Arachnophobes in Gedling borough are being urged to use a glass to trap unwanted spiders in their homes.
Experts at national trade body British Pest Control Association (BPCA) say spiders might sneak indoors as the weather turns colder, and while trapping and releasing them in a suitable shed or outhouse is the quickest way to tackle the problem, they will disappear in a few months if left alone.
However, BPCA members are on hand for anyone who has a severe phobia, or who believes they may have an allergic reaction to a spider bite from species such as the False Widow Spider.
A harvestman spider (PHOTO BPCA)
Natalie Bungay is technical manager at BPCA.
She said: “Calls for False Widow Spiders tend to peak in October as numbers increase during the winter months and then they become more conspicuous as the males wander in search of a mate.
“False Widow Spiders are venomous but not aggressive – bites generally seem to occur through accidental contact. They can be very painful but are no more dangerous than a wasp sting.”
For most spiders, trapping them under a glass, sliding a stiff piece of paper underneath and releasing them in a garage or shed is all that is required.
Natalie added: “Spiders have an important role to play in our natural eco-systems, so releasing them in a sheltered place where they won’t succumb to the cold is generally the best alternative if you can’t quite cope with them inside the house.
“However, if spiders are becoming a nuisance, you have a phobia, or believe you are likely to have a severe reaction to a spider bite, we’d recommend you seek advice from a pest professional.”
In the current fast-paced digital economy, businesses and entrepreneurs seemingly need to innovate on a constant basis to stay competitive. However, with traditional approaches to business management and marketing, it can be difficult to stay ahead of the curve. So, what solutions are available to British businesses?
Looking beyond the usual playbooks is needed here, and one source of inspiration can come from an unexpected place: gaming. The global gaming industry has grown exponentially in recent decades, becoming a multi-billion-pound behemoth that influences consumers and industries alike.
While gamification is a trend adopted by industries from fashion to banking, there are also tangible lessons that can be transposed from the gaming world to the boardroom. Let’s explore six key strategies from various gaming sectors that can be employed by entrepreneurs and SMEs in order to thrive in today’s market.
Insights from eSports – Adaptability
The eSports sector is a prime example of how adaptability can lead to success. Competitive gaming evolves at a breakneck pace, with new strategies, updates, and even entire games regularly causing shifts in the landscape. Professional gamers must constantly adapt, refining their strategies and polishing their techniques to stay on top.
For the small business owner, the lesson here is clear: adaptability is essential. The market can shift quickly due to multiple factors, with pressing disruptions often being centred on technological changes, consumer preferences, or economic conditions. Businesses need to remain agile and be willing to experiment with new ideas and strategies.
As a business owner and entrepreneur, are you regularly reviewing your business strategies to adapt to changes in your industry? If not, you may find yourself left behind.
Insights from Online Poker – Risk Management
Poker is the only casino game that’s widely recognised as a mindsport, due to it being a compelling mix of skill, strategy, and psychology. This traditional card game has also been fully incorporated into the gaming industry and is now a stand-alone digital gaming genre in its own right. Today’s gamers are just as likely to be logging into a specialist platform like PokerStars to participate in online poker games as they are to play A++ titles on PlayStation Plus. Poker’s also a particularly useful game to learn lessons in risk management from.
Risk-taking in business can lead to significant rewards – but only if approached strategically. Entrepreneurs can learn from the keen sense of risk management that poker players have. This involves assessing potential opportunities – often with limited information – weighing the risks, and then deciding whether to proceed or hold back. It’s not about avoiding risks altogether but about understanding and managing them effectively.
By adopting a balanced approach and taking calculated risks, you can seize opportunities while protecting your business from potential downsides. Like a seasoned poker player, you should know when to go all in and when to play it safe.
Insights from Strategy Games – Resource Management
Strategy games, from classics like Civilization to more recent titles like Starcraft 2, teach players to manage resources efficiently. Whether it’s time, money, or manpower, these games require players to think critically about how they allocate their limited resources to achieve their key objectives.
