Featured Events in Retford in July, 2025 (August Updated)

Idle Valley Nature Reserve is the home of Nottinghamshire's only beavers! Beavers are slowly being reintroduced to the UK in a number of different locations. They're known as keystone species and ecosystem engineers, famous for their ability to transform landscapes, boost biodiversity, alleviate flooding, and capture carbon. At around 60 hectares, our beaver enclosure is the largest in the UK with space for not just a couple of beavers but up to 18 - that's 3 families of 6 in three separate territories! Join us for an exclusive 2 hour guided tour inside the enclosure. Venturing through the beaver’s tangled wetland world, you’ll see clear signs of their activity such as tree felling, damming, lodge building, debarking and digging. You’ll also spot some of the other wildlife benefiting from their efforts. Your guide will share with you a brief history of beavers in the UK and their fascinating biology and behaviour as well as how and why they were reintroduced to Idle Valley NR. Beavers are rarely active during the daytime so the aim of this event will not be to see the beavers themselves but to discover the signs they leave behind and why they're here at Idle Valley NR. Our beaver enclosure is approximately 3 miles from the visitor centre at Idle Valley Nature Reserve so the group will not be meeting there. Instead, please meet us in the car park on Chainbridge Lane just before the start of the tour. Google Maps coordinates: 53°21'51.7"N 0°56'33.0"W What3Words address: ///months.postings.mingles Written directions: From Mattersey Rd, head East on Daneshill Rd through Lound. At the crossroads, continue straight onto Chainbridge Lane. Continue straight as the road surface changes to loose stone for 200-300m. Just past a red gate on your left you’ll see the car park on your right. Please note that the beaver enclosure is a wild space. The tour follows a route that may be uneven, muddy and tough to navigate in parts. Sturdy walking boots are strongly recommended. Information Source: Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust | eventbrite

A 45 minute fun filled session for you and your child, with access to our dedicated gymnastics facility with songs and actions to conclude the session. Booking is essential. The cost is £5.00 and payable on booking. PLEASE NOTE DUE TO A NUMBER OF OUR MEMBERS HAVING NUT ALLERGIES WE DO NOT ALLOW ANY ITEMS OF FOOD CONATINING NUTS ON THE PREMISES Information Source: eventbrite

Welcome to 3Cs. This event is open to any business owner, business development manager or business representative based in or around Retford who wants to develop good contacts and share connections and skills. You DO NOT have to be a member to attend. 3Cs is a not-for-profit organisation. We are a welcoming, energetic, proactive group that loves supporting and promoting your business. Please be prepared to tell us a little about your business and how we can help you. Cost: The ticket costs £10. If you need to cancel, please request a refund through Eventbrite. Parking: There is free parking in The Well car park; please park neatly and note the one-way system of entry and exit What 3 Words: Shakes.Piano.Stops Refreshments: Tea and coffee will be available throughout the meeting. Breakfast sandwiches will be served at around 10.25 am. Our policy is to look for every opportunity to reduce our impact on the natural world and become more 'green'. Please help by not printing your ticket. This group is single sector. Please email if you are in any doubt as to whether you may attend. Contact : info@3csnetworking.co.uk Zoe 07854 907285 Information Source: 3Cs Networking Group | eventbrite

Our skilled Connect & Create artists will guide you to experiment with various artistic styles and techniques, as you work alongside others to make your mark and express yourself. These hands-on workshops are particularly suitable for older people and their supporters who would enjoy engaging with a variety of materials, and would benefit from experiencing creativity through all of their senses, in a relaxed group for all abilities. Booking advised £3.00 per person For the full listing and further information visit: inspireculture.org.uk/ConnectAndCreate This series of events is linked to our Healthier Happier Connected Creative programme supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Find out more about the project and the other events in the series by clicking the link: Healthier Happier Connected Creative Information Source: Inspire Culture | Learning | Libraries | eventbrite

Live Music Now’s Songs & Scones programme brings people together to regularly engage with live music and connect with others in their local community over a cup of tea, a scone and uplifting live performances from professional musicians. The events are particularly suitable for older people – including those living with dementia and their carers. Booking advised £3 per person 1 hour musical performance followed by refreshments For the full listing and further information visit: inspireculture.org.uk/SongsAndScones This series of events is linked to our Healthier Happier Connected Creative programme supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England. Find out more about the project and the other events in the series by clicking the link: Healthier Happier Connected Creative Information Source: Inspire Culture | Learning | Libraries | eventbrite

