New state-of-the-art technology installed at Gedling Crematorium will offer families the chance to say goodbye in their own way to a loved one.
The crematorium on Catfoot Lane can now offer a ‘funeral of the future’ allowing loved ones to uniquely personalise services using the projections of dynamic backgrounds in the chapel which are accompanied by co-ordinated soundscapes and lighting.
The innovative experience is the result of a partnership between Westerleigh Group, who own the crematorium, and the UK’s leading audio-visual provider to the bereavement industry, Obitus.
Families can start their remembrance as they gather in the waiting room prior to the service by viewing the Gallery – a collection of 25 digital frames uploaded with images of their loved one.
Families can personalise services using the projections of dynamic backgrounds in the chapel which are accompanied by co-ordinated soundscapes and lightingThe ‘funerals of the future’ are being offered at Gedling Crematorium and are a world first
Inside the chapel, the Canvas service allows personalised visual tributes to be projected onto the front wall, making it part of the theming that surrounds the wider wall space, creating a thoroughly immersive visual and audible experience. The Canvas transforms the whole area around the coffin into a themed backdrop.
High-spec audio equipment and customisable lighting enables the team and families to uniquely tailor the chapel, waiting room and entrance areas to reflect the life of the loved one being remembered.
To begin with, there will be a choice of ten dynamic backgrounds, from Country Hills and Waterfall to a Gentle Glimmer and a Football Stadium, but over time, the background options available will increase.
Debbie Smith, chief executive officer at Westerleigh Group, said: “We’ve always been committed to making the services we host as uniquely personal as possible, which is also an ambition of our partners at Obitus.
“We’re extremely excited to be able to offer the funerals of the future, today, transforming the way the bereaved say their final farewells.
“This offers the opportunity for family members and friends to come together, not only to mourn and grieve but to become fully immersed in celebrating the lives of their loved ones in a way that nobody else in the world can do.
“Some families have already experienced the new technology and the initial feedback has been extremely encouraging, with people telling us they have been able to give their loved one a memorable send-off they would have loved.
“We would like to thank all the Funeral Directors and celebrants who have supported us and bereaved families through the introduction of this exciting development.”
James Crossland, the founder of Obitus, said: “We launched this project in response to the growing public demand for more personalisation at funerals.
“It’s taken several years to get to the stage where we’re ready to start using this, but even so, we’ve only scratched the surface of what is possible, and this is something that will continue to evolve and expand.
“While there are ten backgrounds at present, what we’ve got here is a essentially a blank canvas with almost endless opportunities moving forward. The system is extremely flexible and adaptable.
Local people are being invited to have their say on a proposal to create a new parish council for the Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park area.
The Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park area is currently part of St Albans Parish.
Gedling Borough Council is now holding the first stage of a consultation of the Community Governance Review (CGR) and it will run until January 6, 2025.
The review follows a petition signed by 211 residents requesting the formation of a separate council for the area. The petition suggests that a new parish council could better address the unique needs of residents in Bestwood Lodge and Deer Park.
It also proposes that the new council retains the name “St Albans Parish Council” and seeks a 40% share of the existing council’s financial reserves.
The council said it will consider all feedback before deciding whether to make changes.
Options include keeping the existing arrangements, altering council boundaries, or creating a new parish council. A second round of consultation on the councils recommendations will take place between February 21 – May 2, 2025.
The findings from this consultation will be reviewed by Gedling Borough councillors, with final decisions expected in July 2025.
A ‘dismal’ vacuum cleaner and and a pram that failed safety tests are among some of this year’s Black Friday deals that consumers in Gedling borough are being urged to avoid.
Which? tests thousands of products every year to recommend the best products to buy and what to avoid.
These are some of the duds they found – with a better alternative.
