Schools out and the summer holidays are here — there’s so much happening locally that we are sure you’ll find something to keep everyone entertained without having to travel very far! Don’t forget to visit our website during the summer too as we’ll keep adding new events to our calendar too and follow us on Twitter and Facebook for daily updates; @retfordlife and www.facebook.com/retfordlife.
Sunday 9th September
A Knight’s Trail
Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton NG22 9DF
Embark on an epic walk around the Abbey ground with this medieval-themed walk. Locate all the knights’ shields, find the clues and gain a prize.
£1.00 plus normal parking fee
01623 821338
Friday 20th July to Sunday 12th August
10.00am to 4.30pm daily
Butterfly Trail
Thoresby Park
£1.00 per trail
Saturday 21st July to Sunday 9th September
Rufford on the Beach
Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton NG22 9DF
Come and enjoy all the fun of the seaside at Rufford Abbey Country Park with our bespoke built beach. We will have regular children’s entertainment, from music and dance to traditional Punch and Judy shows. You will also see our Resident Donkeys on selected dates throughout the summer. Bring your bucket and spade, beach towel and sun hats and enjoy.
Free but normal parking charges apply
01623 821338
Thursday 26th July to Monday 3rd September
11.00am to 4.00pm daily
Summer of Sport
Clumber Park, S80 3AZ
Why not challenge friends and family to a shoot out on the archery range, or bring everyone together for a big volleyball, football or rounders match? Tennis, hockey, table tennis, cricket, skipping, games and much more on offer. Local sports providers will be making special guest appearances throughout the summer to give live demonstrations and have a go sessions.
There will always be plenty of free activities, however some activities do incur a small charge. Park admission fees also apply.
01909 511015 or sportclumber@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Thursday 26th July to Monday 3rd September
Summer 50 Things To Do Before You Are 11-and-three-quarters
Clumber Park, S80 3AZ
Join one of the team for a fun led range of 50 Things at 11am and 2pm, or drop into the Discovery Centre throughout the day.
This event is free but normal admission fees apply.
01909 476592 or clumberpark@nationaltrust.org.uk
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/clumber-park
Thursday 26th July
10.30am to 11.30am (also on 7th, 13th and 29th August)
River Dipping
Thoresby Park
£3.00 per child
Friday 27th July
10.30am to 3.30pm (also 3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th and 30th August)
Lego Day
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
Play all day!
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Monday 30th July
10.30am to 3.30pm (also on 13th, 20th and 28th August)
Playmobil Day
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
Play all day
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Monday 30th July
1.00pm to 3.00pm
Around the World
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Booking is essential
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Tuesday 31st July
10.30am to 3.00pm
Horrid Henry Event
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Crafts and games all day and storytelling sessions at 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm. Just drop by.
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Tuesday 31st July
10.30am to 11.30am
Build a Bug Hotel
Thoresby Park
£5.00 per child
Wednesday 1st August
10.30am to 3.00pm (also Wednesdays 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th August)
Kid’s Crafts
Sherwood Forest Arts and Craft Centre, Edwinstowe, NG21 9RN
Drop in sessions. Have a go at lots of different crafts including sewing, painting and bath bomb making
Small charge payable
Wednesday 1st August
10.30am to 3.30pm (also on Wednesday 8th, 15th and 22nd August)
Picnic and Play
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A selection of garden games. Bring your own picnic. If the event of bad weather there will be board games indoor.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Thursday 2nd August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Make a Paper Plate UFO
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A drop-in craft session.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Thursday 2nd August
12.30pm to 3.00pm
Pirate Pearl and the Big Blue Monster — Children’s Open Air Theatre Show
Rufford Abbey Country Park, Ollerton NG22 9DF
Shows at 12.30pm and 3.00pm. Set sail on the swashbuckling high sea adventure, especially for the little pirates and their grown-ups! (ages 3+). With songs, puppets and live music, this fantastic family show will have you singing along, dancing in the sand and laughing till your sides split.
£12.00 per adult or £10.00 per child, family ticket £40.00
www.parkwoodoutdoors.co.uk/centre/rufford-abbey/Events/238/Childrens%20outdoor%20theatre%20at%20Rufford%20Abbey%20Country%20Park
Thursday 2nd August
2.00pm
Live Outdoor Theatre — The Giant’s Loo Roll
Kings Park, Retford
An exciting musical adaptation of the popular children’s book by Nicholas Allan performed by the fantastic Talegate Theatre.