Information Source: RGC | eventbrite

In association with Nottingham Playhouse Be transported to the legendary land of the Magical Major Oak in this immersive and multi-sensory storytelling experience from Nottingham Playhouse. Skip through the forest in the summer breeze and join Marian and her friends on an exciting adventure inthe forest, guided by the wisdom of the Magical Major Oak. Featuring inspiring story telling to spark the imagination and a host of woodland animals to meet, The Magical MajorOak: Summer in Bloom is an enchanting interactive show that’s perfect for children aged 2 - 4. Booking Information £2.00 per person Booking advised Running time: 45 mins Age guidance 2 – 4 (siblings welcome too) This performance takes place at 11 Inspire Libraries. For the full listing visit: inspireculture.org.uk/MagicalMajorOak Supported using public funding by Arts Council England Information Source: Inspire Culture | Learning | Libraries | eventbrite

Information Source: eventbrite

Open evening can be overwhelming for some children when considering their secondary school options. We prize inclusivity over everything, and our open mornings are an excellent alternative for families who would benefit from extra support with the transition period in a quieter, personalised environment. These events are limited capacity and are suitable for current year 5 students for September 2026 admission. Information Source: Retford Oaks Academy | eventbrite

Welcome to Shamanic Reiki Infused Group Healing Meditation Circle ! Join us at The Zen Den Retford for a transformative experience. This event combines the ancient healing practices of shamanism and reiki with the power of group meditation. Let go of stress, find balance, and connect with your inner self in a supportive community. Immerse yourself in a sacred space where healing energy flows freely. Come and experience the magic of collective healing with like-minded individuals. Don't miss this opportunity to elevate your mind, body, and spirit! Information Source: The Reiki Room | eventbrite

Key details Date: 25 July 2025 Time: 9:30am - 12:30pm Venue: Retford Library, Retford For ages: 19+ Group size: 5 - 15 Cost: FREE - £10.50 About this course Do you have lots of old books laying around that you don’t know what to do with? Why not turn them into a piece of art!! This course will introduce you to the art of book folding, including where it originated and how to create two different pieces of art. In this course, you will learn all about the art of book folding and create two pieces of artwork using books that would have otherwise gone to the recycling bin. You will learn how to read a book folding pattern and follow it to transform your old book and give it a new lease of life. This workshop is suitable for all abilities, whether you are new to crafting or not. By the end of the course, you will: Be able to calculate where to start the pattern. Create two different book fold pieces using different methods. Be able to read and follow a book folding pattern. Correctly measure different lengths to create a shape. Identify next steps with book folding. You will need: 1 hardback book – minimum height of 21.5cm and at least 216 pages long 1 paperback book – at least 180 pages long Pencil Ruler Scissors If you do not have the correct size books, please inform the tutor when they contact you before the start of the course. Booking your place and fee information If you are in receipt of certain benefits you will beoffered the course for free, however if you have a financial barrier which mayprevent you from enrolling on the course please visit our webpage for furtherinformation https://www.inspireculture.org.uk/skills-learning/funding-your-courses/ To secure your place on the course BOTH the following must be done: Complete the EVENTBRITE BOOKING. Complete our INSPIRE ONLINE ENROLMENT FORM for each person attending the course. You should be redirected to the Inspire Online Enrolment Form after completing the Eventbrite booking. If you are not redirected, please use the link supplied in the Eventbrite booking confirmation email. To book and enrol on one of our courses, you must have been living in England and have been resident in the UK for the past 3 years. Some exceptions may apply if you are living in England with evidence of the right to remain and are from an EEU/EEAU country (completion of a questionnaire will be required). As we no longer receive funding for our ESFA-funded courses for learners living in the devolved areas listed below, full cost fees would apply to these courses if you live in these areas: Barnsley, Doncaster, Rotherham and Sheffield Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Greater London Greater Manchester Liverpool City Region Newcastle Upon Tyne, North Tyneside and Northumberland Tees Valley West of England West Midlands West Yorkshire Any questions? Check the FAQs page , or get in touch: By phone: 01623 677 200 By email: learning@inspireculture.org.uk Information Source: Inspire Culture | Learning | Libraries | eventbrite