Over 10,000 households across Gedling borough get second cost of living payment

Vulnerable and low-income families in and around Gedling borough received a second payment to help with the cost of living yesterday (October 31).

MP for Gedling Tom Randall has welcomed the move which is set to benefit 10,300 vulnerable households.

The payment will be made automatically so there is no need to apply and it will not count towards the benefit cap or impact on existing benefit awards. Those who get means-tested benefits, like Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or tax credits, will receive the £300.

Tom Randall MP said: “The record financial support has already supported thousands of families across Gedling, and this latest £300 Cost of Living payment for 10,300 eligible households will make a huge difference to the most vulnerable households and those on the lowest incomes as we move into the colder months.”

Mel Stride, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, said: “Tackling inflation is the best way to boost people’s incomes, but as we work to halve it, we are protecting the most vulnerable households from high prices with this latest Cost of Living payment.  

“Thousands of work coaches based in Jobcentres across the country are on hand to help people find work or enhance their skills, and I encourage anyone wanting to strengthen their finances and unleash the benefits of work to contact their local Jobcentre to see what help is available.”

Arnold hair salon pledges year of support to dementia group

The salon team at KH Hair in Arnold has pledged a year of support to help a group of volunteers run a memory café for people living with dementia.

The Sherwood Memory Café is a friendly and supportive place for those living with dementia in the community to enjoy time together with those who support them. It is held at the Sherwood Methodist Church on the second Wednesday of each month and Gedling borough based KH Hair has agreed to pay the cost of one whole year’s room hire.

Alan Bush, who leads the café’s committee of volunteers, says the support will mean such a lot to the group which has been self-funding since June 2023. “For KH Hair to offer to pay our room hire for a whole year is just amazing,” he says. “It means that the money saved can go directly to help pay for refreshments and activities that our members really enjoy.”

Attending a memory cafe and talking to people in the same situation can trigger mental stimulation and provide an informative and friendly space to answer any questions they may have. According to the Alzheimer’s Society website, ‘99% of people who go along to dementia cafés say that it has provided them with useful information’.

Visitors to the memory café are welcomed with free tea, coffee, biscuits and home-made cakes, while they benefit from a general chat before taking part in a number of games, a raffle and a good old sing-along. Alan says the Alphabet Game is a particular favourite, along with Bingo, cards and a general knowledge prize quiz.

“Everyone really enjoys the sessions.” says Alan. “The café gives members and their carers a chance to meet new people and have some fun. Vitally, it also gives carers valuable time to relax and have some quality time for themselves, knowing their loved ones, or clients, are in safe hands.”

The team at KH Hair Arnold has been raising money for dementia and Alzheimer’s charities since 2018 by holding special events in the salon including cake sales and dress up days. It began when salon manager, Helen Stilwell’s father was diagnosed with dementia and she wanted to gain an understanding of how the condition might develop. Helen studied to gain a NCFE Cache Level 2 Certificate in the ‘Principles of Dementia Care’. “I wanted to get a better awareness so I could support my Dad,” she says. “But I also thought it would enable me to help clients to have a more relaxed and dementia-friendly experience when having their hair done.”

Salon manager, Dawn Bramhall has been supporting the café for a while and, during lockdown, joined weekly Zoom meetings to offer hair, skin and product advice to carers looking after family members with memory loss. “It means a lot for us to be able to support a small, local group which is run by hard working and dedicated volunteers. It’s been an absolute pleasure meeting members and their carers, who sometimes struggle to meet and talk to different people. You can see how much coming to the café means to them and it’s an honour to be involved.”

Members of the café have additional treats to look forward to later this year as Alan and his team have arranged discounted trips for them to enjoy.

Alan said “On 15th November, we are taking 39 of our members out to the Blue Diamond Garden Centre in East Bridgford for one of their famous high teas.

“And, in December, we’re off to the Nottingham Playhouse to see Cinderella. Oh yes we are!”

The Sherwood Memory Café is held between 1pm and 3pm and new members are always welcome. Anyone wishing to support the café, or access its services, can do so by calling Alan on 0115 926 2232 or emailing alan.bush51@outlook.com

The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

A number of roadworks, and changes to the roads, are set to take place on Gedling borough’s roads during the next few weeks.

