Deceased pets could soon be cremated by the council if a new service planned to launch next year gets the green light.
Gedling Borough Council is working on a scheme which would see it become the first public authority in the area to offer such a service, although there are private firms which offer pet cremation in the county.
Council bosses hope the scheme would work in a similar way to a normal undertakers, and that it could be up and running early next year.
Council leader John Clarke, who represents the Netherfield ward for Labour, admitted it was a ‘left-field’ idea, but said there had been demand for it from residents, and that he hoped it could provide a small income for the council.
He said: “We want something like this because we’ve had quite a few people saying they have had to travel quite far at a very difficult time.
“Pets are parts of our families, and if we want to dispose of them respectfully and properly then this can be a good service.”
The council has not yet released details of how much revenue it expects the scheme will generate.
It is now in the process of applying for the relevant licence to allow it to carry out the service.
Councillor Clarke continued: “I think the popularity will build, similar to people realising there’s a Gedling Crematorium and having as positive a message as you can expect of the facilities under obviously difficult circumstances.
“I’m sure it will raise a lot of eyebrows, but we know some people have been heading off as far as Doncaster.
“We’re doing what the Prime Minister wants us to do, being entrepreneurial and finding new ways of generating income. I think they call it blue sky thinking.
Mike Hill is the deputy chief executive at the council, and said: “We have got all the boxes ticked, and we now know what licenses we need to apply for.
“Realistically by the time we’ve got everything in place, it won’t be until January or February next year, but we do hope to be able to provide an update in June, when we can start buying equipment.”
Police have launched an investigation after a man was robbed in his home in Bakersfield
Two men entered the property in Ashdale Road, Carlton, punched the man in the face and demanded cash at around 3.45pm yesterday (Tuesday 1 May).
The two men then searched the house before taking a wallet and other items before leaving.
One of the men was white and the other was black.
Anyone who witnessed anything suspicious or has any information is urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 480 of 1 May 2018.
A Mapperley councillor has organised a special meeting to help Nottingham residents affected by the Windrush revelations get help and support.
Councillor Leslie Ayoola, who represents the Mapperley ward for Labour at the city council, has helped to promote the event, which is being held at the Pilgrim Church, in the Meadows.
Free immigration advice and pastoral support is being laid on for those who think their immigration status may be affected by the revelations.
Over the last few weeks it has been revealed that some people who came to Britain legally from the Commonwealth in the 1950s and 60s have been wrongly deported.
He said: “I’m from the same community that has been affected, my father is Nigerian and my mother is from Jamaica, and obviously this impacts our community immensely.
PICTURED: Pligrim Centre, the Meadows
“It’s terrible what has happened. It shouldn’t have happened and we need to put the right support in place.
“I think the Government has been acting, but whether they have been acting fast enough I don’t know.
“I do know that it hasn’t been handled well, and there has been mistake after mistake, so that’s why this event will be giving the support to the people who need it.
“From my understanding there has been a lot of demand. I’ve had one resident (In Mapperley) that’s been caught up in it.
“I think some people don’t realise that it’s an issue until they are visiting relatives abroad or they try to go on holiday, and that can bring up the situation.”
The event will be held between 3pm and 6pm at the Pilgrim Church, in Queen’s Walk, on Wednesday, May 2.
No changes to train times in the May timetable, but on Sundays from May 20 to September 9 there is an additional 10.14 from Skegness, 12.18 at Netherfield.
The first bi-monthly edition of the Poacher Line News has been issued giving details of events on the Nottingham to Skegness line, with an upcoming events section. The website is poacherline.org.uk AN RAF Family Day on May 31 at Heckington Mill and Radcliffe Station Summer Fete on June 9 are just a couple of items listed.
Carlton
The only alteration to the May timetable is that the 21.30pm to Lincoln now departs at 21.28, so instead of 4 mins. it only has 2 mins. to ‘twiddle its thumbs’ at Carlton! However we have lost a Sunday summer train. The 16.56 Lincoln to Nottm no longer calls at Carlton.