Philips 43PUS8108/12 (sale price – £369)
Experts at Which? said this tv offers a smeared picture and shoddy sound. They said the 43-inch 4K TV has real issues with motion, as moving objects tend to streak across the screen. One wrote: “Even still images would look poor, as its shoddy contrast and unnatural colours leave every scene drab and grey. There’s also not enough bass in the sound, so everything sounds tinny and underwhelming. “
Which? experts described it as “one of the worst TVs of 2023, or any year for that matter”.
Better avoid then!
They advised bargain hunters to pick up the LG 43NANO766QA for £399 in the sales instead, which they said is the same size and has a much better picture.
Experts said the higher temperatures on these hair straightness risk damaging your hair and style retention is poor.
They wrote: “Although these hair straighteners did a good job of straightening hair, with strong results in terms of frizz control and providing shine, our panel of testers found their style retention wasn’t great. Frizz or curls re-emerged within a day of using them.
“The large plates make it tricky to get close to your roots, and the higher heat settings on this straightener could damage your hair.”
“The level of damage that our laboratory observed being caused by these hair straighteners when set to the highest temperature was twice as bad as the next-worse model.”
Those hoping to find hair straighteners at a bargain price were urged to pick up Beauty Works X Molly Mae Straightener Kit that cost about the same at full price, is easier to use and is significantly less likely to damage your hair.
Haier HW90-B14959S8U1 (sale price – £429)
Which? experts said that although it washes synthetics well, this freestanding washing machine did a terrible job at getting rid of dirt and stains from cottons.
They wrote: “Electricity running costs are about average for machines of a similar capacity, but it uses a lot more water than most. The programs are also incredibly short – too short perhaps, considering how poorly they clean.”
Bargain hunters were instead urged to buy the Zanussi ZWF942E3PW – which will cost you less – both upfront and over a lifetime – as it’s more efficient with both electricity and water. It’s of equal capacity and it’s better at washing cottons.
Hoover H-Free 100 HF122GH (sale price – £99)
The experts at Which? described this vac as ‘abysmal’.
The savagely wrote: “Five hours of charging time grants you 20 minutes of battery life with this vacuum, which may not sound like a lot, but it will be plenty of time to demonstrate its poor performance.
“It only sucked up a measly 34% of the dust in our test carpets, and it struggled to pick up debris from cracks and crevices.
“It’s nothing short of a failure.”
Consumers on the hunt for a bargain were urged to pick up the Tineco A10 Hero, which is also in the sales, and it cleans well on carpets and hard floors, as well as leaving crevices dirt-free.
Hisense RB327N4WB1 (sale price – £399)
Which? experts say this fridge-freezer has a terrible and inaccurate fridge that will also increase your energy bills.
They said: “The freezer part of this fridge-freezer is decent – it works quietly and it freezes quickly. But the fridge… the fridge is diabolical. It takes ages to chill foods, and its temperature will swing up and down with the temperature in your kitchen.
“It’s also very inefficient for its size, so won’t be doing your energy bills any favours either; not to mention the extra money you’ll have to spend on food when this unreliable fridge fails to keep things fresh.
“This is among the worst fridge-freezers we’ve seen.”
Experts told bargain hunters not to write off Hisense completely – its RB440N4WWF model can be found at a similar price in the sales, will chill and freeze your food without any issues, and it can cope with the temperature fluctuations in your kitchen.
Some of Gedling borough’s pubs have some really interesting names so we decided to explore their origins.
This week we have uncovered the history of a number of watering holes in Carlton, some still with us, others long gone, and found out how they came to get their titles.
BLACK’S HEAD – Burton Road, Carlton
A pub of this name has stood on this site for at least one hundred and sixty years – but many believe it was probably longer.
Originally the sign of the ‘Blacks Head’ or ‘Black Boy’ was used by tobacconists.
Historians believe the ‘Black Boy’ used on inn and tobacconists signs was a reference to Charles II – a nickname given to the King because of his dark complexion, and was displayed to defy Oliver Cromwell by referring to their exiled leader.
Another possibility is that the sign of the ‘Black’s Head’ is, in fact, as old as the Crusades, and is thus door of the Soracen’s Head’ (as at Southwell).
