Do you think you’ve captured a Gedling borough moment in a photograph that other readers would like to see? If so then send it in to be featured on our Gedling Eye readers’ gallery.
Supply your name and a brief description of where and when the photograph was taken, or perhaps a funny caption.
We only feature photos taken locally in the borough.
The deadline is Friday at 5pm and photos will be published on the website on Saturday morning.
As we continue to feel the pinch from the cost of living crisis, it’s no wonder many of us are thinking twice about where we do our big shop (that’s still what we call it!) in Gedling borough.
The cheapest supermarket has been revealed after research by consumer champion Which?.
The cheapest? No surprise – It’s Aldi, of course! The German discount supermarket has been named as the UK’s cheapest for the eighth month in a row.
Lidl was just over £2 more expensive than AldiA weekly shop at Morrisons was nearly £15 more expensive than Aldi
This latest announcement is based on Which’s January research, which compared the prices for the same basket of items across the UK’s major supermarkets.
Which? found that, at a total of £82.03, Aldi was around £13 cheaper than Sainsbury’s and Asda, which sat in the middle at just over £95 each, and nearly £12 cheaper than Tesco, which cost £93.80.
Lidl was a close runner-up, though, costing only £2.04 than Aldi – so if Lidl is closer, don’t bother getting into your car to travel to Aldi.
Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi, said: “We know just how important it is for families up and down the nation to find ways to cut costs anyway they can, and at Aldi we are dedicated to keeping prices low and quality high across all our products.
“The latest findings from Which? show that customers can save themselves over £25 on just one basket by choosing Aldi – that’s not just pocket change.
“The fact that Which? have found Aldi to be cheapest for eight months in a row is a testament to our commitment to our shoppers.”
Gedling Eye contacted The Lambley owners Star Pubs and Bars who told us ‘they hadn’t been informed that the pub was closing’.
PICTURED: The Lambley pub on Main StreetPICTURED: The Beacon Hill on Burton Road in Carlton
When first contacted they said: “The Lambley was leased to an independent operator to run as their own business.
“We are keen for it to reopen as quickly as possible.”
The chain has now provided Gedling Eye with a new update, confirming they want to get the pub trading again.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars says: “There is interest in taking on The Lambley from a number of parties because it is a great pub in a great location.
“Until an agreement with one of them is finalised we can’t provide further information.”
The firm also provided an update on the Beacon Hill on Burton Road in Carlton.
The pub is still trading but without a permanent management team in place – but this could be changing soon.
“The Beacon Hill at Carlton is open and trading with a temporary publican,” a spokesman for the pub chain said.
“We should have a new operator in place by the end of February. We’ll be able to confirm all the details and their plans for the pub once the recruitment process is finalised.”
“Once the plans are definite, we’ll be happy to share more details.”
Lidl is offering shoppers at their Gedling borough stores the chance to win £10,000 by buying fruit and vegetables.
The German discount supermarket has stores in Arnold and Netherfield .
Customers must complete a digital Fruit and Veg stamp card via the Lidl Plus app to be in for a chance of winning the huge cash prize.
Every £5 spent on fresh fruit & veg at the discount supermarket until March 1 earns one stamp, with four stamps needed to complete a card. Each completed card offers customers one entry into the prize draw.
There are up to 100,000 fruit and veg coupons to be won as well as the big cash prize, but customers could also choose to pay it forward and translate their coupon into a £1 donation to Lidl’s Community redistribution partner Neighbourly.
Customers are able to enter the Prize Draw multiple times.
The promotion applies only to fresh fruit & veg, including prepared fresh, with no stamps earned for buying frozen or tinned produce.
The news comes as Lidl is set to make a £4 billion investment into the British food industry this year to support suppliers across the country.
Additionally, the discount retailer announced last year that it will be supporting its suppliers by selling stunted fruit and vegetables in a bid to reduce food waste.
Pensioners in Netherfield have had their ageing bathrooms converted into wet rooms by Gedling Borough Council so they can live independently at home for longer.
15 properties in the town were identified as meeting the criteria to have their standard bathrooms converted into accessible wet rooms.
