Families wrestling with the cost of living are struggling to meet the costs of school uniforms – so residents in Burton Joyce have stepped up to help.
A new school uniform bank has been installed in the village’s Co-op car park, allowing parents to donate Burton Joyce Primary School uniforms around the clock.
The uniforms will then be collected from the bank and passed on to families who most need them.
The uniform bank will be located in the village Co-op car park
The Association will also offer surplus, unbranded uniforms to parents and guardians of pupils attending Netherfield Primary School. These will be made available free of charge at forthcoming events in the local community.
Lee Garland is one of the residents who helped get the bank established.
He wrote: “Times are tough for many at the moment, and we know there are many of you out there keen to support our own amazing school community, and children and carers in need in our neighbouring local area.
“This is a community initiative that has been a while in the making, so a huge thank you to all involved.
“Please do donate anything you can as we head out of the summer holidays, and as soon as we’ve got stock in place, we’ll arrange distribution, likely around October half-term.”
The bank accepts almost all school-related clothing donations including school bags, P.E. kit, shoes, plimsolls, sports trainers, school coats – as well as of course jumpers, cardigans, dresses, trousers, shorts, playsuits and shirts.
People are being asked not to donate underwear or anything that is too badly worn. Volunteers are also asking that items donated are clean.
Gedling‘s very own WBA featherweight champion boxer Leigh Wood will be back fighting in Nottingham on September 24 when he defends his title against Mauricio Lara at the Motorpoint Arena Nottingham.
Wood (26-2, 16 KOs) memorably stopped Michael Conlan in the 12th and final round of his epic first defense of the WBA 126lbs title back in March, knocking the Irishman out of the ring in brutal fashion to end their Fight of the Year battle.
‘Leigh-thal’ was heavily dropped in the opening round and looked to be heading towards his third loss in the pros before brilliantly fighting back to earn a stunning win that will be talked about for many years to come. After a fight with WBA ‘Super’ Champion Leo Santa Cruz failed to transpire, in an incredibly gutsy move, Wood has chosen to prove himself against one of the most feared knockout artists in world boxing.
Lara floored and ruthlessly finished Josh Warrington in a sensational upset behind closed doors at The SSE Arena, Wembley in February 2021, ending the IBF Featherweight World Champion’s unbeaten record.
Lara rematched Warrington in front of a sold-out Headingley Stadium in Leeds seven months later, but a nasty cut over the left eye of the Mexican in round two caused by an accidental clash of heads resulted in the contest ending in a technical draw.
The power-punching 24-year-old went on to blitz Emilio Sanchez in three rounds earlier this year on the undercard of Roman Gonzalez vs. Julio Cesar Martinez in another destructive show of brute force to put the 126lbs division on notice.
Wood said he was confident he could ‘get the job done’ and beat Lara.
“I maybe have a handful of fights left and I want them to be my biggest,” said Wood.
“I want to be tested. I’m filling arenas now and I want to keep that momentum going. Every fight should be a step forward, not backwards.
Mauricio Lara is dangerous but high risk high reward, I’m confident I can do what Josh Warrington couldn’t do and get the job done.”
Lara said he was ‘very excited” to be facing Wood.
“This is the opportunity that I have worked so hard for and I am not going to miss it.
“I am aware that Leigh Wood is a great fighter, but no one is going to take away the possibility of me becoming a World Champion. I’m going to England for the third time and it’s like I’m fighting at home.”
IBO Lightweight title holder Maxi Hughes will also be taking on Sheffield’s former IBF Featherweight World Champion Kid Galahad in a Yorkshire derby on the night and Terri Harper will be leaping up in weight to challenge Scotland’s Hannah Rankin for her IBO and WBA Super-Welterweight World Titles.
Two of Gedling borough‘s bus services have been handed a temporary lifeline after the government unveiled a nationwide support package of £130 million.
The cash has been handed to Nottinghamshire County Council and will be used to provide financial support to keep the 46 and 47 service going.
The buses, which are operated by Nottingham City Transport, serve Woodborough, Lambley, Mapperley and Nottingham.
Without the funding the council said the services would have been at risk.
The cash award has also secured the futures of 17 other key bus services across Notts.
The funding is being provided from a new instalment of the Government’s Bus Recovery Grant, announced last week, which has been set up to help routes struggling to recover to pre-covid passenger levels, along with existing council held transport funding.
The money to fund the buses will last initially until April 2023 and is in addition to £4.1m given by Nottinghamshire Couny Council that already supports a further 80 bus routes each year.
