This could  be the year that you and your partner finally tie the knot. From the words “will you marry me?” some couples are so organised that even if their wedding is not until the latter part of the year, everything is in place from the wedding venue to the button holes.

If, however you have not organised anything, have a slight idea or would like some inspiration for your wedding venue and other pieces to tick off your list, the newly refurbished Trent Bridge could be the perfect place for your and your guests to celebrate the grand day.

Trent Bridge is the historic home of the Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club and has recently spent ÂŁ1.5 Million upgrading the property and interior to include the facilities for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The worlds third oldest test match venue offers truly British charm and character.

Trent Bridge opens its doors to all Brides and Grooms on Sunday the 19th of February. Come down, view the venue, sample a glass of delicious champagne and canapés, prepared by our in house chefs.

Be inspired by a range of hand picked recommended suppliers, including Zinc Floral Design, Bridal Suite, ICKOOTU Photography and Cake Designs West Bridgford.

It’s the perfect platform to ask questions, find more information and save some ideas for your own wedding day. All of our suppliers have years of knowledge and expertise.

Imagine your big day in the splendour and backdrop of the beautifully renovated Trent Bridge. If you are looking for traditional charm and a venue that will cater for extensive tastes, come down to the Trent Bridge Wedding Open Day on the 19th of February.

For more information about the  Trent Bridge Wedding Open Day contact the Trent Bridge Wedding team on 0844 811 0710, alternatively you can view our details at your pleasure here.

Last week over 40,000 visitors and 4,000 exhibitors were at Newark Showground for the Lincolnshire Agricultural Machinery Manufacturers’ Association Show (LAMMA).

The event started out at the showground near Newark back in 1998 with a fledgling offer of 105 stands, and since it moved to the venue, has since grown seven fold in the last 14 years.

This year there were 750 stands across the 65 acres of Newark Showground with 66 stands taken up from overseas countries including France, Belgium, USA, Canada, Holland, Germany, Austria, Eire, Poland and Spain.

The show offers the industry the chance to get together and see leading farm machinery equipment and gives businesses the opportunity to seek out and sell farming services. The show is estimated to inject ÂŁ3.4 million into the local economy with exhibitors booking accommodation as far away as Doncaster, Nottingham and Lincoln.

The record figures for the LAMMA show is a true success story for Newark Showground which also offers 11 halls for covered space as well as the open areas available for exhibitors.

Owned by the Newark and Nottinghamshire Agricultural Society, the showground also hosts the Newark and Notts County Show, which this year takes place on the 12 and 13 May 2012.

At the show you’ll get the chance to see Sheep Racing, Dog Displays, Show Jumping and an Antique Village. The show attracts around 45,000 visitors each year and is certain to be a highlight.

Another great event at the showground is the bimonthly, Newark International Antiques & Collector Fair. Again, this is one of the biggest events in the UK in it’s sector and the perfect place to pop along and to pick up a rarity.

Being a Nottinghamshire attraction, an obvious new arrival is the Robin Hood Game and Country Show, which takes place this year on 13-14 October.

The showground is conveniently located just off the A1 and only 75 minutes from London’s Kings Cross station, making the connection network a very attractive proposition for both exhibitors and visitors.

It was the LAMMA Show however that has recently took the plaudits with a mention on Chris Evans Radio 2 Breakfast Show who asked news reporter Moira Stewart where she’d rather be, and she chose Newark!

The Rutland Square Hotel has announced its first set of Wedding Open Days for 2012. These dates are as follows:

• Saturday 14th January 2012, 11am – 3pm
• Saturday 18th February 2012, 11am – 3pm
• Saturday 10th March 2012, 11am – 3pm
• Thursday 19th April 2012, 5pm – 9pm
• Thursday 17th May 2012, 5pm – 9pm
• Saturday 9th June 2012, 11am – 3pm

Set in Nottingham city centre only a stone’s throw from Nottingham Castle, the hotel has great facilities overlooking the castle grounds in its conference centre directly opposite the hotel.

The two main suites, the Rutland Suite and Castle Suite, can both hold up to 100 people in cabaret style, making it the perfect place for a wedding reception and dinner.

The hotel itself has 87 bedrooms too including singles, doubles, twins and family rooms. With ample car parking adjacent to the hotel at St James’s Street car park, you’ll have all the facilities available to host a wedding reception with plenty of space for overnight visitors and guests.