The roadworks and road changes include things such as speed alterations, repair works and changing the layout of the roads. 

Most of the roadworks are being undertaken by Nottinghamshire County Council while a couple are being led by Severn Trent Water, Cityfibre and OpenReach

These are the roadworks and closures you need to know about

Access Road Church Road, Burton Joyce
03 November – 07 November
Road closure for patching repairs from junction of Chestnut Grove to Junction of Trent Lane
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Foxhill Road Central, Carlton
06 November – 07 November
Road closure
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Nottingham Road, Burton Joyce
06 November – 20 November
Road closure for carriageway resurfacing from Junction of Woodside Road to junction with Lambley Lane / St Helens Crescent
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Roseleigh Avenue, Mapperley
03 November
Road closure for pothole repairs from junction of Westdale Lane West to end of road
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Shelford Road, Gedling
07 November – 09 November
Road closure for pothole repairs from junction of Arnold Lane to junction of Wollaton Avenue
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

St Albans Road, Arnold
06 November
Road closure for carriageway patching and road marking refresh once completed between the A60 & Duke Street
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Victoria Road, Netherfield
05 November – 06 November
Road closure
Responsibility for works: Network Rail Infrastructure Ltd

Bestwood Country Park Access, Bestwood Village
01 November – 31 December
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Cavendish Road, Carlton
07 November
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Chandos Street, Netherfield
06 November – 10 November
Responsibility for works: O2 (UK) Limited

Linby Close, Gedling
06 November – 07 November
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Mansfield Road, Arnold
06 November
Lane closure to facilitate carriageway patching work on St Albans Road

Nottingham Road, Burton Joyce
06 November – 10 November
Works location: On The A612 Burton Joyce from the junction of Marius Drive to Station Road junction on Church Road
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Spring Lane, Lambley
04 November – 05 November
Roadworks, Delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Why Data Capture is Important for Businesses at Events

Imagine this: you’re at a bustling industry event, surrounded by potential clients, partners, and industry influencers. The energy is palpable, ideas are flowing, and conversations are buzzing.

In this whirlwind of opportunity, there’s a secret weapon that savvy businesses are wielding – data capture. Yes, you heard it right – capturing data at events is not just a smart move; it’s a game-changer. Today, let’s unravel the magic behind data capture and why it’s the secret sauce to turning events into veritable goldmines for your business.

1. Understanding Your Audience: Know Them to Wow Them

Ever heard the saying, “Knowledge is power”? Well, when it comes to business events, knowledge about your audience is pure gold. Data capture allows you to gather essential information about the attendees – their preferences, interests, challenges, and expectations. Armed with this knowledge, you can tailor your pitches, presentations, and engagements to resonate more deeply with your audience.

Imagine walking up to a potential client armed with the knowledge that they are particularly interested in eco-friendly solutions. Armed with this information, you can showcase your green initiatives and eco-friendly products, instantly capturing their attention. Data-driven personalization transforms your interactions from generic pitches to tailor-made solutions, increasing the chances of leaving a lasting impression.

2. Building Relationships: From Handshakes to Long-Term Connections

In the world of business, relationships are everything. Events provide the perfect platform for initiating connections that could turn into long-lasting partnerships. For example, you could bump into Weareeventpeople.co.uk, the most popular staffing solution in the UK that has worked with big brands like Adidas and Nike. This could come in handy when you want to throw an event yourself.

Data capture plays a pivotal role in relationship-building by providing you with valuable insights into the people you meet. From remembering their names to recalling their specific interests or concerns, having this data at your fingertips creates a personalised experience that attendees appreciate.

Following up after the event becomes a breeze when you have captured relevant data. You can send personalised follow-up emails or messages, referencing specific points discussed during the event. This level of personalization showcases your genuine interest, laying the foundation for strong, authentic relationships. Remember, in the business world, it’s not just about what you know; it’s also about how well you know your clients.

3. Measuring Event ROI: Turning Numbers into Growth

Return on Investment (ROI) – every business’s favourite acronym. Events can be significant investments, and measuring their impact is crucial. This is where data capture steps in as your trusty ally. By capturing data on leads generated, conversions, and attendee engagement, you gain insights into the tangible outcomes of your event participation.