Bus companies are expected to make further commercial decisions on other routes in Nottinghamshire in the coming week which are not funded by the council.
Councillor Neil Clarke, the council’s Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment, has welcomed the targeted money to help bus services.
“I’m pleased that the council and the Government have teamed-up to help passengers to continue to use these bus services.
“Many residents will use these services for work, shopping and seeing friends and loved ones – and older members of our community find them especially valuable.
“We’re all aware of the many challenges faced by the bus and coach industry after the worst days of the pandemic.
“I’m glad that the council can still play a crucial role in providing the investment to keep bus services running smoothly across our county”, he said.
Councillor Clarke added: “We will be reviewing these services in partnership with the bus companies over the autumn, as well as looking at our existing supported network to look at longer-term options after next April.
“It is vital that residents try to use the bus more frequently across Nottinghamshire, as it will provide us with evidence and a clear need to continue funding bus travel.
“Using the bus more will help continue to keep bus services running across Nottinghamshire now and in the future.”
Asda has announced it plans to remove ‘best before’ dates from almost 250 fresh fruit and vegetable products as it joins a movement among supermarkets to help customers cut waste and save money.
The supermarket giant has said it will leave the dates off produce including citrus fruits, potatoes, cauliflowers and carrots across all its UK stores
The retailer has a superstore in Arnold town centre.
Asda said that dates will be replaced by a new code which will be used by store staff to ensure quality and freshness.
They plan to issue guidance online and on packaging to help customers store and prepare fresh food as well as tips on how to reduce waste.
It follows the Waste & Resources Action Programme (Wrap) saying that ‘best before’ dates on fruit and vegetables are unnecessary and contribute to climate change.
Wrap figures suggest that the average family throws away £60 worth of food and drink each month.
Asda head of technical Andy Cockshaw said: “Reducing food waste in our business and in customers’ homes is a priority and we are always looking at different ways to achieve this.
“We know for customers this has become more important than ever in the current climate as many families are struggling with the cost-of-living crisis and are looking to make savings wherever they can.”
Catherine David, director of collaboration and change at Wrap, said: “We are delighted by this development from Asda to help tackle food waste in our homes.
“Our research has shown that date labels on fruit and veg are unnecessary – getting rid of them can prevent the equivalent of seven million shopping baskets’ worth from our household bins.
“The influence of no date label or the right date label on what we use and what we throw away is huge.
“More supermarkets need to get ahead on food waste by axing date labels from fresh produce, allowing people to use their own judgement.”
Waitrose and Marks & Spencer have announced this year that they are removing the dates from hundreds of fresh products, while Tesco led the way when it got rid of them from more than 100 items in 2018.
In January, Morrisons announced plans to remove ‘use by’ dates on milk and encourage consumers to use a “sniff test” instead to determine if it is okay to consume.
Erection of detached garage gym/office and storage. Greenwood Gardens Ollerton Road Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 8PR Ref. No: 2022/0968
Erection of garage on the footprint of the previous garage 36A Sobers Gardens Arnold Nottinghamshire NG5 6QU Ref. No: 2022/0926 |
Bestwood
Single storey front and side extension to existing dwelling. 41 Coronation Road Bestwood NG6 8TH Ref. No: 2022/0948
Install a 6m cabinet style galvanised tilt over column together with a 2m antennae extension and concrete base for a CCTV camera. Recreation Ground Muirfield Road Bestwood Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0819
Burton Joyce
Modification of S106 agreement (2018/1034) to include removal of affordable housing, removal of the open space contribution and reduction in monetary contributions of bus stop provision (£5,000 to £4,666.67) and Eduation (£76,474 to £71,375.73) with the number of dwellings having reduced from 15 to 14 Land Off Orchard Close Burton Joyce Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0823
Calverton
No planning applications this week
Carlton
Convert existing bungalow into 2 x new build dwellings including increase in roof height, rear extension and construction of rear outbuildings. 92 Second Avenue Carlton Nottinghamshire NG4 1PF Ref. No: 2022/0972
Colwick
Approval of details reserved by condition 3 (materials) of planning permission 2021/1080 Land South Of Colwick Loop Road Road No 3 Colwick Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0884DOC
Daybrook
