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Gedling Lotto results: Winning numbers for Saturday, February February 28, 2026

Gedling Eye Reporter
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Gedling Lotto results: Winning numbers for Saturday, February February 28, 2026

There is a chance to win up to £25,000 every Saturday when you play Gedling Lotto.

You just need to match six numbers to win the £25,000 jackpot.

We now publish the winning numbers after each Saturday night.

THIS WEEK’S WINNING NUMBERS (28/02/26)

5 2 1 7 2 2

How does Gedling Lotto work?

Gedling Lotto is a weekly lottery draw that raises money for good causes across Gedling Borough. All good causes supported by the lottery will benefit the Gedling Borough and its residents.

Play the lottery, support Gedling Borough – it’s that simple!

From every £1 ticket you buy, 60p will go to local good causes in the Gedling Borough and improve our community.

Some of the many causes to benefit from the Lotto include:

  • Arnbrook Primary School
  • Arnold Swimming Club
  • Gedling Play Forum
  • Gedling Conservation Trust
  • Lambley Village Cricket Club

£225k ‘urgent’ road repairs announced in Gedling borough – but critics say plans ‘far too late’

Lauren Monaghan
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£225k ‘urgent’ road repairs announced in Gedling borough – but critics say plans ‘far too late’

“Urgent” road repairs totalling £225,000 in a bid to fix Nottinghamshire’s crumbling roads has been unveiled.

Reform-led Nottinghamshire County Council has come under fire in recent weeks due to an abundance of damaged roads and a litany of potholes being left untouched.

There have been hundreds of claims received by the authority related to damage and accidents caused by potholes in the year leading up to February 18.

Due to some deteriorated areas becoming a “potential threat” to road users, the council says there is an “increased risk” of failing in its legal duty to maintain the highway network if there are accidents.

Earlier this month, Conservative councillor Mike Adams showcased the crumbling state of the A612 Colwick Loop Road, next to the Marks and Spencer in Netherfield, in a Facebook video which gained more than 40,000 views.

Gedling’s Labour MP, Michael Payne, also took a swipe at the authority in a Facebook video, highlighting the deteriorated state of Godfrey Street and Arnold Lane and the council’s inadequate response letter to him. This video amassed more than 130,000 views.

The authority’s highways director visited the Loop Road spot on February 19 with Cllr Adams but the councillor “had not heard a thing” from the authority since the visit.

Now, the council appears to be putting some plans to action, announcing on Thursday (February 26) it will be spending £1.83 million on “urgent” road works to 35 Nottinghamshire hotspots – including £225,000 for Gedling borough.

Council leader, Mick Barton said the authority plans to start the urgent works in the week beginning March 9.

The council said “recent and prolonged” wet weather over winter has caused “rapid deterioration” to parts of the network.

“There’s £75,000 for flags that Reform spent. If that had gone into potholes it would have repaired 1,000 potholes across the county, in a not so good way – tar out of the bag – but it’s called a safety repair.” – Cllr Sam Smith

Cllr Adams said the pressure both he and residents had put on the council to fix the roads in their area was “key” to the sudden announcement.

He said: “I’m really happy they’ve responded to the urgent situation. lots of people’s cars getting damaged, the safety issues, it was really dangerous.

“But it’s still not done yet… I want to see spades in the road and this getting resolved and fixed as soon as humanly possible.”

Cllr Sam Smith (Con), who represents the Trent Valley ward alongside Cllr Adams at Gedling Borough Council, said: “I’m really delighted for the drivers right across Nottinghamshire who are having their wheels popped and their springs broken.”

However, he said the announcement was “far too late” and the Reform authority lacked winter road resilience, adding: “There’s £75,000 for flags that Reform spent. If that had gone into potholes it would have repaired 1,000 potholes across the county, in a not so good way – tar out of the bag – but it’s called a safety repair.

“The garage owners across Nottinghamshire’s profit margin would be down by a lot. That’s the Reform way – boost the economy for the car garages.”

The urgent scheme comes before a three-year programme that will start in 2026/27 that will patch, resurface or surface dress 4.5 million square metres of road – 16 per cent of the total road network.

The nearly £2 million worth of works will be funded by underspends and savings from within the council’s current highway budgets.

Recent highway network surveys show that 15.9 per cent of Nottinghamshire’s roads are in a poor condition and require urgent maintenance, while 21.7 per cent are likely to need repairs “soon”.

