A new walking and cycling bridge over the River Trent near Colwick will officially open to the public in June.
After a ribbon cutting ceremony where children from local schools will join Councillors and other officials to declare the crossing open, the bridge will be open for the public to cross for the first time, along with the new bridge over Trent Basin.
The newly widened and surfaced riverside footpath on the south side of the river will open for use on June 2.
To celebrate the opening of the bridge, there will also be a free community fun day on Sunday, June 14, 2026, with activities and stalls on both the north and south banks of the river, including food and drink, community performances, free activities for children and adults including crafts, face painting and games and a focus on STEM (science technology, engineering and maths) and sports activities.
Work has been continuing with preparations to open the new bridge later this summer.
Upgrades to the riverside path have been taking place,with the top surface still to go on. It will re-open at the same time as the new bridge opens.
Amphitheatre (the spiral/ shell shaped section approaching the bridge with built in seating and planting) works are continuing.
The southside ramps and stairs are now in place after being delivered last month.
Police teams stopped more than 140 vehicles and made 47 arrests during a month-long operation focused on road safety across the borough.
Operation Highways is a hyper-local, intelligence-led initiative that deploys additional resources to specific neighbourhood areas to tackle issues like speeding, untaxed and uninsured drivers.
Roads Policing officers conducted a total of 141 vehicle stops, made 47 arrests and seized 52 vehicles when they headed out on Gedling’s roads during March.
The proactive initiative also led to five seizures of drugs and two weapon seizures.
Officers also engaged with communities in areas including Burton Joyce, Calverton, Arnold, Woodthorpe and Ravenshead.
Inspector Steven King, local area commander for Gedling, said: “Road safety is raised time and again as a priority for residents, whether that be at community engagement events, in surveys or in conversations with officers.
“Issues like persistent speeding and antisocial behaviour on our roads have a detrimental impact on people’s lives and we want to do everything we can to help.
“Proactive operations like this can make a real difference by targeting resources where they are needed.
“I’m grateful to the Roads Policing officers for their efforts during March and they were in the right place at the right time to pull over a number of uninsured and untaxed drivers.
“They were also able to seize drugs and weapons and target those using our road network for criminality.”
For young riders, motocross is more than just a sport. It’s a lifestyle that’s filled with excitement, creativity, and self-expression.
From the roar of the engines to the thrill of landing a jump, every moment on the track becomes part of a bigger identity. Beyond the racing itself, there’s a growing culture centered on personalization where young riders turn their bikes and gear into reflections of who they are.
One of the most popular ways to stand out is through custom visuals like KLX 100 dirt bike graphics. These designs allow riders to transform a standard bike into something unique and eye catching. Whether they feature bold colors, racing numbers, or creative patterns, graphics kits help young motocross enthusiasts feel more connected to their ride and more confident on the track.
More Than Just a Bike
For many kids, their dirt bike quickly becomes more than just a piece of equipment; it becomes part of their identity. Just like athletes in other sports take pride in their uniforms, motocross riders take pride in how their bikes look and perform. Personalization helps create a sense of ownership and pride. When a rider sees their own style reflected in their bike, it builds confidence and adds excitement every time they gear up. This connection can make practice sessions more enjoyable and motivate riders to keep improving their skills.
How Style Fits Into Youth Culture
Motocross has always had a strong visual culture, influenced by racing teams, professional riders, and evolving design trends. Younger riders naturally look up to these influences and want to bring a similar sense of style to their own bikes. Graphics, helmet designs, and riding gear all play a role in shaping a rider’s image. Bright colors, bold fonts, and custom themes can help a young rider stand out in a crowd.
In the world of motocross, style isn’t just about looking good. It’s about feeling like part of the motocross community. Still, this creative aspect of the sport also encourages individuality. No two riders are exactly alike, and their bikes don’t have to be either.
