Free activities and events for all in Newark

Titled ‘Newark’s Fun Palace,’ the packed programme is bursting with brilliant events, activities, and workshops, all for free! On Friday 30 September, events are aimed at adults and include self-defence, creative writing, knitting, life-drawing, how to fly a plane and cake decorating!  On Saturday 30 September, events are aimed at families and include music, performing, dancing, circus skills, and sports!  On Saturday evening, you can enjoy a cocktail making masterclass, belly dancing and more!  There really is something for everyone.

The nationwide Fun Palaces campaign sets out to share skills and celebrate culture amongst communities. Newark’s event has been organised as part of Newark Creates, a three-year cultural programme within the town’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone, led by Newark Cultural Consortium which is spear headed by Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries and Newark and Sherwood District Council.

Councillor Rhona Holloway, Portfolio Holder for Economic Growth and Visitors said, “At a time when we know the rising cost of living is a huge worry, I’m pleased to see these free events being held in Newark for residents across the district to come along and enjoy.  I’ve looked at the programme in detail and there really is a huge mix of events for everyone to get involved!”

Carol Newman, Director of Culture at Inspire: Culture, Learning and Libraries, said: “I’m really excited about the diverse array of free events and activities taking place across Newark... from things that will help in daily life like wiring a plug to once in a lifetime experiences like making cocktails on the Palace Theatre stage! Newark Library and the Buttermarket are just two venues hosting events with many more across the town centre too.”

The National Civil War Centre and Palace Theatre are offering hands on events including the chance to make seed bombs, decorate cakes and have fun with microscopes as well as tips on how to explore your genealogy. On Saturday, there’s a party atmosphere with Scottish Country Dancing, Newark Circus Club and carnival drumming during the day, with cocktail making on the Theatre stage, a DJ and belly dancing workshops in the evening. Other events at the venue over the two days include Crafty Betty’s return to Newark with textile workshops, games and puzzles, Ninjutsu and the unveiling of the Knit A Battlefield display created by volunteers in a long-term project since 2020.

Newark Library will be offering crafts with the chance to make a hand sewn flower brooch or a paper aeroplane as well as music sessions where you can learn to play the ukulele and a djembe drum. There’ll be fun with origami, macrame and puzzles too which will also be taking place at the new Inspire venue at the Buttermarket. This location will also see balloon modelling workshops added to the roster on Saturday with ace magician Steve Nixon.

Newark College will be offering their expertise to lead a variety of fantastic introductory sessions for participants aged 16 and over. These range from creative writing to digital media, and life drawing and they’ll even be sharing the skills needed to fly a plane, wire a plug and write a CV as well as taking on the challenge of making maths fun.

Newark Art Gallery is also getting involved with a drop-in project over the two days to paint a continuous paper piece of work depicting the Civil War sieges of Newark. Children will be welcome with parents and anyone joining in can spend as little or as much time adding to the piece with acrylic paints as they wish.

Most of the events across the two days are drop-in but some do require pre-booking. To reserve your free place for these and for more information on Newark’s Fun Palace, visit http://www.newarkcreates.co.uk/funpalace2022/.