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What a Hoot

29/5/2019

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I do hope you are all well and have enjoyed the Bank Holiday weekend. Now that it is over it's back to Business as Usual at Old Bolsover Yard. Last Saturday saw us host another Meet the Makers event. Thank you to everyone who came to visit. It was nice to see some familiar faces and repeat customers coming back to see us - we must be doing something right. It's always lovely to see the courtyard seating area full of groups chatting away at these events.

Ian's Birds of Prey in the Courtyard

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Final preparations have now been made for this weekends visit from some very special guests. Ian Stanley and his Birds of Prey will be spending the day with us in the Courtyard. A must for any wildlife lover, you can come and see the birds and learn from Ian all about the rescue work that he undertakes and releasing injured birds back into the wild.

There will also be a fun activity for the children with Wooden owls to colour in and take home (£1.00 per child)
A big Thank You to Darren from Barlborough Electrical for coming yesterday to complete the first fix for the electrics for our new toilet block. Work is progressing and the next stage is to get the plasterer back in before we are able to get the plumber back on site. Our aim is to continue to develop the facilities at Old Bolsover Yard over the coming weeks.

​Until next time........
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Another Wednesday, another blog post .......

21/5/2019

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I don't really know, but it seems that the weeks are getting shorter, and the time for writing another blog post is getting nearer & nearer each week.

Which of course is impossible unless we live in a time machine, so here goes with this weeks effort -
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Bolsover & District U3A in the Courtyard ....

The day day dawned dry but cloudy, but went a bit downhill after that. But still there was a good turnout to see what U3A is all about & hopefully recruit a few new members.

But why don't we hear directly from them about how it all went -
You would never have known from the frequent outbursts of laughter around the  yard that it was actually teeming with rain, potentially threatening the success of our BDU3A outdoor promotions event in Old Bolsover Yard.

Group Leaders had put together impressive displays, showcasing their groups’ activities, and were chatting amiably together, sharing stories with visitors as they came into the yard, drawn perhaps by the sound of 60’s music so loved by our contemporaries.

Other BDU3A members, who came in to support us, mixed with the potential new members, many of whom left with application forms to join.  Well done, guys!  That includes you, Sam (Gary and Kevin’s dog – now an honorary member for being such a great Meeter and Greeter)!

Everyone worked so hard to make this the success it was.  Before we (metaphorically) opened our doors to the public, Group Coordinators had planned and organised for months, eventually coming in early on the day to help set up tables, praying for the rain to go away.  It didn’t but it didn’t matter  – We’re British You Know!

I can’t finish without mentioning one of our greatest supporters who walked around town in the morning with a placard around her neck, advertising our event and pointing people in our direction –  all off her own bat!  Thanks, Josie!

With many thanks to Adrian Wilkinson for letting us have the use of his yard and for the loan and putting-up of two (much needed) marquees, and also to the small businesses who work in the yard for adding to the occasion and joining in the fun.

Finally, many thanks to Michelle at the Beehive.  Always a star, she really came up trumps, coping as she did with the number of customers we sent her way.

So, it seems they had a good day, and we were glad to welcome them into Old Bolsover Yard as part of our Courtyard Programme. Perhaps you might come and see us again some time.

Spring Bank Holiday Weekend in the Courtyard ....

Hot on the heels of Easter & May Day we get to Spring Bank Holiday.

We don't have any outside guests joining us for this weekend, but it does give us a chance to showcase our resident artisans, and give you all a chance to come along and see what they are up to.

This weekends 'Meet the Makers' is devoted to just that.

From 10am to 3pm they will be 'beavering away' in the their work spaces, creating all sort of things for your delictation (posh word for delight!).

So as they used to say on a well known TV programme of a previous decade or two - 'Come on Down'.

​Looking forward to seeing you!!!!
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 Looking forward .... Ians Birds of Prey - Saturday 1st June

In just over two weeks time we will have a visit from Ians Birds Of Prey. On that day he will tell us all about the work he does to release injured wild birds back into the countryside & introduce us to some of his current residents.

To fit in with that visit, we will also have something for the children to do, when they can have the chance to paint/colour in their own wooden owl and take it home with them. This will cost £1.

We are also hoping to have another local wildlife centre with us on the day.

Another fabulous event in the Courtyard Programme from Old Bolsover Yard.

Fabric Den Workshops!!

News from Sarah at the Fabric Den is that her workshops are going really well, with several of them already fully booked, They are on all sorts of days and times including one or two on a Sunday.

For the latest up to date information & availability why not message Sarah on her Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/mollyfelicitydesigns.

And don't forget the fabulous array of knitting yarns & sewing fabrics in stock or to order. 

Food for thought ....

Came across this the other day, and thought it appropriate for the work we are doing in trying to improve the town centre offering with our independent shops and keep our community thriving etc.
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And so ....!

Bit of a short blog post this week, but still news of lots of things to do down at Old Bolsover Yard.

