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History of Nottingham’s Racecourse and its Ladies Day

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History of Nottingham’s Racecourse and its Ladies Day

Nottingham Racecourse, with its rich history and exciting modern developments, continues to be a prominent destination for horse racing fans. Dating back to 1773, racing in Nottingham began at the site known as ‘Nottingham Forest’, but by the end of the 19th century, the racecourse had moved to its current location at Colwick Park. Over the years, Nottingham Racecourse has earned its reputation as one of the most prestigious venues for flat racing, drawing attention not only for its history but for the incredible racing action that continues to unfold on its turf.

In the 1960s, a major turning point occurred when the site was purchased by Nottingham City Council, and an ongoing lease agreement was signed with Racecourse Holdings Trust. This ensured the future of the racecourse and its development into a modern and thriving venue. The course underwent significant changes over the years, particularly in 1996 when it became solely a flat racing venue, after being a dual-purpose course that hosted both flat and National Hunt racing. This shift allowed Nottingham to refine its tracks and attract top-tier horses, paving the way for major events and fixtures.

From then till now and always, there has been a growing trend of those interested in horse racing, as Nottingham stands as a proud example of the sport’s rich history. Even history can go online, as a long-standing tradition like horse betting, which is part of any horse racing history, follows its fans to the digital world. This growing interest in online horse racing analyses and opinions has become a staple for casual fans and serious punters looking to get an edge in their betting choices. For those new to the sport or looking for insights into the latest racing trends, it’s always beneficial to check out horse racing tips from Racing Tipster, where racecourse enthusiasts can get a deeper understanding of the horses, jockeys, and tracks that could lead to profitable betting strategies, particularly during major events like those at Nottingham. 

The course’s history is steeped in remarkable moments, such as when legendary jockey Stan Mellor became the first National Hunt jockey to win 1000 races aboard Ouzo. Additionally, future Grand National winner Timmy Murphy’s victory in Nottingham’s final jumps race in 1996 marked the end of an era for National Hunt racing at the venue. This move towards flat racing opened the doors for the track to focus on classic hopefuls, with horses like Sir Henry Cecil’s Oh So Sharp winning her Maiden race at Nottingham before going on to secure the Fillies Triple Crown.

Modern trends in horse racing are becoming increasingly evident at Nottingham, and the racecourse continues to make strides in innovation and accessibility. One of the biggest recent developments is the enhanced facilities available to racegoers. The addition of two flat tracks, specifically designed for the early and late parts of the season, improves ground conditions and allows for better race preparation. This focus on quality has earned Nottingham Racecourse accolades, including the Racehorse Owners Association’s Gold Standard in 2014 for its exceptional facilities.Last but not least, Lady’s Day is set to return to Nottingham Racecourse in May 2025, which exemplifies the combination of tradition and modernity that the racecourse brings to the community. The event has become a significant social highlight in Nottingham, attracting fashion-conscious attendees and bringing the excitement of horse racing to life. The atmosphere on Lady’s Day is electric, with racegoers dressed in their finest attire, enjoying the races and the après-racing entertainment. With its Premier Enclosure offering exclusive access to a private viewing area and a vibrant party atmosphere after the races, Nottingham’s Ladies Day has become an unmissable event for both racing fans and socialites alike.

CARLTON: Council and LTA serve up tennis court refurbishments at Carlton park

Gedling Eye
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CARLTON: Council and LTA serve up tennis court refurbishments at Carlton park

Gedling Borough Council and the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have announced a partnership to invest in and refurbish public park tennis courts at Conway Park in Carlton.

The site will be fully renovated to create four new accessible public tennis courts, with an investment of £152,000 helping ensure that quality facilities are available for the local community. 

The project is part of a £30million nationwide investment by the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, delivered by the LTA, to refurbish public tennis courts across Great Britain, and open up the sport to many more people. This investment will see thousands of existing park tennis courts in poor or unplayable conditions brought back to life for the benefit of communities across the country through renovation works, and improved court accessibility with new gate-access technology and booking systems. Over 2,500 courts have been completed so far as part of the project.