The bride and groom can also benefit from staying over in the Honeymoon Suite on the very top floor of the hotel, which commands great views of the city. The hotel is also a converted Victorian warehouse and demonstrates good period features making it an atmospheric venue for your big day.

On the Wedding Open Days, you’ll get the chance to see the hotel decked out ready for a wedding reception and get the chance to meet with the designated wedding coordinator. There’s a complimentary glass of sparkling wine on arrival for you to enjoy while you take on the surroundings and talk to the staff about your plans.

As these are Open Days there’s no need to pre book, just head to the hotel which is located just behind Maid Marian Way in Nottingham city centre. For the Wedding Open Days brochure you can download the PDF here.

Should you want to speak to someone beforehand, please call the hotel directly on 0115 941 1114 or email rutland.square.conference@forestdale.com.

On Thursday 3 November 2011, SACO Apartments will be hosting an Open Day for prospective business visitors between 4.30pm and 7pm.

The self catering apartments are based on the Ropewalk in a stylish area overlooking The Park and just a short walk away from Nottingham Castle.

There are a variety of one and two bedroom apartments available and all of them come with a spacious living and dining area, including full kitchen facilities with oven, hobs, fridge, freezer and more.

Whilst the apaprtments can also be used for visitors on a short break, the layout and contemporary style of the self catering accommodation is perfect for business travellers who may be coming to Nottingham as part of an extended business trip or conference.

The location of the apartments in particular gives easy access to the city centre facilities and the onsite car parking available to residents allows ease of access to some of Nottingham’s key business areas, including Experian, Capital One, Boots, Nottingham University, Nottingham Trent University and NG2. Prospective residents are advised to enquire in advance to secure car parking as it is limited.

If you’re thinking about planning an event at one of Nottingham’s many non residential conference venues and need somewhere to stay over, then SACO Apartments really do give the flexibility of options that will be of interest to delegates.

Rather than staying in what can sometimes be a bland hotel room, the self catering option provides a more relaxed feel and the potential for family and friends to visit.

Available at the Open Day will be the odd glass of wine (or two) and nibbles together with a free prize draw to win an overnight stay at a SACO Apartment of your choice.

Interested parties should contact Shan Hucker, Business Development Manager at SACO Apartments on Nottingham 0845 122 0405.

For further information about SACO Apartments in Nottingham visit their website at http://www.sacoapartments.co.uk/destinations/uk/nottingham/saco-nottingham-the-ropewalk.

Do you ever dream of escaping the office and getting out into the fresh air? Do you ever find yourself thinking that the meeting you’re in could be more productive? Well it seems that you could actually be right.

Recent published research suggests that taking your meeting, conference or corporate event outdoors could lead to better outcomes.

The line is that we humans are apparently able to process more information when we’re on our feet and even walking side by side, rather than facing each other. By removing the confrontational face-to-face position we are more likely to offer honest feedback and be more open in our discussions.

Hodsock Priory an events and conference venue in the very north of Nottinghamshire and in the heart of Sherwood Forest, has seen first-hand how corporate events taken outdoors have grown in popularity.

“We have been hosting superb quality weddings and meetings since 2005 and with a little investment recognised that we could expand our portfolio to accommodate more guests,” said George Buchanan, General Manager at Hodsock Priory.

“Our 800 acre estate provides the perfect corporate playground for outdoor meetings, breakout sessions and a variety of outdoor pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting or archery. Our indoor meeting facilities allow between two and sixty delegates and conference and training days for up 160 in theatre style setting with full catering and overnight accommodation available in one of ten luxury suites at The Courtyard.”

One of the popular activities that George mentioned is the ‘The Hodsock Challenge’ – developed to encourage teamwork and broader social skills in the great outdoors. This new product is proving a hit due to its cost efficient way of promoting teamwork and encouraging communication.

One recently satisfied customer was household, health an personal care company Reckitt Benckiser who held a two day conference at Hodsock.

Beverley Towle from Reckitt Benckiser said, “All the team thoroughly enjoyed Hodsock and enthused about the stunning surroundings, facilities and homemade cakes! We shall not hesitate to host further events at Hodsock and many members of the team are looking forward to returning socially in the not too distant future.”

So what are you waiting for? Next time be honest and take that meeting to the great outdoors for a far healthier and more productive experience.