Nottingham City Council is putting on a fantastic free day out on Saturday 2 July, as Councillor Mohammed Saghir is sworn in as the new Lord Mayor.
To celebrate, the city will enjoy a free fun day, with free entry at Nottingham Castle, a parade and lots of activities.
Things kick off just before 11am in the Old Market Square as Robin Hood makes a proclamation from the steps of the Council House. A parade will depart from the Old Market Square at 11am, carrying Lord Mayor and the new Sheriff of Nottingham Councillor Jackie Morris, in a horse and carriage procession to the gates of Nottingham Castle.
Members of the public are expected to gather in the Square at 11am to watch the ceremony, and see the horse and carriage parade as it makes its way to the Castle. The parade will include invited guests of the Lord Mayor and Sheriff, Saxon and Norman reenactors from The Household and the Robin Hood Youth Orchestra.
On arrival at the Castle, Robin Hood will read an announcement on behalf of the Lord Mayor, who will knock on the Castle gates to demand entry from the Town Clerk, Ian Curryer. Then, the public will be invited to the Bandstand to watch a ceremony (at approximately 11:30am) known as ‘Mayor Making’, which will include short speeches and blessing for the city of Nottingham.
Entrance to Nottingham Castle is free from 10am – 5pm (on Saturday 2 July only) and there will also be a host of other activities for visitors and families to enjoy, including:
- Have a go at archery
- Falconry displays by Hawks of Steel
- The chance to meet Nottingham’s Robin Hood, Tim Pollard, and see him narrate a play on the history of Nottingham
- Castle Cave Tours (£5 per person)
- Saxon and Norman Living History camp The Household
- Kids fancy dress competition – with prizes for the best fancy dress (judging to take place at the Bandstand at 12:10pm)
- Stalls from local groups
- The chance to meet Nottingham Castle’s Robin Hood mascot
- Free entrance to the Castle Museum and Art Gallery
The Lord Mayor’s Parade and fun day is a Smokefree event – visitors are being asked not to smoke as part of the Smokefree Summer campaign, which focuses on reducing children’s exposure to smoking, so it is not seen as a normal activity.
Councillor Mohammed Saghir, Lord Mayor of Nottingham, said: “I’m delighted to be officially sworn in as the new Lord Mayor for Nottingham. After a year serving as the Sheriff of Nottingham, I’m looking forward to continuing the important work of representing our great city.”
The Lord Mayor’s main duties include acting as the political figurehead for the City Council and a champion for Nottingham, and promoting the diplomatic, business, commercial, cultural and educational life of the city of Nottingham. Councillor Saghir recently attended The European Archery Championship, where he presented winning archers with medals, and one of the roles of the Lord Mayor is also to officially declare the Goose Fair open during the annual opening ceremony.