Bill Blackamore guest column: Plenty to keep you busy in Bulwell this summer

We haveBulwell Forest, Bulwell Hall Park, Bestwood Country Park, Moorbridge Nature Reserve, Snape Wood, Sellers Wood(Bluebell Wood, Bulwell Bogs and Hempshill Lane Playing Field to name but a few.

Alongside these beautiful natural environments we have fantastic new buildings such as Bulwell Riverside with its library, health centre, children and young peoples Centre, Bulwell Academy, with its state of the art facilities and Bulwell Forest Childrens Centre.

The third key factor is the variety of local voluntary/statutory groups serving this community and arranging a wide variety of events and activities for all the different age groups throughout the year, with a particular emphasis in the Spring and Summer months.

The majority of these events are free so check out what is happening and with your family or friends get involved.

One of these groups is Bulwell Toy Library which runs regular sessions for children from 0 - 5 years-old and 5 - 13 years-old both indoors and outdoors, after school and during school holidays.

These sessions are designed to give children a place to meet and make new friends, have some fun and join in a whole host of activities.

One big event is Bulwell’s celebration of National Playday on 6th August at Bulwell Hall Park.

To find out more visit their website www Bulwell Toy Library or call and speak with Andy on 0115 9753898.

We also welcome the new Bulwell Parents Forum which is a spin off from the school holiday programmes and the Parents Forum has been actively involved in arranging the last three holiday clubs.

The Parents Forum aims to provide a voice for parents in Bulwell and to plan events and activities in the school holidays. Visit www.bulwelparentsforum.com for more details

So if you are going to be more active this Spring and Summer then this weekend is the ideal time.

Why not go along to the Health and Well Being event organised by Bulwell Forest Action Group and Bulwell Forest Community Garden at the Community Garden, which is at Austin Street NG6 9JU.

This commences at 2.30pm with something for everyone.

Keeping active within the limitations of your health conditions improves your health, helps you to make new friends, have fun and get to know your local area and the best bit for the most part it is free.

The first pilot Bulwell Arts Festival Saturday 5th July to Sunday 13th July 2014

Bulwell Arts Festival is a two week arts festival using creativity to celebrate the people, history and landscape of Bulwell. A varied arts programme to engage our community and share in exciting activities and opportunities for all. Keep an eye out for publicity nearer the time! For more information please email [email protected].

A whole host of other events are planned and we do have space to highlight all of them so what follows is just a taste of what is happening.

Music in the Community with the Nottingham Wind Ensemble taking place in the concert hall at Bulwell Academy on Saturday 12th July, 7.15. The 45 piece Band under their conductor Stewart Drummond played to a sellout audience last year and displayed their considerable skill and accomplishment in a concert that had something for everyone. So reserve the date.

New event - Bulwell Tea Dance’s music provided by