Tributes have poured in for a young man from Arnold who was found dead at a historic Peak District site following a summer solstice gathering.
Police were called to reports of a body at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle in Stanton Lees at around 1.38pm on Monday, June 22.
The man has since been identified as 26-year-old Isaac Clare-Watts. Officers have confirmed that a 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with what they described as a “brutal” death.
Gedling MP Michael Payne paid tribute to Isaac on social media, describing his death as a tragic loss.
He said: “I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of Isaac Clare-Watts, a 26-year-old from Arnold whose life was taken far too soon. My thoughts and prayers are with Isaac’s family, friends, and all those who knew and loved him during this unimaginably difficult time.
“At a time like this, it is difficult to find the right words to express the sadness of such a loss. Isaac’s death will be deeply felt by those who knew him and by many across Arnold and the wider community. I know that people will be keeping his family and friends in their thoughts as they come to terms with this heartbreaking tragedy.
“I want Isaac’s family to know that they are not alone. I am determined to do everything I can to support them in the days and weeks ahead and to help ensure they receive the answers they deserve. I will continue to work with the relevant authorities and partners to support efforts to secure justice for Isaac and his loved ones.”
Isaac’s former employer, building company Frank Goulding Ltd, also paid tribute in a statement.
They said: “Isaac joined us as a young man in 2016 to pursue a career in construction. He successfully completed his joinery apprenticeship and developed into a very skilled joiner.
“He was a very popular member of our team and, last year, decided to take some time to travel, particularly to Thailand, where he hoped to further develop his passion for Muay Thai.
“We are all very saddened to hear this tragic news, and our thoughts and sympathy are with his family.”
Isaac’s heartbroken family have urged anyone with information to come forward.
In a Facebook post, his mother Christy said: “Please share [the appeal] as much as possible, and thank you to those who already have. We need to know who did this to Isaac.
“To everyone who has shared, please continue to do so and keep this updated. It is so very important that anyone with any information, no matter how small, contacts the police. Many thanks.”
Derbyshire Police confirmed officers attended the scene at the Nine Ladies Stone Circle at approximately 1.38pm on Monday, where a 26-year-old man was pronounced dead. The discovery came after a summer solstice gathering at the Bronze Age site on Sunday.
Detective Inspector Tony Owen, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), who is leading the investigation, said a large number of people had been in the area over the weekend.
He said: “A young man’s life has been taken in the most brutal way, so it is vital that we build a clear picture of the exact circumstances surrounding his death.
“We urgently need to speak to anyone who was at the scene over the weekend. You may think you cannot help, but you could hold key information that will assist us in understanding what happened and help us secure justice for Isaac’s family.
“I also urge anyone who captured video footage from the event to come forward, as this could play a crucial role in our investigation.”
A 41-year-old man remains in custody on suspicion of murder.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Derbyshire Police, quoting reference 26*364216.
A community centre in Arnold has been temporarily closed by the council after being hit by a car.
The car smashed into the Killisick Community Centre on Killisick Road yesterday evening (25).
No-one was injured in the crash but the community centre sustained some damage and has now been been made safe and secure by emergency services who were called to the scene.
A spokesman said: “We are aware of an incident this evening at Killisick Community Centre this evening involving a vehicle.
“The Community Centre will remain closed until further notice while we assess the damage and determine the necessary next steps. We will be contacting anyone with bookings at the centre tomorrow morning.
“We would like to reassure residents that there are no wider concerns arising from this incident which was an unfortunate accident.
“We will continue to keep residents updated on arrangements for reopening the Community Centre and thank you for your patience and understanding.”
Undignified body storage, an early gestational baby being disposed of as clinical waste and 156 babies who could have survived under better care.
These are just some of the harrowing maternity realities thousands of mothers, babies and families have had to endure under the care of Nottingham hospitals.
For nearly four years, Donna Ockenden’s independent maternity review has been unravelling care failings under Nottingham University Hospitals Trust’s (NUH) maternity and neonatal services as far back as 2006, though the majority of cases are from 2012.
Examining 2,505 cases of death and serious harm, and involving 2,430 families and 822 staff, the review is the largest in NHS history.
On Wednesday (June 24), distressing details of the report were read out by Ms Ockenden to an audience of impacted families and the media while on a live broadcast.
Of the 2,505 cases, 612 relate to severe maternal harm, 505 relate to stillbirths, 329 relate to neonatal deaths – within the first 28 days of life – 297 relate to brain injuries at birth, 24 relate to maternal deaths and 535 relate to additional maternity experiences.