Building Confidence Through Customization
Confidence is a huge part of success in motocross. Riders need to trust themselves as they navigate jumps, turns, and varying terrain. Personalizing a bike can play more of a role in building that confidence than many people realize.
When a rider feels proud of their bike, they often feel more prepared and motivated. It creates a sense of readiness and excitement that carries over into their performance. Even small changes, like updated graphics or matching gear, can boost a rider’s mindset. For younger riders especially, these details can make a big difference in how they approach the sport.
A Creative Outlet for Young Riders
Motocross isn’t always seen as a creative activity, but personalization options open the door to artistic expression. Choosing colors, themes, and designs allows kids to explore their creativity in a hands-on way. Some riders prefer clean, professional looks that are inspired by racing teams while others lean toward bold and playful designs.
This freedom to experiment helps kids develop a sense of personal style while staying engaged with the sport. It also creates opportunities for family involvement. As parents and kids work together to choose and apply custom elements to a bike, it helps create bonds that last a lifetime.
Where Passion Meets Personality
As motocross continues to grow, personalization is likely to become an even bigger part of the experience. Advances in design technology and materials are making it easier than ever to create custom looks that are both durable and affordable. For young riders, this means more opportunities to express themselves while developing their skills. It reinforces the idea that motocross isn’t just about competition; it’s about passion, creativity, and identity.
Beyond the track, youth motocross culture thrives on individuality and expression. Customization allows riders to take ownership of their journey and turn every ride into something personal and meaningful. By blending performance with creativity, young riders don’t just participate in motocross, they help shape it. In doing so, they build confidence, connections, and a lifelong love for the sport.
Poker is just one aspect of online gaming, but in terms of competitive aspects of the game, there is no limit to the size of the field in which UK-based players can compete. To this end, many UK-based players have turned to best non gamstop sites.
While most non-GamStop poker sites provide competitive tournaments, they do so using formats that are similar to GamStop-licensed sites. This article will look into the format of tournaments offered, the amount of money available in each tournament, and the degree to which customer protection exists within their platform.
What Are Non-GamStop Poker Sites?
Non-GamStop poker sites do not adhere to the laws set forth by the UK Gambling Commission. Since they are outside of the commission’s jurisdiction, they are not tied into the nationwide exclusion program known as GamStop. Instead, they are regulated by a number of internationally recognised regulatory agencies, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or Curaçao eGaming.
With an international license to operate, players who register with them are able to play without GamStop at higher levels than would be possible under the UKGC‘s restrictions. Additionally, due to the less restrictive nature of the regulations surrounding non-GamStop poker sites, players are provided a broader selection of games and tournaments to choose from.
What Tournament Formats Can You Expect From Non-GamStop Poker Sites?
There are numerous different types of tournament formats that non-GamStop poker sites support. Although they have a lot of similarities in terms of how they function, there can be quite a bit of variation when it comes to buy-ins and Tournament structures.
In a freezeout style Tournament each participant has the same amount of chips when they start the game. When those chips are lost, so is the participant. As there are no re-buys permitted and therefore participants have no chance of entering again in a different table, this style of Tournament is purely based on ability rather than luck.
Another popular format among online casinos without self-exclusion is re-entry tournaments. Re-entry tournaments permit participants to purchase additional entries if their initial stack of chips is depleted prior to the end of the Tournament registration. Although these events create a greater pool of prizes through increased participation, there will likely be an increase in aggressive competition in the beginning stages of the event.
Rebuys are very similar to re-entries; however, instead of players having the ability to buy back into the Tournament after losing all of their chips, players can purchase additional chips before they are knocked out. Many players prefer to use rebuys because it allows them to grow a larger stack of chips earlier in the Tournament than they would by entering through re-entry and possibly getting knocked out early.
How Do Prize Pools and Buy-Ins Work On Non-GamStop Poker Sites?
The primary source of funds used for creating prize pools at non-GamStop poker sites is comprised entirely of player buy-in amounts. Entry costs at many offshore casinos for UK players vary greatly, ranging from freerolls where participants pay nothing to enter to high roller events that can charge very substantial buy-in amounts.
