British Film Institute video archive

The British Film Institute has recently made a wealth of archival and historical films available free to access online for the first time. Among the many videos now available are several showing life and work in Nottingham.

There are three relating to Raleigh cycles:

• Raleigh: Fred Mitchell
• The TI Raleigh Campagnolo racing team during the 1982 Tour of Romandie in Switzerland
• Nottingham's Lord Mayor launches a scheme in 1973 in which riders in Nottingham will be able to use the new city centre pedestrian streets

There is also a fascinating tram ride through Nottingham city centre filmed in 1902:

• Tram ride through Nottingham

Archaeological excavation at Rufford Abbey

The Community Archaeology team from Nottinghamshire County Council and local volunteers are excavating parts of the medieval monastic church at Rufford Abbey, near Ollerton. Foundations uncovered seem to suggest that the church was larger than originally thought.

Follow developments on the Community Archaeology Facebook page.

Community archaeology project in Edwinstowe, 14-25 July 2014

The Robin Hood's Village Volunteer Dig in Edwinstowe starts work today. It could well turn out to be the largest free community excavation undertaken in the county with over 100 people volunteering to take part in over 13 days of archaeology.

Further information is available on the Sherwood Forest Archaeology website and Mercian Archaeological Services will be publishing photographs and updates on the project on their Facebook page.

The Hucknall Byron Festival, 28 June - 6 July 2014

The Byron Festival in Hucknall has only just come to my attention - not sure how that managed to fly under the radar! The programme is interesting and varied, including a 'Byron Afternoon Tea' at Colwick Hall (with a lecture by Prof John Beckett on Mary Chaworth and Colwick Hall), and various tours, lectures and performances.
The full programme is available on the International Association of Byron Societies' website.