Free
01909 534525
julie.foye@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Friday 3rd August
10.30am
Family Theatre — The Gingerbread Man
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Chase after our cheeky gingerbread hero as he sets off on the biggest adventure of his life! Out of the kitchen, through the town, across the fields and all the way to the river. Now if he could just avoid that sly old fox! Hiccup Theatre cook up a brand-new version of this classic tale adding original live music, tasty storytelling and dollops of fun. Programmed in association with The Spark Arts for Children. Booking is essential.
£3.00 for library members or £6.00 for non-members.
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Saturday 4th August
Fairy and Wildlife Paper Sculpture
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Monday 6th August
10.30am to 11.30am (also on 23rd August)
Meadow Minibeast Hunt
Thoresby Park
£3.00 per child
Monday 6th August
10.30am to 12.00pm (also 29th August)
Caterpillar Music
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
Fun with music for all ages
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Tuesday 7th August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Giant Bubbles
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A drop in craft session
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Tuesday 7th August
10.00am to 12.00pm
Craft Club ‘Doorhangers’
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
A drop-in craft session
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Thursday 9th August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Family Learning — Dinosaur Explorers
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Booking is essential
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Friday 9th August
Gruffalo Day
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
Come and join the Gruffalo Explorer and help her hunt down the Gruffalo in our very own deep dark wood. Includes Gruffalo games, Gruffalo songs and stories, Gruffalo Treasure Hunt and Gruffalo Crafts. This is suitable for three to seven-year olds and booking is essential.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Saturday 11th August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Wildlife Watch Group — Pond Dipping
Idle Valley Nature Reserve, Retford DN22 8QH
Outdoor fun for seven to 13 year olds. Open to all — no booking necessary.
Free, but a £2.00 donation welcome
07734 573861
r.schwarz24@gmail.com
Tuesday 14th August
10.00am to 12.00pm
Craft Club ‘Make a Gnasher
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
A drop-in craft session
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Tuesday 14th August
10.30am to 1.00pm
Make a Unicorn Dreamcatcher
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A drop-in craft event.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Tuesday 14th August
2.00pm
Live Outdoor Theatre — Alice in Wonderland
Kings Park, Retford
A performance by the Talegate Theatre of Lewis Carroll’s famous story of a girl named Alice falling through a rabbit hole into a fantasy world populated by peculiar, anthropomorphic creatures.
Free
01909 534525
julie.foye@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Thursday 16th August
10.30am to 11.15am and 1.00pm to 1.45pm
Jo Jingles
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A free music and movement session
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Tuesday 21st August
10.00am to 12.00pm
Craft Club ‘Mischief Masks’
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
A drop-in craft session
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Tuesday 21st August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Fairy Crafts
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A drop-in craft event.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Thursday 23rd August
10.30am to 12.30pm
Dino Dig
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A drop in craft session
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Saturday 25th August
10.00am to 3.00pm
Mischief Makers Comic Strip Workshop
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Write and print your own comics this summer with author Emma Pass and artist Duncan Pass. Firstly, Emma will help you create a cracking story with a magnificent hero and a mischievous villain. Then Duncan will show you how to turn it into a comic strip which you’ll print on one of his hand-built printing presses, made from a 200-year-old washing mangle. This event is suitable to children aged five and over and booking is essential.
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Monday 27th August to Sunday 2nd September
Robin Hood Festival
Sherwood Forest Country Park, Edwinstowe, NG21 9HN
Enjoy the 34th annual Robin Hood Festival in the magical setting of Sherwood Forest. This free fun filled weeklong festival has something for all ages, with a wide variety of activities and entertainment, featuring costumed characters and medieval music, falconry, craft stalls and activities and The Legends characters
Car park £5.00
01623 823202
www.nottinghamshire.go.uk/robinhoodfestival
Tuesday 28th August
10.00am to 12.00pm
Craft Club ‘Mischief and Matchboxes’
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
A drop-in craft session
Free
01777 708724 or retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk
Wednesday 29the August
2.00pm
Live Outdoor Theatre — Wind in the Willows
Kings Park, Retford
Enjoy Kenneth Grahame’s classic children’s story performed by the fantastic Talegate Theatre.
Free
01909 534525
julie.foye@bassetlaw.gov.uk
Friday 31st August
The Wizard of Oz
Bassetlaw Museum, Grove Street, Retford DN22 6LD
A fast-paced, highly entertaining show featuring pop songs, magic, puppets and your favourite Oz characters. This performance will take place in the museum garden. Bring blankets or a picnic in case you get peckish.
Free
01777 713749
www.bassetlawmuseum.org.uk
Saturday 1st September
11.00am to 3.00pm
Family Gaming Club
Retford Library, Churchgate, DN22 6PE
Free
01777 708724
retford.library@inspireculture.org.uk