Most buy-ins appear in one of two forms: for example, “£50 + £5”. The larger amount (£50) is placed directly into the prize pool, whereas the lower amount (£5) is used as the house rake.
Since many GamStop-free casinos cater to a global network of players, these sites typically generate larger prize pools. Larger pools result from a greater diversity of participants competing globally, supporting higher guarantees and better scheduled tournaments.
With such a diverse group of participants supporting multiple large guarantee tournaments, many events occur throughout the day, providing continuous activity for players. No other UK-based gaming platform offers this consistent amount of tournaments and frequency.
Progressive Knockouts and Other Variants
A lot of UK casino alternatives that operate from outside the United Kingdom have adopted new formats, including progressive knockout (PKO). With PKO events, a portion of each purchase price becomes a bounty on each participant.
When you remove another participant from the event, you will get a percentage of their bounty, while the remainder will be added to yours. Therefore, the longer you last in a tournament and the number of players you knock out, the larger your potential winnings.
Non-GamStop poker sites also include many additional common formats. Some of the most well-known include turbo and hyper-turbo events, which have an increased speed of blinds. These styles encourage players to make rapid decision-making.
Satellite formats allow you to enter larger tournaments at a lower price. Sit-n-go poker sessions occur as soon as enough players are registered; it offers a flexible way to play poker in addition to being a convenient option.
Non-GamStop Poker Sites Payments Methods
The ability to use different payment methods when moving money around is very important for those who participate in tournaments. A reason why crypto casinos not on GamStop are so well liked by some people is due to how fast they process transactions using Blockchain technology, for example, Bitcoin or Ethereum.
In addition, fast withdrawal non-GamStop casinos allow users to withdraw using e-wallets, debit/credit cards, wire transfers, and others. Most times, a player needs only to complete a verification process for identity at higher withdrawal limits, so a new user may register quickly and play immediately without having to wait extended periods of time.
A Note on Safety
While non-GamStop poker sites can be more flexible in terms of how you spend money, it’s still ultimately up to each individual to do their own due diligence when it comes to ensuring the site they’re playing on is safe. Before you make a deposit to any site (including non-GamStop), ensure the operator has an active, valid license from a recognised international regulator
Tournaments offered on non-GamStop poker sites are based on well-known tournament structures such as freezeouts, re-entries, PKO satellites, and turbo tournaments. For UK players looking for UK casino alternatives, these sites are very strong and competitive.
These are the latest applications to have been submitted to and validated by Gedling Borough Council over the last week.
These applications will now be decided by Gedling borough planners.
Approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (materials) 4 (car parking plan) and 5 (landscaping plan) of planning permission 2024/0517 284 Longdale Lane, Ravenshead Ref. No: 2026/0230DOC
Felling of 1 fir tree, felling of 1 willow, and pruning of 1 Himalayan birch by 1 metre, 34,Main Street, Woodborough Ref. No: 2026/0223TCA
Two storey side extension, new porch and single storey front and rear extension to form annexe at ground floor level. 58, Sandfield Road, Arnold Ref. No: 2026/0217
Two storey side and rear extensions to dwelling, single storey rear extension, raising of roof height, loft conversion and rear dormer. 3 Calstock Road, Woodthorpe Ref. No: 2026/0214
Discharge of conditions 4, 23 and 27 of planning permission 2025/0702 Nottinghamshire Fire And Rescue Headquarters Bestwood Lodge Drive Bestwood Nottinghamshire NG5 8PD Ref. No: 2026/0210DOC
Discharge of conditions 3, 5 and 7 of planning permission 2025/0701 Nottinghamshire Fire And Rescue Headquarters Bestwood Lodge Drive Bestwood Nottinghamshire NG5 8PD Ref. No: 2026/0212DOC
Part demolition of existing single storey side extension. Proposed single storey side extension. 14, Bleasdale Close, Gedling Ref. No: 2026/0209
