We've been inundated with animals in Old Bolsover Yard since the arrival of Fox and Stitch and their pop-up shop. They are with us at Old Bolsover Yard until Saturday. As an added bonus, they're giving 10% discount on each and every purchase!

After the success of The Courtyard Programme 2019 we have another date for your diary. On Saturday 14th September we are delighted that the Salvation Army Band will be with us in the courtyard from 10am - 12pm. 

Do you remember the Salvation Army in Bolsover?

This is a fabulous opportunity to come and listen to the band and talk with the team about your memories and to join in with the music and songs. Why not bring along any photos you may have?

There will be a stall of fun activities for all ages - children and adults - to participate in as well.

Until next time.....

​Sarah

It was all systems go Sunday morning as Old Bolsover Yard Makers set up for the day at Renishaw Hall and Gardens Food and Craft Fair.

We were fortunate that the rain held off for the day but unfortunately our marquee was a little worse for wear after the winds took hold.
Molly Felicity Designs, Ethos Upcycling, Chunky Oak Designs, Harriet and Lola's Candles, and M&E Woodcraft put on a show of the different products available. It was nice to see some familiar faces come to visit us at the event and we all had a super time telling everyone about Old Bolsover Yard and what can be found when you visit our Craft Courtyard. If you weren't able to make it to Renishaw you can see all of the wonderful products in the Gallery at Old Bolsover Yard. We are open Monday - Saturday 10am - 3pm.

Fox and Stitch Handmade Children's Clothing Boutique was born earlier this year. Clothing designed for children aged 0-5 years are made to be practical, easy to wear and to care for, yet most importantly - FUN - Clothes for Life's Adventures!

Only the best quality fabrics, cotton, cotton jersey and french terry are used, in bold, bright colours to create the Scandinavian inspired designs. The majority of Fox and Stitch's clothing is unisex with limited amounts of each fabric design leading to the lovely boutique style.

Vivien makes everything herself from her home studio but advertises and sells via social media, with a website going live soon. You'll often find Fox and Stitch trading at local markets which enables interaction with customers directly.

"I am excited to be holding my first ever pop up shop in Old Bolsover Yard. Although I will be busy making I am looking forward to meeting lots of lovely people and, of course, my children's clothing range will be available to purchase!" - Vivien, Fox and Stitch

More updates from Old Bolsover Yard next week

Until next time.......

​Sarah

Apologies for the delay in getting this weeks blog to you. If you were sat there yesterday thinking that it was Old Bolsover Yard blog day you would usually be right. I'm not sure where the time went yesterday but I didn't manage to find the time to post as usual. I will try to resume normal service next week. In other news.............................

There are still tickets available for the Summer Soiree being hosted at Old Bolsover Yard on Saturday 17th August by Bolsover Civic Society. The event starts at 7pm with a fully licenced bar, buffet and soft music playing in the background courtesy of A Touch of Class.
Why not pop along to Pages in Bolsover to get your tickets tomorrow. We look forward to welcoming you to the Summer Soiree.

This Sunday (18th August) a number of the Old Bolsover Yard Makers can be found at Renishaw Hall & Gardens Food and Craft Fair which runs from 10:30am - 4pm. You'll find Cup & Saucer in the Stables Courtyard with an Old Bolsover Yard marquee and gazebo being pitched on the grassed area to the front of the Courtyard. Here you will find Ethos Upcycling, Molly Felicity Designs aka The Fabric Den, M&E Wood Craft, Chunky Oak Designs and Harriet and Lola's Candles. Do come and say hello to us all if you are visiting.

Ian's Birds of Prey joined us again for another successful Courtyard Programme event on Saturday along with Michelle from Derbyshire Wildlife Trust. Thank you to all those who have helped make our Courtyard programme a success since it started in April.
We had anticipated another event this Saturday but unfortunately Inspirations Theatre Company have had to postpone this time - we do hope they will be able to join us next year instead.
Our Courtyard Programme for 2019 has now come to an end but do keep checking back for news of future events as we will be putting on a number of events in the coming months, with Christmas only 20 weeks away you'll need us to help inspire you with all that Christmas Shopping!

