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Vote to win funding for miner memorial park plan

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Vote to win funding for miner memorial park plan

A local group are appealing to the community for help in securing funding for a permanent memorial to miners who lost their lives in the area.

Friends Of Gedling Country Park have announced plans to develop memorial gardens at the site in honour of the 128 men who lost their lives at the former colliery.

The volunteers are asking residents to vote for their proposal at the One Foundation website before the deadline on June 29. The projects that win the most votes on the charity site will be awarded up to £25,000.

A spokesperson for the group told Gedling Eye: “Our aim is to create a symbolic structure and beautiful place of quiet reflection to acknowledge the contributions and loss of life made by the local community.

“Utilising reclaimed mining artefacts, we would like to create a lasting memorial to our heritage. The coal mines were the backbone of our county for many years. As the last mine closes in Thoresby, this memorial garden will remind us of our history.”

To vote for the project visit: https://foundation.onefamily.com/projects/gedling-country-park-memorial-gardens/

Plans outlining where the new memorial garden would go in Gedling Country Park
Plans outlining where the new memorial garden would go in Gedling Country Park

 

 

Borough Council uses new powers to kick out noisy neighbours

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Borough Council uses new powers to kick out noisy neighbours
Gedling Borough Council has used newly granted powers to ban a noisy neighbour from having people in his property because he couldn’t control their behaviour. 
 
A closure order was granted on premises at 20 Hooton Road, Carlton under the new laws introduced into the Anti-Social behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 that allowed the council to prevent the visitors, who were using the house as a drinking den, from entering the property for the next three months.
 
The order came after residents complained to the police, the council and Accent Nene Housing Association about music being played all day and night, late night parties and constant shouting and swearing in the communal areas and the flat.
 
Officers from the council’s Public Protection department gathered evidence from the Police and the housing association and presented them to Nottingham Magistrates’ Court who granted and order which gave the council the power to stop the visitors from entering the property immediately after being granted.
 
Portfolio Holder for Public Protection, Cllr David Ellis welcomed the result.
 
He said: “We are very pleased with the swift action taken by the court to remove the noise makers quickly.  No one should have to put up with this kind of behaviour from their neighbours, let’s hope the tenant and his visitors take heed of this warning and behave appropriately in the future.”

Borough workers to be hit by Boots job cuts at Nottingham head office

Gedling Eye
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Borough workers to be hit by Boots job cuts at Nottingham head office

Boots is to shed 700 jobs, the high street chemist announced today.

Most of the jobs will go from their headquarters at Beeston and many people based in the borough will be affected. Store workers are not thought to be affected by the latest cuts.

The move follows the company’s merger with US giant Walgreens, which took effect at the start of this year.

Boots said the cuts would “simplify support operations” and that it would attempt to redeploy, retrain and offer redundancy to those affected.

Company president Simon Roberts said: “Together with my leadership team, I believe this plan will make Boots even better for our customers and drive sustainable future growth.

“We also remain fully committed to our presence in Nottingham, which has been the home of Boots since the very beginning.

“We have not taken these decisions lightly, and understand the impact that today’s announcement may have on our colleagues.

“We are fully committed to doing everything we can to support all our people as we transform Boots and strive to be even better for our customers and patients.”

 

Police appeal: have you seen wanted man?

Gedling Eye
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Police appeal: have you seen wanted man?

Have you seen this wanted man? Police are appealing for any information to help trace wanted 40-year-old Richard Johnson.

He is wanted in connection with an assault in the Birchwood area of Lincoln on May 25, 2015.

Mr Johnson was last known to be living in Lincoln but it is believed he could be residing in the East Midlands.

Numerous enquiries have been made by police to locate him but have yet to be successful and officers would like to hear from anyone who has any information in relation to his whereabouts.

If you see Mr Johnson please do not approach him and call Lincolnshire Police on 101, quoting incident 407 of May 25 2015.

Please use the same number if you have any information relating to his current whereabouts or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Shanay Walker: Jail for aunt and grandmother who abused seven-year-old

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Shanay Walker: Jail for aunt and grandmother who abused seven-year-old

The trusted aunt and grandmother of a seven-year-old girl have been convicted of cruelty towards her.