Standard baths will be removed so that walk-in shower spaces can be created. It can allow elderly people to live in their own homes for longer and potentially delay the need to move into supported accommodation or NHS care.
Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth, left, with resident Robert Watling (and Sandy the dog) in a newly converted wet room,
The council worked in partnership with local housing providers, Longhurst Group, to identify properties where there was a need for adaptations.
The scheme has been entirely funded by the Better Care Fund, a programme launched in 2015 to join up the NHS, social care and housing services so that older people, and those with complex needs, can manage their own health and wellbeing and live independently in their communities for as long as possible.
PICTURED: Before, above, and after, below, photos of a wet room conversion
The cost of the scheme totalled £105,000 but it is estimated that each adaptation could save up to £73,000 per person when compared to the cost of a resident having to move into residential care or the cost to the NHS where help is needed following a fall.
The scheme was designed to improve the facilities for both existing and future residents, and as well as having wet rooms installed, properties have had additional safety improvements such as new sinks, rails and seats fitted.
The council is now looking at ways to build on the success of the scheme and will consider other areas and housing providers in the borough which could benefit from the innovative use of the council’s Better Care Fund allocation.
Resident Yvonne Lee said; “I’m absolutely delighted with this new shower and wet room, it’s much better suited for me than my previous setup, especially after I fell in the bath and had to call for help last year.
This new wet room is an absolute life saver, it’s helped me to be able to look after myself again and given me back my confidence after my fall.
I’m incredibly grateful for the work that’s been done under this scheme, it’s made such a difference for me.”
Netherfield resident Robert Watling said: “All the teams involved in this did a fantastic job, everyone was so polite, on time, friendly, tidy; you couldn’t ask for a better group.
I’m so happy with the work they’ve done, I had an accident with the old bath here and this new wet room has helped me get back my independence.
My only complaint was there was too much choice for tiles and floors, there were so many options! It’s a fantastic scheme and I’d highly recommend it to anyone who’s eligible for future projects like this.”
Joe Taylor from Longhurst Group said: “This was an amazing and life changing project, enabled through collaborative working and aligned thinking, all with the goal of improving the lives of our mutual customers.
What an outcome and achievement to deliver these adaptations in such a timescale, to such a standard, thank you to Gedling Borough Council for enabling this project and thank you to my colleagues in the independent living team, planned works team and at Lindum for their huge and sustained effort over the course of the project.”
Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Growth and Economy, Councillor Jenny Hollingsworth said;
“This is a fantastic scheme and something which is going to make a real difference to the lives of our residents.
A priority for the council is to improve health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities for our residents, and that’s exactly what this scheme is about.
This campaign not only means residents can benefit from new, safer and accessible facilities right now, but they can also benefit from the long term impact, helping to improve their quality of life and live independently.
I’d like to thank our officers and partners involved in organising this scheme and for securing the finding to help improve the lives of our residents.”
Many of our readers will have known Chris Woodward who passed away peacefully in his sleep on January 7 following a short illness.
Mr Woodward, who lived until he was 92, was a much loved member of the Netherfield Community and many will remember him from the famous ‘Woodies’ sign on Victoria Road that directed customers to his premises to the rear of the now vacant TSB bank in the town.
Woodies store sold everything from birdseed to picture frames when it was open every Thursday to Saturday without fail and his passing is a loss to a community that he was firmly at the heart of.
Chris operated his business for over 50 years and his original sign that was self made started to deteriorate over time. It was then that the Facebook group ‘Spotted by Netherfield’ donated a new one to the shop owner back in 2021.
Pictured: Notice on Woodie’s Gate (Picture by Gedling Eye)
Chris was married to Peggy and locals will be happy to know that she is doing well during a difficult time for her and the family, as per a sign posted on the now closed Woodies.
Sadly ‘Woodies’ will not be re-opened.
Chris’s funeral will be held at 4.00pm on Wednesday February 15 at Gedling Crematorium, Catfoot Lane, Lambley, NG4 4QH.
People in Gedling borough are being urged to be extra vigilant amid a spate of reports that fraudsters are impersonating police officers.
The crime, known as ‘Courier Fraud’, has seen elderly victims hand over thousands of pounds in cash after being told they must cooperate with an undercover police investigation into their bank.
