A road in Bestwood remains closed as police investigate a ‘disturbance’ overnight.
Officers were called at around 1.30am to reports of a disturbance in Padstowe Road, today (15).
No injuries have been reported.
A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Investigators are now working to establish exactly what took place and the road has been closed as enquiries continue. Early indications suggest that this is an isolated incident and the community can expect to see an increase in police presence in the area.”
If you have any information that may assist call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 48 of 15 December 2017.
Householders in Gedling borough have been advised of Christmas and New Year arrangements for bin collections.
Over the festive period, there will be temporary changes to waste and recycling collections to account for public holidays.
Instead of Monday, December 25, uplifts will take place on Saturday, December 23.
Those who would normally have their bins collected on Tuesday, December 26, will have their rubbish picked up on Saturday, December 30.
And instead of Monday, January 1, uplifts will be carried out on Saturday,January 6.
A spokesman for Gedling Borough Council said: “Please place your bins out by 6am. We will take extra bags of black bin waste over the festive period and if you have extra recycling, please leave it in cardboard boxes next to your bin.”
The council has also created a bin collection email alert service to remind people about when their rubbish will be taken away over the festive period.
The borough’s best primary schools have been revealed after the government published national SAT results today.
All Hallows Church in Gedling had the best Key Stage 2 results in the borough with 90% of pupils attending meeting the expected standard
Hot on the heels of All Hallows was Carlton Central Junior School with 83% and Willow Farm Primary School in Gedling which also scored 83%
National figures show the number of primary school pupils reaching the expected standard in reading, writing and maths has risen.
But almost 140,000 children across England are being taught at primaries which are falling below the government’s required standards.
TOP: All Hallows CofE school in Gedling village
Nick Gibb, School standards minister, said: “Teachers and pupils have responded well to the new more rigorous curriculum introduced by this government and these pupils were the first to benefit from the new approach to phonics.
He added: “There are now 1.9m more children in good or outstanding schools than in 2010, with nine out of 10 primary schools given this rating at their last inspection.”
Top 10 Gedling borough schools meeting expected standards
Gedling MP Vernon Coaker has added his name to a charter aimed at helping employees who become terminally ill at work.
The Dying to Work charter urges all employers to respect the wishes of those that are diagnosed with a terminal illness to continue to work should they wish to do so.
Mr Coaker MP signed up to the charter on Tuesday (12).
The Dying to Work campaign was started following the case of Jacci Woodcook, a 58-year-old sales manager from Derbyshire, who was forced out of her job after being diagnosed with terminal breast cancer.
The campaign is now calling for a change in the law to prevent the same thing happening to other working people.
Mr Coaker said he believes those diagnosed with a terminal illness should have a choice as to whether they continue to work or not and their choice should be respected by their employer.
He said: “I signed the Dying to Work’ Charter as I believe there should be additional employment protection for terminally ill workers.
“Being diagnosed with a disease where there is no cure or effective treatment is traumatic enough, without employers making it difficult for those terminally ill employees to make the right decision for themselves, and very often for their families.
“It is shocking to think that people with a terminal illness are dismissed or forced out of their jobs and that their life time of hard work is often ignored, meaning their loved ones lose out on the death in service payment.
“Whether a person who is diagnosed with a terminally illness decides to stay in work or not, they should still get the best possible help and support from their employer. Terminally ill workers deserve respect and protection.
He added: “I am proud to have signed the ‘Dying to Work’ charter and I will be encouraging businesses in my constituency to follow suit.”
A humorous announcement from Mike Hoare at the start of this show highlighted Aynsley Lister’s affection for playing this local venue.
“It’s official. According to the Aynsley’s website, the Village Hall can now be called the Lowdham Indoor Arena!”
‘This is always one of those special gigs,’ confirmed Lister with the crowd roaring approval. ‘The audience here at the Indoor Arena is always a bit different!’