Park tennis courts are vital in providing opportunities for children and adults to get active, delivering significant physical and mental health and wellbeing benefits to participants. Accessible facilities in parks are particularly critical to opening up the sport to those from lower socioeconomic backgrounds and women and girls.

The investment will be made up of £113,00 from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation, with £39,000 also be invested by Gedling Borough Council thanks to funding secured from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).

Alongside the investment, Gedling Borough Council will also work with the LTA to deliver a range of activity across the park sites. This will include weekly organised Barclays Free Park Tennis sessions for all ages, playing levels and experience where equipment is provided, meaning that people will not need someone to play with or their own racket. Local Tennis Leagues will also provide friendly, sociable, opportunities to get active through local competition.  

Once the renovations are completed all courts and sessions at all sites will be available to book online via the LTA website:https://www.lta.org.uk/play making it far easier to find and book a courtor activity.

Work on sites has recently begun and aims to be completed, with the courts re-open for play by Spring 2025.

Councillor Henry Wheeler, Portfolio Holder for Lifestyles, Health, and Wellbeing at Gedling Borough Council, said: “We are pleased to be working in partnership with the LTA to refurbish the tennis courts at Conway Park in Carlton and improve accessibility for local people with the addition of four new courts and a range of park activities to promote this exceptional sport.

By improving the quality of these public facilities, we are encouraging increased participation so that more people can enjoy the benefits of playing tennis, which contribute to improved physical and mental health. This funding represents a valuable investment in the health and wellbeing of our local community and will offer better opportunities for everyone, helping to create a healthier, more active borough.”

Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to be working with Gedling Borough Council to improve their park tennis facilities and provide more opportunities for people to pick up a racket and get active.

“This investment from the UK Government and LTA Tennis Foundation will mean that courts will be available for people to use for years to come. We will also be working closely with the council to ensure that the local community has a range of accessible opportunities to get on court, ensuring that we open up our sport to many more people.”

Arrest after pupil is allegedly attacked with hammer at Arnold school

David Bratton
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Arrest after pupil is allegedly attacked with hammer at Arnold school

A teenage boy has been arrested following an assault at an Arnold school.

Officers were called to Redhill Academy, Arnold, shortly after 9.45am on Monday (20 January) after a pupil suffered a head injury.

The victim had allegedly been hit with a hammer.

He was taken to hospital for treatment and his injuries aren’t believed to be life-altering.

A 15-year-old boy was arrested at the scene on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

He remains in police custody.

Sergeant Richard Craig, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“We treat all reports involving weapons and violence with the utmost seriousness.

“A suspect has been arrested and we are now working to understand exactly what happened.”

Gedling school goes more than £1million over expansion budget after ‘large amount’ of asbestos found

Gedling Eye
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Gedling school goes more than £1million over expansion budget after ‘large amount’ of asbestos found

A major expansion to a Gedling school went more than £1 million over its budget after asbestos was found in parts of older buildings being remodelled.

Carlton le Willows Academy in Gedling has undergone major construction works since 2020 to meet the increasing demand for local school spaces, creating an extra 300 spaces for students.

The expansion, which has already been completed in October 2024, involved a new two-storey building with 20 new classrooms and facilities.

But new Nottinghamshire County Council reports reveal the final project costs went £1,180,053 over budget.

This comes after a “large amount” of asbestos was uncovered in the original building, which had to be safely removed.

Asbestos poses little risk if it is intact, but can release dangerous fibres when the material is disturbed. It was commonly used in construction up until the 1980s and was fully banned in the UK in 1999.

Once broken up and released into the air, the material can cause heart and lung problems if inhaled, and all forms of asbestos can cause cancer.

The council report reads: “This [the extra building work] was due to inappropriate construction methods used in the original building which were not uncovered until some demolition and strip out works had been completed, and a large amount of asbestos which again, was not revealed until a substantial amount of stripping out had been completed.

“In addition to the amount of asbestos to be reasonably anticipated in a building such as this, previous contractors had left asbestos on-site from previous works.”

The county council asked the academy to admit more year seven pupils from September 2022, a request which was made before the project’s completion.

Additional classroom space was needed, costing an extra £200,000.

