Gedling Borough Council’s cabinet has been asked to consider introducing a weekend burial service at its cemeteries for the first time.
Currently, ashes can be interred in Gedling Borough Council cemeteries between Monday and Friday at a fee of £221.
But councillors say that there is a demand for this service at weekends, including from working families and those who have family members not local to the borough.
During Wednesday’s Gedling Borough Council meeting, Cllrs Sam Smith and Mike Adams who represent Trent Valley Ward, tabled a motion calling on the council to amend when ashes can be interred in Gedling Borough Council cemeteries and enable them to be done on two Saturdays per month as well as in the week.
When tabling the motion, Cllr Sam Smith said: “We all get elected to serve our local communities and improve the local services our residents rely on.
“After taking a call from a concerned resident who had sadly faced a family bereavement, they were finding it difficult to book in for the interment of ashes into one of our cemeteries. They had family out of the Borough and they could only come together at weekends. During that difficult period, this Council couldn’t book that in for them sadly.
“I thought that is one of the local services we can improve so I move the motion which, subject to a business case, is calling for a review of the cemetery operating hours so that interment of ashes can be done at weekends.
“This can be done in many ways, some of those options could include rejigging the rota so if cemetery staff work a weekend they have days off in the week or training up other Council staff who can observe the interment service.”
While speaking in the debate, Cllr Mike Adams said: “It is so important that we get the business case done and do it right and that we also ensure all parts of that process are taken into account, including colleagues that work in this service are consulted on it and have an opportunity to put their views forward.
Adding to the debate, Cllr Boyd Elliott of the Calverton Ward said: “The most important people are the bereaved families. This motion sends out a huge message to all residents that we do care and we understand how busy people are these days.”
A business case reviewing the operating hours of the ashes interment service will be carried out and presented to the Council’s Cabinet for consideration. Gedling Borough’s Conservative Councillors hope this will result in families being able to inter ashes on two Saturdays per month as well as during the week.
Deputy council leader Cllr Michael Payne wanted to highlight the efforts of the team who carry out burials in the borough.
He said: “i just want to say a huge thank you for the small group of staff who actually do this job. It’s a physicaly demanding job in often difficult weather conditions. It’s one of the most difficult jobs you could have within a council and a lot of stress is put on them.
“I’d just like to put on the record a massive thanks from the entire council to our cemeteries and burial service team.”
An environmentalist from Carlton will join a demo in Nottingham City Centre tomorrow (27) highlighting the devastating impacts of air pollution
Members of Extinction Rebellion will gather to protest at Nottingham Railway Station, before walking up to Market Square accompanied by drummers and carrying placards, flags and banners.
The group say they want to give local people a positive message that another future is possible.
XR Nottingham’s website says there will be a ‘display of gravestones to symbolise deaths from air pollution with names and the cause of death – the names are not real but the causes of death are.’
The protest group claim that over 600 people across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire die early every year due to air pollution.
The impacts of airpollution include lung cancer, asthma, COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, heart attack and stroke.
The protestors say that air pollution which is mostly created from the burning of fossil fuels not only causes these premature deaths but is also the main driver of the climate crisis. Young children in particular are badly affected, 1 in 11 children already suffer from asthma and millions of children are exposed to dangerous levels of outdoor pollution at school.
Carlton resident Jon Simons from Carlton who is attending the protest said: “Another future really is possible – cheaper green public transport, improved cycling lanes and footpaths would make a big difference. As would investing in more renewable energy to replace dirty fossil fuels”.
XR Nottingham posted on social media “It is now 11 years since the tragic death of nine-year-old Ella Kissi-Debra in London and in 2021 her inquest listed air pollution as a cause of death.
“We owe it to her and all our children to act now.”
Many readers will recall the now demolished ‘Grey Goose’ pub at 73 Arnold Lane where the Gedling Village Care Home now sits so it is poignant that a new pre-school stay and play initiative by the care home has been named “Goosey Ganders”
The residential and dementia care home have started free pre school play and stay sessions at the Care Home every two weeks on a Tuesday morning from 10am till 11.30am which have been a major success with both young and not so young.
Gedling Eye caught up with Michelle Garland, the Registered Manager of Gedling Village Care Home who said “These sessions have been really good and very rewarding for both the children and our residents and we have had some really good feedback.