Speaking in the County Council’s budget meeting on Thursday, Cllr Bert Bingham (Ref) said for the three-year programme the council “will be reviewing types of materials we use, we’ll be using thicker layers of asphalt and stronger materials, hot rolled asphalt instead of stone asphalt”.

He said: “This will ensure new road surfaces last for a longer time – or a long time. That will automatically reduce the amount of temporary versions of pothole repairs.”

A full list of the locations and costs of the works are listed below…

  • A612 Colwick Loop Road, Netherfield – 1,500 square metres – £75,000
  • Stoke Lane, Stoke Bardolph – 1,000 square metres – £50,000
  • C16 Lowdham Lane, Woodborough – 1,000 square metres – £50,000
  • Coppice Road, Arnold – 1,000 square metres – £50,000

34% drop in store thefts in Gedling borough following police crackdown

Emily Sanchez
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34% drop in store thefts in Gedling borough following police crackdown

Police say shop theft has fallen by more than a third at hotspot locations in Gedling borough following recent operations. 

Officers have been working closely with partners and engaging with businesses, and said this had been an instrumental factor behind an overall 34 per cent drop in shop theft at five hotpot locations in 2025. The hotspots named by police are Co-op stores in Westdale Lane East and Westdale Lane West, Gedling; the Tesco store in Carlton Hill; Co-op store in Main Street, Burton Joyce; and TK Maxx at Victoria Retail Park, in Netherfield. 

Officers identified, then targeted the most prolific local offenders responsible for high levels of offending and these individuals were subsequently arrested, charged, and brought before the courts. 

Persistent offenders have also been made subject of bespoke community behaviour orders (CBOs) that – once granted by magistrates – prohibit them from doing certain things such as entering specified shops and visiting certain areas. 

Intelligence has revealed that organised gangs from home and abroad have been travelling by car throughout the borough and typically targeting supermarkets and other out-of-town retailers. 

Last month UK retailer Boots, national police intelligence unit Opal, and crime intelligence software platform Auror developed a high-quality intelligence to build a case against 27-year-old Nicoli Fruntasu – who was part of a gang that targeted Boots stores, including the one at the Victoria Retail Park in Netherfield, between May 29 and December 12 last year.  

Working alongside other suspects, Fruntasu hit Boots stores in Nottinghamshire, Sheffield, Stoke-on-Trent, Harrogate, Cheltenham, King’s Lynn, Boston, and Leeds, stealing thousands of pounds of fragrances.  

Fruntasu went on to plead guilty to 16 counts of shop theft, committed between May 29, 2025 and December 12, 2025, and was jailed for two years when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Tuesday, January 13. 

Auror’s direct to police reporting function enables store staff to report crimes directly within minutes in real time and making it quicker and easier for businesses to capture and share key evidence and information about incidents, such as CCTV footage, offender and vehicle descriptions, and witness statements.

Gedling borough’s beat team and PCSOs have also been using analytical data to identify peak times, repeat locations, and patterns of offending to target their high-visibility patrols in hotspot locations.

Sergeant Mohson Hussain, of the Gedling south neighbourhood policing team, said: “It goes to show that when we adopt an intelligence-led approach to tackling crime, we can genuinely make a difference – as evidenced by these impressive results. 

“We still have some serious work to do to tackle shop theft in our hotspot locations and I want to reassure people that we will continue to maintain high-visibility patrols and deploy all necessary resources to tackle and reduce retail crime and to improve community safety across Gedling south and beyond.”

Two arrested following high-speed police chase through Arnold on stolen motorbike

Emily Sanchez
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Two arrested following high-speed police chase through Arnold on stolen motorbike

Two men have been arrested after drink cans and a bike helmet were hurled at police during a high-speed chase on a stolen motorcycle in Arnold.

Officers were on patrol in the town when they spotted two men riding a motorbike which did not have a registration plate.

As the bike passed the police car an item was thrown and struck the windscreen.

Officers from the Operational Support team began pursuing the motorbike after it then failed to stop around 7.45pm on Tuesday (24).

The bike was ridden dangerously and at speed along residential streets through the town.

Further items, including a helmet and drink cans, were also flung towards police before officers made tactical contact with the bike at low speed.

One suspect remained with the bike and the other was detained after a brief foot chase.

