If you have captured a local moment in a photograph and think that others would like to see it, then upload it to our group and you may be featured on this post. You can also tag us in or use #gedlingeye if using Instagram.
Please supply your name and a brief description of where and when the photograph was taken, or perhaps a funny caption.
A selection of photos will be published on Gedling Eye‘s website each week.
A blackbird in mid-song in Carlton PHOTO CREDIT: Instagram – @theedavepearceA baby wood pigeon up for a photo shoot and in no hurry to stretch those wings PHOTO CREDIT: Instagram: @scamp53)What an amazing photo! Captured at Colwick Country Park by (Insta) @mikevineimagesBlue Tit flying out of a nest box captured on camera by Carl GreenA swan on the FRiver Trent near Burton Joyce (PHOTO: Tammy Mills)
There is a chance to win up to £25,000 every Saturday when you play Gedling Lotto.
You just need to match six numbers to win the £25,000 jackpot.
We now publish the winning numbers after each Saturday night.
THIS WEEK’S WINNING NUMBERS (29/03/25)
3 0 70 0 9
How does Gedling Lotto work?
Gedling Lotto is a weekly lottery draw that raises money for good causes across Gedling Borough. All good causes supported by the lottery will benefit the Gedling Borough and its residents.
Play the lottery, support Gedling Borough – it’s that simple!
From every £1 ticket you buy, 60p will go to local good causes in the Gedling Borough and improve our community.
Some of the many causes to benefit from the Lotto include:
Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh has led a debate in Westminster Hall this week on the construction standards of new build homes.
The debate focused on ensuring that homebuyers receive the quality they expect and deserve when purchasing a new home.
The MP made it clear that while property developers must be held to account, local tradespeople should not be unfairly blamed. The hard work and dedication of local builders, electricians, and plumbers were acknowledged, and a strong message was sent that the real issue lies with developers who fail to maintain high standards.
The MP spoke about the experiences of constituents like Kelly and Simon from Bilsthorpe, who moved into their new home expecting it to be a safe and comfortable environment for their family. Instead, they were met with numerous issues, including an improperly installed boiler, a faulty bath, damaged flooring, and scratched windows.
Sherwood Forest MP Michelle Welsh
Similarly, Sara from Hucknall discovered over 117 defects in her new Persimmon Homes property, including poor insulation, damaged flooring, and a broken patio door that left her home insecure. Despite some financial compensation, many defects remain unresolved, leaving Sara in distress.
These cases highlight the urgent need for better oversight and accountability in the housebuilding sector. The MP welcomed the Government’s recent acceptance of recommendations from the Competition and Markets Authority’s market study into housebuilding, particularly the introduction of a statutory UK-wide New Homes Ombudsman scheme. This will provide much-needed consumer protection and ensure that homebuyers are not left to battle developers alone.
The MP also called on the Government to take further steps to ensure that the right companies and builders are selected for future housing projects, that proper infrastructure accompanies new developments, and that quality is maintained throughout the housebuilding process.
During the debate, Michelle Welsh MP stated:”This is because we are too often seeing new build homes that are not fit for purpose, that are damaged, drafty or unsafe to live in.
“It is wrong that when you are moving to a new home or into your first ever house, that you may not get the quality that you are paying for.
“Home buyers deserve to feel confident that their new home is safe and won’t begin to crumble as soon as their key is in the door.”.
A successful tree planting event took place in Mapperley last week.
The community planting day took place on Sunday, March 16 at Mellish Rugby Football Club with 1000 young trees being planted by youngsters from the club and their parents as well as senior players and club volunteers.
The trees were a mixture of native tree and hedgerow species including oak, beech, field maple, hawthorn, blackthorn, wild cherry, and hazel.
Rachae Rickelll, from the Greenwood Community Forest Team, was on hand to give demonstrations, lend equipment and provide vital support and information throughout the day.
Players from the mini and junior sections along with parents, supporters and any willing opposition teams were encouraged to plant a tree after training or matches and got a sweet treat as a reward.
The message to the young players was to ‘Plant your tree as a lasting legacy at your club!’ Some families had three generations helping with the planting. Many children named their trees and signed the attached stake to take ownership and watch the growth over the years.
An ‘opening’ ceremony with further tree planting will take place at the club later in the year on Remembrance Sunday.
Trees for Climate is being delivered by a collaboration of 15 Community Forests and will help the government achieve the goals set out in the 25-year Environment Plan. Funded by the Defra-led Nature for Climate Fund, this programme will help deliver the English portion of the government’s manifesto commitment to increase tree planting to 30,000 hectares per year across the UK by 2025, alongside peatland restoration and nature recovery
Greenwood Community Forest, hosted by Nottinghamshire County Council and supported by the Sherwood Forest Trust is delivering Trees for Climate in Nottinghamshire.