PICTURED: Donna Ockenden who carried out the iindependent maternity review
One stark outcome from the review is that it found 156 babies could have survived had better care been provided by NUH over a period of 13 years, relating to 94 stillbirths and 62 neonatal deaths.
There were also 105 potentially avoidable severe brain injuries inflicted on babies.
Devastating details around the handling of babies and a mother after death have also been revealed.
In 2016, after death, one baby was placed by a member of the portering staff into a mortuary space already occupied by an unrelated deceased adult patient – the parents were not notified of this until 2026.
Later in 2019, a very early gestational baby was “inadvertently” disposed of as clinical waste, with Ms Ockenden calling this a “complete loss of dignity” and said it caused “significant distress” for the parents.
The report details the case of a mother who died in 2021 and was allowed to deteriorate so much in the hospital mortuary that her mother was not able to view her body.
Speaking to the families and media, Ms Ockenden said: “What emerges from those testimonies, consistently and painfully, across more than a decade, is a pattern of families not being listened to, not being believed and being dismissed or minimised.
“Women who raised concerns about their baby’s movement, or their baby’s lack of growth, being told they were anxious and imagining it.”
She continued that women were repeatedly “turned away” after multiple calls for help during labour and denied C-sections.
Reacting to the published report, Sarah Hawkins, whose daughter Harriet was stillborn at Nottingham City Hospital in 2016, said: “It was really difficult, because it should never have happened.
“So much was preventable. Had they listened to us in 2016 or had they listened to people before us, there’d be no one in that room today.”
Jack Hawkins, Harriet’s dad, said: “The normalisation of harm in maternity is extraordinary.
“We’re buoyed by the strength of the findings and the strength of Donna’s delivery.
“There is no reason that the immediate and essential actions from this report can’t be made mandatory today – there’s no reason at all.”
The families involved in the review are calling for a national public inquiry into maternity failings – a judge-led investigation which compels witnesses to give evidence on an issue.
Mr Hawkins says he has “zero faith” that changes to maternity services will happen unless a statutory public inquiry happens.
He said: “We’ve had Morecambe Bay [investigation], Shrewsbury and Telford [review], we’ve had Nottingham – none of them are saying vastly different things.
“Until we understand why maternity is unsafe in this country through a statutory public inquiry, I have no expectation that things will be better.”
Felicity Benyon, who had her bladder accidentally removed during a C-section at Queens Medical Centre in 2015 said it was “heartbreaking” to hear the numbers of impacted babies and mothers in the review, and how many “should still be here”.
She said: “The preventable bit is the hardest bit. When anything happens to you it’s hard to deal with how that massively changes your life.
“But when you know it should never had happened, if people had done their job properly, you wouldn’t be living with the lifelong harm and trauma that comes with that, it’s a whole other level of pain.”
Speaking on the calls for a public inquiry, Ms Benyon said: “We need to know was it certain consultants, certain midwives, that instigated ways of working and poor culture, poor lack of accountability which has then crept up as they’ve got promotions, or whether it’s come from the top down.”
“This [review] has taken that pain and tried to turn it into a little positive, trying to focus that on not wanting anyone else to go through what I’ve gone through… we’re not stopping, this is not the end.”
Anthony May, chief executive of NUH, said he was “extremely sad” over the review’s findings, but said he had admiration for the courage the families had shown through the process and “determined” to build on the trust’s maternity improvements.
He said: “We have been open and transparent about our failures from day one… we’ve tried to be humble, and see things from their [families] point of view and we’ve grafted really hard to try and improve the services.”
Mr May said that when he joined the trust in 2022, NUH hit five out of the 10 safety recommendations in maternity, but it now meets all 10. It also had around 126 vacancies for midwives at the time which is now down to 15.
He said: “We owe it now to these families and we owe it to local women to rebuild trust and make things better.
“It means something to me because I live here, it’s my hospital, it’s been a privilege to get to know those really courageous families and learn from them.”
Speaking on the review’s alarming mortuary findings, Mr May said: “It’s very disappointing… it’s a horrendous thing and I’m so sorry about that, it should have never have happened – we did not protect the dignity and respect of those families.
“We also commissioned a separate review into mortuary services today… I’m personally determined to fix it, I feel very disappointed personally that it’s happened on my watch.”