Officers found two knives when they carried out searches and seized a crowbar which was found nearby.

A 20-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife in a public place, driving a motor vehicle dangerously, failing to stop and driving without a licence or insurance.

A second man, aged 24, was arrested on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle, possession of a knife in a public place, criminal damage, going equipped for theft and an unrelated assault.

Inspector Steven King, local area commander for Gedling borough, said: “The officers on patrol did an excellent job to bring this pursuit to a safe conclusion, make two arrests and seize a stolen motorcycle.

OPINION – CLLR ANDREW MEADS: “The Carlton Active project will bring many challenges and should not go ahead in its current form”

Gedling Eye
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OPINION – CLLR ANDREW MEADS: “The Carlton Active project will bring many challenges and should not go ahead in its current form”

Councillor Andrew Meads is an independent councillor representing the Calverton ward on Gedling Borough Council. Here he voices his concerns about the council’s latest plans to create a new leisure centre in Carlton…

This must be a very worrying time for bowling club members, and casual players.

To give some personal background, in my day job I’ve worked on around 40 new leisure centres over the last 30 years. That experience has given me many concerns about the Carlton Active project. 

I believe the Carlton Active project should not go ahead in its planned form, it should be on a new site in Carlton or Netherfield, adjacent to the more modern parts of Gedling’s road network, but every time I raise my concerns about lack of parking, inflated income, or massively over ambitious hire fees for the community venue I’m told by that it must go ahead and we’ve got to trust the consultants.

All the leisure centres I’ve worked on have been consultant led, and over budget and delayed. 

Looking at the latest drawings there’s around 50 less parking spaces than Carlton Forum, but that’s got to be shared with the football club and allow for increases in gym users, swimming users, new traffic for the soft play and the community venue (which in itself would need around 60-80 parking spaces). 

PICTURED: Richard Herrod Centre in Carltion

The new building would have to open two hours earlier than the existing Richard Herrod centre to allow users to access the gym from 6am, meaning the traffic around the Foxhill Road area will greatly increase, and from much earlier in the day through too late at night, causing a huge inconvenience and nuisance to all the local residents. 

The newest leisure centre close by, at Bingham, has almost double the parking spaces of the proposed Carlton Active but without the soft play, the community venue, and a smaller gym. Despite this, the car park at Bingham is regularly full through early in a morning, to late at night. 

Then there’s no seating for swimming competitions – just a viewing gallery, so we are spending £30 million on a new leisure centre with an eight-lane pool which won’t allow local, or county-wide galas, or with the parking to cope; to me that seems so short sighted. Other leisure centres (like at Bingham) that cost a lot less have this provision. 

Going to a new larger site would solve all these problems, as well as providing easier transport routes to the leisure centre. When I have raised this, I’ve been told we as a council can’t afford it. The slight additional cost would more than pay for itself in a very short time, never mind over the projected 50-year lifespan of the building.

If the consultants had investigated swimming locally, they would have found the whole county only has one 50M pool, at Harvey Hadden. This lack of provision in the county causes club galas to be held at venues out of the county, at Sheffield for example. If the new leisure was built on a new site in Carlton or Netherfield a 50M pool could be included, which would allow double the number of school sessions, as well as county and regional galas, generating huge additional income, as well as making Carlton Active a regional hub for sports, leisure and health. 

Moving Carlton Active to a new site would leave Richard Herrod standing and I’m sure the staff could be accommodated at the new leisure centre once it was built, avoiding making them all redundant. It would also allow the indoor bowls club to run Richard Herrod themselves. 

But the big question for me is funding. In a few months’ time we will find out if the borough will be split in half under LGR, this will mean that expected Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) won’t be able to be used towards this project. 

Regarding the CIL, I’ve raised my concerns that I dont think the CIL report presented to the cabinet last year was done to the council’s own scoring methodology. No proof was requested for matched funding on the other projects put forward, the matched funding was there, and this would have dramatically changed the scoring which would have shown Carlton Active coming out fourth and not first. I’ve asked if it is going to be redone, but the answer is that it can’t be because cabinet has approved it now. 

The cabinet have now agreed to progress this project but it seems very premature to agree to spend £1.5million on stage 3 and 4 when the funding is not in place and the outcome of LGR is not known for a few more months. As I’ve said before, the new authority or authorities that take over from Gedling Borough Council may have completely different ideas on leisure provision going forward.

