Past events

Newark Creates is a celebration of creativity, linking an artistic programme to our heritage and history, exploring stories and spaces.

Members of the Cultural Consortium launched Newark Creates in the summer of 2021 with a series of outdoor events celebrating Newark and our heritage spaces.

Heritage Poetry Trail

Starting in July to coincide with Newark Book Festival, poet Leanne Moden was commissioned to create poems inspired by our Heritage buildings around Newark Market Place to create a Heritage Poetry Trail.  Poems were displayed throughout summer alongside the promotion of an activity trail. Why not download the poems and trail and have a go yourselves.

Download the poems here: Newark Heritage Poems (PDF File, 912kb)

Find the trail activity sheet here: Our Heritage Poetry Trail - Activity Sheet (PDF File, 457kb)

You can also watch two of the poems being performed by their writer Leanne Moden below:

Summer 2021 events

In August we hosted a Family Play Day in Newark Market Place and Castle, which included a family themed market with pop up museums, festivals and outdoor play, street theatre and circus acts.

Over the Bank Holiday we showcased dance groups from across the region as part of the Brass Explosion in Newark Castle and the Steampunk market. Dancers could be found demonstrating skills in Scottish Country Dancing, Swing, and Clog Dancing.

As part of Heritage Open Days on 11th September, we hosted a twilight event at Newark Castle. The evening included performances by The Muskham Pinkies and Jukebox Jive, with The Cake Ladies Street Theatre and pop up stalls featuring local produce, Newark Ramblers' anniversary town trail and pop up arts and crafts workshops. With supplies included from the National Civil War Centre, families spent the evening sat around the Castle drawing and painting.

soundLINCS · Musical Whispers

Musical Whispers

Our first year programme ended in March 2022 with Musical Whispers. A co-created project with soundLINCS music development agency working alongside community groups in Newark – from drop in sessions at St Mary Magdalene Church and Newark Library to a family day at the National Civil war centre and sessions with Newark’s Carers Dementia Group. The aim of Musical Whispers was to help local people create a soundtrack celebrating Newark’s history, heritage and buildings. They used instruments, percussion and technology to support and guide participants in this fun musical journey. The music created can be heard below:

Fun Palace 2021 and 2022

At the end of September 2021, Newark hosted our first Fun Palace! A Fun Palace is a celebration of community skills, creating 1000s of tiny revolutions. A bit like a jumble sale of creativity! 2021's Fun Palace took places across 3 days with drop in workshops and activities in Newark Library, St Mary Magdalene Church, YMCA, the Palace Theatre Newark and National Civil War Centre, Newark Market Place, Secret Garden Studios, LetsXcape Board Game Café and other venues. From large knitting to puppet theatres, basketball to learning how to play chess, everyone offered their time and skills to share with members of their communities.

In 2022, we enjoyed origami, balloon modelling, ninjutsu, cocktail making and even learning how to wire a plug, with diverse events taking place at Newark Library, St Mary Magdalene Church, the Palace Theatre, YMCA, Newark College, Newark Heritage Barge, Newark Art Gallery and Inspire at the Buttermarket.