The further increase in funding, which has now been approved, brings the total cost of the school’s expansion to £15 million.

In addition to new classrooms, the expansion provides a state-of-the-art performance space, a dining hall, office space and a new main reception which has united the previously split site by linking the East and West buildings.

The second and final phase of the development, which was carried out entirely by Clegg Construction, includes a conversion of the previous dining area and  assembly hall into additional teaching space.

A new car park with just under 100 spaces has also been constructed as part of the project.

Carlton le Willows Academy has been contacted for comment.

County Council say they are “cramming” in pothole repairs before April

Lauren Monaghan
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County Council say they are “cramming” in pothole repairs before April

Nottinghamshire County Council is “cramming” in its road repairs before the next financial year and pushing for longer-term fixes after harsh winters.

Via East Midlands – the organisation which repairs roads for Nottinghamshire County Council –  were recently in Blidworth, to resurface a damaged road.

Repair workers were using Micro Asphalt, which is a type of resurfacing that creates a new protective, waterproof layer and is designed to produce long-lasting results to roads with limited disruption.

The shift to this approach follows previous criticism from residents and opposition councillors about temporary repairs using ‘Viafix’ – which fills holes, rather than replacing road surfaces.

The council pledged to move away from this approach and to a “right repair, right first time approach” in around 2023.

And in this financial year, which ends in March, the council says it has invested around £66 million in its highway repairs.

In the first half of 2024/25 there have been more than 25,000 pothole repairs, 48,761 highway inspections, 48,475 gullies cleaned and 3,983 streetlights repaired.

Lee Wright, Construction and Maintenance Operative at Via East Midlands, said: “From my skill level, repairs [should last] five to 10 years at least so it’s a permanent repair its not just a quick repair.”

Councillor Sam Smith (Con), leader of the council, also attended the repair work and said longer-term patching is being done “more than ever before”.

He said: “Rather than tar out of a bag in emergency repairs, that only last a few rainfalls, we want to move away from that.

“[Micro Asphalt] makes the road smoother, they last longer than the temporary repairs and also residents like to see it as well- it’s their priority, its our priority.”

Cllr Smith added the council is “cramming” in its road repairs until the end of the financial year in March.

He said: “We’re getting our teams out to as many places as possible. It slowed down a bit because of the frost in recent weeks.

“I would want to see the same, if not more, funding into the roads [in the next financial year].”

One way potholes form is when water gets underneath the tarmac, expands when it freezes and forces the tarmac out which creates a hole.

Winter is often the worst time of the year for potholes appearing, and the council leader urged people to report them using the MyNotts app.

However he said there may be temporary repairs before permanent work takes places.

He added: “Residents are encouraged to log potholes on the MyNotts app or on the website, once we’re aware of it we’ll come out.

“If we have to do a temporary repair just to keep it safe so tyres on cars don’t pop, then we will do but then we’ll come back and do the more long-term patching repair.”

National fish stocks gets much-needed boost as more than half a million are produced by Calverton Fish Farm and released into waters during 2024

Emily Sanchez
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National fish stocks gets much-needed boost as more than half a million are produced by Calverton Fish Farm and released into waters during 2024

It’s been a successful year for Calverton Fish Farm, with owners Environment Agency revealing over half-a-million fish were bred for release into rivers and still waters across England to help boost fish populations.

In 2024, the fish rearing unit produced and stocked 510,488 fish into waterways around the country – an increase of 6.5% on the previous year when 478,937 were bred and stocked.

In addition, just under two million advanced reared larvae were also stocked out into the wild. 

Richard Pitman, Fish Farm Technical Specialist at the National Coarse Fish Rearing Unit said:  “The work of our national fish farm is funded by income from rod licence fees, so it’s great to see we are continuing to produce strong and healthy fish needed for restocking and recovery. 

Fish from Calverton fish farm in Devon
Thousands of fish from Calverton Fish Farm have been released into rivers and waters across England (PHOTO: Environment Agency)

“Occasionally a helping hand is needed to restore the natural balance following a pollution incident or decline, or to create new fisheries and opportunities for anglers. The annual national restocking programme is funded by income from rod licence sales and usually takes place in the winter.

