For this month’s Pick Six we turn to Craig Proud of print studio Dizzy Ink, who hosts Notts Zine Fest on Saturday 8 November at the Central Library.
Favourite Book: People of the Abyss by Jack London
Rob Howie Smith (local legend) recently told me to read People of the Abyss - as I love Jack London, and Down and Out in Paris and London by Orwell - which I have really enjoyed so far! But I read a lot of zines to be honest! MOAN Zine is a personal favourite! And anything graffiti related, too as they capture that same vagrant, chaotic, creative energy from around the world.
Personal Hero: Keith Edwards
Basically the world expert on organic colour. I met him at Green Hustle and it turns out he lives in the Meadows! We tend to talk about three things: organic colour, dogs and our disdain for the rozzers. We spend days going on adventures for colour and I recently organised a spellbinding event to get him in front of eager ears! Such a magical old man!
Meal: Working Man’s Kitchen and The Avenues
I've got two in Sneinton Market for similar reasons. Working Man's Kitchen for half price Thursdays, and got to be The Avenues (OGs call it Tasty Bites) - both are serving excellent food and they're places people travel to, enjoy time together before going on an adventure. It's not just about the food.
Favourite Place: Colwick Woods
Not the lake - the actual ancient woodland that separates Sneinton from Bakersfield. It's a big chunk of ancient woodland, previously owned by Lord Byron, close to the city centre. There's a bunch of cool stuff to find there like Byron's ice house, the stream, the cobbled roads, the burnout car, mushrooms, the best view of the city... makes me feel like a kid again, playing out with my dog Parsley there.
Historical figure: Lord Byron
He has probably been mentioned a lot but for good reason! As a Philhellene, he's super well known in Greece, dedicating his life and finances to the country's independence from the Ottomans. He stood up for the underdogs, the lower classes and did it in style too!
Holiday Destination: North East Coast
The obvious one would be Greece, as I married a Greek lass. But since we converted a van into a camper last year, we've been having weekends in the Peak District, or by the North East coast. You don't have to travel too far to reset, replenish, and restore your energy.
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