One change is that timetable 8 (Lincoln to Leicester) has been reinstated and table 3 now only covers Nottingham to Matlock. Currently No.3 timetable covers both routes. It may be in connection with the alterations at Derby in the summer. Table 3 shows times at Newark and all Newark-Matlock trains and return call at Carlton. Table 8 shows Derby and Matlock times so you can work out which trains from Carlton go through to Matlock and return.
Francis organised a site meeting with Rob Mercer of East Midlands Train (EMT) and Vernon Coaker MP on April 13, so they could see the state of the car park surface. It was agreed that work needed to be done to stop water collecting, making some parts unusable. A “community day” will now be arranged to spread chippings over the affected areas, and to trim vegetation.
As you will have noticed, more people are using the trains throughout the day. Whilst we were in the car park (see above) there were nine people waiting for the 12.08 to Matlock and seven for the 13.08 (we were not in the car park all that time). On Wednesday, April 18 we broke three records. 42 joined the 08.08 to Matlock, 21 joined the 09.05 to Matlock and 95 on and off the five trains between 08.02 and 09.05. On Saturday, April 14 18 adults and 12 children joined the 10.07 to Matlock. I am hoping to see some of the early trains now the weather is improving, to see how they compare with last autumn. After Newark, Carlton seems to be the busiest station, so I am informed by reliable sources. Incidentally, the 11.24am Saturday Lincoln to Leicester service continues to be full and standing most weeks. It’s best to use the 11.08 from Carlton and change at Nottingham.
London Trains from and to Nottingham
From May 20 off-peak departures from Nottingham will be at 12 (was 05) and 45 (was 32) minutes past the hour. However, up to and including the current 08.32 to St. Pancras will remain at more or less the same time as now. From London at 34 (was 15) and 05 (was 29) minutes past. Details at eastmidlandstrains.co.uk/May2018
Local timetables are available in Carlton Library, St. George’s Centre, Fox and Hounds Public House (Tea room) and Dawn Book Supply, 5 Station Road (Mon & Fri only).
Lincoln Station improvements
Work continues to upgrade the station as part of a £2million improvement scheme, which includes restoration of the Grade 2 listed building, reopening original archways, restoring ground floor sash windows and repairs to original brickwork.
Ticket gates will be installed in a new location to help improve the flow of passengers to and from trains. Longer term plans into the 2030s as train services increase, are that an extra platform may be provided. From May 2019 there is to be a direct two-hourly service to Kings Cross, replacing the current one train each way per day.
I always wonder why the station is still called Lincoln Central, when the other station in Lincoln (St. Marks) closed over 30 years ago. Even when using the help point to check on a train to Lincoln, the person at the other end said “Is that Lincoln Central?”. For example, Nottingham Midland is now just Nottingham. Perhaps there is a logical reason.
Outdated infrastructure
Newark has a claim to fame by having the last flat crossing (where the Nottingham to Lincoln line is crossed by the East Coast Line) on the main line network, and Network Rail does not like it. The official wording is “an outdated piece of in-frastructure”. They would like it replaced with a flyover, but it is in a very difficult place, close to the river and A46 Newark bypass. This would make the incline too steep for freight trains on the Nottingham to Lincoln line. They are very heavy trains because the line is fairly level. Other routes have been tried, but none are as suitable. In the 1980s a plan was put forward to terminate the line from Nottingham at Newark Castle and run the Nottingham to Lincoln trains via Bottesford and Lowfield into Newark Northgate and on to Lincoln. The freight only line via Lowfield closed in 1987. Now there are more trains on the East Coast line and still further planned, so there is no room for a second train each hour from Lincoln to Nottingham. All are agreed, something has to be done.
Derby Station upgrade of track and signalling (July 22-Oct 7)
All the information can be found at www.derby2018.co.uk A separate Derby resignalling timetable will be available. Trains will run as usual from our local stations, but travelling to or through Derby will be affected.
News in brief
During 2016/17 railway passenger journeys rose by 5.4% in the west Midlands, 3.4% in the East Midlands (us!), but declined by 1.1% in London.’