“We take great care in ensuring that every fish is fit for purpose when stocked out into the wild. During their 18 months at the farm, the fish are fed live natural food, they encounter a range of flora and fauna and are trained in flowing conditions while being grown in the earth ponds.  

“Winter is a good time to introduce the fish into rivers, as the water temperatures are low and this minimises any stress on the fish, giving them the best possible survival rates. It enables them to acclimatise to their new surroundings, ahead of their spawning season in the spring.”

The spawning season was challenging in 2024 due to the increased rainfall and cool temperatures during the spring.

Richard continued: “This made locating and obtaining sufficient broodstock at the optimum time difficult. These conditions also impacted the start of our second-year production cycle. With the storms and reduced temperatures experienced through April and into May, live food production and pond advancement was reduced causing a knock-on effect to the stocking programme.

“Despite the challenging start in 2024, the team at Calverton showed their dedication and commitment throughout the growing season to produce an increase in fish production compared to last year. Their diligence has resulted in over half a million, high quality, fit for purpose fish, being released into the wild throughout England.”

Fish also play a critical role in sustaining a river’s finely balanced eco-system, so the wider natural environment also gets a boost from restocking.  

Council approves plans to introduce car parking charges at Gedling Country Park

Gedling Eye
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Council approves plans to introduce car parking charges at Gedling Country Park

Gedling Borough Council leaders have today approved plans to introduce car parking charges at Gedling Country Park.

The council’s Cabinet confirmed that all revenue generated from the new parking charges will be reinvested directly into the maintenance, upkeep, and development of the award-winning park.

Cabinet members discussed the plans at their meeting on 9 January, following a public consultation.

The feedback received has helped shape the proposals, which includes the introduction of a £2 daily parking fee to be implemented in Spring 2025, and a permit system for regular visitors, as well as for members and volunteers of the Friends of Gedling Country Park group.

Photo of Gedling Country Park
PICTURE: GBC

The council has confirmed that cashless payment options will be an additional convenience for users, not a replacement for traditional cash payment methods.

While visitors will be able to pay using a mobile app or card at selected machines, cash payments will continue to be accepted across all car parks.

The parking charge is expected to generate up to £200,000 annually, which will be used exclusively to ensure the park remains one ofNottinghamshire’s best-loved green spaces.

Funds will go towards essential maintenance, such as repairing potholes in the upper car park, and broader park improvements to benefit the community and visitors.

Councillor John Clarke MBE, Leader of Gedling Borough Council, said: “This is about reinvesting in Gedling Country Park to ensure it remains one of the best parks in Nottinghamshire.

“Every penny raised from these charges will go directly back into maintaining and improving this important space. This funding will secure the future of our flagship park for the thousands of people that visit every year.

“We are proud of Gedling Country Park and we are committed to keeping it in top condition for everyone to enjoy.

“We’ve also listened to feedback and are making sure that payment options are flexible and accessible. Whether visitors prefer to pay by cash, card, or app, they’ll have a choice. We think this is a fair and reasonable step to sustain the park’s future.”

Gedling Borough Council said that the £2 daily charge ‘remains competitive’ with other country parks in the region.

They said charging hours will run from 8am to 6pm, ensuring early morning and late evening visitors can still enjoy the park at no extra cost.

Gedling Country Park is accessible by public transport, and parking at the nearby Lambley Lane car park will remain free.

Bus operator issues scam warning to Gedling borough passengers over anniversary ‘free transport’ card offer

Emily Sanchez
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Bus operator issues scam warning to Gedling borough passengers over anniversary ‘free transport’ card offer

A bus operator is warning passengers across the borough not to fall for a ‘free transport’ scam doing the rounds on social media.

Nottingham City Transport is now urging people to ignore it.

The fake post claims the bus firm is celebrating an ‘anniversary’ and is offering a travel card for £2 that gives the buyer six months free unlimited travel.

It also claims that those with a card can board the tram for free during the free travel period.

A screenshot of the scam doing the rounds on social media

A spokesman for Nottingham City Transport said: “We aren’t celebrating an anniversary and this is a scam.