Other key concerns outlined by Ms Ockenden include:
Multiple factors contributed to harm: “Harm was rarely the result of a single issue or specific failing. Adverse outcomes were linked to multiple interacting factors, this included communication failures, delayed escalation, inadequate risk assessment and governance weaknesses.”
Staffing pressures left services operating in “crisis mode”: “Chronic staffing shortages and operational pressures significantly impacted both the quality of care and staff wellbeing. Many staff reported working in sustained ‘crisis mode’, with concerns raised repeatedly without sufficient resolution.”
A poor workplace culture prevented staff from speaking up: “The Review Team has found multiple serious issues with workplace culture within the Trust, including bullying, hierarchy and poor psychological safety, which affected decision-making and prevented members of staff from voicing their concerns. This had direct implications for patient safety.”
Inequalities in care contributed to poor experience and outcomes: “The Review Team identified that inequalities affect both experiences and outcomes. Women from Black, Asian and other ethnic minority backgrounds, as well as those experiencing deprivation or social vulnerability, often faced additional challenges in accessing safe or personalised care.”
Key maternity events not being escalated to the trust’s board at the time they happened: including the death of Harriet Hawkins and a letter signed by 50 maternity staff expressing safety concerns in 2018, along with “conflicting recollections” of whether issues were known by the board. “At best this points to a culture of denial, at worst one of a cover up” the report says.
Dozens of current and former senior figures across NUH and the wider local NHS were contacted for the review but the engagement was described as “extremely disappointing”.
Only 35 of the 66 NUH senior staff were interviewed despite multiple staff being contacted several times, and only four of 14 senior staff were interviewed from the wider NHS.
Eight “immediate” and “essential” actions in the following areas which “must happen” to improve maternity services at NUH are:
Demolition of a rear conservatory and 2 no. rear bay windows, together with the creation of a flat roof single storey replacement rear extension 1, Parsons Meadow, Colwick Ref. No: 2026/0400
Erection of a 51 no. apartment retirement living development (Use Class C3), landscaping, car parking and all associated works (Variation of conditions 1 and 8 of planning permission 2025/0470 to allow for changes to the approved landscaping scheme in order to accommodate an additional 8no. parking spaces). Site Of Daybrook Laundry, Mansfield Road, Daybrook Ref. No: 2026/0394
Approval of details reserved by condition 16 (validation) of planning permission 2021/1471 (Plots 82-89, 99-102 & 112-113) Nottinghamshire County Council, Rolleston Drive, Arnold Ref. No: 2026/0396DOC
Existing Pedestrian gated access widened to min 3m for vehicle egress. New in/out arrangement created with existing access to garage maintained. Existing vehicular access retained. 285, Main Road, Ravenshead Ref. No: 2026/0391
Redevelopment of land and stables to create a single self-build dwelling. (Removal of conditions 2 and 7 of planning permission 2023/0678 to maintain menage and remaining stables). Beckside Park Lane, Lambley Ref. No: 2026/0389
Single storey extension 4, Ashwater Drive, Mapperley Ref. No: 2026/0382
Erection of two detached dwellings. 226, Main Road, Ravenshead Ref. No: 2026/0378
FIRST FLOOR EXTENSION OVER EXISTING GROUND FLOOR EXTENSION. FURTHER GROUND FLOOR EXTENSION TO CREATE ORANGERY. 163, Main Street, Burton Joyce Ref. No: 2026/0377
Change of Use (in part) of Residential Class C3 to Business Sport Use E as a commercial swimming facility. 198, Longdale Lane, Ravenshead Ref. No: 2026/0376
There were big smiles and even bigger celebrations at The Carlton Infant Academy this week after Ofsted inspectors delivered a glowing endorsement of the Nottingham school.
Inspectors visited 12 May 12 2026 and, under the new framework where overall grades are no longer issued, confirmed that the school meets the expected standards — and shines well above them in several areas.
Four key areas were judged to be at a ‘strong standard’: attendance and behaviour, inclusion, leadership and governance, and personal development and wellbeing. Achievement, curriculum and teaching, and Early Years were all found to meet the expected benchmark.
And the praise didn’t stop there. Inspectors said pupils “skip into school” and feel “valued, respected and known well”, creating a powerful sense of belonging. They added that children “thrive in a culture underpinned by the school’s values” and show “high levels of respect and care for one another”.
