The Nu-Urban Gardeners (NUGs) present  ‘The Grass Is Greener’

In April and May, the NUGs will take up residency at Newstead Abbey for a series of three weekend events. Inspired by the Abbey, its history, heritage and its occupants, the NUGs will present across two consecutive weekends:  ‘The Grass is Greener’ NUG summer fetes.

These live art village fetes will be located within the grounds of Newstead (at the rear of the West front) where the public will enjoy a host of NUGs  activities inspired by traditional outdoor games such as, ‘Teeth Like Razors’, ‘Peacock Tales’, ‘Life Lines’ and ‘Run Doggie Run’. In addition we shall facilitate ‘Byronic Gardens’ where the public are invited to create table-top miniature gardens (the usual awarding of certificates will apply and club rules and regulations implemented).

For our final weekend,  the NUGs will enter new territories, creating a series of site-specific performances and interventions within the cloisters, house and grounds. ‘Dope Bird’ will explore the architectural context of the Abbey, folkloric tradition and, referencing Lord Byron’s sartorial obsessions, the mythology of ‘the peacock’ ‘dandy’ or ‘macaroni’.

Timetable of activities

• Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th April – NUGs Summer Fete (Weekend 1)
• Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th April – NUGs Summer Fete (Weekend 2) Easter
• Saturday 6^th & Sunday 7^th May –  NUGs  performances weekend ‘Dope Bird’

All events will run from 11.00-3.00.

While the  events are free, visitors  will be expected to pay car parking/entrance fees to the Abbey and its grounds.

For these events, The Nu-Urban Gardeners have been funded by the Arts Council England and the Newstead Abbey Partnership.

Note to Editors: Nu-Urban Gardeners is a live art project that is inspired by a love of landscape and informed by folkloric culture and the spirit of Cabaret Voltaire. Established in 2009 by Chris Lewis-Jones and Simon Withers, the NUGs create bespoke projects for organisations and facilitate playful conversations with audiences.

For further details, please contact: Simon Withers on  M:075 462 14716, H: 0115 985 7055 or E-mail: simontwithers@gmail.com