“We as a Care Home take immense pride in what we do and thrive on how to keep our dementia patients stimulated. Our dementia patients take a lot from these sessions and seeing the smiles on their faces makes it all worth it.
IMAGES: Courtesy of Gedling Village Care Home
“Not only does this stimulate and light up the faces of our residents it is also enjoyed by both the children and parents.”
The free fortnightly sessions also provide the children with drinks and healthy snacks and parents or childminders can avail of tea with biscuits.
Michelle added: “We have a variety of children’s toys for the children to engage in and stimulate their minds. We also have a sing song with everyone towards the end of the session.
Gedling Village Care Home is located at 73 Arnold Lane, Gedling, Nottingham, NG4 4HA and sessions can be booked by calling the home on 0115 9877330 or by email on gedlingvillage@pearlcare.co.uk.
Further information can be accessed on the care home’s social channel HERE.
A councillor has called for a heavily used car park in Colwick to be resurfaced before the summer when dust causes havoc for residents.
Colwick Councillor Russell Whiting last night raised the issue with Gedling Borough Council at a full council meeting and said there is a need for the car park at Rectory Road Recreation Ground to be resurfaced urgently.
Mr Whiting told councillors that the car park, which is heavily used by park-goers, Park Run participants, dog walkers and footballers at weekends, has not been properly resurfaced for many years. The current gravel surface is topped up periodically.
He said: “Local residents have been complaining about the state of the car park for years, but no action has been taken.
In the dry weather the car park becomes a dust bowl and blows onto nearby streets and gardens, contributing to poor air quality. In wet weather the surface runs into nearby drains.
After hearing Mr Whiting; ‘s comments, Portfolio Holder Cllr Viv McCrossen confirmed that over the past three years, more than £1,000 had been spent topping up the surface of the car park.
Cllr Whiting invited Cllr McCrossen to visit the car park and see its condition for herself.
Speaking after the meeting Cllr Whiting said: “We have been talking about this car park for too long. The time for action has now arrived.
“Residents have put up with the dust for too long and every weekend I get calls from members of the public who use the car park to complain about the appalling state it’s in.
“As councillors we talk a lot about potholes, but this is one of the few surfaces for which Gedling Borough Council is responsible for. I will continue to fight for residents and others who use the car park until it is adequately resurfaced”
EVENT CINEMA: National Theatre Live: Dear England (15) – Bonington Cinema
Thu 25 Jan – Sat 3 Feb, Various Times £12.50pp
Joseph Fiennes (The Handmaid’s Tale) plays Gareth Southgate in James Graham’s (Sherwood) gripping examination of nation and game. The country that gave the world football has since delivered a painful pattern of loss. Why can’t England’s men win at their own game?
With the worst track record for penalties in the world, Gareth Southgate knows he needs to open his mind and face up to the years of hurt, to take team and country back to the promised land.
Filmed live on stage at the National Theatre, Rupert Goold (Judy) directs this spectacular new play.
Dear England a new play James Graham Directed by Rupert Goold
*Additional screenings may be added at a later date
Fri 26 – Wed 31 Jan, Various Times £6.80pp £5pp on Tuesday
It is the summer of 1957. Behind the spectacle of Formula 1, ex-racer Enzo Ferrari is in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura built from nothing ten years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son, Dino a year earlier. Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son Piero with Lina Lardi. Meanwhile, his drivers’ passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia.
“Adam Driver’s racing drama is an electrifying ride” Telegraph ★★★★
Directed by Michael Mann With Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz 2hrs 10 mins // US 2023
Fri 26 Jan – Mon 12 Feb, Various Times £6.80pp £5pp on Tuesday
One Lifetells the true story of Sir Nicholas ‘Nicky’ Winton, a young London broker played by Johnny Flynn, who, along with Trevor Chadwick (played by Alex Sharp) and Doreen Warinner (played by Romola Garai) of the British Committee for Refugees in Czechoslovakia, rescued 669 children from the Nazis in the months leading up to World War II,. Nicky visited Prague in December 1938 and found families who had fled the rise of the Nazis in Germany and Austria, living in desperate conditions with little or no shelter and food, and under threat of Nazi invasion. He immediately realised it was a race against time.
How many children could he and the team rescue before the borders closed? Fifty years later, it’s 1988 and Nicky (played by Anthony Hopkins) lives haunted by the fate of the children he wasn’t able to bring to safety in England; always blaming himself for not doing more. It’s not until a live BBC television show, ‘That’s Life!’, surprises him by introducing him to some surviving children – now adults – that he finally begins to come to terms with the guilt and grief he had carried for five decades.