The academy, part of the Redhill Academy Trust, impressed inspectors with its ambitious curriculum, warm relationships and strong leadership. Children as young as two were seen “playing, exploring and becoming curious learners”, while older pupils engaged enthusiastically with lessons across the board.
Leaders were praised for creating an “exciting, positive and inclusive culture” and for their commitment to meeting the needs of every child. Staff‑pupil relationships were described as “warm and positive”, with behaviour expectations consistently high. Pupils told inspectors they understand what bullying is — but say it simply “does not happen”.
Inspectors also highlighted the school’s unique leadership opportunities for its youngest pupils, from play leaders in high‑vis jackets to “pupil plumbers” and “site managers”, roles designed to build confidence and community spirit.
Personal development was labelled “highly effective”, with an “extensive” enrichment programme including clubs, trips, residentials, art and poetry. Pupils were said to understand modern Britain’s diverse communities and believe “everybody should be treated equally and with kindness”.
Families expressed strong confidence in the school, praising the support offered to both pupils and parents. Staff also told inspectors they felt well supported by leaders and the wider Trust.
The curriculum was described as ambitious and progressive, with teachers showing strong subject knowledge. Pupils were found to “achieve well”, with phonics results often above national averages and disadvantaged and SEND pupils making notable progress.
Ofsted concluded that children leave Carlton Infants “well prepared for the next stage of their education”.
Redhill Academy Trust Chief Executive Andrew Burns called the report “a real reflection of the ambitions and hard work” of staff and pupils.
Headteacher Anna Scrivens said the findings recognised “the high quality of education, care and support we provide”.
Primary Director Julie Wardle added she was “thrilled” with the outcome, praising the school for achieving ‘Strong’ in four of the seven inspection areas.
With temperatures set to soar in the coming days, visitors to Colwick Country Park are being urged to stick to two key safety rules…
NO SWIMMING
Swimming is strictly prohibited in all lakes unless you’re taking part in an organised, lifeguarded session run by Whole Health on West Lake during official operating hours.
The water may look calm, but hidden obstacles, sudden drop‑offs and underwater hazards make it extremely dangerous.
NO BBQs ANYWHERE ON SITE
Open flames pose a major fire risk in hot, dry conditions — leave the BBQ at home.
Visitors are also being reminded to:
Keep hydrated
Use sun protection
Find shade during peak heat
Avoid bringing dogs during extreme heat if possible
Visit early morning or evening when the park is cooler
Colwick Country Park covers a large area, and Rangers will be patrolling while managing other duties. The team continues to work with emergency services and Community Protection to keep the site safe.
Police swooped on a Mapperley pub after a fight broke out outside on Tuesday evening — with one man reportedly armed with a knife.
Officers were called to the Plainsman on Woodthorpe Drive, Mapperley, at around 6.25pm on June 23rd, where a man was found with facial injuries. He was taken to hospital, though his injuries are not thought to be life‑altering.
Four men were arrested on suspicion of affray, and police say a knife was recovered at the scene. One of the suspects was also held on suspicion of carrying a knife in a public place.
Detective Inspector Ed Cook said there was a “significant police response” but stressed the disturbance was an isolated incident that officers quickly brought under control.
He added that detectives still want to hear from anyone who was in or around the pub at the time and may have information that could help the investigation.
A long‑empty skatepark in Gedling is about to get a serious upgrade — and it’s all happening in just one weekend, powered by volunteers, local young people and a chunk of government funding.
At the end of June, the former Joshua Dale Skatepark at Colwick Rectory Recreation Ground will be transformed, with local skaters rolling up their sleeves to build new features alongside award‑winning skatepark designers Betongpark. Think DIY, but with concrete, rebar and a lot more stoke.
The project is being funded by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG), after Skate Nottingham CIC secured a grant to kickstart a new future for the site. They’ve spent nearly three years working with Gedling Borough Council, Colwick Parish Council and the Joshua Dale Skatepark Fund to make sure whatever comes next is shaped — literally — by the people who use it.
The original skatepark opened in 2013 in memory of local teenager Joshua Dale, who died the year before at a nearby junction. Built in wood at Joshua’s request, it was well‑loved but tough to maintain, and eventually had to be dismantled in 2023. What’s left is a pristine concrete slab — basically a blank canvas begging for new life.
And with no formal training routes for skatepark construction in the UK, the rebuild doubles as a rare chance for young people to learn real design and construction skills while improving a space they care about. With almost 2,000 skateable spots across the country needing TLC, the timing couldn’t be better.
