Parents and carers of three and four-year-olds in Gedling borough are being invited to find out if they are eligible for more funded free childcare for the coming autumn term.
All working parents with children aged three and four are now entitled to 30 hours a week, 1,140 hours a year. By helping with childcare costs, parents are now able to consider returning to work and/or increase the hours they currently work.
The Government states that people must earn at least £120 a week and that each parent must not earn £100,000 or more a year.
People could still be eligible if they or their partner is on maternity, paternity or adoption leave, are unable to work if they have a disability or caring responsibilities. Single parents can also apply.
Parents of children born before September 1, 2015 can apply anytime up to the August 31 cut-off date.
Cllr Boyd Elliott, vice-chairman of the Children and Young People’s Committee, at Nottinghamshire County Council said: “It is coming up to the time of year that parents need to apply for September and the funding does help to reduce the financial burden of childcare.
“Nottinghamshire also has an excellent provision of Ofsted registered childcare providers providing a lot of choice and quality childcare for parents and carers.”
A TREAT is in store for garden lovers when Mapperley Park residents open the gates to their beautifully tended plots this Sunday (July 8).
Mapperley Park Open Gardens has become a much-loved event on the horticultural calendar.
For the past 40 years green-fingered volunteers have been opening up their gardens to the public around the beautiful conservation area of Mapperley Park.
This year many of the gardens will be debuting new styles, sizes, colours and designs.
Organisers have now confirmed 15 gardens will be open, including the Daily Mail Garden of the year 2016 as featured by Alan Titchmarsh on Love my Garden.
The cost is £5, children free, all proceeds to this year’s chosen charities: Maggies, The Ear Foundation and Voices.
The event takes place between 1.30pm-5.30pm
Further details are available on the official website, mapperleyparkopengardens.co.uk or contact Michael Blood telephone 9608502.
Police are appealing for witnesses after thieves claiming to be armed police entered a property in Ravenshead and demanded money.
The incident happened in Kirkby Road last night (Monday 2 July 2018).
Officers received a call at 10.10pm after three men, claiming to be armed police, broke into a property in Kirkby Road threatened the occupants and demanded money from them.
A male occupant was punched in the face and a female occupant was threatened with knife as the suspects demanded to know the location of the money. The woman managed to escape and ran to a nearby Sainsbury’s store where she called the police. The offenders left the house shortly after.
Thankfully the occupants weren’t seriously injured.
Three mobile phones were taken from the address but were later recovered. The suspects also took the key to a vehicle and a kitchen knife. The car wasn’t taken.
Two of the suspects were wearing face coverings throughout. The third, who wasn’t initially wearing a face covering, is believed to be aged in his 30s. All three are black and were wearing dark clothing.
Detective Sergeant Matt Scott, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Our investigation into this incident is ongoing and we’re following several lines of enquiry.
“We’ve carried out house-to-house enquiries, we’re examining any possible CCTV footage in the area and forensic examinations are still being conducted.
“I would like to reassure the community that we are making every effort to locate the offenders involved.”
Anyone with any information about the aggravated burglary is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, quoting incident number 1127 of 2 July 2018, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A Nottingham businessman has called on more people to do “something daring” after he completed his first-ever skydive for a Mapperley-based charity at the age of 64.
Graham Shaw, chief operating officer of SMS Electronics in Beeston, took the leap into the unknown last month in order to raise money for Nottinghamshire Hospice.
He has raised £1,500 by completing his tandem skydive, after agreeing to sign up in order to do something different for a good cause – the hospice is SMS’s chosen charity of the year – and inspire others at the company to take on a personal challenge.
The skydive took place amid beautiful weather when Graham boarded a light plane at Langar Airfield and reached an altitude of 12,500ft, at which point the plane’s door opened and he and his instructor launched themselves into thin air.
After freefalling for 50 seconds, Graham’s instructor pulled the ripcord and it took them a further six minutes to parachute back down to the airfield.
The event was one of many charity skydives taking place in aid of the hospice this year, which is now looking for people to take part in another skydive in September.
PICTURED: Nottinghamshire Hospice in MapperleyPICTURED: Graham Shaw
He said: “The reality of what I was doing kicked in when I was sitting on the edge of the plane ready to fall out, but I told myself that it was going to happen and I should just try to enjoy it.
“It was an amazing experience. You could see the patchwork of fields far below and I was struck by how loud the air rushing past me was when we were freefalling, and how quiet it was after the parachute was deployed and we drifted down to earth.