Until next time

​Sarah

Last week I was unable to bring myself to write a blog post. I think it was one of the hardest weeks of my life. It's was with great sadness that I had to announce the passing of Adrian Richard Wilkinson, age 68, who died peacefully on July 23rd 2019.

Many of you will have met Adrian and be aware of his passion for Old Bolsover Yard and giving something back to the town. I have taken some comfort during the last week in the kind words that have come my way, in particular those who spoke of Adrian and the true Gentleman that he was. Despite his cancer diagnosis Adrian has spent the last few years working hard to bring Old Bolsover Yard back to life and this will become his legacy.

As his family, Damion and I will continue the work at Old Bolsover Yard, supporting other small businesses like ourselves to thrive. I do hope that you will all continue to be supportive over the coming weeks and months.

This Saturday sees the return of Ian's Birds of Prey to continue with the final weeks of our Courtyard Programme. Ian was last with us in June and will be back telling us all about the work he does releasing injured wild birds back into the countryside. Do come and join us in supporting Ian and his valuable work.

Until next time

​Sarah

This week has been a busy one at Old Bolsover Yard with final preparations underway for our Cake Bonanza which is happening as part of Bolsover Food and Drink Festival on 27th and 28th July. Keep an eye on our Facebook page for regular updates in the run up to the event here.

Steelpantastic joined us in the Courtyard at Old Bolsover Yard and the sound from the steel drums was amazing. I would personally like to thank the band as I was able to record a little and show to Adrian who unfortunately wasn't well enough to join us. For those of you who were there I do hope that you enjoyed the show too.

I received an email this morning from Charlotte at Chesterfield Signing Choir saying that at rehearsal last night several members confirmed they were unavailable for the event on Saturday leaving only 3 remaining. Charlotte and her colleague have taken the difficult decision to halt any events over summer or school holidays in the future meaning that they are cancelling Saturday's performance as they can't perform with three and it wouldn't give a true representation  of what the Signing Choir is all about.

Saturday 20th July is Crafternoon Day! It's the day when people up and down the country will be coming together to craft, have fun and raise money for Mind.

Molly Felicity Designs thought that the Courtyard at Old Bolsover Yard would be just perfect for a 'Crafternoon' to raise awareness of the important work that Mind does and also an opportunity to raise some money for a good cause.

If you pop down to The Fabric Den on Saturday between 10am - 3pm why not bring along your latest project and join Sarah in the Courtyard for a bit of crafting. 10% of all sales made by The Fabric Den on Saturday will be donated to Mind.

Until next time

​Sarah

After a beautiful few days it was disappointing to wake up Saturday morning to see that the rain had arrived. After a quick rethink a revised Teddy Bears Picnic event still went ahead at Old Bolsover Yard.

A huge thank you to those of you who brought your bears to share the day with us - it was lovely to meet all your furry friends. 

The afternoon brightened up enough to allow a lovely story telling session to take place. Thank you to Jennie and Miranda for their reading.

If you follow us on Social Media you may already be aware of a fantastic opportunity coming to Old Bolsover Yard in August. We are going to be launching a pop-up shop opportunity.

Have you ever dreamed of your own bricks and mortar store to showcase your craft business? 

Starting in August one of our Units will be available to rent on a weekly basis to enable you to set up your own pop-up shop. We will promote your business across all our online platforms to help you get your message out there. All this for £40.00 per week. You can book for a week slot or longer - the choice is yours.

If you would like to get involved please email mollyfelicitydesigns@gmail.com for an information sheet and booking form. 

Steelpantastic are the Worksop and District University of the 3rd Age Steel Band. On Saturday 13th July they will be joining us at Old Bolsover Yard between 11am and 2pm performing their music. Whilst there they are going to be raising funds for Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice. I do hope that you can join us. 

​Until next time.....

I'm back again for another update from Old Bolsover Yard. Some of you may know that Adrian has been feeling unwell recently so I thought it was time for a little confession that it is Sarah who has been writing the blog posts recently. To give Adrian chance to concentrate on his health I have been helping out with the running of Old Bolsover Yard. I'm sure you'll all join me in wishing Adrian all the best.