For those wanting a lively night of music, Lister is definitely your man being one of the loudest acts to play there. Ironically, although Lister’s playing is hot, he often hits Lowdham on the coldest of winter nights as was the case this year with attendees braving the hardest of frosts.
The guitar virtuoso delighted folks attending with his blues infused rock, flipping between power chords, intricate solos, plaintiff pleading runs, and bluesy slide. Whilst Lister was definitely front and centre, striking a plethora of guitar hero poses, this was certainly not just a one man show. Steve Amadeo (bass), Andre Bassing (keyboards) and Boneto Dryden (drums) played a full part. Each had opportunity to take on solos, whilst also riffing back and forth with Lister. Every solo was greeted with cheers and resounding applause. Over the years the band has become more rounded, with jazzy, instrumental interludes between songs, and a driving funky backbeat on many tracks.
Eyes Wide Open is Lister’s latest CD release and this gig centred around tracks from the album, with All Of Your Love kicking off proceedings and a blistering encore of Handful Of Doubt bookending the show. In between, there was Il Grande Mafioso, Stay, and Right As Rain. Lister referred to the influence of Freddie King’s music in his formative years, and then exemplified this with a stonking version of King’s Tore Down. The crowd loved it often up on their feet clapping and singing along.
Having omitted it in his last visit to Lowdham, Lister acquiesced to audience demands and played what has become a bit of a signature, his band’s version of Purple Rain. He also acknowledged the ‘Dancing Ladies’ who strode their stuff in the aisle to Prince’s classic. Not only would the great man have appreciated it but the group received a mid gig standing ovation from delighted fans.
Lister and Co missed playing Lowdham on their 2016 tour. On the evidence of this crowd reception, I’m sure it won’t be long until they are back.
Police have released images of a man they want to speak to following damage to a car in Gedling village.
The car was damaged in Main Road in Gedling at around 11.35am on Sunday, December 10, 2017.
APPEAL: Police want to speak to this man after a car was damaged in Gedling village
If you recognise him or think you can help, please contact us on 101 quoting incident 568 of 10 December. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
A neighbourhood policing team is taking to the streets to offer crime prevention advice to residents after a spate of burglaries in the area.
Officers from the Mapperley Park Neighbourhood Policing Team plan to talk to people in the area this week after an increase in residential burglaries.
The team will be offering crime prevention advice and materials to help keep your properties secure.
You can speak to officers at the following times and locations this week:
Chestnut Grove on Wednesday, December 13 between 6-7pm.
Thorncliffe Road on Wednesday, December 13 2017 between 7-pm.
Redcliffe Road on Friday, December 15 between 6-7pm
Carisbrook Drive on Friday, December 15 between 7-8pm
A man has been jailed after breaking into a number of cars in Gedling earlier this month.
Andrew Randle, 51, of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to 52 weeks in prison after four cars were broken into.
Between Saturday, December 2 and Sunday 3 two cars were targeted in Patterdale Road, Woodthorpe and one each in Gunthorpe Road and Lascelles Avenue, Gedling.
Untidy searches were conducted and some loose change was taken from two of the vehicles.
He was captured on CCTV carrying out the offences.
He was arrested and charged with two thefts from motor vehicle and two counts of vehicle interference.
He was also charged with possession of mamba after officers searched him when he was taken into custody. A previous suspended prison sentence was also activated when he committed these additional crimes.
Randle pleaded guilty to all five offences on Thursday, December 7 and was sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court.
Neighbourhood Inspector Steven O’Neill said: “I’m really pleased with the quick turn around on this case. So many people were affected by Randle’s behaviour in such a short space of time and I feel sure that he would have gone on to commit more vehicle crimes in this area or perhaps another area of the County.
“I’d like to thank all of the officers involved for dedicating their time to this investigation and for seeing justice done so quickly.”
“We ask vehicle owners to remain vigilant, particularly in the icy weather when vehicles might need de-icing. The main message is to completely avoid leaving valuables in your car, and if you have to, remove them from display.