As well as grants that cover up to 100% of costs and 15 years of maintenance payments, the Greenwood Community Forest Team provides expert advice and support throughout the planning, funding, and planting process.
The energy company behind a new battery energy storage system (BESS) being created on farmland near Lambley have responded to claims materials would come from abroad, contradicting net zero claims.
Plans submitted by Grenergy Renewables UK Ltd for the BESS were given the go-ahead by the local council on Wednesday – despite objections from 201 nearby households on flooding, noise levels and other concerns.
The system is to be built on a four-hectare patch of land at Burton Wood Farm, accessed by a farm track off Spring Lane, near Lambley.
The site is within the Nottingham and Derby Green Belt and close to ancient woodland.
The system, with a lifetime of 40 years, will provide energy services to the national grid, taking excess power in periods of low demand, storing it and then releasing it back when demand is high.
The BESS will include three tanks of battery units, totalling 192 batteries, along with other energy infrastructure including a rainwater pond to prevent flooding.
The plans received 201 objections from nearby households, and objections from local parish councils and Gedling Labour MP Michael Payne – raising concerns for wildlife, noise levels, flooding in Lambley and in Burton Joyce.
Plans received one point of local support – in that it is in line with the Labour Government’s “net zero” aim.
During the planning meeting, Cllr Sam Smith questioned the potential contradiction of the aim for net zero – saying BESS schemes may need imported materials, in turn using CO2 through transport.
He said: “We’re building something to help mitigate climate change that isn’t net zero- how has that decision been founded?”
No confirmation could be provided in the meeting as to where the BESS materials would come from.
A response from Grenergy, regarding the importation of materials from overseas said: “In terms of procurement of BESS, because of the complexity of the technology, a global supply chain is necessary to resource and manufacturer the equipment, no different than a modern car, cellphone or television.
“The exact supplier of the BESS units has not been confirmed at this stage of the project. Regardless Grenergy are committed to sustainability and have an ethos to environmental, social and governance as you can find on our website.”
The plans were approved with nine votes for and seven against.
Two suspects have appeared in court after police carried out a series of raids aiming to disrupt a drugs line operating in Calverton.
Officers executed warrants at three properties in the village on Wednesday (26) following an investigation into drugs supply in the area.
At one of the addresses, in George’s Lane, officers found suspected heroin, cocaine and cannabis as well as weighing scales and other equipment associated with the drugs trade.
They also arrested two people who were inside the property and seized a stun device, multiple mobile phones and cash.
Following the warrants, officers charged Hollie Howard, aged 34, and 29-year-old Floyd Sneap, both of George’s Lane, with possession with intent to supply cocaine, heroin and cannabis, possession of criminal property and possession of a prohibited weapon.
Sneap has also been charged with possession of a firearm when prohibited for life.
Both suspects appeared at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (27) and will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on April 24, 2025.
Sneap was remanded in custody and Howard was bailed.
Sergeant Alison Riley said: “We are working hard to disrupt drug supply and associated criminality around Calverton.
“We believe these warrants, and the charges which have followed, are an important step and I hope residents welcome our robust response to these issues in the village.”
A Gedling pub is again promoting an offer that gained national attention when it spectacularly backfired.
The Gedling Inn on Main Road has announced it will again be offering a free pint every time Forest score tomorrow when the Reds face Brighton away in the quarter final of the FA Cup at 17.15pm.
Football fans were in seventh heaven last time the Reds faced The Seagulls after the pub delivered on its promise to offer a free pint for every Forest goal – which they won 7-0.
Punters made the most of the offer as Forest won 7-0 against Brighton (PHOTO:Gedling Inn/Facebook)
The light-hearted offer was launched back in February by the pub to celebrate the arrival of the TNT Sports channel – but the seven goal blitz meant punters kept their wallets firmly shut as they queued up for their free beer.
300 pints of Foster’s and Strongbow were handed out during the game and also free soft drinks.
The latest offer has been announced as the pub celebrates the launch of a new menu with lots of new items and a buy one get one free deal.
The previous stunt was estimated to have cost the boozer around £1,500 – but landlady Beccy Webster said ‘it had been worth it’.
At the time she told Gedling Eye: “We gave away a few hundred on the day and the atmosphere was buzzing.
“As a Forest fan it was all worth giving away the free beer to see that huge victory – plus it’s nice to give back to loyal customers too.”
Major £1.7m pedestrian and cycling enhancements have been completed on a Mapperley road.
Nottingham City Council were awarded cash from the Active Travel Fund to create a modern pedestrian and cycling-friendly scheme on Porchester Road, with clear segregation from traffic.