The pub’s name and sign was been changed and the pub is called Beacon Hill in a nod to the town’s historic roots as a beacon signalling point in the 17th century.
CAVENDISH – Cavendish Road
The pub sign displayed has a portrait of William Cavendish (1592-1676), the first Duke of Newscastle-upon-Tyne and was a relative of the Duke of Portland who lived at Welbeck Abbey.
Cavendish was a dedicated Royalist and became known as the ‘Loyal Duke of Newcastle’ and commanded the Royalist forces in the north during the outbreak of the Civil War.
EARL OF CHESTERFIELD – Carton Hill
The Bruno pictured after closure back in 2017 (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
An Earl of Chesterfield pub is thought to have occupied this site for over three hundred years and is thought to have been the haunt of highwaymen at one time.
The pub appears in the 1853 directory as the ‘Earl of Chesterfield Arms – but the ‘Arms’ most likely disappeared when the later building was constructed on the old site around l905.
The pub was known locally by its nickname ‘the Bruno because they held bear bating there.
The story goes that the Earl of Chesterfield was very fond of bear-baiting and spent much of his time here drinking with friends, leaving his favourite bear tethered in the stables outside but on occasions would bring the bear into the bar, where it soon acquired a taste for the landlord’s fine ale and downed many pints.
ELWES ARMS – Oakdale Road
The Elwes Arms was opened on June 8, 1962 by the late Sir Richard Elwes, a former High Court judge. The pub was named after his family to commemorate their long connections with Nottinghamshire. Known as the lawyer poet’ Sir Richard, the son of an opera singer, the late Gervase Elwes, and a brother of the portrait painter Simon Elwes, was called to the Bar of the inner Temple in 1925. He retired in 1965 due to ill-health. His daughter, Polly Elwes, once a BBC television personality, was married to BBC sports presenter Peter Dimmock and was voted TV woman personality of the year in 1959.
The coat of arms of the Elwes family, whose motto is ‘Deo non fortun’ (Through God, not by chance), are reproduced on the signboard outside this pub.
Back in June I983 the ‘Elwes Arns’ temporarily changed its name to The Lodge,’ before reverting back to its present sign in 1992.
INN FOR A PENNY – Burton Road
The pub appeared in White’s Directory of 1832 and was listed as the ‘Royal Oak’.
The Oak changed its name to the Inn For A Penny’ in 1984.
When the pub changed its name, some cheeky locals spread the word that that this unusual new name derives from the fact that visitors to nearby playing fields would often drop into the pub just to ‘spend a penny!’ The brewery confirmed this was ‘nonsense’ and said the name was thought up in their office when they decided to make it a fun-pub’ and has no significant meaning.
OLD VOLUNTEER – Burton Road
The existence of this pub is recorded in White’s Directory of 1832 as the Volunteer. During the English Civil War many inns served as recruiting offices. The premises were visited by mostly local men, eager to volunteer their services to whichever cause they supported.
The name here may be a reference to the Old Contemptibles, a nickname of the British Expeditionary Force which fought at Mons (France) in 1914.The name was adapted by the soldiers themselves after they learned that the German Kaiser had supposedly referred to them as General French’s contemptible little army’
The sign outside the pub now depicts a soldier in full battledress, but used to show an ‘Old Contemptible’ wearing a chest full of medals.
PUNCH BOWL – Porchester Road
The pub was converted from a private house and opened in October 1961.
It’s believed the word ‘punch’ may derive from the Hindi word pac: meaning ‘five’ suggesting five ingredients are used to make up this alcoholic beverage (water, sugar, lemon-juice, spice and spirits).
It may also be a shortened form of “puncheon” which was a large cask containing over one hundred gallons. Either way, punch is usually ladled from a bowl – hence the name.
THE NEW ENGINE HOUSE – Carlton Hill
When it opened in December 1969 as the ‘Engine House, this pub had one of the most unusual inn-signs of al time – a full-sized horizontal steam engine.