Shanay Walker was found dead in her home in Beckhampton Road, Bestwood, on Thursday, July 31, 2014.

On Thursday, June 4, 2015, following an eight week trial at Nottingham Crown Court, Kay-Ann Morris, Shanay’s paternal aunt and guardian, was found guilty of cruelty towards her. The 24-year-old of Beckhampton Road was acquitted of her murder.

Juanila Smikle, her paternal grandmother, was also found guilty of cruelty towards Shanay and three other youngsters. The 54-year-old of Easegill Court was acquitted of cruelty towards a fifth child.

During the trial, Morris did not give evidence but flatly refused the charge, and had claimed to police Shanay had accidentally fallen downstairs and had been okay. When she went to check on her later, she could not wake her.

The court heard that the investigation into Shanay’s death uncovered a disturbing history of abuse carried out by both Morris and Smikle.On the evening of the murder the court heard that Shanay had been with her grandmother in Top Valley when she had run away from her care at about 8.30pm.Shanay was captured on CCTV running into a convenience store before being found and taken home.

At about 1am Morris collected Shanay and made her way home. Once at home she had several phone conversations with her mother which resulted in Smikle hailing a taxi to Beckhampton road at about 2.49am. Smikle stayed in the house for several minutes before returning home.

From about 3am Morris sent a number of messages to family members. To her twin sister Kerry-Ann Morris, who was in Germany, she wrote: ‘sis I’m sorry I’m in shock right now thinking how it could happen but it’s the devils work. Shanay is no longer n so is the rest of my life’.Upon receiving the message Kerry-Ann rang her sister and subsequently alerted the police.

The court heard Morris’ guardianship of Shanay had been very strict. She regularly punished her to the extent that her school made several referrals to social services. Each time Morris had a response for the injuries Shanay had sustained.

Witness evidence also revealed Morris regularly hit Shanay with a hair brush or shoe, force fed her food she didn’t like or dragged her along the floor.Smikle behaved in a similar manner towards Shanay and other youngsters. Slapping, beatings, ice baths and physical assaults were common forms of punishment.

Following conviction Morris was sentenced to 8-years in prison while Smikle was jailed for four years.

Upon sentencing Morris the judge Mr Justice McDuff said: “Your ill treatment of that little girl was frequent and wicked and lasted over the two years. You hit her, you taunted her and you abused her in unimaginable ways.

“This whole series of events culminated on the night of 30-31st July when Shanay died. I will be loyal to the jury’s verdict. Maybe you were not responsible for the fatal head injury but whatever its cause I am wholly satisfied that you beat Shanay over and over shortly before she died.

I reach that conclusion because of the overwhelming evidence to that effect.”

Detective Superintendent Rob Griffin, who led the investigation, said: “Shanay was abused by family members who had been put in a position of trust.

“In her short life Shanay had known several homes but ultimately granted guardianship under her father’s sister. Despite showing every sign of this being a good match Morris was cruel and abusive. There was no respite when Shanay visited her grandmother’s house and the same cruel abuse was carried out – encouraging her to run away on the night of her death.

“This has been a very complex case and I think the jury have had a very difficult job to do. They have had to listen to an enormous volume of evidence, some of it complex, some of it upsetting and I respect entirely the verdict they have returned.

“I am disappointed for the family because ordinarily the end of proceedings like this generally represents closure for them and this helps enormously with the grieving process. That has not been the case for them here.”

Speaking after the sentencing, Shanay’s mother Leanne Walker said:  “My beautiful daughter Shanay was entrusted to the care of family members who I believed would love and look after her.

“Instead she was the victim of ongoing abuse and tragedy and her life was cut short before she could become the lovely woman I know she would have grown up into.

“Juanila Smikle and Kay Ann Morris have shown little remorse for their actions. It hurts and sickens me to know of the pain Shanay would have been in.”

Monster coming to Carlton Skate Park this Saturday

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Monster coming to Carlton Skate Park this Saturday

A monster is coming to a Carlton skate park this Saturday

A graffiti artist with the help of local skaters will be installing a monster piece of art in a Carlton skate park this Saturday.