For phase one of the project, the council has completed a segregated, two-way cycle path that begins on Burgass Road and finishes at Cherrywood Gardens.
For phase one of the project, the council has completed a segregated, two-way cycle path that begins on Burgass Road and finishes at Cherrywood Gardens.The graphic shows all the planned improvements to Porchester Road for cyclists and pedestrians
The scheme connects into recent improvements on Carlton Road
Phase two of the programme starts soon and includes the introduction of a segregated two-way cycle path from Cherrywood Gardens north to Kenrick Avenue and a one-way cycle path for northbound and southbound users from Kenrick Road to Emmanuel Avenue.
Funding for phase two has come from Central Government via the newly formed East Midlands Combined County Authority.
Nottingham City Council Leader and Executive Member for Strategic Regeneration, Transport and Communications, Councillor Neghat Khan said:“By creating safer spaces for walking and cycling on Porchester Road, we’re giving people real alternatives to car travel, reducing congestion, improving air quality, and making our streets safer for everyone.
“This is about building a healthier, greener Nottingham, where sustainable travel is the easy choice. Every step we take towards better infrastructure moves us closer to our ambitious goal of becoming carbon neutral by 2028, and I’m proud to see this vision coming to life.”
At 28, Cllr Sam Smith is one of the youngest council leaders in the country. He was elected as Leader at the Full Council meeting on December 5, following the departure of former leader Ben Bradley.
It’s been an incredible start, and I’m so proud of what has already been achieved by my administration. We’re delivering on the priorities that matter most to residents—fixing roads, improving public transport, investing in education, and strengthening local services. There’s still plenty to do, but we’re making real progress.
One of the biggest issues facing residents has been the state of Nottinghamshire’s roads and I have overseen a £3.3 million boost for highways repairs, which is already being put into action. Major resurfacing, drainage, and pavement improvements are planned over the next year, targeting key routes across the county.
On top of that, the council has secured additional funding through the East Midlands Combined County Authority (EMCCA), bringing the total Highways Capital Programme to £72 million this year. This extra funding means more resurfacing, pothole repairs, drainage improvements, and better footpaths.
“Fixing our roads is a top priority. We’ve listened to residents, secured extra funding, and are now delivering long-term improvements. People will start seeing the difference across Nottinghamshire in the coming months.”
Fixing our roads is a top priority. We’ve listened to residents, secured extra funding, and are now delivering long-term improvements. People will start seeing the difference across Nottinghamshire in the coming months.
Bus services play a vital role in keeping communities connected. Under Cllr Smith’s leadership, the council has allocated £9 million to support and improve local bus routes, ensuring services remain reliable, particularly in rural areas.
I have visited transport hubs across the county, including Sutton, Newark, Beeston, Bestwood, and Bassetlaw, to see first-hand how this investment is making a difference.
We know how important public transport is to people’s everyday lives—getting to work, school, or appointments. That’s why we’re investing to keep vital bus routes running and make sure services meet the needs of our communities.
Providing high-quality education and support for young people has been another key focus. We have invested £30 million to expand SEND school places, including the soon-to-be-completed Horizons Academy in Mansfield, which will accommodate 160 pupils.
We have also launched 10 new Family Hubs, with more on the way, to support families from pregnancy through to a child’s 18th birthday.
Hundreds of new childcare places have also been created, helping working parents access flexible, affordable childcare.
During Children’s Mental Health Week I attended the NottAlone LIVE event, where hundreds of young people gathered to discuss mental health and well-being.
Every child deserves the best start in life. That means great schools, strong family support, and better mental health services. We’re investing in all these areas to make sure young people in Nottinghamshire can reach their full potential.
While much has been achieved in the first 100 days, there is still more to do. We’ve made great progress, but this is just the start. Over the next year, my Conservative Councillor colleagues and I will keep working hard to improve our roads, invest in communities, and make Nottinghamshire an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.
The name WH Smith is set to disappear from the High Street after the iconic retailer agreed a deal agreed to sell its shops to Hobbycraft-owner Modella Capital.
The new owner has announced it will rebrand the High Street outlets as TGJones, marking an end for WH Smith which set up its first shop in London in 1792.
The sale does not include the WH Smith brand, its travel shops at airports and railway stations or its outlets in hospitals.
Modella Capital will take over 480 stores in retail parks, shopping centres and on High Streets including 5,000 staff.
The private equity firm specialises in retail and consumer businesses and, as well as buying Hobbycraft, has also invested in Crafters’ Companion and The Original Factory Shop.
It said the TGJones brand carried “the same sense of family” as WH Smiths, which it described as an “iconic” retail business.
WH Smith’s sells papers and magazines, alongside books, sweets and snacks and art supplies.
The travel division operates more than 1,200 stores in 32 countries.