Data-driven analysis allows you to assess which events yielded the highest ROI, enabling you to make informed decisions about future event strategies.

Did the trade show in Dublin bring in more leads than the conference in Cork? Did the product demo at the Galway expo result in more conversions than the webinar participation? Data provides the answers, transforming numbers into actionable insights for business growth.

4. Enhancing Customer Experience: From Good to Exceptional

In the era of customer-centricity, exceptional experiences are the currency of customer loyalty. Data capture plays a pivotal role in elevating customer experience at events. By capturing data on customer interactions, feedback, and preferences, businesses can tailor their event experiences to meet customer expectations.

For instance, if your data reveals that attendees are particularly interested in live demonstrations, you can prioritise interactive sessions and hands-on workshops in your event planning.

Understanding dietary preferences allows you to cater food options accordingly, ensuring a seamless and enjoyable experience for all attendees. The more personalised and tailored the event experience, the higher the chances of customers leaving with a smile and a positive impression of your brand.

There you have it entrepreneurs – the untold story of how data capture can

transform your event experiences from ordinary to extraordinary. It’s not just about collecting names and email addresses; it’s about understanding your audience, building meaningful relationships, measuring your ROI, enhancing customer experiences, and staying ahead of the curve.

Capture the data, understand your audience, and let the magic of informed decision-making pave the way for your business growth. Events are not just about what happens at the venue; they are about the data you capture, the insights you gain, and the growth you achieve. Happy capturing and may your business endeavours be as rich and rewarding as the data you collect!

Woodborough: Local MPs and councillors visit flood-hit community to discuss what help people need

Local MPs and councillors have visited the flood-hit community of Woodborough to meet with residents and discuss what support and help they need.

Mark Spencer MP together with County Councillor Boyd Elliott and Gedling’s Tom Randall MP, heard from villagers yesterday (October 31) about the impact that recent flooding has had on the village and many of their properties. The group also visited a few of the properties impacted.

A spokesman for the group said: “After listening to concerns and seeing the impact of flooding, Mark Spencer’s office will be coordinating a joint approach with Gedling Borough Council, Nottinghamshire County Council and the Environment Agency with the support of Cllr Helen Greensmith, Cllr Boyd Elliott and Tom Randall MP. 

Action from the meeting include arranging more road sweeping by Gedling Borough Council, contacting Nottinghamshire County Council about dredging the village street drains and asking Lambley and Woodborough Parish Council’s to install signs at the entrance and exits to both villages during floods so that all drivers are aware of road closures before entering the villages. 

The group also committed to chasing the Environment Agency for a copy of an investigation report that they wrote a few years ago that cost over £30,000 detailing what long-term flood defences are required and the cost of those and work towards securing them.

Residents who notice a blocked drain are now being urged to report it to the County Council for unblocking using this link: www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/transport/roads/report-a-flooding-or-drainage-problem

Aldi announce ‘Christmas Price Lock’ meaning festive dishes will cost the same as they did in 2022

German supermarket giant, Aldi, has launched a ‘Christmas Price Lock’ which means key festive dishes will cost the same as they did last year.

The budget retailer said a range of whole turkey crowns, pigs in blankets, Christmas puddings, and vegetables are included in the price lock so customers won’t pay a penny more than in 2022.

The price lock will be available nationwide and Aldi said it could see a family of four enjoying their Christmas meal for less than £15, which will be a big help during the cost of living crisis.

Aldi has stores in Daybrook, Mapperley and Netherfield.

It will see a fresh whole turkey priced at £3.75 per kilo – cheaper than last year – with a free range whole turkey costing £7.99 a kilo. These products are available from 19 December.

The Holly Lane Christmas pudding (400g) will cost £1.85, while Butcher’s Select 100% British 12 bacon wrapped sausages will be priced at £1.99 when they go on sale on 24 November.

Meanwhile, a 2kg bag of white potatoes will cost 15p, while carrots, parsnips, Brussel sprouts, red or white cabbage and swede will be priced at 19p – available from 18 December.

Aldi said the price lock is available in stores nationwide and could see a family of four enjoying their Christmas meal for less than £15.

The move comes as two in five Brits said they were planning to cut the amount spent on their Christmas meal due to rising food costs.