“This is one of many posts on social media for heavily discounted travel cards in cities across the country that do not exist.

“If you see this on your feed, do not order because you won’t receive a travel card.”

Many of our readers have said they have reported it to Facebook but it hasn;t been removed due to ‘not breaching community guidelines.’

We have approached the platforms owners META for comment.

Grooming gang inquiry: How did Gedling borough MPs vote?

David Bratton
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Grooming gang inquiry: How did Gedling borough MPs vote?

However, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) which covered England and Wales, was beset by one controversy after another before Professor Jay eventually took over. These included the resignations of three chairs, before Prof Jay eventually took over, while various lawyers also left and some survivors’ groups withdrew support.

An amendment to hold a national inquiry into the grooming gangs was last night rejected by MPs during a vote in the House of Commons.

MPs voted by 364 votes to 111, a majority of 253, against the amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, in result widely expected due to Labour’s majority.

Both Gedling borough Labour MPs Michael Payne (Gedling) and Michelle Welsh (Sherwood) voted against the amendment.

The full list revealed that no Labour MPs voted in favour of the Conservative amendment, while of the 111 MPs who supported the amendment, 101 were Conservatives, five Reform UK, two DUP, the TUV’s Jim Allister, UUP’s MP Robin Swann and Independent Alex Easton.

During Prime Minister’s Questions earlier on Wednesday, Sir Keir Starmer rejected calls for a national inquiry.

He said: This will delay things until 2031” and that it was “shocking” for anyone to vote down the bill which protect the most vulnerable in society.

In response, Tory leader, Kemi Badenoch told the Prime Minister to “be a leader, not a lawyer” over his response to calls to establish another grooming scandal inquiry.

Mr Payne took to social media platforms to share his reasons for voting against the amendment.

He wrote: “Like so many of my constituents, I am horrified and disgusted by the systematic sexual abuse and exploitation of predominantly white working class girls, first uncovered fourteen years ago in 2010. Child abuse and sexual exploitation are the most horrendous crimes.

“Many reports, investigations and inquiries that have taken place since then, have revealed beyond all doubt, that public institutions often failed to act, in some cases because of prejudice towards the survivors on the basis of class, and in some cases on the basis of the ethnicity or religious background of the perpetrators.

“The time for talking on this issue passed long ago. Only meaningful action will suffice now.

“I cannot and will not vote for the Conservative Party’s amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which is a wrecking amendment to a bill that will enhance protection of children across our country, as well as limiting the number of branded school uniform items to save money for families and introduce free breakfast clubs in every primary school.”

Michelle Welsh outlined her reasons to back the bill and not the amendment during a speech in Parliament.

“In my constituency of Sherwood Forest, one in five children live in poverty and across the East Midlands it is one in four. This is simply outrageous and children deserve better and that’s why I am pleased to support this bill today to put children and their wellbeing and safety back at the heart of government decision making, which is back where it belongs.

What did previous investigations uncover?

Besides Rotherham, reviews devoted to scandals in individual towns have been conducted into Rochdale, Telford and Oldham.

The investigations found different failings at varying scales, all of them issued disturbing findings, provoking apologies and resignations. This is besides the many trials that have led to dozens of convictions around the country.

A serious case review was also carried out in Oxfordshire, concluding in 2015 that 373 children could have been exploited by gangs in the space of 16 years.

It was concerns about a different type of child sexual exploitation – involving abuse within institutions such as churches, care homes and boarding schools – that led to Theresa May announcing a public inquiry in 2014 while she was home secretary.

When the inquiry finally published its report in 2022, after seven years of work it issued 20 recommendations.

Top iGaming tips for UK gamblers from JohnSlots

Gedling Eye
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Top iGaming tips for UK gamblers from JohnSlots

iGaming is one of the hottest trends in both gambling and video games today. More people than ever before are trying online casinos, thanks to the modernisation of gambling laws in many countries. iGaming includes both online casino games and online sports betting.

Players in the UK have been lucky to have a healthy iGaming industry for over a decade. There are dozens of reliable online casinos to choose from and new ones are regularly being launched. There are also tons of game developers, giving players thousands of options for slot machine games, and hundreds of table games, live dealer games and alternative gambling games.

