The University of Nottingham is opening its doors once again for its sixth annual community open day on Saturday 10 May, 11am-5pm. May Fest takes place at leafy University Park and is jam-packed with free events and activities for the entire family — and it’s all free.
Whatever the weather, there’s loads to do from pottery in the University’s very own yurt to tai chi in the Chinese activity village and organised tours of the beautiful grounds and gardens. There are activities suitable for all ages and interests, and this year there’s more than ever for older children, teenagers and parents.
The full May Fest programme is online: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mayfest/planyourday/whats-on/whatson.aspx
Plan your day at May Fest
Highlights include:
- Learning in the past — Meet archaeologists in the yurt and have a go at everything from excavation to pottery-making at the University’s Learning in the Past area.
- The universe at your fingertips — come and see the night sky as never before in the Inflativerse. The planetarium shows give you a guided tour of the stars, stories and history of the universe.
- Massacre the microbes — grab a water pistol and help to destroy communities of bacteria (not real ones…) and learn how antibiotics protect us.
- Gardens and grounds tour — University Park’s green spaces are award-winning. Explore the beautiful grounds either as part of a tour or on a self-guided wander of the gardens and historic houses.
- The Union’s 100 heroes — the exhibition to celebrate 100 years of the Students’ Union can be seen in Portland Building. There will also be a range of clubs and societies on hand to give visitors a taste of student life at Nottingham, including the experience of making a children’s TV show.
- All Quiet in the Weston Gallery — the exhibition marks 100 years since the start of the First World War and draws on the University’s historic archival and library collections.
- Is there a doctor in the house? — free bike maintenance and cycling tips plus information on sustainable transport.
Everyone’s welcome at May Fest
The University hopes that this year’s event will attract families from all across the city to take advantage of the free activities on offer and see what staff and students at Nottingham get up to.
Lisa Owen, Acting Deputy Head of Widening Participation, said: “The University of Nottingham is committed to promoting public access to our campuses. May Fest offers an opportunity for the local community to experience first-hand University activities and facilities.
“Our staff and students will be on hand to welcome visitors of all ages and help visitors to make the most of their visit.”
More information
Parking on University Park on the day is free. The South Entrance from University Boulevard is closed but the North and West entrances are open and there will be plenty of signage to direct vehicles on the day. The University Park postcode is NG7 2RD.
There are plenty of places to eat on campus including cafes in Portland Building and Lakeside Arts Centre. Alternatively, visitors can bring their own picnics.
Everything you need to know about May Fest can be found online: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/mayfest
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Our academics can now be interviewed for broadcast via our Media Hub, which offers a Globelynx fixed camera and ISDN line facilities at University Park campus. For further information please contact a member of the Communications team on +44 (0)115 951 5798, email mediahub@nottingham.ac.uk or see the Globelynx website for how to register for this service.
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Notes to editors: The University of Nottinghamhas 43,000 students and is ‘the nearest Britain has to a truly global university, with campuses in China and Malaysia modelled on a headquarters that is among the most attractive in Britain’ (Times Good University Guide 2014). It is also the most popular university in the UK among graduate employers, one of the world’s greenest universities, and winner of the Times Higher Education Award for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Sustainable Development’. It is ranked in the World’s Top 75 universities by the QS World University Rankings.
Impact: The Nottingham Campaign, its biggest ever fundraising campaign, will deliver the University’s vision to change lives, tackle global issues and shape the future. More news