5 Things I'll Miss About Nottingham

So, its happened. The great van-driving-and-stuff-moving adventure has begun/is over. I apologise in public to those unfortunate friends who helped us shift my 1,500 physical books, and other 'stuff' from Nottingham to Van to London. This post, then, follows on from a guarded, mystical post about transition from earlier in the summer, and considers the 5 things I'll miss about Nottingham. It will be followed by 5 things that rabidly excite me about London.

I won't really miss the QMC, but it is quite distinctive...

So, without further ado...

1) The Church in Nottingham

Regular readers will know that the Vineyard Movement has become my tribe, and that Trent Vineyard in Nottingham has been a wonderful home to Amy and I over the last few years. We've loved being part of that church - even when we haven't enjoyed it - and we both learnt an incredible amount. I've also appreciated that wider church in Nottingham. For a large-ish city, it has an amazing sense of unity amongst the churches, as well as some brilliant intra (inter?) church initiatives like Jericho Road, The Malt Cross, Street Pastors, and the wonderful Nottingham University Christian Union. I'm excited to see what London has to offer to a church-junkie like me, we'll be part of HTB, I'll be working a little with UCCF, and am blessed with good friends across the churches...

2) Nottingham and Theology

If you read this blog, normally, I hope that you have picked up on a few things, one of which is the importnace of theology. It is what I came to Nottingham to study - and my 'alma mater' the University of Nottingham has been a wonderful place to do that. I hope to return occasionally! I've enjoyed my experience of doing the MA at St John's College, exploring the Anglican side of things and encountering diverse experiences and people! As I blogged a little about yesterday, I've loved being involved with Theology Network, and look forward to hearing more about its future. I think Nottingham was perfect as a place to try out TN - with a friendly university, a training college, and a range of vibrant and deep churches. Nottingham has also rammed home the importance for me of the marriage of the Church and the University, particularly in the 'doing' of theology. I've learnt about that from pastors at Trent, from Ian Paul, and a whole host of ordinands/lecturers/undergrads/postgrads and UCCF workers.

3) Where Nottingham is - People passing through

Whilst I remain convinced that Nottingham is in the North (signs on the M1 confirm this), I am regularly (note, not 'reliably') informed that it is in fact in 'The Midlands'. This has led to it being a bit of a hub for a few things. Meeting Vineyard pastors and leaders from all over the country (and a few rogues from Europe, too!) at the National Leaders Conference has been great - but I've particularly enjoyed getting to know a far wider variety of people than I'd encountered growing up. Nottingham really is a wonderful melting pot - of all sorts of identifiers and unnecessary labels. Being slap bang in the (top) middle of the country has meant that Amy and I have had lots of friends and family passing through - and been able to hang out with them, new friends and old friends..

4) Second-Hand shops and that sort of thing

I am not really a shopper or a shopping person. But the retail scene in Nottingham is pretty special, probably because it fits my 'needs' perfectly. The range and quality of Charity Shops - particularly the panoply in Beeston and the two excellent Oxfam bookshops (City Centre and Beeston) - is brilliant. Then there is the Aladdins Cave of the written word, the wonderful Jermy and Westermann, where shelves packed with books climb the stairs, an ancient till rings up sales, and the owners are more than willing to chat. If, like me, you like baklava and cake, then Devine Cakes is superb. The pub and bar scene of Nottingham has been a particular favourite of our time here, whether it be the atmospheric Malt Cross, the bonkers Ye Olde Trip, the sensational Vic in Beeston, filling Warsaw Diner, or Delilahs, Nottingham is a great place to fill up.

5) Quirky welcome

Being a born and bred Londoner/Southerner, I'm used to people blanking you on public transport and engaging efficiently in financial transactions. Not so in Nottingham. Whether it was the warm welcome and generous pints at Nottingham Sailing Club, the kindness and depth of the folk at Trent Vineyard, or the various late night bus drivers who'd go a little further, Nottingham is a welcoming place. Partly because one gets called 'Duck' (sort of pronounced 'duk'), greeted by all sorts of people with an 'Ey Up', and regularly getting called 'Friend' on buses, Nottingham is a place that is quite comfortably not modern British indifference. Long may it continue.

I could have gone on, listing Wollaton Park/Hall, Dunkirk, Beeston, Canton Chef, University Park, the Trent, Market Square, caves, Harvest Pale, IVP, and so on. But all good things come to an end...

These, then, are 5 things I've loved and will miss about Nottingham. I'll be sharing soon some of the things that I'm excited about having moved to London, but if you love Nottingham, do share in the comments things that you love! Thanks for reading.