Throughout 2024 and 2025, a working group of councillors, Skate Nottingham and local residents explored options for the site. Gedling Borough Council had already backed Skate Nottingham’s “Skate & Regenerate” programme for three years, helping young skaters safely repair and improve ageing parks across the borough — from Arnot Hill Park’s bowls to the modular ramps at King George V Park. Earlier this year, volunteers even installed simple concrete curbs at Colwick to get people skating again.
A separate grant from the Thomas Farr Charity, via Forever Notts, funded a major consultation. Forty‑six people turned up to a four‑hour public event, and 133 responded online. A massive 97% wanted the skatepark improved or rebuilt.
That momentum helped Skate Nottingham secure the MHCLG’s Common Ground Award 2025/26 — funding aimed at boosting social cohesion by improving civic spaces. It will pay for this month’s community build, supported by Live Like Ralph CIC and the Joshua Dale Skatepark Fund, both set up in memory of young people who loved outdoor, active lives.
Councillor Viv McCrossen said:
“This project shows what can be achieved when local people, young skatepark users and partners come together with the right support. It’s a brilliant example of community spirit in action, breathing new life into a valued local space, honouring the memory of Joshua Dale, and giving the next generation the chance to build skills, connections and pride in their community.”
Skate Nottingham co‑founder Chris Lawton added: “We’re really excited about this project after three years of collaboration with councils and local communities. There was such a strong will to honour Joshua Dale by bringing the skatepark back into use. Designing and building things goes hand‑in‑hand with skateboarding and BMX, so together we can create life‑changing learning opportunities that will put the East Midlands on the map.”
The build kicks off Friday, June 26 with site prep, before volunteers join expert supervisors on Saturday and Sunday. By Monday 29 June, the park will have a brand‑new 4.8‑metre‑wide concrete quarter pipe — built entirely on site — plus a new steel feature such as a grind rail. The upgrades will boost the space for BMXers and wheeled‑sports users while improving the flow for skateboarders.
As a working society, we’ve become accustomed to some harmful thinking about work and productivity. It isn’t our fault, though; a breakneck pace of industrial innovation, typified by incredible leaps in technological capabilities, has completely altered the professional landscape for practically every business. Productivity, generally speaking, looks very different to what it did even a decade ago – and, as such, people are striving harder than ever for previously impossible results.
A particularly insidious aspect of this new relationship with work is the sense that taking time off is somehow a disruption to productivity – an unconscionable break that could set someone back months. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth.
There is myriad research to suggest the opposite: that regular breaks from work are crucial for employee wellbeing, focus, and even overall performance. This is to say that, by encouraging staff to use their annual leave, businesses can foster a healthier, more motivated workforce better-equipped to achieve long-term success. What are some of the key ways in which time off can improve business outlooks?
It Helps Prevent Burnout
First and foremost, working without regular time off is a ticking time-bomb for burnout. Continuous workloads without adequate breaks ultimately lead to stress, fatigue, and decreased motivation; we are not designed to work ceaselessly, and failing to blow off steam can be deleterious for mental wellbeing and productivity accordingly. Taking time off allows employees to rest and recharge, lowering their stress levels and giving them the resilience to return to work with renewed energy and enthusiasm.
It Supports Better Mental and Physical Wellbeing
Indeed, better mental wellbeing is a benefit of regular time off in and of itself. Heightened stress over time can lead to chronical mental illness, with knock-on effects for sleep, mood and quality of life besides. None of this is good for an employee or a business. Even short getaways, including spontaneous last-minute holidays, can provide a welcome escape from workplace pressures and help employees return feeling refreshed – reducing the risk of lower employee morale and its consequence impacts for productivity.
It Improves Focus and Creativity
Regular breaks and the taking of annual leave are crucial for the creative health of a business; without firebreaks from day-to-day thinking, it’s impossible for employees to escape certain patterns of thinking. Perspective is what drives inspiration, so the occasional stepping-away from daily responsibilities is ideal for increasing creativity, and fostering a greater ability to solve problems effectively.
It Boosts Job Satisfaction
There is a final element here, to which all other benefits build. Employees who feel encouraged to use their annual leave are, ultimately, more likely to be happy at work. Regular breaks keep workers mentally refreshed and reduce the risk of burnout, while also signalling to employees that they are valued by their employers. This feeling of being valued leads to higher morale, stronger engagement, and a better workplace culture. All of this uplifts the business, to better productivity and better industry image.