Midlands Connect is a pan-regional transport partnership which has called for greater investment in the regions railways. One aspiration is for the East Midlands Hub station at Toton to be built in the 2020s, ahead of HS2, for use by National Rail services
Gedling Station buildings – Someone is interested in taking it over and retaining the original buildings. Friends of Gedling Station https://www.gedlingstation.com
British Car Auctions at Netherfield is undergoing major development which will allow it to introduce a new enhanced sales programme with up to five sales a week. Already this brings a good number of visitors by train to our 2 stations, and delivery drivers who travel to their next assignment.
26-30 years Railcards – all 10,000 available were soon snapped up
Newark – whilst major Severn-Trent water work is taking place a free shuttle bus runs every 15 mins. from 06.30-19.30 (Mon-Sat) with stops close to both railway stations
Notts County Show – this is taking place at Newark Showground on May 12th & 13th. In previous years a free bus has run, but unable to do so this year.
The Derby Nottingham Metro strategy which calls for closer economic and political links between the two cities, also embraces local Councils including Gedling. This could have a positive impact on public transport
May 7th and Spring Bank Holiday – a normal train service will run locally.
Detailed designs have been released of a proposed new cemetery near Calverton, as the official consultation period gets underway.
The site, on Ramsdale Hill, Georges Lane, aims to address what the applicant says is a local shortage in burial space.
Mr G Davies, who has applied for planning permission from Gedling Borough Council, says Redhill Cemetery, is ‘almost at capacity’ and that there is an ‘urgent need for a new cemetery in the local area.’
The application says: “There is an urgent need for a new cemetery in the local area and fulfilling this need is vitally important to ensuring those Gedling Borough Council residents affected are not put through any further distress at the time of them losing a loved one, family member or friend.
“Having a cemetery facility within easy reach of the Arnold community is essential and the need is pressing.
“There is no doubt based upon the council’s own evidence that a need exists for burial space within the Borough, particularly in the north of the Borough due to capacity issues at Redhill.”
However Conservative councillor Boyd Elliot, who represents the area, disputed the idea that more burial plots were needed.
He said: “I won’t be backing it. I don’t think it’s needed at the moment, the parish and the borough councils have made provisions at the top of the village, there’s another 1,000 spaces there, and they have not even started there.
“I think it’s just unnecessary, it’s the wrong location and it’s not needed. Access would be an absolute nightmare.”
The current plans for the new cemetery have been under discussion with the council for 18 months, but a previous application for the site was rejected by the council in 2015 on the grounds that insufficient information was submitted.
Several complaints were raised by nearby residents following public meetings in September last year.
One resident said it would lead to: increased congestion; an increase in people driving through their property; and reduced security.
Another nearby resident raised concerns with the developers that it could lead to a devaluation of their property.
The site is expected to accommodate more than 7,000 burial plots, although the majority are double-depth, meaning 14,000 bodies could be buried at the site.
There is also space for 2,700 ‘natural burials’, meaning those buried without coffins, caskets or anything which won’t biodegrade.
The application estimates this will meet demand for natural burials for at least 500 years.
In addition, there will be space for woodland burials, allowing the scattering of burial of ashes.
The public consultation ends on Friday, May 11, and a final decision is expected before Monday, July 9.
Police have arrested a 32-year-old man on suspicion of murder following a stabbing at a property in Bestwood Village.
Officers were called by paramedics who treated a 30-year-old woman with serious injuries but she died at the scene.
The incident happened in Millbank Place at around 10.40pm yesterday (Saturday 28).
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “A man was located a short time later by officers and arrested in connection with the death.”
Anyone with information is being urged to call Nottinghamshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, quoting incident number 933 of 28 April 2018.
Plans to create a new ‘super council’ for Nottinghamshire have been heavily criticised by the leader of Gedling Borough Council.
Leaders from four county councils including Nottinghamshire have been meeting to discuss increasing co-operation in the East Midlands.
Details of what is being discussed remain vague, but it is thought that Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire and Lincolnshire could be planning to create a new authority.
However while initial discussions are taking place among counties, talks are at a more advanced stage on the so-called Metro Strategy, currently being drawn up by Nottingham and Derby city councils and Gedling borough council, among others.
