D.H. Lawrence Festival returns with extended programme for all the family!

The festival, which has been co-produced by the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum, D.H. Lawrence Society, Haggs Farm Preservation Society, Broxtowe Women’s Project, Eastwood Town Council and Ben Mark Smith of the D.H. Lawrence Music Festival will open on 1 August until 14 September with a packed programme of 30+ events to enjoy.

The D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum on Victoria Street, Eastwood is inviting visitors to pop in to the museum on 1 August between 1.00pm and 4.00pm for refreshments, to pick up their festival brochure and learn more about this year’s festival programme from museum experts.

Carolyn Melbourne, Museum and Collections Officer said, ‘We’re very excited to be extending this year’s D.H. Lawrence Festival over the summer holidays to give more opportunities for families to get involved in some of the events on offer.

Cultural events like this are so important for the local area, bringing people into the town centres to support businesses and providing events for people to engage with and to meet others at. There really is something for everyone, whether you’re familiar with Lawrence or not – be sure to look out for our five facts about Lawrence beer mats circulating in Eastwood too.’

The full programme includes:

Visual Arts

• The Pentrich Revolution In Art: Eastwood, until 30 August, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - Explore the hidden history of England’s last armed rebellion, The Pentrich Revolution and its links to Eastwood through an exhibition of artwork. Open during usual museum opening hours and special events throughout the festival.
• Lawrence Portrait, throughout the festival, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - There’s still time to see the last portrait of Lawrence, painted by Dutch artist Joep Nicolas in Suresnes, France, 1929 which is currently on loan at the museum until 28 August.

Music

• D.H. Lawrence Music Festival, 7 September, from 12.00pm at pubs across Eastwood plus acoustic performances in the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum garden at 12.00pm, 1.00pm, 2.00pm and 3.00pm - 15 Stages at 14 Eastwood venues showcasing live music from 150+ talented local artists with something for everyone! More information about stages and artists is available on the D.H. Lawrence Music Festival Facebook page (Opens in a new window) or search for the D.H. Lawrence Music Festival playlist on Spotify for a taste of what’s to come.
• Celebration Festival Organ Concert. Friday 13 September, 7.00pm at Hill Top RC Church of Our Lady, NG16 2AQ - Given by internationally acclaimed organist, Alan Wilson and dedicated to the memory of Malcolm Gray, a local popular DHLS Lawrencian protagonist who died recently.

Literature

• Wellbeing Walk, 6 August, 10.00am, meet at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - A guided walk in the local countryside that Lawrence described as “The country of my heart.” The walk offers gentle exercise with local heritage and a chance to connect with others.
• Children’s Writing Competition Exhibition, 31 August – 31 October, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - A special exhibition showcasing the winning entries of the annual D.H. Lawrence Writing Competition: Children’s Prize. Open during usual museum opening hours and special events throughout the festival.
• Wellbeing Walk, 3 September, 10.00am, meet at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - Join us for this guided walk in the local countryside, where we explore the “Power of Words” to inspire wellbeing writing of our own. There is the option to just come along for the walk, or to stay for the creative writing session which will take place at the museum straight afterwards. This event is in partnership with Broxtowe Women’s Project.
• Reading and Literacy Festival, 5 September, 10.00am – 4.00pm, Eastwood Library - Showcasing the wide ranging reading and learning opportunities available at Eastwood Library and in the local community.
• Jessie Chambers: Author and Artist – Life After Lawrence, 6 September, 2.00pm – 3.00pm, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - To celebrate the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace museum’s latest acquisition, Jessie Chambers' seascape painting, Andrew Cooper and Kate Foster of the Haggs Farm Preservation Society will give a short talk about the vital connection between D.H. Lawrence, Jessie Chambers and Haggs Farm. The talk will be followed by the unveiling of the painting and refreshments. Booking is essential at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/lifeafterlawrence (Opens in a new window).
• Reading Group: “Things”, 9 September, 7.00pm, Horse & Groom, Moorgreen, NG16 2FE - Reading group led by Andrew Harrison, acclaimed Lawrence expert and a Lawrence biographer, considering Lawrence’s satirical short story, ‘Things’, a searing and darkly comic attack on idealism and modern materialism. Participants should read the story ahead of the event; printed copies will be available on the evening. A FREE event, no need to book.
• Book Launch: Willie Hopkin: D.H. Lawrence's Socialist Friend, 13 September, 2.00pm – 3.30pm, Eastwood Library - Official launch of John Pateman’s new book, which explores how Hopkins’ socialist views impacted on Lawrence. Booking is essential so make sure to book your place online (Opens in a new window).