“I have been in a hot air balloon but had never done anything like this before. I signed up because it’s a great charity but also because I wanted to show our employees what you can achieve if you put yourself forward.
“Loads of people have said they could never do a skydive, but I say that if I can do one at my age then there is always something daring people can do to take themselves out of their comfort zone.”
Nottinghamshire Hospice is funded purely by donations and it needs £2.7m every year to carry out its work caring for patients and their families across the county.
This year it wants to raise £50,000 by hosting a series of charity challenges and is looking for more daredevils like Graham to take part in a host of events, including the September skydive, running events and treks up Kilimanjaro and along the Great Wall of China.
Police have issued CCTV images of a man they want to speak to after a knifepoint robbery at a Carlton petrol station
At around 8pm on June 12, a man entered the service station in Carlton Road and demanded goods, before making off with an amount of cash and ten packets of cigarettes.
Officers said they think the man they want to speak to was wearing a grey Adidas tracksuit with the hood up and black Air Max trainers.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “We appreciate that the CCTV doesn’t clearly show his face, but if you recognise the clothing, was in the area at the time, or have any other information, please call us.”
You can contact police on 101, quoting incident number 829 of 12 June 2018.
NETHERFIELD: Throughout the summer the 08.51 to Skegness (08.48 Saturdays) will depart at 08.53 on Mondays and Fridays only.
Less people have been joining the 08.33 Liverpool recently, the average being 5 on and 4 off. However on Tues. 15th May, 14 joined.
Netherfield is cited as an alternative to Carlton, but people do not want to walk an extra quarter of a mile, and there is no disabled access or parking. Now if the 07.36 from Lincoln called at Carlton, people would use it. Poor old Netherfield station. People say “I thought Netherfield station was closed!” Even taxi drivers turn up at Carlton station when they should be at Netherfield. –
CARLTON — On Wednesday, May 9, I had an early start and saw all the trains between 06.01 and 09.05. Total of 9 trains and 99 passengers (85 on and 14 off). 7 joined the 06.01, and I have never seen more than three on this train at Carlton in past years. There were 21 on the 07.11 and 32 on the 08.08. The 09.05 is popular, as many as 26 joined this train on Tuesday, May 29 and most days numbers are in double figures. On Tuesday, May 22, I saw seven evening trains from the 16.55 to 18.23 and 83 passengers (65 off and 18 on). incidentally 76 passengers joined the 09.05 between Monday, June 11 and Friday, June 15.
DERBY STATION- UPGRADE OF TRACK AND SIGNALLING: This work takes place between July 22 and October 7. The clock is ticking!’ and this will affect anyone travelling to or via Derby during the above dates. Birmingham and Cardiff services from Nottingham will us a diversionary route, rejoining the usual route before Burton-upon-Trent. North East to South West services via Derby will also be diverted between Burton-upon-Trent and Chesterfield. For details see dby2018.co.uk Revised timetables for EMT trains have orange covers.
This is how the Newark to Matlock via Carlton service is affected
Replacement buses will run every 15 minutes between Nottingham and Derby and every 30 minutes between Derby and Matlock, when replacing trains. Between August 13. (3 weeks) and September 1 there will be no direct service from Carlton to Beeston except for the Lincoln to Leicester and Leicester to Lincoln trains which are unaffected. Trains from Nottingham to Beeston depart at 35 minutes past the hour (Leicester service) and between 7 and 12 minutes past from Beeston to Nottingham. 11.24 (Sat.), 16.19 (Sat.) 17.23 (Mon.- Fri.), 18.21 (Sat.) 18.23 (Mon.- Fri.) and 19.23 (Mon.- Fri.)are direct services Carlton to Beeston. 16.19 and 17.23 also call at Attenborough.
NEW EAST MIDLANDS FRANCHISE:The invitation to tender for this franchise, due to commence in August 2019, was released by the Government on June 7. There are three bidders: Stagecoach which currently runs the franchise, Abellio and Arriva. Trenitalia had previously withdrawn. The Department for Transport set out what they expect the new franchise holder to provide. This is usually increases in train services, speeding up of services and im-improvements for passengers at stations and on trains. RAIL Magazine issue 855, just published, gives a list which includes the Nottingham to London services having 20 minutes cut from the journey time, introduction of bi-mode trains (diesel and electric) by 2022, provide WiFi, improve seating and luggage on trains and improve Delay Repay by extending it to trains delayed by 15 mins. As regards our local services, not much is mentioned apart from the insistence that Lincoln to Leicester and Leicester to Lincoln trains are timed to pass each other at the flat crossing at Newark, to reduce the times when trains are unable to cross on the East Coast Main Line. The problem of this crossing was mentioned in the previously last month. The winning bidder will also be asked to write a business case for returning passenger services to the line from Shirebrook to Ollerrton.