Richard Thornton, communications director at Aldi UK, said: “At Aldi we believe that everyone should get to enjoy an amazing Christmas, which is why we’re introducing the Aldi Christmas Price Lock.

“Our research shows cost is a major factor when it comes to choosing food options and by locking the prices of key staples at the level they were in 2022, it will help our customers up and down the country enjoy the Christmas dinner they deserve with the ones they love.”

Letters: Parents on school run create parking ‘nightmare’

Our readers from across the borough give their weekly take on the biggest issues impacting Gedling and beyond.

Some letters refer to past correspondence which can be found by clicking here. Join the debate by emailing letters@gedlingeye.co.uk and put ‘Letters’ in the subject line.

Names and addresses will be withheld by request but must be included in the email.

Public must ‘shop’ graffiti taggers

I am a Netherfield-born and bred man living away from the town but I come back and keep an eye on how my home town is progressing.

In my opinion, tagging graffiti is becoming a problem in Netherfield.

I have just returned from Italy where tagging has been out of control for some years.

Police assets are too finely stretched to be employed in resolving this invasive practice which after a time becomes ugly rather than artistic.

I recommend that the public ‘shop’ the perpetrators; turn them in. You have a problem that you, the residents, must try to solve yourselves before you are overwhelmed by it.

D Vardon,
Now Leeds

Parents on school run create parking ‘nightmare’

I can’t stand those parents on the school run near me – they block the roads and are a nightmare.

These parents do not care where they park. Try telling them and you just get expletives.

I am sure some of these children can walk to school. Are they scared of the cold?

I live near a school and its double yellow lines do not mean a thing to people, nor do the zigzag lines which clearly state to keep clear. They take no notice.

I have written to the local schools about it, but they do nothing about it.

Why have rules of the road when they just get ignored?

Rachel Baggott,
Carlton

Mementoes from the pits

I was a miner in the Yorkshire pits for over 30 years and am now retired.

By way of a hobby I started collecting colliery checks or tokens, these are normally brass or alloy discs embossed with the colliery name and stamped with the individual miners number. They were used as a safety measure to accurately record the number of men underground at any one time, some were also used as pay checks.

I know your area, like my own, was once littered with pits.

I am appealing to any fellow ex-miners or anyone with mining connections in helping me obtain examples I don’t have from the now closed collieries of your area.

Thank you.

W.Bennett ,
5 Edinburgh Avenue,
Bolton on Dearne,
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S63 8DS 

Some good news would be nice

Can we have some good news for once Gedling Eye?

I am a regular reader of your site but am starting to despair at the amount of bad news you publish.

Would you consider a ‘good news day’ where you just wrote positive stories?

Last week all I read about was murders, crime and hating firework displays.

Crack a smile Gedling Eye team and write something positive about some of the good people we have living locally.

John Lambert,
Calverton

Gedling borough’s latest petrol and diesel prices – and where’s the cheapest to fill up

Petrol prices remain high across the country, as households across Gedling borough continue to be squeezed by the cost of living crisis.

Gedling Eye has compiled a list of the cheapest petrol pumps in Gedling borough. The data is sourced from PetrolPrices.com, which covers major service stations including brands like BP, Shell, and Texaco as well as supermarkets, smaller chains and independent stations.

The website combines price data from Catalist with its own crowdsource data, which comes from website users and forecourt owners. The site says it hopes to have “the most up to date and reliable price data across the industry”.

The UK’s average fuel price is 1.57p per litre for Unleaded and 1.63p per litre for diesel as of September.