The budget papers for next month allow for the Richard Herrod Centre to stay open until next year, but there’s no separate provision in it, or in the latest report on Carlton Active for the cost of redundancy for all the staff at the Richard Herrod and some at the civic centre. It seems to me that the staff have been forgotten in all this.

The cabinet have agreed to the recommendations of the report but I just wish they would pause until the outcome of LGR is clearer. In the meantime, they could have a look into having the centre at a new site that would provide the room for the necessary parking provision and footprint of the building. 

Warning signs installed due to potholes on ‘Nottinghamshire’s most dangerous road’

Lauren Monaghan
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Warning signs installed due to potholes on ‘Nottinghamshire’s most dangerous road’

Warning signs have been installed on what critics have described as Nottinghamshire’s ‘most dangerous road’ due to the severity of potholes.

However, campaigners have called on the Reform-run Nottinghamshire County Council do more after the potholes were reported a week before.

The spotlight has been on the A612 Colwick Loop Road since February 16 after a video – made and shared on Facebook by Conservative Nottinghamshire County Councillor Mike Adams – showed the treacherous conditions of the road in an urgent appeal for the council to fix it.

The junction next to Marks and Spencer’s at Victoria Retail Park, Netherfield, was shown to be in a severely deteriorated state with deep potholes by the set of traffic lights.

The potholes on Colwick Loop Road (IMAGE: Cllr Mike Adams)

The video has more than 40,000 views at the time of writing and since its upload he gave an update letting residents know the county council’s highways director had visited the spot on February 19.

Cllr Adams said he first notified the council’s highways director of the issue on February 15 and asked for a meeting. He was then expecting an update from the council’s highways team on Monday (February 23) but so far “has not heard a thing”.

Instead, two road signs displaying ‘Ramp Ahead’ and ‘Slow’ heading towards Nottingham have been placed just before the damaged spot to warn drivers – Cllr Adams noticed these on February 19 on the highways director’s visit.

Cllr Adams says the junction has “massively deteriorated” in the past eight weeks, claiming drivers have to slow down to five miles per hour to go over it.

He said: “It’s arguably the most dangerous road in Nottinghamshire at the moment.

“It has hundreds of thousands of journeys per year, it connects two of our bridges, it’s a 40 miles per hour zone, it’s in a braking zone.

“If you overshoot the junction there’s cars coming from the right. ABS (anti-lock) brakes stutter as you brake – if you hit a bump while your brakes are doing that you generally don’t stop when you should.

“People are swerving to avoid it, people slamming on their brakes. It all has knock-on effects of cars behind you, never mind the obvious damage to people’s vehicles.”

Cllr Adams said he was “annoyed” at the lack of action to fix the road, saying: “This is a serious problem – all we’ve got is a slow and ramp sign. After a week that’s all we’ve got… why can’t the council just fix it?”

Under the previous Conservative council the policy was for temporary repairs to be completed within 24 hours of notification but then to return within 90 days to complete a resurfacing section.

Cllr Sam Smith (Con), a county councillor who also represents the Trent Valley ward on Gedling Borough Council alongside Cllr Adams, referred to the potholes as “craters” and the road being “the surface of the moon”.

He said: “It’s the worst part of the network in Nottinghamshire that I have to drive over every day. It’s atrocious, it’s a main thoroughfare connecting Gedling to Nottingham and other parts of the county.”

Cllr Smith said he was “shocked, horrified and disgracefully frustrated” when he noticed the two signs on his drive “over the rumble strip” on Tuesday.

He said: “What a disgrace. Is that a joke? This is what Reform’s pothole repairs look like, forget the roads, we’ll just put signs to warn you. Those signs are doing absolutely nothing to save the residents I represent.

“I’ve got a brilliant idea: instead of sending people to put signs out, send the same people to fill the potholes.”

Gedling resident Francis Rodrigues, who is part of the Gedling Village Local History and Preservation Society, said other roads in his area, such as Brooklands Drive and Lorimer Avenue, were becoming “rat runs” due to people avoiding certain roads due to their poor conditions. 

He said: “The worst road for me is Avon Road up to Lambley Lane, there’s a series of ruts and you have to travel over it at three or four miles per hour to avoid damage.