Train tickets, fare rise
In December 2021 it is proposed to run the Norwich to Liverpool service in two parts. The new franchise would run Norwich to Nottingham and either Northern or TransPennine from Nottingham to Liverpool. However the new franchise holder could look at running a service from Sheffield to Norwich via Nottingham. I have heard, but not seen it in print, that some Leicester to Lincoln services could run to Grimsby, giving an hourly Lincoln to Grimsby service, and also provide an hourly Lincoln to Doncaster service. There is a campaign to provide a station at Finningley on this line, to serve Robin Hood Airport. The winning bidder should be announced in April 2019.
NEWS IN BRIEF: Four of the single car class 153s are due to be transferred from Great Western to EMT. They may retain their green livery for a while, but will help the shortage we have whilst class 156 units are being refurbished. The 158s have also been refurbished. Some 153s are to be fitted with Wheel Slide Protection which will reduce the problem of ‘wheel flats’ caused by greasy rails in the leaf fall season, and thereby eliminating the time spent out of service having their wheels re-profiled
Repairs to fire damage at Nottingham station is due to be completed in July and all facilities reopened.
I have a copy of ‘Today’s Railways UK’ Magazine Rover Ticket Guide to Britain and Ireland. This runs to 32 pages and also includes Light Rail (trams) and Metro systems. Some Rovers qualify for reductions with a Rail Card. many of these Rover tickets are not shown on websites, but I will always have a copy with me
Gedling Station: The desire to make this into a community asset appears to be progressing satisfactorily and a new committee has been formed.
Carlton station car park: Work to improve the surface is still pending, but should go ahead soon
The centre of the flower bed will be given over to perennial flowers, which have deeper roots and so do not need watering every other day. This is a problem when we have a drought like at present (end of June). Incidentally, a couple of geraniums in the planters ‘disappeared’, so the remaining one is now in the main flower bed
New Derbyshire Connect Bus Service from Cromford Station. Bookable bus service available for anyone to travel within the Wirksworth and Ashbourne area, and enabling visits to the Southern Peak District including Carsington Water. derbyshire.gov.uk/derbyshireconnect
Sunday, August 19 is Ladies Day at Southwell Racecourse.southwell-racecourse.co.uk
AND FINALLY… Q: Can you break your journey with an Off Peak Day Return?
A. The National Guide to tickets says “In most cases you may break your journey at any point, or more than once if you wish. Where this is not the case it will be stated in the restrictions shown for that ticket, available at the time of purchase.” On the Derby to Matlock trains you can hop on and off at stations, but must resume your journey in the same direction. Book a ticket to your final destination.
A summit is to be held with leaders of all seven district and borough councils to discuss plans which could see their authorities scrapped.
Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr John Clarke has already said that they will “resist any plans for a takeover”.
Councillor Kay Cutts, who is the Conservative leader of the county council, said she wants to “get on with” a plan to abolish all seven councils.
It is understood that she has not been invited to the meeting, but has been made aware of it.
The meeting is set to take place behind closed doors at Bassetlaw District Council on Monday, July 9.
No public agenda has yet been released for the meeting, but a spokesman for Bassetlaw council said items to be discussed are likely to include “devolution and the local enterprise partnership, the metro strategy and recent announcements from the leader of the County Council on local government reorganisation in Nottinghamshire”.
PROPOSALS: Cllr Kay Cutts wants to scrap borough and district councils
There has been criticism from several district council leaders about the lack of debate, and the fact they were not informed of the proposals before they were made public.
Councillor Simon Greaves, the leader of Bassetlaw District Council, said: “What we’ve got now is the leader of the county council trying to create a mega-council for Notts in order to bail out the county’s finances.
“This would undermine local democracy, with decisions on growth, planning and housing taken remotely from the communities that we serve.
“Councillor Cutts is out on her own on this and she’s pursuing a long held personal agenda that has nothing to do with the best interests of residents.