“Anthony Hopkins is stirring as the ‘British Schindler’ who saved 600 Jewish children” Telegraph ★★★★
Directed by James Hawes With Anthony Hopkins, Johnny Flynn 1hr 50 mins // UK 2023
FREE entry – Design 3 will be performing a huge range of popular hits from the likes of Madness, The Beatles, Bowie, Frankie Valli, Ed Sheeran, Take That and Bob Marley to name just a few.
EVENT CINEMA: Kinky Boots: The Musical (12A) – Bonington Cinema, Arnold
Thu 1 – Sun 4 Feb, Various Times £12.50pp
Kinky Boots The Musical, filmed live at the Adelphi Theatre in the heart of London’s West End, is strutting back onto the big screen!
With songs from Grammy and Tony award winning pop icon Cindy Lauper, book by legendary Broadway playwright Harvey Fierstein (La Cage Aux Folles), and direction and choreography by Jerry Mitchell (Legally Blonde, Hairspray), the musical is based on the film written by Geoff Deane and Tim Firth.
Inspired by true events, this huge-hearted hit tells the story of two people with nothing in common – or so they think. Charlie (Killian Donnelly) is a factory owner struggling to save his family business, and Lola (Matt Henry) is a fabulous entertainer with a wildly exciting idea. With a little compassion and a lot of understanding, this unexpected pair learn to embrace their differences and create a line of sturdy stilettos unlike any the world has ever seen! But in the end, their most sensational achievement is their friendship.
This unmissable musical theatre event celebrates a joyous story of British grit transforming into a high-heeled hit as it takes you from the factory floor of Northampton to the glamorous catwalks of Milan!
Please contact venue to confirm availability and details
A quick word from ‘This is Gedling’ Magazine who sponsor The Vibe
Covering the whole of Gedlng borough ‘This is Gedling’ magazine is being distributed now – you can pick up a FREE copy at your local pub, club, venue, theatre, takeaway.
This is Gedling is a Not for Profit (NfP) community initiative that depends on the support of advertisers, contributors, readers and donors to continue to bring FREE borough news and general interest content to the all 46 square miles and 120k residents of Gedling borough.
Plans have been submitted to increase the occupancy of a Netherfield HMO.
An application has been received by Gedling Borough Council for ‘Change of use of six bedroom property (C4 use) into a seven-bedroom, seven person HMO (Sui Generis use).’
The application was submitted by Mr. Eamonn Chapman of Wilson Architects, Lincoln who is acting as agents on behalf of Mr. Andrew Grey of Altitude Investments Ltd., Jessops Lane, Gedling.
The property at 48 Bourne Street is currently Class C4 (houses in multiple occupation), a class relating to small shared houses occupied by between three and six unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
A Planning, Design and Access (PDA) statement has now been provided by Wilson Architects in support of the application states that the site has recently been fully refurbished to a high standard and is now occupied and used as a six-bedroom HMO and that there are no external alterations proposed within this application.
PICTURED: Second floor existing (Courtesy of Gedling Borough Council planning)PICTURED: Second floor proposed (Courtesy of Gedling Borough Council planning)
The change of use being applied for (Sui Generis) is required when the number of occupants totals seven or more unrelated individuals, as their only or main residence, who share basic amenities such as a kitchen or bathroom.
The PDA further states that the change of use relates to an existing room on the 2nd floor which is currently underused.
Further details regarding Planning Application 2023/0925 can be accessed HERE.
Two new football pitches and changing facilities situated off Colwick Loop Road have been handed over to Gedling Borough Council by a housing developer.
The full-size pitches and changing rooms have been created on land next to the Rivendell Flying High Academy by developer Persimmon Homes Nottingham.
There will also be a further two new football pitches to be handed over in 2024 at this new sporting complex which will be used by Gedling FC as well as by the wider community.
The pitches are located on land next to the Rivendell Flying High Academy
The handover was marked by a visit to the new complex by Persimmon Nottingham’s land director, Carl Oxley; Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr John Clarke MBE; and Deputy Leader of Gedling Borough Council, Cllr Michael Payne.
Cllr Clarke said: “I’m pleased to announce that we have now taken ownership of these fantastic new facilities which will be a great asset for the local community and sports clubs in the area.