“I’m a keen cyclist… it’s added danger to cyclists as they have to avoid them. If you hit a pothole with a tyre its a lot more bone shaking.”

Mr Rodrigues said he had concerns for people, particularly the elderly, tripping over and sinkholes opening up.

The LDRS contacted Nottinghamshire County Council on Monday (February 23) for updates on pothole fixes to Colwick Loop Road in light of the news its highways director had been to visit the spot.

It was confirmed to the LDRS on Wednesday the council would not be providing comment.

The Reform-run Nottinghamshire County Council plans to spend £153m on permanent road repairs over the next three years.

The East Midlands Combined County Authority has given it an extra £46.9 million in funding to fix potholes.

Council leader Mick Barton (Ref), said at least £400 million extra was needed on top of other funding to ensure the roads were in a “serviceable state”.

10 Practical Steps Businesses Can Take to Improve Cyber Resilience

Graham Finch
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10 Practical Steps Businesses Can Take to Improve Cyber Resilience

Cyber resilience is no longer just an IT concern. It is a board-level priority that directly impacts revenue, reputation, and long-term viability. As cyber threats become more sophisticated, businesses must move beyond basic security measures and adopt a resilience mindset. That means preparing not only to prevent attacks, but also to detect, respond, and recover quickly.

Here are ten practical steps organisations can take to strengthen their cyber resilience.

  1. Conduct a Comprehensive Risk Assessment

You cannot protect what you do not understand. Start by identifying critical assets, data flows, third-party dependencies, and potential vulnerabilities. Map out where sensitive information lives and how it moves across your systems.

A structured risk assessment provides clarity on where investment is needed most and helps prioritise action based on real exposure rather than assumptions.

2. Implement Multi-Factor Authentication Everywhere

Passwords alone are not enough. Multi-factor authentication adds an additional verification layer, significantly reducing the risk of unauthorised access.

Apply it across:

  • Email systems
  • Cloud platforms
  • Administrative accounts
  • Remote access tools

This single step dramatically lowers the likelihood of account compromise.

3. Keep Systems Updated and Patched

Unpatched software remains one of the most common entry points for attackers. Establish a disciplined patch management process that ensures operating systems, applications, and firmware are updated promptly.

Automated updates, where possible, reduce reliance on manual oversight and help maintain consistency.

4. Strengthen Endpoint Protection

With hybrid and remote working now standard in many industries, endpoints such as laptops and mobile devices are key risk areas.

Invest in modern endpoint detection and response solutions that provide real-time monitoring and behavioural analysis. This allows threats to be identified and contained before they spread across the network.

5. Develop a Tested Incident Response Plan

Preparation is essential. An incident response plan outlines clear steps for detection, containment, communication, and recovery during a cyber event.

Crucially, this plan should be tested through simulations or tabletop exercises. Practising response scenarios ensures teams understand their responsibilities and can act quickly under pressure.

6. Train Employees Regularly

Human error remains a leading cause of breaches. Phishing emails, social engineering, and weak password habits create vulnerabilities that technology alone cannot fix.

Regular, practical training helps employees recognise suspicious activity and respond appropriately. A culture of awareness strengthens overall resilience.

7. Back Up Critical Data Securely

Reliable backups are fundamental to resilience. If ransomware or system failure occurs, secure backups enable rapid recovery.

Best practice includes:

  • Maintaining encrypted backups
  • Storing copies offline or in isolated environments
  • Testing restoration processes regularly

A backup that cannot be restored is not a backup at all.

8. Secure Your Supply Chain

Many breaches originate from third-party vendors. Review the cybersecurity posture of suppliers, partners, and service providers who have access to your systems or data.

Establish clear security expectations in contracts and conduct due diligence assessments to reduce external risk exposure.

9. Adopt a Zero Trust Approach

Traditional perimeter-based security assumes that internal users and devices can be trusted. Modern environments require a different mindset.

Zero Trust architecture verifies every access request, regardless of location. This approach limits lateral movement within networks and reduces the impact of compromised credentials.

Organisations seeking to modernise their infrastructure can benefit from strategic IT partners such as cisilion.com, which specialise in secure, scalable technology environments that support long-term cyber resilience.

10. Monitor Continuously and Improve Constantly

    Cyber resilience is not a one-time project. Threat landscapes evolve constantly, and defensive strategies must evolve alongside them.