“Always lock vehicles and never leave them running with the keys in the ignition whilst de-icing. Report anything suspicious to us as soon as possible on 101.”
A 31-year-old man has been jailed for life after admitting murdering a Carlton father-of-two in a sustained and unprovoked attack in his own home.
Nottingham Crown Court heard Steven Woolley of Manvers Court, Sneinton, made a tearful phone call to Nottinghamshire Police at 5.36am on Saturday, August 26 saying his friend was dead, but claiming he had found him injured and dying after going to visit his flat in Walton Court, Carlton.
In fact, the court was told, he had brutally and fatally assaulted 48-year-old John Inger.
Woolley had been out drinking on Friday, August 25 with Rebecca Newcombe, who also knew Mr Inger, and that evening they both visited Mr Inger’s flat.
Whilst there, an argument broke out and Woolley attacked Ms Newcombe, who was seen on CCTV fleeing the flat at around 1.30am on Saturday, August 26. Woolley then carried out a sustained assault on Mr Inger, who died of his injuries.
He was found dead inside the entrance to his flat at around 5.50am. A post-mortem examination confirmed he died from the injuries sustained in the attack.
MURDERED: John Inger
CCTV analysis revealed Woolley and Ms Newcombe were the only people to visit Mr Inger’s flat until police attended.
A number of residents also reported hearing aggressive shouting from a man they recognised as Woolley.
Woolley, had denied murder and was due to face a trial in March next year. However, he today (Monday, December 11) attended court to plead guilty to the offence.
Jailing him for life, Judge Rafferty told him he will serve a minimum term of 17-and-a-half-years.
Mr Inger’s family released a statement at the conclusion of the court case.
They said: “The senseless and brutal murder of our dad on August 26, 2017 has left our family heartbroken.
“Our dad was taken away from us far too soon as a result of a violent and unprovoked attack.
“We will miss our dad every day and life will never be the same again.
“He was one of three brothers – now there are two. For my uncles the loss of their brother and the manner of his death has been difficult to bear.
“Today Steven Woolley pleaded guilty to our dad’s murder. It is the only right and proper thing he can do.
“No sentence will ever be enough to bring our dad back to us.”
Detective Chief Inspector Rob Severn, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a vicious attack on the deceased influenced by a cocktail of drink and drugs. This shows that lives are ruined by abuse of these substances. Our thoughts are with deceased family and we are pleased with the sentence passed by the court today.”
Gedling Borough Council’s planning committee recently gave the go ahead for 199 houses to be built at the Teal Close site in Netherfield. The decision was welcomed by the leader of the Council who said: “I’m really pleased; I think there are great opportunities there.”
At the planning meeting, however, some members expressed their disappointment that only 10 of the 199 houses were to be “affordable” while others referred to the impact the development might have on the Netherfield Lagoons – a designated Local Nature Reserve (LNR) next to the Teal Close site.
The lack of affordable homes to be built by developer Persimmon should be seen in the light of the news that the company’s boss, Jeff Fairburn, had become one of the country’s richest executives and is on course to collect a bonus of nearly £100 million – almost the same amount that the whole Teal Close development is worth.
Outline planning permission had already been granted for the development which, in total, will see up to 830 dwellings, employment uses, a community hub, primary school, hotel, care home, playing pitches, public open space, allotments and an ‘ecology park’ on a site covering approximately 63 hectares, most of which is in designated Flood Zones where there are high risk or medium/low risks of flooding.
The site is also situated close to a sewage works and an animal bi-products rendering plant.
In addition to the issues of potential flooding, potential smells and lack of affordable housing, there is an issue of the impact of such developments on the future integrity and biodiversity of the LNR and to the area in general.
A recent (2016) report by more than fifty nature conservation organisations has revealed that more than one in 10 of UK wildlife species are now threatened with extinction and the numbers of the nation’s most endangered creatures have plummeted by two-thirds since 1970. The abundance of all wildlife has also fallen, with one in six animals, birds, fish and plants having been lost.