Fraudsters posing as cops have told the victims their bank has been issuing fake bank notes – and that as a customer they are required to withdraw bank notes and hand them to a courier, so that the notes can be checked by police.
PICTURE: Deposit Photos
They are told they will be reimbursed but in reality the person who collects the cash is a fraudster who then disappears with the money.
During a two-week period in January, Nottinghamshire Police received 34 reports of courier fraud attempts, with six people losing a combined £72,900.
The heaviest loss was one couple in their 80s who were coerced into handing over £24,000. The couple were initially contacted by a man claiming to be from BT, who claimed he was calling due to an overdue payment. When the couple advised they had paid the bill, they were put through to another person, who claimed he was a detective sergeant – and the scam went on from there.
Nottinghamshire Police’s fraud protect team is now helping the victims submit reimbursement claims as they seek to recover their losses.
Following the spike in reports, officers are urging people to pass on the information about bogus callers to relatives, friends and neighbours who may be at risk to such scams.
Dale Richardson, fraud protect officer for Nottinghamshire Police, said: “We really need the public to be on their guard against this scam.
“If you know anyone who might be susceptible to this type of fraud, please let them know that no police officer or legitimate bank/building society will ever phone you to ask you to give them your bank details, your PIN, or hand over cash to a courier.”
In Nottinghamshire, targeted residents have been contacted by a cold caller purporting to be a police officer.
In many of the reported cases, the bogus cop told the person a bank card in their name had been found in the possession of a relative, who had been arrested.
They also told the person counterfeit money was found on the relative, which had led to suspicions the person’s bank was issuing counterfeit notes.
Victims were then persuaded to withdraw cash from their bank so that a ‘police officer’ could come to their address and collect it, as part of a supposed police investigation.
To verify what they were being told was true, victims were advised to hang up and ring 191. However, that number is also not genuine and has led to victims speaking to another fraudster who is part of the scam.
Detective Inspector Ashley Xavier said Nottinghamshire Police is doing everything possible to trace those involved in the scam.
She said: “I want to reassure the public that these cases are being investigated and we are providing safeguarding support and helping victims submit claims to recover their losses.
“We don’t want anyone to suffer the emotional effects of a major financial loss and so I urge the public to get in touch with friends and family to warn them of this scam.
“These fraudsters can be very elaborate, very convincing and cruel. If you think someone is trying to scam you, hang up and tell someone straight away.”
Here are some tell-tale signs of courier fraud:
Courier fraud usually starts with an unsolicited telephone call to the victim.
Typically the suspect will pose as a bank official, police officer or a computer or utility engineer.
Courier fraudsters will usually request the victim purchases high value items such as a Rolex watch and gold bullion, withdraws cash or provides a bank card for collection from a courier.
Fraudsters will instruct victims not tell any family or friends about what they are doing.
When carrying out courier fraud, criminals will request the victim hangs up the phone to ring their bank for confirmation while keeping the line open. The suspect then purports to be a bank official and provides false confirmation.
Fraudsters will also make arrangements for a courier to meet the victim to collect the item they have purchased.
A number of services exist to help combat nuisance calls, including the trueCall system which lets calls from friends and family straight through, but which asks unrecognised callers to identify themselves, and blocks unwelcome callers. Anyone interested in obtaining a trueCall system should call Nottinghamshire Police on 101 and ask to speak to Dale Richardson.
Hundreds of violent and sexual offences were reported to police in Gedling borough in December 2022.
Each month Gedling Eye will chart every crime in the borough on an interactive map for readers to stay on top of what is happening and where.
The map can be found below.
This month, our map reveals the location of every crime reported to Nottinghamshire Police in December 2022 (the latest available full month of data).
The map shows location, type of offence, and outcome or current status of the police investigation.
Readers can use the online tool to see what happened near their homes, schools and places of work and build an understanding of the county’s crime hotspots.