Heritage

• Breach House Open Days, 3 August and 7 September, 11.00am – 3.00pm, 28 Garden Road, Eastwood, NG16 3FW - A chance to visit and have a guided tour of The Breach House, a typical miner’s cottage from the 1880s, D.H. Lawrence’s childhood home and the setting for The Bottoms in his novel Sons and Lovers.
• Talk ‘The Monastic ruin in the field’, Friday 6 September, 7pm at Beauvale Priory, NG16 2AA - A now significant Carthusian monument, this talk investigates its immense importance and how it creatively has inspired many artists. The talk is followed by Medieval Monastic Compline in the ruins (weather permitting). 
• D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum Heritage Open Days, 7 and 8 September, 10.00am – 4.00pm - Step back in time to experience the traditional Victorian wash house, see the parlour; a room only for special guests and have a wander around the parental and other bedrooms – all completely free as part of the National Heritage Open Days. The museum’s permanent exhibition features items from Lawrence’s family and even paintings created by the author himself. including acoustic music in the museum garden (7 September) and readings from local writer Annette Pateman (8 September).
• D.H. Lawrence and the Miners Strikes in Eastwood, 10 September, 10.00am - 3.00pm at Eastwood Baptist Church, Percy Street, Eastwood, NG16 3EP - Presentations from Lawrence and mining experts on how Lawrence represented the miners strikes in his works such as 'The Miner at Home' and 'Strike Pay.' Speakers include: David Amos, former miner, MacDonald Daly, former Associate Professor at University of Nottingham, Analise Grice, author and Lucy Grace, writing tutor.
• Walking in Lady Chatterley's Footsteps, 11 September, 10.30am - 1.30pm, Starts and finishes at Teversal Trails Visitor Centre, Carnarvon Street, Teversal, Sutton-in-Ashfield, NG17 3HJ - A three-hour heritage and literary walk around Teversal and Stanton Hill. Led by Sid Harvey and David Amos.

Family and Community

• Pop Up Museum, 12.00pm until 4.00pm - Visit our pop up museum for object handling, vintage crafts, activities, gifts and more at:
• Chilwell Play Day - 30 July, Inham Nook Recreation Ground
• Eastwood Play Day - 1 August, Coronation Park
• Stapleford Play Day - 5 August, Ilkeston Road Recreation Ground
• Kimberley Play Day - 8 August, Kimberley School Field*
• Beeston Play Day - 12 August, Broadgate Park

*The museum building will be closed on this date as our Museum Experts visit the play day.

• Summer holiday activities, 15, 16 and 17 August, 10.00am – 3.30pm at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - Free children’s activities during the summer holidays, including pebble painting and Victorian themed colouring.
• Food Fair and Market, 24 August, 11.00am – 3.00pm at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum and Scargill Walk Car Park – Food stalls, local artisans, crafts, gifts and more.
• Power of Words Family Day, 31 August, 10.00am – 4.00pm at the D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - Storytelling, book stalls and other activities for all the family, in partnership with Broxtowe Women’s Project.
• Festival Walk, 12 September, 1.30pm, meet at Greasley Church, NG16 2AB - Meet outside Greasley Church for this 2.5 mile guided walk. There is the option to have tea and cake at The Parish Oven tea rooms after for £8 per person, cash only. Please pre-book the tea room refreshments through bamford46@googlemail.com or call 07905 161 420 or 01773 436776.

Coffee morning, 14 September, 10.30am, D.H. Lawrence Birthplace Museum - Join our coffee morning to hear more about the museum, upcoming projects like the refurbishment of the Blue Line Trail and about how you could support us by volunteering. Plus there will be delicious cakes to enjoy!