Permission in principle – up to Six Dwellings Lambley Caravan Storage, Spring Lane, Lambley Ref. No: 2026/0222
Variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning permission 2021/0737 (alterations to plot 9) 96, Plains Road, Mapperley Ref. No: 2026/0207
Construction of conservatory to rear of dwelling. 285, Main Road, Ravenshead Ref. No: 2026/0208
Approval of details reserved by conditions 4 (landscaping) and 7 (CEMP) of planning permission 2023/0084 326, Spring Lane Lambley Ref. No: 2026/0201DOC
Proposed first floor side extension over existing ground floor addition, convert part garage to activity room and WC and a proposed two-storey rear extension 44 Walsingham Road, Woodthorpe Ref. No: 2026/0205
Application to discharge condition 4 (materials and architectrual details) of approval 2024/0595 12, Forest Lane, Papplewick Ref. No: 2026/0202DOC
Full planning application for residential development (154 dwellings) including affordable housing with associated access, drainage, public open space and play space. Land South of Oxton Road, Calverton Ref. No: 2026/0189
Retention of detached annexe. Big Tithe Farm Bungalow, Old Rufford Road, Calverton Ref. No: 2025/0842
Retention of bay window extension to existing dwelling. Big Tithe Farm, Bungalow Old Rufford Road, Calverton Ref. No: 2025/0841
Retention of two replacement agricultural buildings, bio room extension and drainage pond. Big Tithe Farm, Bungalow Old Rufford Road, Calverton Ref. No: 2025/0840
Residents of Gedling borough are being invited to attend a free screening of a powerful new short film on climate change.
The screening of “The People’s Emergency Briefing” is being organised by Gedling Climate Change Group and will take place at St James’ Church on Marshall Hill Drive in Mapperley on Monday, April 20 at 7.30pm.
This screening is Nottinghamshire’s first community showing of the new film.
Designed for a broad public audience, the film explores growing concerns around nature loss and climate change, cutting through misinformation, greenwashing, and uncertainty to provide clear, accessible insights into the challenges we face, and what individuals and communities can do in response.
The screening will be followed by an open discussion, offering attendees the opportunity to share perspectives and engage with others on these urgent issues.
A spokesman for Gedling Climate Change Group: “This free event aims to bring the community together in a constructive and informative setting. Attendees are encouraged to bring friends and join a growing number of people seeking positive change.”
A brand-new The Food Warehouse store opened in Arnold on Tuesday (14) and 110 customers were eagerly waiting in line for the doors to open.
To celebrate the grand opening, the Arnold store gave away £1,500 worth of store vouchers to the first 150 customers in the queue.
Raffle tickets were also given to each person in the queue before 7:45am, with seven lucky customers winning a Tower Air Fryer, as well as one shopper taking home a Daewoo Double Drawer Air Fryer.
Five other customers also won the chance to take part in a 90 second supermarket sweep-style trolley dash, filling their trolleys for free.
PICTURED: The new Food Warehouse in Daybrook
Michael Smart, Store Manager at The Food Warehouse, Madford Retail Park, said:“We’re so pleased to welcome shoppers to our brand new The Food Warehouse store. Everyone was so excited for the grand opening – people started queuing from 3:30am!
“If you haven’t been down yet, make sure to check out our brand-new store and get your hands on some unmissable deals!”
To celebrate the opening, customers are able to shop a number of exclusive deals live until April 20.
Anyone attending the new store opening week can make the most of the following offers:
Pepsi Max Cans – 24 pack, £7.00 – was £12.00
Cushelle Original Toilet Tissue – 32 pack, £12.50 – was £17.00
Walkers Crisps – 20 pack, £3.25 – was £5.25
Surf – 95 washes, £7.50 – was £10.00
McVitie’s Value Pack Biscuits, 2 pack, £2.00 each – was £3.00
White Rock Water – 18 pack, £3.00 – was £3.80
Cadbury’s Multipack Chocolate Bars – 9 or 7 pack, £2.00 each – was £2.50
Those who are interested in applying for a role at the new Arnold store should visit www.icelandcareers.co.uk
Newstead Abbey is to receive a funding boost to carry out urgent repairs on the historic house.