For new players who want to give iGaming a try, all of this variety can make deciding where to play very difficult. Choice paralysis is a real thing and it can happen when you start scrolling through a long, long list of slot games.

We’ve compiled a list of the top iGaming tips from JohnSlots for UK gamblers. These industry experts know everything there is to know about the iGaming industry and after reading this guide, you’ll be able to play or bet with confidence.

Consult a casino guide

Online casino guides have emerged in the last few years as a helpful tool for players. Casino guides such as JohnSlots have information on the games, casinos, payment methods and bonuses that are available to players. They also keep track of any important casino related news and casino licensing changes. These guides are produced by experts in the industry.

Reading casino guides lets players skip the research process when choosing a new casino. They also make it very easy to compare the online casinos that you’re considering. Also, many guides work through an affiliate system, so they’re able to offer exclusive bonuses to their readers.

Check licenses and security

Online casinos can only operate legally in the UK if they are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). The UKGC is a regulatory body that is in charge of overseeing all types of gambling in the UK. It is a highly respected regulator, so you’ll usually see its licenses accepted in other countries as well. Never play at a casino that isn’t UKGC licensed – no license means there are no protections for players if something goes wrong.

Security is very important at online casinos. They hold your deposit as well as the personal and financial information that you’ve submitted in order to create and verify your account. This makes them a hot target for hackers and scammers. Only play at online casinos that take security seriously by encrypting their site. 128-bit SSL encryption is the standard. Simply look for the lock icon in the address bar or for security information in the terms and conditions.

Use a trusted payment method

Online casinos typically offer a wide selection of payment methods for making deposits, and a limited number of payment methods for withdrawals. Always check which payment methods are accepted before you create an account to be sure that there’s a method you’re comfortable using.

The most reliable payment methods are credit/debit cards, e-wallets, payment apps and bank transfers. Each payment method has its own pros and cons. For example, debit cards are very secure and have a lot of consumer protections but they also can take much longer to process withdrawals. Consider what you need in a payment method (security, withdrawal speed etc) before selecting a deposit method.

Play higher RTP games

Every casino game has a Return to Player rate (RTP). This is the average amount that a player can expect the game to pay out over time. The higher the RTP, the more money you’re likely to win. The average RTP for slots ranges from 94% to 96%. Some can go as high as 99%.

Games with a higher RTP are a better choice, especially for new players who are still figuring out their betting strategies. Low volatility games are also a good choice for new players. These games pay out small amounts on a regular basis, which makes them more balanced for beginners.

Enable responsible gambling tools

Enabling responsible gambling tools is the best thing that anyone can do to protect themselves while iGaming. Problem gambling habits are very hard to break. Using responsible gambling tools makes it less likely that you’ll develop these problematic behaviours.

Trustworthy online casinos will have a range of responsible gambling tools available for their players. You don’t need to enable every single one, just one or two at first. Deposit limits, reality checks and time limits are the most effective responsible gambling tools. Other tools include single/daily wager limits, time outs and self-exclusion.

Set a budget and stick to it

You don’t need a budget to play slots but having a budget is the best way to keep slots enjoyable. Going over budget adds unnecessary stress to what should be a relaxing hobby. Set a budget that you can comfortably afford to lose each month – and don’t deposit more than your budget. Anything you win is then a bonus!

Read reviews

Reading reviews from other players gives great insight into the available online casinos. Affiliate reviews can be less critical than they should be and only present one experience. Anyone who has watched any social media content understands that sometimes the goods or services that influencers receive are better than what the rest of the public get.

Reviews from players on iGaming forums, casino review sites or review platforms such as Trustpilot and Yelp will give you a huge range of individual player experiences. On platforms that give the business a chance to respond, you can also see how the online casino handles complaints and concerns from players.

Just remember that people typically only leave reviews for terrible or fantastic experiences, not when things are just fine.

Read the terms and conditions

Never skip the fine print when signing up for an online casino. Reading the terms and conditions will tell you everything that you need to know about your account, your rights, how to claim bonuses and what can happen if something goes wrong.

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