And for those of you who still don't know where we are - we are on Castle Street opposite the Bolsover Antiques Centre. We are open 10am to 3pm Monday to Saturday. When we are open we have some big signs at the entrance, so we can hardly be described as 'shrinking violets'!!
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The sun is shining ......

14/5/2019

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The sun is shining, the skies are blue, so here is this weeks blog post just for you - and everybody else who reads it!!

OK, so that is my poetic bit for the week now on with a look back at the past, forward to the next couple of weeks & lots of other news from Old Bolsover Yard - the tourist destination that is - GO TO! ....
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Visit of the 'Wobbly Bodger'

Last Saturday we welcomed Gary Joynt - 'The Wobbly Bodger' to the Courtyard Programme. The day dawned reasonable for weather, and soon Gary was set up & 'bodging'. He soon attracted some attention & recruited two young 'apprentices' to have a go, along with some of our adult visitors. We were just beaten by the weather in the latter part of the afternoon - with a shower, which required us to 'call stumps' (a cricketing term!) a little early.

Thanks to Gary for his time, demonstrations & tutorials, and we hope that we can persuade him to come back and see us again soon.

From Castle Gates to Roller Skates ........

Whilst the 'Wobbly Bodger' was busy bodging away, over at Creative Handmade Craft Studio, the book signing by local author Babs Barson that they were hosting, was getting underway over the lunchtime period. A lot of people turned up to get a copy of the book & have it signed, and it was a small interlude to the days activities in the Yard. The book can still be bought from Creative Handmade Craft Studio, and we look forward to  Babs next book!

Bolsover U3A - Saturday 18th May 2019 ......

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So, we move merrily on with our Courtyard Programme, and begin a series where we are handing over the Courtyard to local community groups to feature their work & hopefully encourage others to become involved.

This coming Saturday it is the turn of Bolsover U3A.

Many of you will not of heard about U3A - so if in doubt go to the trusty internet and we find out this -

The University of the Third Age is an international movement whose aims are the education and stimulation of mainly retired members of the community—those in their third 'age' of life. It is commonly referred to as U3A

The Bolsover U3A has been established now for a few years - indeed I can remember going to their inaugural meeting, whilst I was staying with my family in Barlborough, after coming back to the UK from 11 years in southern Spain, where interestingly I had been involved with the U3A Malaga.

Well, with over 20 'Groups' now established, they are taking over the Yard to tell us all about what they do, to show us examples of their activities & hopefully recruit a few new members.

Try and make time in you busy schedule on Saturday to 'pop-in' & see them, and you never know, you might just find a new leisure pursuit!

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New faces & change at The Gallery ......

Our Gallery which opened in November last year & which has been going from strength to strength since then is seeing some changes.

Shaun Haywood who runs M&E Woodcraft is taking more space in the Gallery, trading up from a wall space to a floor space, and came to make the changes this week. Shaun, is hoping that this move, which allows him to show a wider range of his work, will be good for him, and we will be doing everything to help him achieve that aim. 


Following closely on the heels of M&E Woodcraft we have this week agreed to welcome David Wheeldon and his business 'Chunky Oak Designs'. David has an eclectic range of work, and he is currently busy making a stand to put in the Gallery in the very near future. Again, we will be pleased to work with David and we will let you know when he is 'in residence'. In the meantime here is just a few pictures of his work, and you can find him on his Facebook page at - www.facebook.com/pg/chunkyoakdesigns

The builders have been & gone .......

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I reported last week that we were having the builders in to do some 'repair & maintenance' in the Yard.

Well despite an attempt by the weather to scupper their efforts, they have completed the work, and we now have a nice newly repaired wall at the back of the Yard, and some internal work has been done on the building that will very soon become our toilets. 

They will be back soon, to do some plastering, along with the electrician & the plumber, to create a new 'swanky' looking toilet block!!
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​Looking ahead - two musical interludes ...

News now of two new  events in the Courtyard in the coming months, both of them musical, and both of them featuring my favourite type of music - brass band!

The first is the Clowne Salvation Army Brass Band, who will be playing from 10am to 12 noon on 14th September, so you need to be up & out early on that day to catch a 'cracking performance'.

The second is Whitwell Brass Band, who will be playing on 30th November - The day of the Bolsover Christmas Festival & Lantern Parade, when they will be playing twice once from 11.30am to 12.15pm & then again from 1.15pm to 2pm.

We look forward to welcoming both to Old Bolsover Yard, and hope you will get the dates in your diary - RIGHT NOW!, so that you don't miss anything.
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Whitwell Brass Band


​Local news .....

Bolsover Antiques Centre
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Many of you will know by now that a Planning Application has been submitted by the owners of the Bolsover Antiques Centre to change the use to residential dwellings.

This has come as something of a surprise to businesses around & about the Antiques Centre, and we were left to find the information tied to bus stop in Castle Street.
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If you feel able, please send an objection to this Application to the District Council, and hopefully, we can get the application rejected.
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Bella Blu ....