For entrepreneurs and SMEs, efficient resource management is crucial. In today’s economic climate, many business owners are facing limited resources, making it vital to know how to allocate them in the most appropriate and beneficial ways. This might involve deciding where to invest your budget, how to allocate your time, or how to prioritise your team’s efforts. By thinking strategically, just like RTS gamers, you can ensure that you’ll be maximising your business’s potential by putting every resource to its best use.
Are you making the most of what you have? Consider conducting a resource audit within your company or ventures. You might discover that the resources you have could be better allocated to ensure more substantial performance results.
Insights from Multiplayer Gaming – Community Building
Multiplayer games, particularly massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), are, at their core, about building communities. These vast online games, such as World of Warcraft, offer environments where players connect, collaborate, and share experiences. These communities are often self-sustaining, with players returning regularly not just for the game but for the social connections they’ve built.
For SMEs, building a community around your brand is one of the most powerful things you can do. A strong community can turn customers into brand advocates, driving word-of-mouth marketing and fostering loyalty.
Consider how you can create spaces where your customers can connect, share their experiences, and engage with your brand. This could be through social media, forums, or even in-person events. Like in multiplayer games, a connected and engaged community can be one of your business’s most valuable assets.
Police officers in Arnold are reassuring residents after an MP raised concerns following a spate of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in the town centre.
Gedling MP Michael Payne called on police chiefs to act ‘swiftly’ following reports from residents about youths intimidating and threatening members of the public in the town centre as well as smashing car windows and damaging property.
The incidents reportedly all took place on Sunday (28) evening.
Mr Payne said he had been in touch with senior police officers and the county’s police and crime commissioner about the incidents.
Gedling MP Michael Payne raised concerns following reports over anti-social behaviour in Arnold town centreThe letter sent to police chiefs following the reported incidents on Sunday nightChief constable Kate Meynell was one of the recipients of the letter sent by Gedling MP Michael Payne (IMAGE: Notts Police)
Mr Payne said: “Following several reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in and around Arnold town centre over this weekend, I’ve written to the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner urging a swift, robust, zero-tolerance response to deal with those responsible for this lawless and utterly unacceptable behaviour.”
Mr Payne added: “Arnold is my hometown and I won’t tolerate a loutish minority attempting to intimidate and harass people here or anywhere across the community.”
But in response, local police officers said that there had been ‘minimal calls’ in relation to groups or anti-social behaviour over the weekend.
Neighbourhood Inspector Heather Harding said: “I would like to reassure the local community that we are aware of a group of children who have been reportedly causing anti-social behaviour in the town centre area. We are working with the council to identify the people involved with a view of taking enforcement action where circumstances allow.
“There is currently an operation in place which has allowed me to staff additional patrols in the area to deter incidents, identify offenders and take positive action.
“We have reviewed the incidents that have come in over the weekend and there are minimal calls in relation to groups or anti-social behaviour.
“There is no indication at this time to suggest that it was the same groups but our neighbourhood policing team are working to identify anyone causing problems in the local area and will take positive action wherever possible.
“We would urge residents to please contact us as soon as an incident takes place by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.”
More than 3,000 workers in Gedling borough will receive a pay boost next year after the Chancellor confirmed the National Living Wage will increase from £11.44 to £12.21 an hour from April 2025.
The 6.7% increase is worth £1,400 a year for an eligible full-time worker.
The move aligns with the government’s commitment to make sure the minimum wage is a genuine living wage.
A pay boost is also planned for younger workers with the national minimum wage for 18 to 20-year-olds rising from £8.60 to £10.00 an hour – the largest increase in the rate on record.
This £1.40 increase will mean full-time younger workers eligible for the rate will see their pay boosted by £2,500 next year.
Labour said this marks the first step towards aligning the National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage to create a single adult wage rate, which would take place over time.
Figures show that up to 3,100 workers will benefit from the national living wage rise across Gedling borough.
Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves said: “This Government promised a genuine living wage for working people. This pay boost for millions of workers is a significant step towards delivering on that promise.”
Business Secretary, Jonathan Reynolds said: “Good work and fair wages are in the interest of British business as much as British workers.
“This government is changing people’s lives for the better because we know that investing in the workforce leads to better productivity, better resilience and ultimately a stronger economy primed for growth.”
But employers’ groups have expressed unease about the increase.
Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UKHospitality, said: “Trying to balance the books from the pockets of high street businesses will simply leave hospitality as collateral damage – threatening jobs, future investment, price increases for consumers, and business viability.”
Kate Shoesmith, deputy chief executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation, said: “Businesses have set out to us and the government their concerns over their ability to continue to operate if there are further substantial increases to their cost base in the short-term – and very little on the horizon that points towards growth.”
A major £13m expansion has been completed at a secondary school in Gedling to meet increasing demand for local school places.
Carlton le Willows has had a new two-storey building constructed and extensive alterations and refurbishment made to parts of the existing school buildings.
Both phases of work were carried out by Clegg Construction.
The first phase of the development at the school involved building South Block – a new two-storey building to provide a state-of-the-art performance space, dining hall, 20 new classrooms, office space and a new main reception which has united the previously split site by linking the East and West buildings.
Work on the school extension began last year (Photo courtesy of Carlton le Willows Academy)Capacity for a further 300 extra students at Carlton le Willows Academy to meet increasing local demand for school places.
South Block has created capacity for a further 300 extra students at Carlton le Willows Academy to meet increasing local demand for school places.
Now the second part of the improvements – which involved extensive alterations and refurbishment in various parts of the existing school, including the conversion of the previous dining area and assembly hall into additional teaching space – has also been completed.
Ross Crowcroft, pre-construction director at Clegg Construction, said: “We are delighted to have completed these latest two schemes, which provide additional first-class facilities for those already at the school, as well as allowing the school to expand the number of places it can offer to youngsters in the nearby community.
“As a Nottingham-based company, Clegg Construction takes particular pride in helping to improve the local education infrastructure and delivering facilities that will benefit future generations.”
As well as the new extension, the project involved the creation of a new car park for just under 100 cars, along with infrastructure for electric charging points. A sustainable drainage solution has also been installed as part of the groundworks, which included an attenuation tank aimed at avoiding any extra burden on the existing public sewers caused by rainwater.
Hello, and welcome to Gedling Eye’s live blog for Tuesday, October 29.
We will be bringing you all of the latest news from across Gedling borough – whether you’re on the move, at home or at work – as well as the latest traffic and travel.
We will also be keeping you informed of major news stories from the UK and overseas. Contribute to the live blog and share the news that’s breaking in your area by posting your comments below.
Goals either side of half time from Niall Hylton and Ollie Clark saw the Millers return to winning ways.
Carlton made one change from the midweek defeat to Belper as Niall Hylton returned in place of the suspended Alex Howes. Heaton Stannington were unlucky to lose their own midweek fixture to Dunston as an 85th minute goal secured the points in the local derby.
Carlton started brightly enough. Liam Moran and Clark occupying the visitors backline and forcing some early throw ins in advanced positions but they came to nothing and from then on the direction of play shifted. Stan were busier, well organised and vocal, hounding their hosts all over the field and all too often, Carlton gave away easy possession and invited pressure.
Early warning signs for the Millers defence when Dan Brown was pressured in possession and was forced into a foul on Louis Anderson. Connor Walker took the free kick but Lewis Durow was on hand to head clear. A carbon copy within a minute served as further concern for the healthy 215 in attendance but again, little came from the free kick.
Stan did see the first decent chance when the impressive Walker intercepted a Hylton back pass and ran at defence. He fired the ball across the face of Felix Annan’s goal just beyond Joseph Thompson at the far post.
More good pressure in Carlton territory saw Charlie Carter hustled off the ball. Kane Evans was released down the right wing and supplied a decent cross, just too high for Anderson whose header was high and wide. More Heaton pressure and from a free kick on halfway the ball fell to Walker but once again, the shot lacked composure and Annan was happy to let the ball sail over his crossbar.
Carlton did eventually get some control and after a Durow throw, Khyle Sargent did well to win a corner. Captain Niall Davie took the kick and Dean Freeman was just beaten to the header by Daniel Capewell. Moran miscued his acrobatic attempt and the pressure was back on the Millers defenders. Sargent did well to win the ball from the Stan midfield and ran into opposition territory but he and Moran were reading different scripts as the through ball was wayward.