So now you know who's talking to you time for the usual updates.
​

Last Saturday saw another event as part of the Courtyard Saturday and the ladies of Bolsover Inner Wheel put on a great showcase of what they do.

Inner Wheel was formed in Manchester, England in 1924 by Mrs Margarette Golding. Originally it was the wives of Rotarians and whilst still maintaining those links Inner Wheel is now one of the largest voluntary women's organisations in the world.

​We were treated to plant stalls, jam and cakes along with some fabulous displays about the work that the Inner Wheel are involved in.

If you go down to the yard today you're sure of a big surprise. 10th July is International Teddy Bears Picnic Day so in order to celebrate we are holding a Teddy Bear's Picnic event at Old Bolsover Yard this Saturday 6th July from 10am.

We will be joined by Jennica Books - Usbourne Independent Organiser.Jennie will be with us with a selection of books to browse and buy or order for delivery. We're also planning a Teddy Tombola and Story Telling along with colouring activities for the Chidren in our marquee.

Don't forget to bring your bear.

Until next time.

​Sarah

You would be forgiven considering the weather we have seen over the last few weeks thinking that I'd gone a little crazy with this weeks post title however the end of last week saw the longest day meaning that Summer is officially here.

Did you notice a new arrival at Old Bolsover Yard? Thanks to the brilliant work of Aspire Gates our entrance way has had a bit of a makeover. We are over the moon with the new archway and wrought iron gates which really welcome visitors to the Craft Courtyard.

So last Saturday saw another Courtyard Programme event hosted by Bolsover WI.

The weather was kind to us with the sun making an appearance along with a flypast from the Red Arrows. I'm sure they were actually on their way to a display elsewhere but it was still fabulous to see them flying right over the Yard. Unfortunately I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a shot before they were just a trail of smoke.

I did however manage to take some pictures of the WI and the wonderful stalls that they had put together.

Looking forward a little further to the 6th July we are looking to hold an event that celebrates International Teddy Bears Picnic Day (yes! there really is one).

If you are a small business with a Teddy Bear theme​ and would like to get involved then please get in touch with Sarah on 07734820555. There are already lots of Teddy related activities planned but still space to squeeze in a little more!

So we come to the end of another blog post. We look forward to seeing you at our Courtyard Saturday events. Don't forget though that we are open Monday - Saturday 10am to 3pm. Come and meet Damion, Gail, Nino, Maria, and Sarah to find out more about the businesses in the Yard. Make sure you leave enough time to browse the Gallery where you might just find THAT present and also pop for a cuppa and some cake in The Beehive Cafe.

​Until next time...... 

It's that time of the week again - time for another update from Old Bolsover Yard. 

Last Saturday's Courtyard Programme event saw Bolsover Art Group taking over the yard. After a week of very wet weather thankfully the rain held off for most of the day meaning that the group were able to display some of their fabulous hard work, the paintings were beautiful.
I understand that the event paid off for them and paintings were sold - hopefully they're now hanging in pride of place in their new homes. It's wonderful to be able to support local community groups and even better when they go home happy at the end of the day.
There will be a few new members at the next meeting and plenty more art to be produced, maybe they'll be back again at Old Bolsover Yard in the future.

Proving that they are not just about 'jam & Jerusalem' the next date for your diary is Saturday 22nd June when our very own WI will take over the yard and showcase what they are really about. You may have noticed some of the posters that they have produced on social media over the last few days.

Try and make time in your schedule to come and support another local community group.

I've been mentioning over the last few weeks about the work that we have been doing at Old Bolsover Yard to improve the facilities. I can report that all the plastering is now done and a new floor laid so now it's time to get the plumbers back.

If you are visiting over the next few days hopefully you will also be able to see our new gates as they arrive on site and are installed. I'm not going to tell you too much as I don't want to spoil any surprises.

We have been working hard to improve Old Bolsover Yard and would like to just take time to thank all the other small businesses that we have been working with to make it happen.

​Until next time........