I have been asked a number of times in recent weeks whether I know anything about Bella Blu & when it might be re-opening following the fire earlier this year.

For clarity, I am unable to offer any information other than that which is on the homepage of their website -
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So .......

There you are for this week, U3A in the Courtyard, new Gallery traders, repaired walls, toilets coming soon, brass bands booked, help wanted to support one of our local businesses, and news on when another local trader might be opening again. Don't ever say we are standing still - a rest might be nice sometimes though!!
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Here we are again! ......

6/5/2019

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First it is Easter, then it is May Day Weekend then in two weeks time it will be Spring Bank Holiday. If I wasn't 'sort of' retired' I could get used to all these holidays!!

However, due to other commitments, I am having to start writing this weeks blog post early, but it is still current.
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May Day Makers Market ......

The day started, dry & a bit sunny, and definately a nip in the air,  we welcomed our visiting market makers to OBY.

All set up & raring to go, they, along with our resident makers, patiently waited for people to come along and see what was on offer.

Overall, it was probably OK, but not exactly bursting at the seams - perhaps post election blues!, but whatever the reason we plough on regardless.
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The 'Wobbly Bodger' is coming to town!! ......

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Our next visitor to OBY as part of our Courtyard Programme is 'The Wobbly Bodger' - this Saturday 11th May.

Now this promises to be something really special, and not to be missed.

Looking at his website Gary Joynt - 'The Wobbly Bodger' - says -
We are passionate about keeping alive some of the traditional heritage crafts from around the world. As the world became mechanised, production increased and heritage crafts declined in popularity giving way to modern, faster manufacturing methods.
Our intention is to keep alive some of the traditional and not so traditional heritage crafts under threat in our fast and busy world. All our products are handmade from seasoned and green wood and each item is unique and individual

I know that Gary will be putting on a good day for us, and, when I spoke to him last weekend - when he popped over to the Makers Market, if you are really good he might let you have a 'bodge'.

Now! how can you resist an offer like that!
As well as the Wobbly Bodger on Saturday - the Creative Handmade Craft Studio are holding a book signing from 11.30am to 1pm with local author Babs Barson, who has just published a book - 'Castle Gates & Roller Skates' -  a collection of poems reflecting '60's & 70's life.
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​Bolsover District U3A Open Day - Saturday 18th May 2019

We are looking forward to the local U3A visiting us, and showing us what they are all about. Get the date in you diary now!! - 
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Food & Drink Festival - 27th & 28th July 2019 - Cake Bonanza!

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We have just 2 outdoor gazebo spaces left for our Cake Bonanza! which we are hosting as part of the Bolsover Food & Drink Festival in July.

If you are interested, please email us and we will send you more information.

Remember that this is a really big event in Bolsover with visitors running into their thousands over the two days of the event
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Victoria Sponge - the Cake Bonanza mascot


​Bricks, cement, builder ......

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If you visit us over the next few days you will probably see that we are having some more repair & maintenance done. After the major work on OBY last year we are now going to get some 'smaller' jobs done to tidy up the Yard and also to allow us to provide toilet facilities on site, which we have been only too aware has been something of a difficulty.

None of the work will affect the daily operation of the Yard, but if you see a builder, give him a cheery 'Hello' & make him feel welcome - but no toilet jokes please!
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The Fabric Den Workshops ......

Since Sarah joined the OBY community, she has been building up a lot of interest in what she is doing & has got planned. In that planning is her Workshop Programme, and I thought is was worth just reminding you of what is still on offer -
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 Workshops @ The Fabric Den
 
19th May – Sew Social - FULLY BOOKED
Bring along your latest project to work on during this session. Sarah from Molly Felicity Designs will be on hand to give support & guidance should you need it
10.00 – 12.00 - £12.50
(Bring your own materials – sewing machines available to use – Booking required)
 
12th June – Reversible Shoulder Bag Workshop
Learn to sew a reversible shoulder bag from scratch 
​featuring darts & top stitching
10.00 to 12.00 - £25.00
 
23rd June Sew Social 
Bring along your latest project to work on during this session. Sarah from Molly Felicity Designs will be on hand to give support & guidance should you need it
10.00 – 12.00 - £12.50
(Bring your own materials – sewing machines available to use – Booking required)
 
If you can’t make the date but are interested in a particular session please let us know as additional workshops can be organised to meet demand
 
A £10 non-refundable deposit (or the cost of the session if less than £10) is required at the time of booking your workshop. The balance is due at the start of your workshop/session
 
www.mollyfelicitydesigns.com
All workshops held at The Fabric Den, Old Bolsover Yard  S44 6PP
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And ......

While talking about workshops & lessons, do remember that some of our other residents offer you the opportunity to attend workshops or have one-to-one tutorial. If you want to know what they offer, why not pop-in & talk to them about it. If you don't ask, you won't get...!
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