Artist Gravy Man, aka Ryan Smith, will be turning the skate bowl at Burton Road Jubilee Park into a giant futuristic green monster using one of his signature graffiti designs this Saturday 6 June from 9am.

Ryan worked with the skate park users from the Netherfield LOCO group over several months to pick the best design for the skate bowl. The design of the green monster was voted by the group as the favourite design of the three put forward.

Gedling Borough Council in partnership with the Friends of Burton Road Jubilee Park have organised the installation of the graffiti art.

The LOCO members, with help from Nottinghamshire County Council Youth Service, will be assisting Gravy Man with the installation on Saturday and Gedling Borough Councillors will also be on hand to help.

The project is being funded jointly by Gedling Borough Council and the Friends of group.

Councillor Peter Barnes, Portfolio Holder for Environment said: “The young people have had complete control over the design of the artwork for the bowl. They’ve worked with Ryan, the council and county council and it’s a great example of how empowering young people can benefit the community.”

 

Gedling book lovers in for treat at festival

Gedling Eye
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Gedling book lovers in for treat at festival

A three-day festival is heading to the borough next weekend where people can meet and learn from leading authors, illustrators and poets.

The Gedling Book Festival will take place from Friday, June 12 until Sunday, June 14 at Arnot Hill House, Arnot Hill Park.

For the first time the festival is being held in the iconic Arnot Hill House building in the centre of Arnot Hill Park, Arnold. Over the three days there’ll be talks from an array of local and national authors, storytelling, children’s activities and more.

The event, organised by New Writers UK with support from Gedling Borough Council, Haarts and Waterstones, is free and will have different themes over the weekend. On Friday it’s General Fiction Day. Acclaimed crime novelist Stephen Booth will be hosting a talk as will authors Alison Moore, Eve Makis, John Baird and David Ebsworth.

Saturday is Children’s Day, children can come along and dress up as their favourite Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or another one of their favourite literary characters and take part in story-telling. Steve Bowkett will be presenting creative writing workshops for young people and New Writers UK will also be launching their creative writing competition and Katy Perry tribute act, Kaylie Perry, will return to perform during the day.

The festival’s final day on Sunday is Non-Fiction Day. There’ll be talks from Professor Alison Milbank on Tolkien, Dr Nick Thom will be discussing ancient history and Frank Earp will be talking about the A-Z of curious Nottinghamshire.  In addition, Notts resident and 60’s rock and roller, Vince Eager, will be revealing just what it was like to be on tour with greats like Billy Fury, Gene Vincent and Eddie Cochran.

The festival organiser and New Writers UK Founder and President, Julie Malone said; “There’s such a tremendous buzz about this event and the response from visitors is always so positive.  It’s a fun event but also inspirational and a great pleasure to be involved in.”

Councillor John Clarke, Leader of Gedling Borough Council said; “The Gedling Book Festival is going from strength to strength every year and we’re delighted to be holding it in Arnot Hill House this year. We’re huge supporters of ways to get children to read more and the work New Writers UK do with young people is fantastic. It promises to be a great weekend.”

 

New film showcases support services for pre-school children

Gedling Eye
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New film showcases support services for pre-school children

A film that aims to help support families with pre-school children has been commissioned by Gedling Borough Council, Gedling Homes and Nottinghamshire County Council.

Film production company, JAM-AV have begun filming ‘Early Years’, a film that will showcase the services and support available to parents in their local area to best prepare their children for school.

Some children find it difficult to be separated from their parents when starting school, they may not be able to use the toilet unaided or communicate their needs to their new teacher. The film will highlight to parents the services available to support them and their child’s development.

The crew will be filming children and parents at Netherfield Children’s Centre on Tuesday, June 9, at 10am. They’ll then go on to film scenes at the Railway Children Cricket Pavilion in Gedling, St George’s Centre, Netherfield Pre-school and a host of other nurseries and schools before finishing the shoot at Arnold Carnival on June 21. Musician Richard Shrewsbury, who is composing the music to support the film, will also be leading a free musical session for parents and toddlers at Arnold Carnival on Sunday 21 June between 12pm-2pm.

The film will be premiered on July 16 at Carlton Pentecostal Church and will also be available online.