Single Storey Side Extension 42 Nelson Road Daybrook Nottinghamshire NG5 6JE Ref. No: 2022/0827
Gedling
New Boundary wall, fence and gates to entrance and new garage to front of property Rosemount Friday Lane Gedling Nottingham Nottinghamshire NG4 3L Ref. No: 2022/0836
Lambley
No planning applications this week
Linby
Non-Material Amendment to planning Permission 2020/0258 – Changes to roofing materials Land North Of Papplewick Lane Linby Nottinghamshire Ref. No: 2022/0890NMA
Mapperley
Demolition of linked outbuilding to side of property and replacement with single storey extension. Construct rear raised terraced area. 34 Whittingham Road Mapperley Nottinghamshire NG3 6BJ Ref. No: 2022/0899
Single storey side extension; raised decking to rear and external alterations 48 Northcliffe Avenue Mapperley Nottinghamshire NG3 6DA Ref. No: 2022/0896
Netherfield
No planning applications this week
Newstead
No planning applications this week
Papplewick
No planning applications this week
Ravenshead
Alterations to the existing front entrance porch minor demolition of existing rear external store and chimney, erection of a new rear 2 storey extension . 4 Bourne Drive Ravenshead Nottinghamshire NG15 9FN Ref. No: 2022/0903
Proposed single storey rear and side extension. 40 Weaverthorpe Road Woodthorpe Nottinghamshire NG5 4NB Ref. No: 2022/0879
Single storey front extension, Single storey rear extension. External wall insulation and rendering to front, side and rear elevations 36 Thackerays Lane Woodthorpe NG5 4HQ Ref. No: 2022/0858
Two residents from Stoke Bardolph care home, Rivendell View, have formed an unbreakable friendship after one resident offered her skills to cheer up her neighbour.
When 85-year-old Rita Brookes was unable to book extra hairdressing appointments at the home’s onsite salon, Joyce Rowbotham (80) took it upon herself to offer her services.
Joyce had picked up some hairdressing skills from her daughter, a professional hairdresser, and asked if Rita would like her hair styled in the weeks between their regular monthly appointments.
The pair enjoyed the salon sessions so much that it became a weekly appointment, and have since become inseparable.
Rita said, ‘Being able to get my hair done every week is a real morale booster for me. It cheers me up when I don’t feel myself and Joyce and I always have a good catch up whilst we are in the salon!’
When asked why she offered to style Rita’s hair, Joyce said, “I love to see people happy when they see what I’ve done with their hair, I really take pride in what I do. Rita is my best friend, and my favourite thing about doing her hair is seeing her smile.”
Joyce’s top tips for styling hair are to ‘stay cool under pressure, don’t rush, and enjoy what you do.’
Lisa Tungate, the Home Manager at Rivendell View, said: “We always encourage our residents to do what they love, so when Joyce came to us with the idea of styling Rita’s hair, we were more than happy to give them some time in our salon.
“It’s been heart-warming to watch Joyce and Rita’s friendship blossom over their time together at Rivendell View. ‘
Arnold’s swimming pools will be open and cinema screenings put on during the August bank holiday after Gedling Borough Council agreed to keep some leisure facilities open for families struggling with the cost of living.
The Labour-led authority has approved the move, with Arnold Leisure Centre and the Bonington Theatre, both off High Street, to be open to the public on Monday (August 29).
PICTURED: Bonington Theatre in Arnold (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
The authority usually closes most of its leisure centres on bank holidays to allow staff time to take leave – normally only leaving Carlton Forum open to customers.
It did, however, keep open Calverton Leisure Centre on the recent Jubilee Bank Holidays in June to offer more services to residents.
However, the authority says usage was low during the June bank holidays, meaning the Calverton centre will be closed next week, alongside Redhill Leisure Centre in Arnold.
But the main Arnold Leisure Centre, which includes a swimming pool and a learner pool, will be open between 7am and 4pm, and the popular Bonington Theatre will host three cinema screenings during the day.
This includes the new DC: League of Superpets movie at 10.30am, The Railway Children Return at 1.30pm and Where The Crawdads Sing at 4.30pm.
And Gedling Borough Council says the decision was taken to ensure families struggling with rising bills will be able to offer children a day out on the bank holiday.
In papers approved this week, the council said: “Opening the leisure centres more than has traditionally been the case may allow for some residents to access the facilities who may not have done previously.
“[This is] as a result of the current cost of living crisis, with residents less likely to be able to afford to go away on holiday, as well as the proximity to the end of the school summer holidays.
“Usage at Calverton Leisure Centre was low over the Queen’s Jubilee Bank Holiday and it may also be difficult to obtain staff for this day to offer a full range of facilities at this site.