By far the greatest number of reported offences were violent and sexual offences, with a total of 210 such offences reported in the borough
This was followed by anti-social behaviour 129 reports, shoplifting with 59, criminal damage and arson 48 reports, public order offences 27, vehicle crime 20, burglary 19 reports and possession of drugs 16
The least reported crimes were bike thefts (1), robbery (3) and possession of weapons (8)
During the routine petrol and diesel measure checks, Trading Standards Officers in Nottinghamshire were pleasantly surprised to discover petrol pumps, some from the era of flared trousers and glam rock, that were still working hard and giving customers correct measure. At one forecourt officers discovered one pump that dated back to 1971. Along with the other pumps on the site it was given a clean bill of health for delivering the correct amounts of fuel.
Petrol and diesel measure inspections are an important part of routine cost of living checks that are carried out by Nottinghamshire Trading Standards to ensure that the prices paid for food, fuel, postal services and home heating oil are correct across the county. Officers have a range of testing equipment that can be used to check that businesses are delivering what they say they are. So far during these petrol and diesel spot checks the majority of businesses that have been visited are complying with their legal obligations. Less than 3% of the nozzles that were tested were found to be giving less fuel than stated at the pump. Following notices to fix their equipment, the petrol station owners have fixed the deficient nozzles, so they now deliver legal measures.
Councillor John Cottee, cabinet member for Communities at Nottinghamshire County Council, said: “By carrying out these checks we can reassure residents that they are getting their money’s worth in Nottinghamshire, which is crucial at a time when costs are rising. Retailers have also welcomed the opportunity to have their business independently checked, and in cases where we have found they are giving customers less than required, I am pleased to say that they have willingly adjusted their equipment to ensure customers receive the correct amounts.”
If residents have concerns about the goods or services they receive from a business located in the county, they can report it to Nottinghamshire Trading Standards via the Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 0808 223 1133.
Carlton Town pulled off a huge upset as they beat Mansfield Town on penalties at Field Mill in the semi-final of the Notts FA Senior Cup.
The win was fully deserved as Carlton looked transformed from the side which has struggled in the Northern Premier League this campaign. Instead, on a fine surface and in a Football League stadium, and roared on by a raucous travelling support, and facing a Stags side containing five players with first team experience, the Millers produced their best display since last year’s semi-final win against Nottingham Forest under 23s. If they reproduce this level of performance in their remaining league matches then they will undoubtedly pull clear of the relegation positions.
There was mild controversy in the build up to the game when Mansfield elected to preserve home advantage, despite the general rule being that the three professional clubs in the Senior Cup play away from home when paired against a non-league opponent. That fact plus the pre-announced decision to include first team players rather than play a purely Academy team demonstrated that the Stags were clearly taking this competition very seriously. They would have been only too aware that the Millers beat them in last year’s final and Carlton can feel justifiably proud of the level of respect afforded them by their Football League opponents.
If the retention of home advantage was designed to disadvantage Carlton, it plainly had the opposite effect. Not only were the players clearly inspired by the surroundings, but the vastly superior playing surface suited their playing style far more than Stoke Lane. The supporters too enjoyed the opportunity to generate noise that a covered stand provides and made the most of it.
Mark Harvey and Tommy Brookbanks made four changes to the side which had lost to Shildon last time out. Into the side came Lawrence Gorman, Nat Watson (his current suspension doesn’t apply to the Senior Cup), Aaron O’Connor and, less than a month after suffering a broken leg, Niall Davie. Out went Jonathan White (cup-tied), Lewis Durow, Tyler Blake and Alex Howes.
Mansfield included George Maris, Riley Harbottle, Jimmy Knowles, Ollie Clarke and Jordan Bowery in their starting XI, all players with first team experience. Indeed, Clarke and Bowery came on as substitutes in the Stags’ 4-1 win against Doncaster Rovers three days earlier.
PICTURED: Carlton Town manager Tommy Brookbanks (PHOTO: Twitter)
Within minutes of the start it became clear that Carlton hadn’t just come to make up the numbers. They started to pass and move with some style and Watson and Davie were imposing themselves on their talented opponents. Both players had outstanding games and were a major factor in the outcome of this match.
Davie had the first effort of the game when Carlton broke following a Mansfield corner. Kyle Tomlin surged into the Stags half before feeding Watson. He in turn found Davie who fired over the bar. At the other end Dan Brown did well to intercept a quick Mansfield counter-attack, something he did on multiple occasions throughout the night.