The engine, made by ‘Tangyes’ of Birmingham in l850, was first used at a colliery in Nottingham before being purchased by the Notingham Patent Brick Company in 1867 for £659.
Near to what is now the site of this pub, it used to drive mills and agitators, processing and working raw clay into a suitable consistency to make bricks -helping to produce 450 million of them (using 225,000 tons of coal in the process), before it was retired in 1966 and donated to Shipstones Brewery.
The engine was incorporated in the design of the pub and housed in a long glass-fronted lounge.
When the premises were refurbished in June 1982, the brewery decided to donate the engine to the City of Nottingham Industrial Museum at Wollaton Park and, due to its immense size and weight, the lounge roof had to be removed to allow it to be hoisted out. It was at this time that the pub changed its name to the Steam Engine.’
In 1989 the brewery decided to rename the pub, yet again, and ran a ‘name-a-pub competition. The winning selection was the Thorn Bush’ – after the plant that once grew profusely round about this area.
It has now been renamed the New Engine House.
TOBY JUG – Carlton Hill
Opened in June 1958, this pub is probably named after the jug of the same name.
The jugs, also known as Toby fill-pots, are traditionally formed in the shape of a stout old man wearing 18th- century costume, comprising a long, full-skirted coat and a three-cornered hat – an example of which was portrayed on this pub’s colourful sign.
The name of the jug itself derives from a poem written in 176l about a certain Toby Philpot upon whom a popular drinking-song was based: ‘A thirsty old soul as e’er drank a bottle or fathom’d a bowl…”
Bus services across the East Midlands are set to receive a funding boost, with the Government announcing £88 million in cash to enhance and protect public transport in the region.
The East Midlands Combined Authority (EMCA), which includes Gedling borough, has been allocated £40.6 million – the largest share of the funding. Other receivers include Leicestershire, which will receive a total of £17.7 million, alongside additional support for Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, and other areas.
Transport Secretary Louise Haigh said: “For far too long, the East Midlands has been suffering from unreliable services. This funding kickstarts the bus revolution to drive economic growth and make sure people have proper access to jobs and opportunities.”
Bus routes serving rural communities will get priority fundingEast Midlands Mayor Claire Ward said improving bus services is about more than just getting people from A to B – it’s about transforming lives and communities
The priority will be to use the investment to safeguard rural routes, improve punctuality, and increase bus use for shopping, socialising, and commuting.
The cash also supports the extension of the £3 bus fare cap, which will run until December 2025. This will keep travel costs low, saving passengers up to 80% on some routes.
Buses remain the most used form of public transport in the UK, serving as a lifeline between towns, hospitals, and key employment areas. The investment will ensure that patients can continue to access vital hospital appointments as part of the Government’s broader plans to reform the NHS.
Mayor of the East Midlands, Claire Ward, said, “Improving our bus services is about more than just getting people from A to B – it’s about transforming lives and communities.”
Gedling Eye has compiled a list of the cheapest petrol pumps in Gedling borough. The data is sourced from PetrolPrices.com, which covers major service stations including brands like BP, Shell, and Texaco as well as supermarkets, smaller chains and independent stations.
The website combines price data from Catalist with its own crowdsource data, which comes from website users and forecourt owners. The site says it hopes to have “the most up to date and reliable price data across the industry”.
The UK’s average fuel price is 135.69p per litre for Unleaded and 140.58p per litre for diesel.
The following prices were reported locally on 20/11/24
Here are the latest prices from across the borough…
Work to improve the experience for customers using a shopping centre in Carlton is now underway – but it is open as usual.
The owners of the Carlton Square Shopping Centre are working on installing a new brick wall and piers along Station Road along with the installation of benches and new metal planters.
Existing shop buildings are also getting improved rendering and new street furniture, lighting and landscaping will be added to the site.
An artist’s impression of how the new boundary wall on Station Road will look when completedWork has begun to create the new-look boundary wall at the site (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)Rendering is being improved on existing shop buildings.