“These new pitches will be a great place for residents to get involved with sports, stay active and help improve their physical and mental health.
I’d like to thank Persimmon Homes for creating this leisure space as part of the Rivendell Housing Development.
“I’m sure these new facilities will be well received by our local sports clubs and football teams, and I look froward to seeing the positive impact these will bring to the area.”
Persimmon’s Carl Oxley said: “Handing over these high-quality facilities to Gedling Borough Council strengthens our commitment to leaving a positive legacy within the communities that we build.
Gedling Eye is throwing its support behind our amazing local businesses in the borough – and we are now urging you to do the same and our campaign continues with amazing The Rebecca Lomas Academy of Voice.
Rebecca Lomas opened her academy in 2017 in Netherfield with just 10 students and the academy has gone from strength to strength.
Gedling Eye caught up with Rebecca who said: “I started singing at the age of ten when a primary school teacher heard something in my voice and called my parents (who were just as surprised as I was).
“I then went on to private singing tuition with Lynn Wayman who put me through my Musical theatre exams that’s when my real love of Theatre began. I then went onto train at the Midlands academy of dance and drama where I gained my Musical theatre diploma.
“Upon graduating I was lucky enough to work on many different performing contracts across the world from High school musical touring Ireland, performing and singing at the Bahrain Formula 1 Grand Prix to being shortlisted to represent the UK and Ireland and the Eurovision Song Contest.”
The Academy that opened in 2017 now runs classes in Netherfield and Arnold as well as private 121 singing lessons and Half term performance workshops with over 50 students.
Rebecca added: “As well as my performing I’ve taught singing and the performing arts from the age of 18 and I really feel my professional performing experience helps me add another element to my teaching skills of what I have to offer the future stars of tomorrow.
“I’ve always had a passion for teaching and seeing children thrive through the performing arts. I really believe the skills you learn in performing arts classes can be used in all walks of life and it arms children with great skills that they can use in the future.
“Our classes offer group singing, dancing and drama in one session as well as lots of fun confidence building games in between. our sessions are fun and energetic and children always leave with a smile on their face which is what it’s all about.”
Sessions in Netherfield run every Wednesday during term time 5-7pm at the St George’s Centre and sessions in Arnold run every Friday during term time 4:20-5:20pm at Killisick Junior School.
The academy is also hosting a half term workshop in Netherfield on February 12 based on the musical ‘SIX’ – to reserve your child’s place please contact the academy.
Further information regarding The Rebecca Lomas Academy of Voice can be found on their social channel HERE and the academy can be contacted by email on Info@therebeccalomasacademyofvoice.com or by phone on 07891 672348.
Antisocial behaviour has been reduced in Mapperley after it was declared a priority by officers.
Neighbourhood police in the city south area identified the issue as one of their three priorities last year after listening to concerns raised by residents and community leaders.
Inspector Steve Dalby, who was appointed neighbourhood policing inspector for city south in April 2023, has allocated extra resources to tackle the problem.
Measures introduced include targeted patrols in known hotspots for nuisance behaviour and associated crimes like begging, shoplifting and drug offences.
The work has now seen reports of ASB incidents decrease by 7.8 per cent between January and December 2023 compared to the previous 12 months in city south – which includes St Ann’s, The Meadows, The Dales, Mapperley and The Wells and Clifton.
Insp Dalby said: “I made antisocial behaviour a priority for my team after consulting with residents, councillors and our partners.
“It was made very clear to me during these discussions that nuisance behaviour was having a detrimental impact on residents across the city south area.
“It’s pleasing to see some of the measures introduced are yielding some promising results. However, we are never complacent and realise there is more to be done.
“Some people in the neighbourhood are still being impacted by antisocial behaviour and if they are I’d urge them to contact the neighbourhood team so we can respond.
“We are also working hard on the city south’s other two main priorities which are drugs and acquisitive crime.”
A recent operation in the St Ann’s and Mapperley area has seen high-visibility patrols introduced to target all three priorities.
The team has also carried out a number of raids to target drugs supply and continued its work to cut shoplifting offences.
Officers introduced a new initiative to combat retail crime in The Dales, Clifton and the Meadows which combines high-visibility patrols and covert security in stores
Patrols by uniformed officers and pop-up beat surgeries are taking place regularly around hotspots for retail crime to provide reassurance to staff and shoppers.