    Continuous monitoring, regular audits, and performance reviews ensure that security controls remain effective. Metrics such as response times, vulnerability remediation rates, and employee training completion provide measurable insight into resilience maturity.

    Businesses that treat cybersecurity as an ongoing discipline rather than a reactive fix position themselves for sustained stability.

    Is Your Procurement Process Agile Enough for 2026?

    Sponsored Content
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    Is Your Procurement Process Agile Enough for 2026?

    Market conditions today fluctuate overnight, vendor prices change without warning, and departments need software tools approved yesterday. However, many UK organisations still operate procurement processes designed for a slower, more predictable era.

    When approval cycles stretch across weeks and requisition forms gather digital dust in email chains, you’re not losing time. You’re losing competitive advantage. Let’s explore what truly agile procurement looks like in 2026.

    The Real Cost of Procurement Delays

    A marketing manager needs analytics software to launch a campaign next month. They submit a request in January. Finance questions the pricing in February. IT flags security concerns in March. By April, when approval finally arrives, the campaign window has closed. Your competitor launched their version six weeks earlier.

    Traditional procurement operates on sequential reviews. Finance scrutinises every request. IT evaluates security implications. Legal assesses contract terms. Each department adds value, but these bottlenecks paralyse decision-making and compound across your organisation.

    What Agile Procurement Actually Means

    Agility doesn’t mean abandoning oversight. It means building intelligent workflows that move purchasing decisions forward without sacrificing control. Vertice AI demonstrates this by embedding intelligence throughout procurement processes, automatically routing requests based on risk levels, spend thresholds and policy requirements.

    The most responsive procurement teams share several characteristics. They’ve automated routine approvals while maintaining human oversight for complex purchases. They’ve established clear spending authorities so employees know which purchases they can make independently. They’ve built vendor catalogues that pre-approve preferred suppliers.

    These organisations understand that speed and control aren’t opposites. Smart automation actually strengthens governance by flagging high-risk purchases for immediate review while processing standard requests automatically.

    Building Flexibility Into Your Workflows

    Consider how your team handles a typical software renewal. Someone spots an upcoming expiry date, scrambles to gather usage data, checks budget availability, and coordinates with stakeholders. Meanwhile, the renewal deadline approaches and negotiating leverage evaporates.

    Agile procurement anticipates these moments. Systems track renewal dates automatically and alert relevant teams months in advance. Usage analytics show whether the software delivers value or wastes budget. Benchmark data reveals whether you’re paying competitive rates. You’ll enter renewal discussions prepared, not panicked.

    When someone requests new software, intelligent systems check whether existing tools already provide similar capabilities. They compare quoted prices against market benchmarks. They identify vendors who’ve caused problems for other customers. All this happens within minutes rather than days.

    Breaking Down Departmental Silos

    Procurement rarely fails because of individual incompetence. It fails because departments operate in isolation, each applying their own criteria without visibility into others’ priorities.

    Modern procurement platforms centralise information so everyone works from the same facts. When a purchase request enters the system, all relevant stakeholders can see the business justification, budgetary impact, security assessment and contract terms simultaneously. They can collaborate in real-time rather than passing requests sequentially.

    This transparency accelerates decisions whilst improving them. Finance can weigh costs against documented business value. IT can assess security in context of operational needs. Legal can identify deal-breakers early rather than discovering them weeks into review.

    The Technology That Enables Agility

    Spreadsheets can’t deliver the responsiveness that modern procurement demands. Effective procurement technology does several things simultaneously:

    1. Captures requests through simple intake forms that guide employees without overwhelming them
    2. Routes approvals dynamically based on request characteristics rather than rigid workflows
    3. Surfaces relevant data at decision points, from pricing benchmarks to vendor risk scores
    4. Tracks everything so you’ll understand where bottlenecks occur and can optimise accordingly

    The best systems also learn from your organisation’s history. They’ll recognise patterns in successful purchases and problematic vendors. They’ll suggest approval paths based on similar past requests. They’ll flag unusual spending before it becomes a budget crisis.

    What This Means for Your Organisation

    The pace of business change won’t slow down. Vendor spaces will continue evolving. New tools will emerge constantly. Market conditions will shift unpredictably. Organisations with rigid procurement processes will struggle to adapt. They’ll watch competitors move faster, respond quicker, and capture opportunities whilst they’re still routing approval forms through email chains.