The historic house is set to receive a share of just over £5 million to protect it for present and future generations
Investment forms part of the Arts Everywhere Fund, a bumper £1.5 billion package to support cultural infrastructure projects.
PICTURED: Repairs being carried out on Newstead Abbey
Newstead Abbey is amongst 130 receiving a needed cash boost. The funding has been allocated to help open up access to facilities, complete much needed building projects and upgrade technology on site.
The venue will receive £1,550,747 for urgent repairs to the former home of the poet Lord Byron, which has immense historical and architectural importance. The money will be used for urgent repairs to the slate roofs, rainwater systems and internal ceilings to make the building wind and watertight, protecting the heritage and culture items it has inside.
Culture Secretary, Lisa Nandy said: “Arts and culture are the beating hearts of our communities, they have the power to unite us in the face of division and break down barriers to opportunity. We want to harness the power to help us build a brighter future for the people of the East Midlands.”
Carnarvon Grove, Carlton 15 April Road closure Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Nottingham Road, Arnold 18 April – 22 April Roadworks, Delays likely Responsibility for works: National Grid
Sandford Road, Mapperley 14 April – 18 April Road closure Responsibility for works: National Grid
Stoke Lane, Gedling 15 April – 16 April Road closure Responsibility for works: Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd
Blidworth Waye, Papplewick 15 April – 16 April Roadworks, Delays possible for pothole repairs Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Cavendish Road, Carlton 15 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Conway Road, Carlton 19 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Forester Street, Netherfield 14 April – 17 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Freda Avenue, Gedling 16 April – 17 April Roadworks, Delays possible for pothole repairs
Lingwood Lane, Woodborough 15 April – 16 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Main Street, Woodborough 16 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
Mansfield Road, Arnold 15 April Delays possible for lane closure Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Nottingham Road, Woodborough 15 April – 16 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Peters Close, Arnold 15 April – 18 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Roslyn Avenue, Gedling 16 April – 17 April Roadworks, Delays possible for pothole repairs Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Shelt Hill, Woodborough 14 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water
The Heyes, Ravenshead 15 April – 17 April Roadworks, Delays possible Responsibility for works: Openreach Ltd
Westdale Lane East, Gedling 16 April – 17 April Roadworks, Delays possible from Adbulton Avenue to South View Road. Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council
Before the inquest into her daughter Sophie’s death at a mental health hospital, Leisa Towle received a pack of documents.
Among them was a witness statement from Sophie’s doctor at Sherwood Oaks Hospital in Mansfield – part of Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
The doctor writes about Sophie’s life, her education, and her treatment plan on the ward.
He gets it wrong.
“He didn’t know her at all,” says Leisa, something which she’d already suspected.
“I was fuming. He said she was a ‘Cambridgeshire University’ student and that she was allowed a few hours leave each day with staff and family. She wasn’t.”
Sophie Towle died in 2024 after suffering a blood clot. A jury ruled that neglect by mental health hospital staff contributed to her death.
It’s been nearly two years since then, but Leisa remains concerned that those issues are yet to be properly tackled.
“I think there’s a culture and culture is harder to change than procedures,” says Leisa. “You’re battling with staff who are stretched, but it’s how you change their mindset. That’s the difficult thing, I think.”
Since Sophie’s death, Leisa has been in touch with Nottinghamshire Healthcare’s director of nursing, Diane Hull.
She’s trying, as a bereaved victim, to help drive change.
“I think one of the biggest things is listening,” Leisa says. “Listening to patients and listening to families and involving them in every step of the care.