JAM-AV Director Jenny McDonald said: “It’s a pleasure and lots of fun to be working on the Early Years project. We have been amazed by the amount on offer for young families within the area. We hope new parents and children will join us at the launch event and start accessing these fantastic services.”

Councillor Kathryn Fox, Portfolio Holder for Communities said;

“We’re very excited about this project. It’s not often we get lights and cameras in Netherfield and Colwick and it’s a great opportunity to highlight an important issue for parents with children starting school.”

Apple iPhone message bug causes phones to freeze across borough

Gedling Eye
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Apple iPhone message bug causes phones to freeze across borough

A malicious SMS that can cause iPhone handsets to freeze and reboot has been causing problems for Apple users across the borough.

The bug, which has been discovered in Apple’s iOS, can cause an iPhone to crash when it receives a single text message containing a certain string of characters.

It appears to be caused by a glitch in the way Apple’s iOS software displays non-Latin text in notification banners and alerts.

When messages are previewed in banners, iOS adds an ellipsis to show there is more of the message to be viewed.

But if the ellipsis is placed in the middle of a set of non-Latin characters, for example Arabic or Chinese, the system crashes and causes the phone to reboot.

The text message content which causes the crash is being shared on social media, with people complaining of being repeatedly sent the message by mischievous friends.

The message contains the word ‘Power’ as well as Arabic and Marathi characters and the Chinese character meaning ‘redundant’.

It’s only effective in crashing Messages and rebooting an iPhone if sent from another Apple handset running iOS.

Paul Campbell, of Netherfield, contacted Gedling Eye after his phone was affected by the bug earlier today.

He said: As soon as I received the message then my phone rebooted. I’ve no idea where it came from. I asked friends after I read about it online, but they say they hadn’t targeted me.”

Anthony Walsh, from Bestwood, said: “It caused my phone to freeze. It’s a nuisance. I hope Apple fix this so it doesn’t happen again.”

Trish Slater, from Carlton, said: “I’ve seen how to do this on Twitter. It’s quite a worry really as I use my phone a lot and hope I am not targeted.”

Bus firm scoops business award at gala event

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Bus firm scoops business award at gala event

Nottingham City Transport, who run a number of popular bus services across the borough, have been officially recognised as one of the 11 best businesses in Europe at a gala event last night.

The UK’s Bus Operator of the Year was crowned the overall winner of ‘The Award for Customer Focus’ at the 2014/2015 European Business Awards – beating over 24,000 entries from companies across the continent.

Supported since their inception by lead sponsor and promoter RSM International, the European Business Awards is now in its 9th year and its primary purpose is to support the development of a stronger and more successful business community throughout Europe.

The winning businesses in 11 categories went through a process of written submissions, video entry judging and face-to-face interviews and were shortlisted as one of 709 National Champions and 110 Ruban d’Honneur recipients before reaching the final. In the 2014/15 competition, all EU member markets were represented, plus Turkey, Norway, Switzerland, Serbia, Croatia and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Marketing and Communications Director, Nicola Tidy was at the event representing NCT, and collected the coveted trophy from Andy Shiers, Head of Marketing Programmes at communications company, ARKADIN, one of the event’s sponsors.
“We are absolutely thrilled to win this award! It’s a real honour to represent the UK, and particularly our fantastic city of Nottingham,” said Nicola Tidy. “We constantly strive to provide the best possible service and experience for our customers at Nottingham City Transport, so we are hugely proud to be recognised as being the best business in Europe for Customer Focus. It’s the hard work and efforts of our staff, together with the loyalty and support of our passengers that have made this win possible, and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank them.”

This is the latest award-win for Nottingham City Transport which is celebrating its most successful year to date, following top prizes for UK Bus Operator of the Year at the UK Bus Awards, the Guide Dogs’ Breaking Down Barriers Award, and most recently, the Excellence in Science and Technology Award at the Nottingham Post Business Awards.

The European Business Awards is one of the toughest competitions in Europe, and this year attracted over 24,000 businesses and generated over 170,000 votes from the public.

Adrian Tripp, CEO of the European Business Awards, added: “These brilliant businesses are the best of the best. They are adapting, innovating, achieving financial success and creating strong growth opportunities. Together they are forging a stronger business community in Europe and creating a better future for us all.”

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