    When you can evaluate and approve purchases rapidly, you’ll be better positioned to capitalise on opportunities. When you have real-time visibility into spending patterns, you’ll spot problems before they escalate. When your team focuses on strategic decisions rather than administrative tasks, they’ll deliver genuine value. Your procurement process either enables business agility or constrains it. There’s no middle ground in 2026’s competitive environment.

    Tips for Selecting the Right Dentist for Your Family

    Ryan Nice
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    Tips for Selecting the Right Dentist for Your Family

    Choosing a dentist for your family is an important decision. It is not just about routine check-ups; it is about building a long-term relationship with a healthcare provider who understands your family’s needs, supports preventative care, and creates a positive experience for both children and adults.

    If you are looking for guidance, these practical tips will help you select the right dentist with confidence.

    1. Look for a Family-Friendly Approach

      A great family dentist should feel welcoming to patients of all ages. From toddlers attending their first appointment to grandparents requiring restorative care, the practice should be equipped to handle different stages of life.

      Check whether the clinic specifically mentions family dentistry. Look for signs that they cater to children, such as gentle communication styles, patient explanations, and a calm atmosphere.

      2. Check Qualifications and Experience

      Your family’s oral health deserves professional expertise. Make sure the dentist is fully qualified and registered with the General Dental Council.

      It is also worth checking how long the practice has been operating and whether the team participates in ongoing professional development. Experienced dentists are better equipped to handle both routine care and unexpected issues.

      If you are based in South London, exploring trusted providers such as the dentists in Balham can be a useful starting point when comparing local options.

      3. Read Reviews From Other Families

      Online reviews can give you valuable insight into how a practice treats its patients.

      Look for comments about:

      • Staff friendliness
      • Waiting times
      • Communication with children
      • Clear explanation of treatments
      • Overall comfort during visits

      Consistent positive feedback from other families is a strong indicator that a dentist values patient care.

      4. Consider Location and Accessibility

      Convenience plays a significant role in keeping up with regular dental appointments.

      Choose a practice that is easy to reach from your home, your child’s school, or your workplace. Check public transport links or parking availability if needed. Also consider opening hours. Flexible appointments, including early mornings or evenings, can make scheduling much easier for busy families.

      5. Evaluate Communication Style

      Clear communication is essential, especially when children are involved.

      A dentist who takes the time to explain procedures, answer questions, and reassure nervous patients can make all the difference. During your first call or consultation, notice whether staff members are patient and helpful.

      A family-focused dentist will encourage questions and ensure you feel confident about treatment plans.

      6. Review the Range of Services Offered

      Families often benefit from a practice that provides comprehensive care under one roof.

      Look for services such as:

      • Routine check-ups and hygiene appointments
      • Paediatric dentistry
      • Orthodontic assessments
      • Cosmetic treatments
      • Emergency care

      Having access to a wide range of services means fewer referrals elsewhere and more continuity in care.

      7. Ask About Preventative Care Philosophy

      A dentist who prioritises prevention helps protect your family’s long-term oral health.

      Ask how the practice approaches preventative dentistry. Do they provide advice on brushing techniques, diet, and fluoride treatments? Are regular hygiene appointments encouraged? Preventative care reduces the likelihood of more complex procedures in the future.

      8. Understand Fees and Payment Options

      Transparency around pricing is essential for families managing household budgets.

      Ask about treatment costs, payment plans, and whether the practice accepts your insurance. A trustworthy dental practice will provide clear estimates before any treatment begins.

      9. Visit the Practice Before Committing

      If possible, arrange a visit before booking major treatment. A quick tour allows you to observe cleanliness, organisation, and the general atmosphere.

      Notice how staff interact with patients. Do children appear relaxed? Is the reception area welcoming? Small details can help you decide whether the environment feels right for your family.

      10. Trust Your Instincts

      Finally, trust your judgement. You should feel comfortable, respected, and confident in the care your family will receive.

      If you leave a consultation feeling reassured and informed, that is a strong sign you have found the right dentist. If anything feels rushed or unclear, it is perfectly acceptable to continue your search.

      Choosing the right dentist for your family is about more than proximity. It is about finding a supportive, experienced team that puts your family’s comfort and health first. With careful research and thoughtful consideration, you can select a practice that helps every member of your household maintain a healthy, confident smile for years to come.