“[This decision] will allow staff to take annual leave without the need to provide full cover at some sites, thus minimising additional staffing costs.”
The authority had considered closing all centres to allow staff to take annual leave, and also looked at adjusting opening times for its leisure centres and the feasibility of keeping them all open.
However, it believes its plans, approved this week, will be “adequate to meet the demand” of residents.
Children’s activities, history walks and street theatre is planned as Gedling borough prepares to celebrate Nottinghamshire Day
Gedling Borough Council has organised a number of events and activities in Arnold to celebrate all the great things about Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
PICTURED: Events will be taking place in Arnold town centre
The events will take place on Thursday (August 25) starting with the raising of the Nottinghamshire flag by the Mayor of Gedling, Councillor Peter Barnes, at the civic centre.
From 11am there will be a host of activities for children with Gedling Play Forum, history walks around the town centre with local historian, Bob Massey, as well as street theatre, health and wellbeing hubs and other great activities to celebrate Nottinghamshire Day.
This year’s theme is ‘Shop Local’. The council’s Business Support Officers will be holding events on Front Street, near Arnold Market Place, where a number of new small business enterprises will be moving in shortly. The Business Support team will also be on hand to offer help and advice to local businesses.
The event is free and is from 11am – 3pm.
As well as this event, there are a host of other things taking place, organised by Nottinghamshire County Council, taking place across the county. You can find more details HERE.
The first Nottinghamshire Day was held back in 2021 and gives the county the opportunity to our celebrate the identity, heritage, culture, and local traditions.
The annual event takes place on the August 25 as this date marks the anniversary of the start of the English Civil War, an event triggered by Charles I raising the royal standard at Nottingham Castle in 1642.
Gedling Borough Council and other authorities from across Notts may need to find millions of pounds to fund a pay rise for staff unless they get help from the Government.
In some cases as much as £1.5m could be added to individual authorities’ pay bills, with all council employees potentially receiving a £1,925 boost.
Two Nottinghamshire councils have called on Whitehall to help fund the rise if it goes ahead and prevent budget pressures.
It follows union calls for either £2,000 or a rise in line with inflation – now standing at 10.1 per cent – to help council workers cope with the cost of living crisis.
The National Employers – the organisation in control of public sector pay – came back with the £1,925 offer and ongoing negotiations will decide whether it is accepted.
If agreed, every member of staff employed by councils would receive the sum regardless of pay bands, working out at a 10.5 per cent rise for the lowest-paid workers.
And it could be backdated to April 1, 2022, putting pressure on councils to find the funding straight away for staff working in their organisations.
Most Nottinghamshire authorities say they are awaiting the result of the ongoing negotiations before confirming how it will impact their finances.
However, both Gedling Borough Council and Ashfield District Council have revealed it could add millions to the pay bills of the county’s lower-tier authorities.
Responding to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, a spokesperson for Labour-led Gedling said the pay award will add almost £1m to its own pay bill, despite only budgeting for an increase £420,000.
The authority said it will need to make savings to make up the shortfall unless the Government agrees to financial support.
A council spokesperson said: “This would add in excess of £950,000 to our pay bill for which the current budgets only allow for £420,000.
“The shortfall of £530,000 would have to be taken from balances in the short-term and be set as a further efficiency target to be found in the longer term.
“Unless of course, the government agree to make a contribution to each council.”
At Ashfield District Council, the amount potentially added to the pay bill is even higher, at £1.5m.
And Cllr Jason Zadrozny (Ash Ind), the authority’s leader, believes more support is needed.
He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “Government expects us to deliver key services on a shoestring. Our staff do an excellent job and that should be rewarded.
“That said, this will hit our reserves. The Government need to fund our public services properly – warm words don’t pay bills.”
Their concerns come after the Local Government Association urged for Whitehall intervention over similar increases to the National Living Wage, which could rise by 20 per cent in the next two years.
The body, which represents all councils in England and Wales, says without Government support, services could be “put at risk”.
Cllr Andrew Western, chair of the LGA’s resources board, previously said: “Councils know this year will be tough for many, especially those on the lowest incomes.
“Supporting those on the lowest pay is not only fair but improves the motivation, loyalty, productivity, and retention of hard-working council staff.
“However, staff pay makes up a huge proportion of councils’ costs and it is clear that the rising cost of living is going to have a huge knock-on impact on pay pressures for local government.”
The Local Democracy Reporting Service contacted the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for a comment.
However, the Government did not respond to requests.