This work was originally planned to take place in 2020 and plans were submitted by shopping centre’s owners are BNP Parabis and their agents for this site is Waypoint – but were not progressed.
The original plans were revised and submitted back in November 2023 and approved on January 19 of this year by Gedling Borough Council.
A planning officer for the council recommended that plans should be approved.
In a report he said: “The proposed alterations would modernise the shopping centre which is currently of little aesthetic value. This would result in an enhancement to the character and appearance of the area.”
Gedling Eye contacted both BNP Parabis and Wayfair for comment.
A spokesman for Waypoint said: “I can confirm that refurbishment works are ongoing to renovate and improve elements of the centre.”
Carlton resident Sharon Buckley regularly shops at the site.
She said: “It needs something. It’s looked tired for years and I think that is why a lot of the shops have gone.
“This work should make a real difference and will hopefully attract some new shops.”
Tony Armstrong lives in Gedling and visits the Square regularly.
“I like it here. I have breakfast at the cafe, visit the greengrocer and then do my shopping at Farmfoods. This work is needed and will be welcomed.”
KH Hair in Arnold has played host to 50 members of the local community who came together at Mapperley Golf Club for an informal and informative evening to talk about all things menopause.
During the evening, which took place on last week, guests heard presentations covering a range of issues affecting women dealing with menopause.
The talks were led by professionals including Dr Alice Duffy from Nottingham’s Health in Menopause Clinic.
Dr Alice, a GP and British Menopause Society accredited specialist, said she chose to specialise in the menopause because she wants to help women feel better and thrive in all aspects of their personal and professional lives.
“Every woman’s journey through perimenopause into menopause is unique to her,” she said.
“Understanding the hormone changes and the impact these can have on her mood, emotions, physical symptoms and overall sense of wellbeing is vital to ensure that women thrive in life, in their relationships and in the workplace.”
Other experts included KH Hair Newark’s salon director, Maxine Sutcliffe, who is a qualified trichologist. Alongside, Ruth Salt, representing leading hair brand Wella, Maxine gave tips on managing hair health, which included dietary and product advice.
Also presenting was KH Beauty skin therapist, Kirsten York, who shared her knowledge of how to keep skin vibrant and healthy. Finally, fitness expert, Lorna Maria, highlighted key exercises to support a healthy body throughout the menopause journey.
KH Hair Arnold’s salon manager, Helen Stilwell, said she was thrilled with the turnout. “Thank you so much to everyone who contributed to and attended our amazing menopause evening,” she said.
“We’re all so proud of our team and so very grateful to our guest speakers. We had 50 attendees and raised £375 for The Menopause Charity, so the evening was a great success.”
Attendee, Julie Butler, one of Helen’s clients, said it was comforting to feel that ‘you’re not the only one’.
“From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere was warm and welcoming,” she said.
“Dr Alice gave such an insightful talk and gaining a better understanding of the changes in our bodies, hair, skin, and emotions was truly a relief. We now feel empowered to face these challenges with confidence—whether through our own behaviours or by seeking help from our GP when needed. We feel prepared and informed for the years ahead.”
Dr Alice said it was good that at last menopause was being spoken about widely in society.
“I would encourage women to seek their information and advice from reputable sources and to gain knowledge and information that is particular to them,” she said.
“Not only is correct treatment important for managing symptoms, it is also important women take this opportunity as a reset moment to ensure lifestyle changes related to diet, exercise and stress management facilitate their long-term goal of good health.”
The UK government is considering proposals to significantly increase taxes on gambling operators, particularly targeting online gambling activities. While these measures aim to raise additional revenue and address gambling-related issues, they could have various implications for consumers.
Shift to Unregulated Markets
A significant concern is that higher costs in the regulated market might push some consumers towards unregulated and untaxed black-market sites. The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has warned about this potential surge in illegal gambling activities if the tax burden becomes too heavy for licensed operators. This shift could expose consumers to greater risks due to a lack of proper consumer protections and responsible gambling measures in unregulated markets.