      How Communities Quietly Come Together When Loss Happens

      Ryan Nice
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      How Communities Quietly Come Together When Loss Happens

      Loss rarely announces itself gently. It arrives in the middle of ordinary routines and reshapes everything in a matter of moments. The room feels different. Time slows down. Simple tasks suddenly require effort. Yet alongside the heaviness, something else begins to unfold. Without fanfare or formal agreement, people start moving closer. A quiet network forms around those who are grieving, often before they even realise they need it.

      Grief can feel isolating, but community has a way of softening that isolation in subtle, steady ways. It does not always look dramatic. It often looks like someone sitting at a kitchen table longer than usual, a neighbour knocking on the door with groceries, or a friend handling a phone call that feels too overwhelming to make. These gestures are rarely grand, yet they carry enormous weight. When loss makes thinking difficult and decision-making exhausting, practical help becomes one of the most meaningful forms of care.

      Presence Matters More Than Words

      In the first hours and days after a death, words are often inadequate. People worry about saying the wrong thing, and silence can feel uncomfortable. Yet presence matters more than perfect language. Sitting beside someone, making tea, helping sort paperwork, or simply being available creates a sense of stability when everything feels unsteady. Community support at this stage is not about fixing pain. It is about reducing the number of things the grieving person has to carry alone.

      Sharing the Responsibility

      As the initial shock fades, responsibilities begin to surface. There are calls to make, arrangements to organise, relatives to inform, documents to gather. This stage can feel strangely busy, almost mechanical, as families move through tasks that feel disconnected from their emotional reality. Here, community becomes structure. People naturally step into roles without needing to be asked. One friend becomes the organiser, keeping track of dates and appointments. Another becomes the listener, answering late-night messages. Someone else takes care of meals or childcare. Responsibility spreads across many shoulders, and in doing so, it becomes lighter.

      Professional guidance also plays an important role in this collective support system. During such an overwhelming time, clear direction can provide calm. Services like https://www.exithere.com/ help families understand what needs to happen and when, offering practical assistance that removes uncertainty from an already emotional process. When families are supported with clarity and care, they are free to focus on remembering and honouring their loved one rather than feeling lost in logistics.

      Food as Comfort and Stability

      One of the most universal expressions of community during loss is food. Across cultures and backgrounds, meals appear at the door almost instinctively. Food replaces decisions when appetite is low and energy is scarce. It brings routine back into days that feel unstructured. It gives visitors a reason to stop by briefly without demanding emotional performance. Sharing a meal allows conversation to flow naturally or sit comfortably in silence. The act of eating together becomes a quiet reassurance that life, in some form, continues.

      Gathering to Create Meaning

      Ceremonies and gatherings further demonstrate how communities come together during loss. A funeral or memorial is often seen as a tribute to the person who has died, but it is equally an act of collective healing for those who remain. When people gather to share stories, they weave individual memories into a shared narrative. Grief moves from private disbelief into communal acknowledgement. Each person carries a different version of the one who has passed, and when those stories are spoken aloud, they build a fuller, richer picture of a life that mattered. In that sharing, something shifts. Loss becomes not only an absence, but a legacy.

      Support That Continues Quietly

      What is particularly powerful is how support evolves over time. In the beginning, help is frequent and visible. As weeks turn into months, life for everyone else resumes its pace. Yet the most meaningful gestures often happen later. A message on an anniversary. A phone call when a familiar date approaches. An invitation to walk, talk, or simply sit together. Grief does not disappear when the ceremony ends. It changes shape. Community adapts alongside it, becoming less concentrated but more intentional.

      Why People Show Up

      Many people show up during times of loss because they recognise something deeply human within it. Supporting someone who is grieving is not just an act of kindness. It is an acknowledgement that love connects everyone, and that one day they will need others in the same way. When someone steps forward with care, they are not only helping another person; they are reinforcing the shared understanding that no one should face life’s hardest moments in isolation.

      Turning Grief Into Memory

      Over time, conversations gradually shift. Condolences turn into stories. Stories turn into laughter. Laughter, once unexpected, becomes a sign that memory is settling into a different space. Communities help guide this transition. By keeping the person’s name in conversation and their impact alive in shared recollection, they transform grief into connection. The person who died becomes part of the ongoing narrative of the community rather than a chapter that has closed completely.

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