Time-travelling DH Lawrence to ride Nottingham’s trams this month

NOTTINGHAM tram passengers should be rubbing their eyes in wonder this month (AUGUST) when author DH Lawrence joins them on board daily services.
Eastwood-born writer Lawrence – or at least an actor dressed like him in period costume – will be riding around the NET tram network on one day in August to help publicise the annual DH Lawrence Festival.

This year’s festival starts on August 15 and for the first time part of the event, a three-week celebration of Lawrence and his roots in Nottinghamshire, will be taking place in Nottingham itself.

On August 16, Nottingham Castle will host ‘Lawrence and the Great War’, featuring the recreation of a First World War infantry camp and telling the story of Lawrence’s strained relationship with the British authorities during the 1914-18 war.
And during the event the camp will be joined by a time-travelling Lawrence himself - fresh off the tram!

General Manager of NET, Helen Goulding, said: “ We are delighted to support this activity and promote the celebration of a key local writer.  I am sure our passengers will enjoy the extra drama on the tram and hope this will encourage them to attend the festival”
Lawrence’s day on the trams will have the double aim of raising awareness of the Nottingham Castle event and showing how convenient it is for families to use public transport to get out and about in the city this summer.
For the six weeks of the school holidays, for example, Nottingham City Transport has slashed the price of the Family/GroupRider ticket from £6 to £3.
The Family ticket allows unlimited bus and tram travel across Greater Nottingham for up to five people (minimum one adult, maximum two adults).
Tickets have to be purchased on buses on the day of travel but are then valid on all NCT buses and NET trams.

This year’s DH Lawrence Festival is the fifth and features book swaps, talks about subjects such as mining and local dialect, walks, workshops and art exhibitions. Taking place mostly in Eastwood, one of the most interesting events is set to be an exhibition of paintings including a large painting by Iraqi Dr Ala Bashir, who is inspired by Lawrence.

“With so much for families in particular in this year's programme there are a lot of days out that offer really good value for money for anyone looking for a day out from the city,” said Francis Hargrave, manager of DH Lawrence Heritage, which is part of Broxtowe Borough Council. 

The festival opens on August 15 and runs until September 9.

A full programme of events can be downloaded from the website at
www.broxtowe.gov.uk/dhlheritage or call 01773 717353.

Festival tickets can be purchased for £5 at Durban House in Eastwood which allows free entry to all of the events although pre-booking may still be required.