Michael Ford was forced off as half time approached, the right back carrying illness into the game. He was replaced by Lawrence Gorman. This, inadvertently gave Carlton life and just two minutes later the home side took the lead against the run of play. Durow collected the ball from his goalkeeper and played a nice ball down the inside left channel to Moran who, as he had done well up to that point, won the flick on. The difference this time was there was a yellow and blue shirt on the end of it. Hylton making a good run in from the right wing found enough space in the opposition box to control and get his shot away. Not the cleanest of strikes but enough to trickle in.
Now playing with a little more confidence, Carlton created another good chance from the kick off with Davie doing well to win the ball in the centre circle and, holding off attentions from two black and white shirts, passed to Hylton on the right. The wingman advanced into the final third and smartly passed back to Carter who crossed first time to Clark who was unlucky to fire over the bar with his shot being well held by the one of the Millers faithful behind the goal at the shed end.
Davie, Moran and Clark combined once more before half time and although the chance was tame the home side reached the whistle ahead.
Another bright start to the second half but this time with results. Durow’s clearing header was flicked on by Hylton just inside the Heaton half. Moran played a first time ball to Clark and after riding a challenge from the defender, the Millers man was running clear. Still under pressure he ran the ball into the box and calmly slotted past Lewis Brass in the Stan goal.
Clark’s vocal celebration in front of the equally noisy Carlton fans behind the goal was well received, the loanee having been involved in most of what’s been good about the team in the last few weeks. This was his first goal on his return which his overall play and work rate richly deserved.
Carlton were really on top now and pressed for a third. Hylton, on a typically mazy run was only stopped by a tackle which was clumsy at best but Brass was confident when claiming the free kick and the chance was gone.
Heaton had shown themselves to be more than capable at this level and their dominance of the first half was rewarded just after the hour mark. Substitute, Jay Hornsby’s throw was quick and Shay Richardson, who was excellent all game, had time to fire in a superb cross. Annan and the defenders froze and Thompson was on hand to turn the ball in from a yard.
Luca Alonzi replaced Hylton and Moran dropped to right wing as both sides rang the changes which disrupted the flow of the game somewhat and Carlton started dropping further and further back but when they did break up any attacks they looked dangerous. Sargent in one such instance released Clark who was unlucky his goal bound shot was well blocked by Capewell. As the game approached time, Annan still had a part to play. Hornsby with an excellent cross, found Richardson but Annan at full stretch kept the ball out low to his left.
A vital three points for Carlton who were not at their best but showed some real fight and determination to win.
Carlton Town: F Annan, M Ford (L Gorman 39), L Durow, D Brown, D Freeman, C Carter, N Davie, K Sargent, L Moran (N Saunders 86), O Clark, N Hylton (L Alonzi 66). Unused Subs: S Thompson-Harris, H Goddard
Goals: N Hylton 40, O Clark 49; Joseph Thompson 66
The bus fares cap in England is set to rise from £2 to £3 following Wednesday’s Budget, Sir Keir Starmer has revealed.
The prime minister said the previous Tory government only funded the £2 bus cap until the end of 2024.
The new, higher cap of £3 will last until the end of 2025, he confirmed during a speech in Birmingham on Monday.
The new, higher bus fare cap of £3 will last until the end of 2025
“The Tories only funded that until the end of 2024 and therefore that is the end of the funding in relation to a £2 capped fare,” Starmer said.
“I do know how much this matters, particularly in rural communities where there’s heavy reliance on buses.
“And that’s why I’m able to say to you this morning that in the Budget we will announce there will be a £3 cap on bus fares to the end of 2025 because I know how important it is.”
On Monday, Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick labelled the prime minister as “clueless” on X, saying “Starmer must think people who get the bus aren’t working people”.
Starmer also said the Budget will be for “working people” and is designed to “prevent devastating austerity” for the UK’s public services and finances.
Marston’s and The Royal British Legion have partnered to create brand new, poppy-themed glasses to raise vital funds for veterans during this year’s Poppy Appeal, with pubs in the Gedling borough area taking part.
Pint and half-pint glasses are now available to purchase from 1,175 Marston’s pubs across the UK, including three across Gedling borough.