Now Cllr John Clarke, leader of Gedling Borough Council, has said the metro talks are “light years ahead” of plans in the county.
He said eventually the counties would see the economic benefits of the metro strategy, and would want to get involved.
The Labour leader also criticised the speed of change at the Conservative-run county council.
Cllr Clarke, who represents the Netherfield ward, said: “We’re very frustrated at the lack of action from the county council.
“They have no economic vision, no drive and no aspiration.
“There is nothing going on in Nottinghamshire, we’re moving and the Metro Strategy is light years ahead. I think things will start to happen very quickly.
“I only found out about the (county council) talks yesterday but four counties is far too big, all it will be is a debating chamber for different counties. It’s a bit of a strange animal, but then you’re dealing with people that don’t want to go our way.
“We will make sure we put Gedling and the people of Gedling first before all the politics of everything.”
The leader of leader of Derbyshire County Council, Conservative Barry Lewis, confirmed that talks had taken place among the four county councils.
He said: “We are exploring the possibility of a wider devolution deal extending across the East Midlands, working with all upper tier authorities, including the cities.
“This, we hope, will provide balance across the Midlands Engine area, to match the weight and clout of the West Midlands Combined Authority and its elected Mayor.
“Since the notion of elected mayors is off the table, and had proved controversial here in the past, there seems to be a feeling that this is the right time.
“It’s still early days but we hope to have a working outline to test government support soon.”
The leader of Leicestershire County Council, Conservative Nick Rushton, said the counties feel the East Midlands needs to ‘get its act together’.
He said: “There’s still a lot of conversations to have about it but we want to see this happen.
“Residents come first and foremost, and this is something we’re looking at to allow us to make savings and put more money into frontline services.
“We need to make sure the interests of the East Midlands are represented in the same way that the West Midlands is.”
The leader of Nottinghamshire County Council, Conservative Kay Cutts, who represents the Radcliffe on Trent ward, was not available to comment.
Frustrated residents in Gedling have demanded more action to stop drivers from speeding along a main road near their estate before “a tragedy happens”.
People living on the new Chase Farm development are calling on the authorities to resolve the problems with crossing Arnold Lane, which runs by the new estate, and also put measures into place to slow down speeding traffic.
Residents this morning met with Gedling MP Vernon Coaker; leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr John Clarke; and Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, portfolio holder for growth & regeneration at Gedling Borough Council, to voice their concerns.
During the meeting many local residents spoke to Gedling Eye, angry at motorists for treating the road as a racetrack and putting lives at risk.
DANGER: Speeding traffic on Arnold Lane, Gedling
Zameer Syed, who lives on Chase Farm with wife Hene, is calling for a crossing to be installed and also a reduction of the speed limit.
He said: “The speed limit on Arnold Lane drops from 60 mph to 40 mph before the Chase Farm access junction, however unfortunately not all drivers respect the speed limit and do not lower their speed which causes hazard to local residents and others.
“It is very difficult and dangerous to drive in and out of the development, especially at peak hours.
“Pedestrians are at most risk because there is no safe crossing at the junction. The nearest bus stop at Shelford road is opposite the development and it’s extremely difficult to cross Arnold Road when cars and construction vehicles are going up and down the road.
“Reduction of the speed limit and arranging for a safe pedestrian crossing is the need of the hour.”
PICTURED: (l to r) Hana Syed, Louise Woolley, Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, Cllr John Clarke, Gedling MP Vernon Coaker and Zameer Syed
Louise Woolley said she was worried the problem would get worse as more people moved into the new estate.
She said: “It’s difficult getting across Arnold Lane, especially in the rush hour in the morning. It’s really difficult to pull out of the estate and into Arnold Lane
“I’m also a runner and it’s really difficult to cross this road; If we had a pedestrian crossing that would help.
“The majority of drivers don’t slow down and it will be chaos as more people move into the estate.”
Lucy Chaplin moved to Chase Farm in January and attended the meeting with toddler son, Thomas
She said: “It’s ridiculously hard to get out of the estate driving and it’s ridiculously hard to get out walking. It can take a good ten to fifteen minutes to get across the road and that’s by pure luck and just running across. That’s not ideal when you’re with a toddler
“They need to put in a bollard or crossing so we can at least get half way across. The speed limit is an issue but unless there’s camera, they won’t stick to it.