Mikey Emery was called upon to make a decent save from a long-range effort from Knowles before Dean Freeman headed a Jared Holmes free kick just over the bar.
On 31 minutes Watson picked up possession in midfield, surrounded by Mansfield players. He then produced a ridiculously outstanding rabona, passing the ball 20 yards with a flick behind his standing leg to send Davie away down the right. He slipped the ball to O’Connor who squared to Niall Hylton who lifted his shot over the bar. It was a superb piece of play from the Millers and reminiscent of the best of their football from last season.
It was end to end football. Emery made another save and immediately passed to Watson. He put O’Connor away and the striker drew a fine save from Louie Turner in the Mansfield goal, with the keeper also blocking a follow-up header and shortly afterwards saving a Watson free kick.
By now it was Carlton on top and they opened the scoring four minutes before half time from the penalty spot. A long throw from Gorman wasn’t cleared and a Mansfield hand got in the way of a shot in a crowded penalty area. Up stepped goalkeeper Emery and he sent Turner the wrong way for the second time in four weeks, having scored against the same goalkeeper in the recent draw at Long Eaton.
Mansfield came out for the start of the second half with a determination about them and Brown did well to cover another attack. Knowles still got a shot away that was saved by Emery.
The Carlton goalkeeper had to be alert to save from Clarke before Mansfield levelled on 54 minutes when Knowles cut into the area on the right hand side and directed his shot across Emery and into the corner of the net.
The goal awoke a youthful section of the Mansfield support and for the rest of the game there was an excellent exchange of songs between the two sets of supporters, with the Stags support seemingly envious of the array of scarves brought by the vocal Carlton following.
Emery did well to tip away a cross from Louis Bonser and by the midway point of the half the question was whether the superior fitness of Mansfield’s full time players would start to tell. The answer was an emphatic “no” as Carlton made substitutions to bring on fresh legs and if anything, they finished the game the stronger side.
Alex Howes, one of the substitutes, tore into the Mansfield defence and he, Tomlin and Watson were involved in one of the best moves of the game which eventually led to nothing.
With ten minutes remaining Howes sped down the left and sent over a delight of a cross but no one was on hand to convert. A minute later Watson found Brad Wells, another substitute who helped pin Mansfield back in their own half. Wells slipped the ball to Tomlin who played a lovely pass to send Howes clean through. He was absolutely poleaxed by Harbottle for what looked a stonewall penalty, only for the referee to wave away the claims, much to Carlton’s astonishment.
Still Carlton pushed forward and minutes later Wells hit a superb lofted shot from outside the area which was heading for the back of the net only for Turner to pull off a superb save, tipping the ball over the bar.
Turner then did well to cut out a Howes cross as the game entered added time.
Carlton’s work-rate had been tremendous throughout, with Gorman and Hylton refusing to be beaten down the flanks and Sargent and Tomlin, along with pretty much everyone else covering everything in the middle. But Mansfield were always going to create one final chance and they did so in the final minute of added time when Maris hit a scorcher of a shot, only to see Emery tip it over the bar.
Seconds later the referee blew for time and so that meant penalties.
Kyle Dixon went first but his strike was saved by Turner. Emery then saved from Knowles before Tomlin scored to put Carlton ahead. Maris scored for Mansfield to maintain parity before Gorman rifled his penalty into the roof of the net to put Carlton back in front. Emery then saved from Harbottle, diving to his left, before getting up and scoring himself to put Carlton 3-1 ahead in the shoot-out. Bowery kept Mansfield in the tie by scoring his penalty only for Howes to seal the win with Carlton’s fifth and final penalty.
That sparked scenes of jubilation on the pitch and amongst the 50 or so visiting supporters as Carlton made it to their seventh Senior Cup final in 12 years.
Carlton Town: M Emery, L Gorman, N Hylton (A Howes 65), D Brown, D Freeman, J Holmes (B Wells 77), K Tomlin, K Sargent, N Watson, A O’Connor (T Blake 71), N Davie (K Dixon 77). Unused substitutes: R Stainsby, L Durow
