'Great British Railway Journeys' visits Nottinghamshire

Michael Portillo's entertaining series, Great British Railway Journeys, has finally got around to visiting Nottinghamshire. Clutching his well-thumbed copy of Bradshaw's Railway Guide he starts the programme in Nottingham and a chat about the poet Henry Kirke White in the refined surroundings of Bromley House Library. His next stop is Mansfield station and the story behind the Robin Hood Line, which was created in the 1990s as part of the economic regeneration of the former Notts coalfield. He concludes his brief visit to the county with a visit to Welbeck Abbey to hear Derek Adlam describe the enigmatic 5th Duke of Portland and his extensive building works (including the famous tunnels) on the estate. The episode is still available to view on the BBC iPlayer:

• Great British Railway Journeys - Series 5, Episode 10

Launch events for new book on the Nottinghamshire Miners and the 1984-85 Miners' Strike

There are two launch events for a new book by David Amos on the Nottinghamshire Miners and the 1984-85 Miners Strike:

• Saturday, 18th January 2014 at Bestwood Winding Engine House (10am – 1pm)
• Saturday, 15th February 2014 (11am – 2pm) at The D H Lawrence Heritage Centre, Eastwood

The book, based on his PhD research, will be available to buy (at £13.99 each) at both events. There will be a small coal-mining heritage display at each of the launch events and tea, coffee and light refreshments can be purchased at both events.

The First Nottinghamshire Local History and Archaeology Day, 21 June 2014

The event will be held at the University of Nottingham Museum on Saturday 21 June, 11am–4pm. 

This event will bring together local history and archaeology societies from throughout the county along with archaeological units, museums and other regional archaeological organisations to display, examine and discuss current archaeological work being undertaken throughout Nottinghamshire. This exciting day can be enjoyed by everyone including those with a general interest in what is happening in their area, people actively taking part in archaeological work and those wanting to get involved.

11am-12.15pm – Short talks on local archaeological projects

Five local societies present their work. The session will be introduced by David Knight from Trent and Peak Archaeology who will also give a short overview of work in the region.

Recital Theatre (no. 3 entrance next to the Museum). Free but tickets need to be booked through the box office.

12-4pm – Stalls

Local history and archaeology societies and regional archaeological units and organisations will display and discuss their work. See the wide and varied work that is being done and find out about opportunities to join in. Practice Hall (no. 3 entrance next to the Museum). Drop in event.

12-4pm – Portable Antiquities Database and the Historic Environment Record for Nottinghamshire

Join the Finds Liaison Officer for Nottinghamshire and Nottinghamshire County Council to see what has been found in your area and bring objects for identification. Drop in event. Museum

12-4pm – Hands on Sessions with archaeological material from Nottinghamshire

Come and handle and find out more about a wide variety of archaeological material from Nottinghamshire including stone artefacts, pottery, coins, animal bones and environmental material dating from the Palaeolithic to the post medieval period. Angear Visitor Centre, Djanogly Gallery 2, Learning Studio (no.1 entrance next to the Museum). Drop in event.

This day is organised by the University of Nottingham Museum and supported by the Thoroton Society and the Society for the Promotion of Roman Studies.