've any photos, adverts or other documents that help to build a picture of the history of Old Bolsover Yard.

In another exciting development I'm please to say that Unit 4 will soon be welcoming a new tenant to Old Bolsover Yard. Thomas Taylor, Historical Interpreter & Ropemaker will be moving in in March with events and demonstrations already being planned for April. I'll be bringing you more details in the coming weeks.

If you'd like to join us at Old Bolsover Yard then we do still have one unit available to rent - pop in to Old Bolsover Yard to see the space and find out more or email Sarah at [email protected]

Stall bookings are starting to come in for our Makers Markets that are going to be held throughout the year. Our first market will be Sunday 5th April and we're hoping that it will be the start of a great series of events.

If you are a crafter, artisan, maker and are interested in joining us for this or any of the other markets then please get in touch. 

Until next week........

Sarah 

What are your memories of the building?

Or even the neighbours?

Even better if you have photos to share too......

Show and Tell Events are being held on Saturday 14th March 2020 and Saturday 25th April 2020.

Don't forget to put the date in your diary NOW!

National Fiver Fest is Live in over 100 towns across the country and the great news is that BOLSOVER is one of those towns with many individual businesses within the town getting involved.

Here at Old Bolsover Yard we are loving the opportunity to celebrate all the small independent businesses that we are lucky enough to work with.

Whether you are looking for Honey Soap, Face Scrubbies, Bottle Openers, Coasters, Hand Painted Cards, Fabric or Yarn we've got offers on all these things which will only cost you a fiver!

After all that shopping you can pop into The Coffee Cup to see Sally and the Team who are running a number of different offers throughout the fortnight that Totally Locally National Fiver Fest is running. You've still plenty of time to get involved as we take part until 29th February 2020.

Last week we announced the dates for our Makers Markets which will be held at Old Bolsover Yard over 4 separate dates throughout the year. They start on Sunday 5th April with our Spring Makers Market. Thank you to all those who've booked a space but don't panic if you haven't got your application in yet as we've still got some availability left. To find out more email Sarah at [email protected]

​Until next week............

When starting to develop Old Bolsover Yard one of the key parts of our vision was to help and support small businesses as they develop. Having ran a small business for a number of years Damion, from Ethos Upcycling, knows from experience how difficult it is to find somewhere to showcase your business. It was during the hunt for a workshop to make the move from working from home for Ethos Upcycling that the idea for Old Bolsover Yard was born. 

In 2020 we are looking to extend how we support small businesses and so we are going to introduce Old Bolsover Yard's Makers Market. The aim of the market is to show the best that Bolsover and surrounding area has to offer, whether it be pickles and chutneys to jewellery and leather work.

The dates for this years Makers Markets are: 
- Sunday 5th April
- Sunday 5th July
- Sunday 6th September
- Sunday 15th November

We will be looking for stall holders for these events in the coming weeks so if you would like to be involved then get in touch via email to [email protected]

In the meantime don't forget to follow BolsoverFiverFest on Facebook to keep up to date with all the latest news.

Until next time......

​Sarah

You can follow Helen on Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to tell all your friends too.

Last week I mentioned that we had been fortunate to secure some Heritage Lottery Funding to work on an exciting project to uncover the past of Old Bolsover Yard. We had found out that the site used to be a Butcher's shop to the front with a slaughterhouse and meat preparation areas to the rear. Time to find out more about 'The Butchers of Bolsover'.

The heritage project will focus on the working lives of the Towns butchers and ancillary businesses that provided the community with its meat and food. Little is known about this area so we are seeking to uncover more of the stories from the community.

We are also going to explore what lies beneath the yard by offering a community dig looking to work with Children from a local school.

If you've any memories, pictures or information to share do get in touch.

Until next time

​Sarah

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