Pint glasses will cost £2.50 and half pint glasses will cost £2, with 100% of the profits going to The Royal British Legion. Glasses will be available to purchase empty, as well as with drinks to be enjoyed in pubs, before taking them home.
The glasses are available from the following borough pubs:
The poppy glasses are just one part of Marston’s month to remember, with pubs running awareness and fundraising events up and down the country, including everything from community breakfasts, to live music, to remember our veterans past and present. Traditional, pin-on poppies will also be available to purchase.
Glasses will be available to purchase empty, as well as with drinks to be enjoyed in pubs, before taking them homeEach year, the Poppy Appeal is launched to raise funds for The Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with donations being used to provide vital support to the community.
The Royal British Legion is the country’s largest Armed Forces charity, with over 180,000 members. Since 1921, the charity has been dedicated to supporting serving and ex-serving veterans, as well as the wider Armed Forces community including dependants and carers.
Each year, the Poppy Appeal is launched to raise funds for The Royal British Legion ahead of Remembrance Sunday, with donations being used to provide vital support to the community.
2023 saw a 35% increase in the number of households requesting assistance, which led to The Royal British Legion supporting 27,000 people and awarding more than £18 million worth of grants to individuals in need.
Marston’s is dedicated to supporting the veteran community, and in February 2024 re-signed the Armed Forces Covenant, symbolising a continued commitment to supporting veterans and their families through employment opportunities. Several Marston’s pubs are currently being ran or staffed by ex-serving veterans.
Jared Sedgwick, director of operations for Marston’s, said: “Brits have been known to take glasses home with them from the pub, but this time we’re encouraging it!
“We’re so proud to be working in partnership with The Royal British Legion to give our customers another way to raise awareness and crucial funds for veterans, who are such a large part of the Marson’s community.
“We want to welcome everyone to their local pub for what will be a month to remember, and join us in saying cheers to our heroes.”
Ben France, head of corporate partnerships from The Royal British Legion, said “We’re thrilled to be partnering with Marstons to support Poppy Appeal this year and beyond. The fundraising taking place across their network of pubs will help transform the lives of those in need across our Armed Forces community”
A new Gedling MP has raised an “urgent problem” of crime, antisocial behaviour and criminal damage in Arnold following a number of incidents in the town over the weekend.
Michael Payne, who was elected as the Labour MP for Gedling back in September, called on police chiefs to act ‘swiftly’ following reports of youths intimidating and threatening members of the public in the town centre as well as smashing car windows and damaging a resident’s property.
The incidents took place on Sunday (28). It is not known if they are linked.
Mr Payne wrote on social media to say following the public’s concerns he has now written a letter to to the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner
He said, on Facebook: “Following several reports of anti-social behaviour and criminal damage in and around Arnold town centre over this weekend, I’ve written to the Chief Constable of Nottinghamshire Police and Nottinghamshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner urging a swift, robust, zero-tolerance response to deal with those responsible for this lawless and utterly unacceptable behaviour.”
The letter was shared on social media by Mr Payne.
He wrote: “I’m requesting you urgent assistance in taking a swift and robust approach to dealing with those responsible for this utterly unacceptable behaviour and lawlessness.
“If left unchallenged, anti-social behaviour can create an unwelcoming environment for the law-abiding majority of residents. Please can you use all appropriate resources at your disposal to clamp down on those who believe they can act with a disregard for the law and without impunity in and around Arnold town centre.”
In the letter he said he had received reports about incidents that all took place on Sunday.
He said a large group of teenagers had harassed a couple and their dog and threw rocks at them as they turned onto George Street from Nottingham Road in Arnold. One rock hit a residents’s car, causing damage.
A group of teenagers were also reported to have threatened and harassed participents of a local history walk. in Arnold town centre.
Mr Payne also received reports of a smashed car window on Furliong Street and a smashed front room window on a resident’s home.
The Gedling MP said he had also raised his concerns and the concerns of my constituents with the Leader & Chief Executive of Gedling Borough Council and our local Police Inspector and team.
Mr Payne added: “I’m committed to working hard to make our streets safer for the law-abiding majority. This is my hometown and I won’t tolerate a loutish minority attempting to intimidate and harass people here or anywhere across the community I’m proud to serve.”
