Messages from the project team

"What an opportunity!... I thought 6 years ago ? a chance to work on a high-profile project at an iconic building, world renowned brands of Nottingham Castle and Robin Hood, and one of the largest heritage projects in the country. An unbeatable combination. The chance to contribute to the next 1,000 years of history of the Castle with a lasting legacy for Nottingham was too big to ignore. So I applied for the role as Project Director.

Six years later, after a journey of challenges, successes, and some setbacks, the project is coming to a close. How do I feel? Well, of course it is good that we are finishing ? it had to come to an end, we need to pass the baton on and I wish the Trust who will be operating the site the very best for the coming months ahead. At the same time I know I will find it hard to let go and I am conscious that I will need to occupy my mind with something else to fill the post project void.

There has been a great level of interest across the city in what we have been doing ? at times it feels like the whole city is watching every step we have taken with a critical eye. This spotlight has increased the pressure. So many have commented to me during the project that they had been once to the Castle many years ago, often, on a school trip, and not been back since. I encourage you all to come and see and enjoy your Castle many more times.

There is one image of the project that sticks in my mind. It shows the landscape team restoring the Middle Bailey to its pristine green grass plateau. This took hours of preparation by the team which was fascinating to watch. What appeals to me is the city skyline behind ? showing the closeness of the city and also how compressed it is. It?s a great reminder of how integral the Castle is and can be to our city.

I would like to thank all those that have been part of our team working on the project. I have not added up how many but I guess it must be in the thousands from our council colleagues, professional design team and all the contractors who have contributed. Far too many to mention by company or name. I would though like to thank especially Cal Warren and Faye Sadler who have been my closest compatriots, colleagues, and friends throughout. The project would not have been so enjoyable without them."

Richard Hamblin - Project Director

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"What a remarkable project! ? it has been a privilege to have been part of the team for the last 8 years. It is really a once in a lifetime scheme, something that can so utterly change the Nottingham heritage landscape for years to come.

From the beginning, this was about celebrating what we do have, not what we don?t and I know we have done that for the grounds, the Ducal Palace and in the galleries.

And there are so many memories ?
?- The moment we learned we had the National Lottery Heritage funding
?- The complete joy of visitors watching the Tri-cycle jousting on the Middle Bailey at the closing event
?- The restoring of a gallery to its former glory, now the Rebellion Gallery
?- The look on the contractor?s face when I told them archaeologists had found historic human remains in one of the excavations?
?- The sheer technical achievement of the scaffolding of the Ducal Palace
?- The success of the Nottingham Caves Festival?

I could go on...

I have always felt lucky to be part of the team working on the project - it has been a cast maybe not of thousands but certainly hundreds both within the city council and outside ? your support has been invaluable.

But special thanks has to go to Richard Hamblin, Project Director and Faye Sadler, Project Officer both remarkable people - we wouldn?t be where we are now without them ? I valued their opinions and perspectives and they certainly made the challenging times easier to bear.

Thank you and good luck ? I?m off to the beach?"

Cal Warren - Project Programme Manager

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"This is my favourite picture of the Castle. Taken on my phone, during a 5 minute break on a hectic event weekend, the East Terrace looks unbelievably tranquil.

This was taken just before the start of works on site, and although beautiful, this fa?ade was obviously in need of some care and attention.

The Castle is a very special place to me, and I believe all who have worked in it or have been part of this project, feel the same. We have been incredibly lucky to have played a part in its history, and although complicated and exhausting at times, the experience of working on this project is something I will treasure."

Faye Sadler - Project Officer

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Message from Jade

"Its great news to finally hear the project is complete and that Nottingham Castle is due to reopen very soon! I?m so grateful for my time on the project, what a once in a lifetime opportunity that was!

From Lego at the closing weekend to films in caves and hard hats and wellie boots on site. It may well have been the most interesting couple of years I have experienced and I look forward to visiting now it?s all complete."

Jade Everatt - Former project apprentice

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Message from Yvonne

"Volunteering for this project has been a truly unique and rewarding experience. Working alongside a fantastic team of talented and creative people who have gradually turned a vision into reality has been a real privilege.

My numerous very happy memories include the Lego Challenge in the Long Gallery, school visits on site and cinema screenings in a cave.

I also really enjoyed contributing to newsletters and the challenge of finding enough items to fill Advent Calendars! I am so looking forward to visiting the castle again with family and friends and seeing it continue to evolve & give up more of its secrets and stories. It really is a magical place that Nottingham can be truly proud of."

Yvonne Armitage - Project volunteer

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Nottingham Castle Trust News

?Hello, My Name is Paul Smith?, world-class exhibition at Nottingham Castle

Visit Nottingham Castle and be taken on a journey through the magnificent mind of local legend, Paul Smith, as part of the amazing new exhibition, ?Hello, My Name is Paul Smith?.

Featuring over 1,500 objects from the personal archive of Paul Smith, this world-class exhibition explores the company?s beginnings in Nottingham to its international prominence today.

?Hello, My Name is Paul Smith?, will run from 21 June 2021 until 20 February 2022 in the Temporary Exhibitions space at Nottingham Castle.

Tickets now on sale to the Castle on the Rock

Nottingham Castle tickets are now on sale! 1,000 years of history and creativity are brought to life like never before. Nottingham Castle promises to amaze all ages, with family tickets available from ?22.50.

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Newsletter signups - last chance to sign up

This is the very last newsletter from the project team. If you want to keep receiving news about the Castle then you need to subscribe to the new newsletter feed.

They promise only to contact you with the most exciting updates. Click the link to sign up and remember, you can unsubscribe at any time:?Join up now

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Final thank you message:

"We?d like to sign off this final transformation newsletter by saying an enormous thank you to everyone we?ve worked with over the last 6 years.

There are so many people who have made this happen and their expertise, enthusiasm and support have been indispensable.

From our funders, professional team and contractors, to our colleagues at Nottingham City Council and Nottingham Castle Trust - you have all been incredible and a pleasure to work with.

Special mention must also go to our volunteers, consultees and of course our valued newsletter subscribers, your support has been invaluable.

We hope you enjoy this trip down memory lane, with a look back at some of the highlights of this once in a lifetime project."

You can always look back on the project at: www.nottinghamcastleproject.org.uk

Image below:?Our supporters at The Heritage Lottery Fund meeting Sheriff Robin from the Hoodwinked Project - you can see the sheriff on display when the Castle reopens.

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