There have also been a number of important arrests and use of criminal behaviour orders to ban repeat offenders from shops and areas.
Insp Dalby said:
“I’m pleased our tactics are already yielding some excellent results in all our priority areas. Officers are finding themselves in the right place at the right time to make important arrests.
“We want to do our bit to make all the communities in city south vibrant places where people want to live and work.”
Nottinghamshire Police is focusing on the work carried out by police in the community this week as part of neighbourhood policing week of action, which runs from 22 January to 28 January.
Antisocial behaviour has been reduced in Mapperley after the area was one of five to be declared a priority by officers.
Inspector Steve Dalby, who was appointed neighbourhood policing inspector for city south in April 2023, allocated extra resources to tackle the problem.
Measures introduced include targeted patrols in known hotspots for nuisance behaviour and associated crimes like begging, shoplifting and drug offences.
The work has now seen reports of ASB incidents decrease by 7.8 per cent between January and December 2023 compared to the previous 12 months in city south
The city south area includes St Ann’s, The Meadows, The Dales, Mapperley and The Wells and Clifton.
Insp Dalby said: “I made antisocial behaviour a priority for my team after consulting with residents, councillors and our partners.
“It was made very clear to me during these discussions that nuisance behaviour was having a detrimental impact on residents across the city south area.
“It’s pleasing to see some of the measures introduced are yielding some promising results. However, we are never complacent and realise there is more to be done.
“Some people in the neighbourhood are still being impacted by antisocial behaviour and if they are I’d urge them to contact the neighbourhood team so we can respond.
“We are also working hard on the city south’s other two main priorities which are drugs and acquisitive crime.”
A recent operation in the St Ann’s and Mapperley area has seen high-visibility patrols introduced to target all three priorities.
The team has also carried out a number of raids to target drugs supply and continued its work to cut shoplifting offences.
Insp Dalby added: “I’m pleased our tactics are already yielding some excellent results in all our priority areas. Officers are finding themselves in the right place at the right time to make important arrests.
“We want to do our bit to make all the communities vibrant places where people want to live and work.”
The council paid out more than £56,000 in compensation across Nottinghamshire.
Statistics show just 90 cases were settled out of a total 1,601 complaints received in the last year.
The authority also confirmed through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request there had been requests for compensation from people involved in life-changing or fatal accidents.
The county council has pointed to extreme weather events in recent years affecting the condition of the roads.
Nottinghamshire County Council paid out more than £56,000 in pothole compensation across the areaA freedom of information request revealed that only six per cent of pothole compensation claims are successful and the national figure is about 25 per centNottinghamshire County Council, which is responsible for maintaining the roads, asks residents to report potholes through its website or the My Notts App.
Gedling resident Chris Cook Cann submitted the FOI.
She told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The state of the roads has been deteriorating so rapidly, I think they’re so unsafe now.
“I thought it would be interesting to find out how much they were spending on compensation.
“It seems only six per cent of claims are successful and the national figure is about 25 per cent. That’s fairly alarming.”
The FOI also revealed that 211 of the total number of claims were from the Gedling borough area. Twelve of these had been settled, with £5,555 paid out in total for 2023.
Ms Cook Cann added: “A lot of people are deeply out of pocket.
“Some of these potholes look like serious accidents waiting to happen.
“I would encourage everybody to report potholes.
“It’s a big issue because it affects a lot of people.
“I am changing routes to go to places because I’m sure my vehicle will get damaged soon.”
A separate FOI reveals in the last two financial years, claims have increased but the amount paid out has gone down.
In 2022-23, 1,085 claims were submitted with 33 settled. A total of £19,629 was paid out by Nottinghamshire County Council.
And in 2021-23, 660 claims were submitted with 28 settled at a cost of £27,729.
In 2019-20, a total of £66,795 was paid out to 50 people, of a total 592 claims received.
Nottinghamshire County Council, which is responsible for maintaining the roads, asks residents to report potholes through its website or the My Notts App.
They said an inspector will attend within 10 working days to assess a reported site for repairs.
A county council spokesperson said: “Recent severe weather episodes have taken a significant toll on Nottinghamshire’s roads.”
“Severe flooding causes substantial damage to our highways, which then deteriorate further when heavy rainfall is combined with sub-zero temperatures to create a ‘freeze/thaw’ effect.