Lucy wasn’t confident anything would be done soon to resolve the problem.
She added: “I don’t want a tragedy to happen here before action is taken and one of the children on the estate to become a road traffic accident statistic”
Cllr Jenny Hollingsworth, portfolio holder for growth & regeneration, Gedling Borough Council, reassured residents she would be calling for urgent action.
She said: “My prime concern is for the safety of the residents of Chase Farm and their families.
“At peak times it can take around ten minutes to cross the road to the nearest and only bus stop.
“I will continue to work hard to ensure people are as safe as possible and resolve the situation.
Cllr Hollingsworth added: “One of the obvious solutions would be to lower the speed limit and put in a safe form of crossing which is the resolution the residents want to see and I will now be working very hard to get something done.”
Got a story for Gedling Eye? Contact our news team by email at news@gedlingeye.co.uk
Three men who robbed a pub in Stoke Bardolph at knifepoint last summer have been jailed.
The men have been jailed for a total of 45 years for robbing a total of three pubs in 2017..
On July 24, 2017 three masked men stormed through the fire escape of Brewhouse pub, Trent Bridge, as employees were leaving at around 12am.
Once inside they forced two employees to lie on the floor, before threatening the manager with a knife to open the safe. They made off with around £10,000.
Two weeks later on August 9, 2017, three masked men climbed up the fire escape of Nottingham Knight pub, West Bridgford, and entered through a first floor window.
Once inside, they found their way to the office and put a wet cloth over the manager’s face as she was in the middle of counting the daily takings.
They threatened her by holding a pair of scissors against her throat and tried to get her to open the safe, before two of them began punching her in the face multiple times, as well as assaulting another member of staff. They emptied the tills and escaped back out of the fire escape.
The third and final robbery happened on August 29 at Ferry Boat Inn, Nottingham.
Liam Campbell, Steven Ward and Nathaniel Smith were arrested after fleeing the scene. A police dog and handler were sent to track them and they were found hiding in some bushes nearby. All three men were charged with robbery and remanded.
Detectives investigating the series linked robberies collected crucial DNA evidence, phone data and multiple witness accounts. Similarities were drawn from all three robberies with critical line-up’s undertaken. Detectives were able to charge Campbell, Ward and Smith with all three robberies.
JAILED: Nathaniel Smith
Nathaniel Smith, 31, of Phoenix Close, The Meadows, initially pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty on all three counts on the first day of the trial (April 16, 2018). He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court today (27 April) for sentencing. He was given 15 years in total; five years for each robbery to run consecutively.
Steven Ward, 33, of Lammas Gardens, The Meadows, and Liam Campbell, 27, of Osier Road, The Meadows pleaded guilty to the Ferry Boat Inn robbery, but not guilty to the other two. Following a two week trial both were found guilty of the Nottingham Knight robbery, but not guilty to the Brewhouse Pub robbery. They were both jailed for 15 years at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday.
Detective Constable Steve Fenyn said: “I’m very pleased that justice has been served for all three robberies. No one should have to go to work and be subjected to such violent and terrifying ordeals.
“All of the victims have shown great patience and understanding throughout the trial and I’m glad the jury delivered the verdict they deserve.
“Thanks to a combination of great police work, DNA samples, detailed witness accounts and other various evidence that was gathered, three violent criminals are now off the streets of Nottinghamshire.”
The sound of clinking beer and gin glasses were heard earlier tonight as Carlton’s latest new real ales pub and gin palace opened its doors.
The Brickyard received an enthusiastic welcome from locals as it opened its doors on Carlton Hill earlier this evening.
The building on Standhill Road previously housed a Latvian social club but has now been transformed into a traditional pub.
The Brickyard offers a wide selection of real ales and aims to become infamous for their unique collection of gins on offer.
The new establishment is Lincoln Green brewery’s second pub in the borough – they also owns the historic Arnold pub The Robin Hood and Little John, in Church Street.