However, it’s important to understand that between the fully regulated UK market and completely unregulated black-market sites, there exists a middle ground of regulated offshore casinos. These operators, while not licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, are often regulated by respected authorities in jurisdictions like Malta, Gibraltar, and the Isle of Man. They operate in a legal gray area, offering services to UK players without explicit UK approval.
These instant withdrawal casinos in the UK often provide attractive features such as cryptocurrency integration, higher bonuses, and a wider game selection. While they may offer some level of consumer protection, players should be aware that these protections may not be as robust as those mandated by regulations.
Higher Costs for Consumers
One of the most immediate and likely consequences of increased gambling taxes is the potential for higher costs passed on to consumers. As operators face significantly higher tax burdens, they may look to maintain profitability by adjusting their offerings and pricing structures.
Reduced Odds and Bonuses
Gambling operators may adjust their offerings to maintain profitability in the face of higher taxes. This could result in:
Less favorable odds for sports betting and casino games
Reduced bonuses, free bets, and promotional offers
Higher minimum stakes or increased fees for certain services
Dan Waugh from Regulus Partners warns that raising the cost of gambling through higher taxes could lead to additional costs being paid by consumers. This means players at UK casinos and betting sites might face less value for their money.
Impact on Online vs. Land-Based Gambling
The proposed tax increases may affect online and land-based gambling differently:
Online Gambling: The remote gaming duty could potentially rise from 21% to as high as 50%. This significant increase could lead to more drastic changes in online gambling offerings, potentially affecting a large number of UK consumers who prefer online platforms.
Land-Based Gambling: The IPPR’s plan suggests doubling the current 15% general betting duty on land-based bookmakers. While this increase is less dramatic than the proposed online tax hike, it could still lead to higher operational costs for smaller casinos and betting shops, potentially affecting local gambling options for consumers.
Reduced Options and Market Consolidation
The gambling landscape in the UK could change significantly for consumers:
Fewer Operators and Less Choice
Higher taxes could lead to market consolidation as smaller operators struggle to remain profitable. This could result in fewer choices for consumers, potentially reducing competition and innovation in the sector.
Closure of Betting Shops
Analysts at Shore Capital warn that aggressive tax increases could result in the closure of betting shops. This could particularly affect consumers who prefer land-based gambling or those in areas where online access is limited.
Potential Benefits for Consumers
While many implications seem negative, there could be some potential benefits:
Enhanced Responsible Gambling Measures
If additional tax revenue is directed towards problem gambling support services, consumers might benefit from:
Improved access to help and resources for those struggling with excessive gambling.
More comprehensive education and awareness programs about responsible gambling.
Enhanced self-exclusion tools and monitoring systems.
Improved Consumer Protections
Increased tax revenue could fund:
Stricter enforcement of existing gambling regulations.
Development of more sophisticated tools to detect and prevent excessive gambling.
Better oversight of gambling operators to ensure fair play and responsible practices.
Potential Industry Innovations
To offset higher costs, gambling operators might:
Develop new, less harmful gambling products to attract consumers.
Improve their customer service and user experience to retain players.
Offer more transparent and fair gaming practices to differentiate themselves in a competitive market.
Broader Economic Benefits
According to the Social Market Foundation (SMF) study:
Reducing problem gambling could create more jobs in the UK.
It could also deliver higher tax revenues for the Treasury.
Money diverted from gambling to other sectors like retail could generate more employment and tax revenue.
Conclusion
The proposed gambling tax increase in the UK could have far-reaching implications for consumers. While it may lead to higher costs, reduced options, and potential shifts in gambling habits, it could also contribute to enhanced responsible gambling measures and reduced harm. The ultimate impact on consumers will likely depend on how operators respond to the tax changes, how effectively the government manages the transition, and how consumers themselves adapt to the proposed increased gambling tax.