“Because often we were excluded, or we didn’t know what was happening, and Sophie didn’t know what was happening. It made her mental health worse because she thought people were doing things behind her back.”
It was only in Nottinghamshire that Sophie, who was diagnosed with Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD), experienced these problems.
When she stayed at hospitals run by Rotherham, Doncaster & South Humber Trust, she had an entirely different experience.
“In Doncaster, they seemed to be very coordinated,” says Leisa. “Everyone seemed to know what they were doing and working to the same aims. In Nottinghamshire, sometimes the left hand didn’t know what the right hand was doing.
“The doctor in Doncaster just knew Sophie. She really knew her, as a person, not just as a patient. She would go in and see Sophie in the morning if she was still in bed and help her get up. I don’t think the doctors in Nottinghamshire ever had that human touch.”
Leisa thinks Sophie would still be alive if she had stayed in Doncaster. She was moved back to a Nottinghamshire Healthcare ward when a bed became available because, being from Mapperley, it was her “home” NHS trust.
In Doncaster, Sophie was immediately put under one-to-one observations – meaning someone was watching her 24 hours a day, including when she slept or went to the bathroom.
PICTURED: Sophie Towle, right, with her mum Leisa. Photo supplied
In Nottinghamshire, Leisa says they avoided one-to-one observations “at all costs” because they were viewed as “restrictive” and “deskilling,” and patients were meant to build their own skills to deal with their emotions.
But being on one-to-one worked for Sophie, Leisa says.
“I knew Sophie inside and out,” says Leisa. “It took me a long time, but I did. But the staff weren’t willing to adapt how they dealt with her from the knowledge that I had and from what Sophie was telling them.
“They just kind of had a one-size-fits-all treatment plan, really. They treated everybody the same.”
It was recently reported that Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust reduced its spending on bank and agency staff – supply staff – by 34% in 2025/2026.
But in the same meeting of the trust’s board of directors, questions were raised about ongoing vacancies and sickness absence rates, which means that a fifth of staff are “missing” at any one time.
A number of employees who gave evidence at Sophie’s inquest, and cared for her while she was in hospital, were serving their notice period and preparing to leave the trust at the time of Sophie’s death.
The trust has said that it recognises the importance of permanent staff and understands the knock-on effect of high turnover on levels of absence and the trust’s reputation as a place to work or receive care.
Leisa reiterates that point.
“Sophie dreaded evenings and weekends because there’d often be staff on that she didn’t know and they didn’t know her,” says Leisa. “The reliance on bank and agency staff was a problem. Her friends felt the same.
“When there were staff on that didn’t know them, it just sent the whole ward off, because (the staff) just didn’t know what their issues were and how to deal with them, and so it just makes it really, really hard to feel safe, really. It just seemed to be very disjointed.
“In Doncaster, we saw the same staff over and over again. We felt like we were getting to know them, and I felt like I could trust them. Often, her one-to-ones were conducted by her named nurse. At Sherwood Oaks, we didn’t even know who her named nurse was.”
There are “really good people” in mental health care, asserts Leisa – but not enough of them.
“I’ve been working with people who I do know are really trying hard to make positive changes, but a lot of these people are hidden away behind doors in their offices, in their own little bubbles.
“They need to be on the ward, witnessing what happens, in the thick of it, to show that they’re supporting the staff and they’re willing to do what they’re trying to implement as well.”
A spokesperson for Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “We recognise the important role personalised care planning, therapeutic relationships, individual risk assessments and safety plans all have in contributing to safe, compassionate care, and they are fundamental to all our improvement work.
“Therapeutic observations are prescribed as part of someone’s care plan depending on their individual needs and all care plans and risk assessments are audited on a weekly basis and any concerns are escalated and addressed.
“We have got better at listening to families and involving them in decisions about their loved one’s care, and this continues to be a priority area for improvement. Families provide valuable insight and we welcome all feedback as the experiences of people who use our services are a vital factor in us driving improvement.”