The following prices were reported on 01/11/23

Here are the latest prices from across the borough…

UNLEADED…

Arnold

Sainsbury’s Arnold – 149.9p

CHEAPEST – Asda Arnold – 149.7p

BP Daybrook (Mansfield Road) – 149.9p

Esso Maid Marion (Mansfield Road) – 151.9p

Carlton

Texaco Burton Road – 155.9p

Shell Carlton Square – 154.9p

Texaco Westdale Lane (East Lane Service Station) – 155.9p

Petrol_pump

Colwick

Sainsbury’s Colwick 149.9p

Lambley

Lambley Motors 169.9p

Mapperley

Co-op Mapperley – 153.9p

Netherfield

Morrisons – 151.9p

DIESEL…

Arnold

Sainsbury’s Arnold 156.9p

CHEAPEST – Asda Arnold – 156.7p

BP Daybrook – 157.9p

Esso Maid Marion (Mansfield Road) – 159.9p

Carlton

Texaco Burton Road – 159.9p

Shell Carlton Square – 159.9p

Texaco Westdale Lane (East Lane Service Station) – 160.9p

Colwick

Sainsbury’s Colwick – 155.9p

Lambley

Lambley Motors – 173.9p

Mapperley

Co-op Mapperley – 160.9p

Netherfield

Morrisons – 159.9p

‘Critical incident’ declared by Nottingham trust due to Emergency Department pressures

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Health bosses have announced this afternoon that a critical incident has been declared at the QMC’s Emergency Department (ED) with the hospital currently experiencing sustained pressures.

The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust is now asking the public to think wisely before they attend.

They said in a statement: “Our staff are working tirelessly to care for patients, but the demand on our services is causing very long waits for patients to be seen in our ED and then to be admitted to a ward. This is causing overcrowding in our ED.

“The public can help by only attending our Emergency Department for serious accidents for life-threatening emergencies.

“Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or by calling 111.

“Please also consider using Urgent Treatment Centres (UTCs). They can treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds, and other non-life-threatening conditions.”

You do not need an appointment to attend and waiting times can be much shorter than A&E. The Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust UTC at the following address:

Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. Seaton House, London Road, Nottingham, NG2 4LA Tel: 0115 883 8500.

Pharmacies can offer over the counter advice and treat common illnesses such as colds, sore throats, stings and allergies.

The Trust added: “Our emergency services remain open and you should continue to come forward as normal in emergency and life-threatening cases – when someone is seriously ill or injured, or their life is at risk. Our aim is to prioritise patients with the highest level of need and ensure that we continue to manage emergency care.

“We ask that if your relative is due to be discharged from hospital and needs to be collected, please do so as early as possible. This will help our teams and free up a hospital bed for someone waiting to be admitted.”

What you can do to help

  • Only call 999 or attend A&E departments for serious accidents and for life threatening emergencies.
  • Where the situation is not life-threatening, alternative support will be available through NHS111 online or by calling 111
  • Urgent Treatment Centres (UTC) treat injuries including sprains, strains, suspected fractures, bites, cuts, scalds and other non-emergency conditions. Waiting times are usually much shorter than A&E. UTCs are available at:
  • Nottingham – The NHS Urgent Care Centre (next to the BBC building) is open every day from 7am-7pm. You don’t need an appointment to attend.
  • Newark – Newark Hospital is open 9am-10pm (last patient admitted at 9.30pm). It can be found on Boundary Road, NG24 4DE
  • Ilkeston Community Hospital – is open 8am-8pm. It can be found on Heanor Road, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 8LN. You can book into this service via 111.
  • Pharmacies can help with allergies, constipation, headaches, earaches and many other ailments. Many pharmacies are open and you can find opening hours for your local pharmacy here

Please do not visit your loved ones in hospital if you have any flu or other respiratory illness symptoms – please wait until you are better to visit them.  

Mapperley Co-op petrol station will become Asda Express as part of takeover

A Mapperley petrol station shop looks set to be transformed into a mini Asda store as part of a huge takeover deal. 

The Co-op petrol station on Woodborough Road will become an Asda Express by the end of March next year.

It comes as the supermarket giant looks to start repurposing stores it acquired during a deal last year. 

Asda is planning to become the UK’s second-largest supermarket chain and is growing its convenience store sector in order to do so. 

The deal with Co-op included a total of 132 forecourts and cost the company £438 million. 

As a result of the exchange, 116 new express stores will pop-up around the country between now and March 2024 – 11 of which have already opened. 

A part of the takeover  the 2,300 workers who are currently employed at the Co-op will transfer to the new Asda locations. 

Asda’s co-owner Mohsin Issa said: “The launch of our conversion programme is an incredibly exciting moment for our business and accelerates our presence in the fast-growing convenience market.

“We look forward to bringing Asda’s great value in fuel and groceries to many more communities across the UK and to welcoming over 2,000 former Co-op colleagues to the Asda family in the coming months.”