“If she really cares about what is best for the people of Nottinghamshire then her time and energy would be better spent helping to create a D2N2 LEP that genuinely works for the whole area.
“What we need is a focus on jobs and investment instead of wasting time agonising over structures and boundaries.”
Councillor Cutts declined to comment on the meeting, but previously said she thinks there could be a host of benefits from abolishing some of the councils, including cost savings and efficiencies of scale.
A former Netherfield man been sentenced to 18 years for raping a child.
Bryan Austin Fairweather, 56, formerly of Meadow Road, Netherfield, was found guilty of two counts of rape and one count of sexual touching on May 21, 2018 at Nottingham Crown Court.
During the trial, the jury heard how he had first raped the victim in 2008 when she was four-years-old.
The attacks happened multiple times over a two year period and the court also heard how Fairweather would threaten to kill her and her family if she ever told anyone.
Fairweather was first arrested in October 2017 and denied all of the allegations when questioned by officers.
Fairweather was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court today (29 June 2018). He was also given a Sexual Harm Prevention Order.
Detective Constable Dan Akehurst said: “The victim has shown immense courage and bravery in coming forward and reporting this to us. I’m really pleased with the result today and I hope it can act as some form of closure for the victim and her family.
“Nottinghamshire Police is committed to bringing people who commit sexual offences to justice. No matter how much time has passed, we will always investigate any reports of sexual abuse fully and be there to support you throughout the investigation.”
Plans for a new pet cremation service run by Gedling Borough Council have been approved.
It means those who lose their beloved pets will now be able to have them cremated in the local area.
Rather than at a human crematorium, where a service is held, the new council-run service will instead collect pets from people’s houses and take them away, before bringing back the ashes.
Council bosses said market research has shown that pet ownership is particularly high in the East Midlands.
They said 31 percent of households own a dog (with an average of 1.5 dogs per dog-owning household), and 20 percent of households own a cat (with an average of 1.8 cats per cat-owning household).
The new scheme, which was formally approved at a meeting yesterday (June 28), is believed to be the first such service run by a local authority in the East Midlands.
The leader of the Labour-run council, Councillor John Clarke, says the service will be “dignified and respectful”.
He also called the project “innovative”, saying the council was finding new ways to generate income and protect front-line services.
The scheme also had the support of the Conservative representative at yesterday’s cabinet meeting, Councillor Kevin Doyle, who represents the Trent Valley ward.
Initially, the cremations will be run just for people in Gedling, but if it is a success, the council hopes to expand to other areas.
A total of £89,000 is being spent setting the scheme up, but the council has predicted it will generate £88,000 in its first full financial year.
The crematorium itself will be run from the Jubilee Road council depot, and the council is in the process of applying for the special licenses needed.
It will also buy refrigerated vehicles in which to carry the dead animals.
They aim to start the scheme on or before April 1, 2019.
A Rainbow Girl Guide group in Gedling are in desperate need for new volunteers.
Work commitments mean that one of the leaders at 1st Gedling Rainbows has to leave at the end of the summer term, so the group are hoping that a new volunteer can be found to help run the unit from September onwards.
Currently with nine members, all aged between 5 and 7 – and with a waiting list – the Rainbows meet at Gedling’s Scout & Guide HQ on Willow Lane each term-time Tuesday from 5.00pm to 6.00pm.
Their recent adventures have included running a bake sale to raise funds for Nottingham Children’s Hospital, doing brass rubbings at their local church and joining in a day of outdoor activities at Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Elton campsite.
Guider Ann Douglas said: ‘We’ve an exciting programme starting in September and already have lots of new projects planned, but to make it all happen we need another adult volunteer who is prepared to get involved. If you’d like to come along to meet the team, or just have a chat about the role, then please do get in touch.”
Anyone interested in helping to run 1st Gedling Rainbows is invited to contact Helen Norton, Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s Commissioner for Porchester District, via porchesterDistrictGuides@outlook.com or call Girlguiding Nottinghamshire’s county office on 0115 987 7220.
Elsewhere in the county, enquiries about volunteering with Girlguiding in Nottinghamshire at all levels are always welcome.
County Commissioner Jackie Brocklehurst said: ‘To put it bluntly, more adult supporters are vital if units are to continue offering such a breadth of activities to so many youngsters.
“As well as enjoying the company of like-minded adults and helping young people get the most out of life, our volunteers benefit from training, mentoring and invaluable experience – all of which come in very useful in other contexts.”