The UK is now “among the most nature-depleted countries in the world”, with most of the country having gone past the threshold at which “ecosystems may no longer reliably meet society’s needs”.
This crisis emphasises why areas such as the Netherfield lagoons LNR are of such, local and now national importance and the need for bodies such as Gedling Borough Council to take action to protect and enhance local biodiversity.
PICTURED: Netherfield Lagoons
Gedling seems to have a poor record in this regard. Some years ago the authority signed up to a pioneering scheme – Biodiversity Offsetting – designed to be used by planning authorities and developers to fully compensate for biodiversity impacts associated with building projects. Yet I can’t find a single example of where this has been applied in Gedling.
The UK is now “among the most nature-depleted countries in the world”, with most of the country having gone past the threshold at which “ecosystems may no longer reliably meet society’s needs”.
The building of more than 800 houses within a short distance of the nature reserve will have an impact. The additional number of visitors, dog walkers, etc. will increase wear and tear, disturbance and litter. It is a pity, therefore, that the outline planning decision by Gedling Borough Council rejected this impact and dismissed any compensation, despite comments from Nottinghamshire County Council: ‘ The maintenance of the Lagoons falls to the Gedling Conservation Trust, which is a small charity, and it seems unreasonable to expect them to have to bear the financial burden of dealing with increased visitor pressure caused by the development.’
And Nottinghamshire Wildlife Trust: ‘…….the NWT support the comments made by the County Council, which indicates that monies should be made available to GCT towards the existing infrastructure of Netherfield Lagoons.’
GBC’s rejection of this advice was effectively ratified at the recent planning meeting. It is worth pointing out that the Gedling Conservation Trust receives no state or Local Government aid and will have to bear the inevitable increase in maintenance costs.
At least as concerning are the provisions set out in the original planning decision which will determine the future of the development’s open spaces and the designated ‘ecology park’
Persimmon has to form an ‘Ecology Committee’ to discuss the plan and management of the ‘Ecology Park’, relying heavily on input from GBC.
A private company with a board of directors – some to be recruited from future householders – is to be established to manage the Open Spaces, which includes the ‘Ecology Park’. Future maintenance and management would be funded by an ‘Open Space Maintenance Contribution’ levied from future householders.
This raises some serious questions: What happens if the limited company fails? Who will be the shareholders? What guarantees will there be to maintain the purposes of the ‘Ecology Park’?
Persimmon have failed to provide me with any examples of where this type of arrangement is working.
It is a great pity that the ‘Ecology Park’ does not include the section of the Ouse Dyke that runs along its side as this could be an enhancement to the site. During the summer months the dyke is choked with Himalayan balsam and it is likely that this will find its way onto the Ecology Park.
Opportunities to enhance the Netherfield Lagoons reserve have been missed. The Gedling Conservation Trust owns and manages the nature reserve but does not own any routes to access the site. There is nowhere where it can direct visitors to access the reserve due to the lack of parking available.
The Teal Close development provided a fantastic opportunity to help remedy this problem and enhance the development by the synergy of having a first class nature reserve next door. Suggestions were made from the outset about the inclusion of some parking spaces, the provision of a simple visitors centre or shelter with information boards, the ownership and maintenance of the section of the Ouse Dyke etc. but, sadly, none were taken up.
Gedling’s planning committee missed opportunities to improve the development, making it more sustainable. At the meeting no-one raised issues of energy conservation or production (why, for instance, are these new houses not being built with solar panels?). The issues of potential future flooding, the impacts of building on contaminated land and the smells residents will face were glossed over.
This new planning decision came at a time when news was coming through of serious floods in Lancaster which caused havoc including power cuts and the need for more than 70 people to be rescued. Let’s hope that the future residents lives at Teal Close aren’t blighted or ruined by these threats but you can be pretty sure that, should this happen, I’m sure no-one from the Council will be around to hold up their hands and say “sorry”.
