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From Priscilla to Migration: The big screen picks at The Bonington in Arnold this February


One Life (12A)

Thu 1 – Mon 12 February

One Life tells 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 ★★★★


Event Cinema: Kinky Boots: The Musical (12A)

Thu 1 & Sun 4 February

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!

2hrs 12 mins including an interval


Event Cinema: National Theatre Live: Dear England (15)

Sat 3 February at 1.30pm

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


Event Cinema: ROH Live: Manon (U)

Wed 7 & Sun 11 February

This adaptation of Abbé Prévost’s novel embodies Kenneth MacMillan at his best, his acute insight into human psychology and his mastery of narrative choreography finding full expression in the impassioned duets of the central couple, visceral and urgent in their desire.

The heroine’s struggle to escape poverty make Manon one of the most dramatic and devastating of ballets, emphasized by Nicholas Georgiadis’ evocative designs that reflect the juxtaposition between Manon’s impoverished origins and the lavish world she longs to inhabit. The 2023/24 Season celebrates the centenary of Nicholas Georgiadis.

BALLET
Music – Jules Massenet
Choreography – Kenneth Macmillan


Migration (U)

Fri 9 – Sun 25 February

Illumination, creators of the blockbuster Minions, Despicable Me, Sing and The Secret Life of Pets comedies, invites you to take flight into the thrill of the unknown with a funny, feathered family vacation like no other in the action-packed new original comedy, Migration.


Priscilla (15)

Fri 9, Sat 10 & Tue 13 February

The iconic Sofia Coppola (Lost in Translation) returns with PRISCILLA, a deeply felt and ravishingly detailed portrait of love, fantasy and fame. Starring Golden Globe nominee Cailee Spaeny and Saltburn’s Jacob Elordi, Coppola’s film presents the unseen story of Elvis and Priscilla Presley’s long courtship and turbulent marriage. Their romance is a great American myth that spans decades and oceans, from the army base where they met to his dream-world estate at Graceland.

Faithfully adapting Priscilla’s own memoir, and anchored by Spaeny’s Venice Best Actress winning performance, this is a mature and masterful cinematic feast for the senses that sees Coppola at the very top of her game.

“Is this already the best film of 2024?” The i ★★★★★

Guardian ★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★ Times ★★★★


Catch-up Screenings: Wonka (PG)

Monday 12 & Tuesday 13 February

Based on the extraordinary character at the centre of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children’s book and one of the best-selling children’s books of all time, Wonka tells the wondrous story of how the world’s greatest inventor, magician and chocolate-maker became the beloved Willy Wonka we know today.

“Timothée Chalamet’s Chocolate Factory prequel is a superbly sweet treat” Guardian ★★★★★

“The most fun you’ll have in a cinema all year” Telegraph ★★★★★


Event Cinema: My Favourite Things: Rodgers and Hammerstein 80th Anniversary Concert

Wed 14, Sat 17 & Sun 18 February

Featuring a 40-piece orchestra and international stars of the stage and screen, this special anniversary concert was filmed at London’s newly restored Theatre Royal Drury Lane – the same venue that premiered the original West End productions of Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific and The King and I.

Featuring a star-studded cast including Joanna Ampil, Michael Ball, Maria Friedman, Daniel Dae Kim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Audra McDonald, Rita Moreno, Julian Ovenden, Lucy St. Louis, Aaron Tveit, Marisha Wallace and Patrick Wilson, the landmark event was accompanied by the 40-piece Rodgers & Hammerstein Concert Orchestra, conducted by Simon Lee.

Directed and staged by Tony Award-winning director and choreographer Christopher Gattelli (Broadway’s The King and I, South Pacific), the celebration of the historic partnership of Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II showcases original arrangements of the most iconic songs from Oklahoma!, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, Cinderella, The Sound of Music and more!


The Boys and the Boat (12A)

Fri 16 – Thu 22 February

The Boys in the Boat is a sports drama based on the #1 New York Times bestselling non-fiction book written by Daniel James Brown. The film, directed by George Clooney, is about the 1936 University of Washington rowing team that competed for gold at the Summer Olympics in Berlin. This inspirational true story follows a group of underdogs at the height of the Great Depression as they are thrust into the spotlight and take on elite rivals from around the world.


The Holdovers (15)

Fri 16 – Wed 21 February

From acclaimed director Alexander Payne, The Holdovers follows a curmudgeonly instructor (Paul Giamatti) at a New England prep school who is forced to remain on campus during Christmas break to babysit the handful of students with nowhere to go. Eventually he forms an unlikely bond with one of them — a damaged, brainy troublemaker (newcomer Dominic Sessa) — and with the school’s head cook, who has just lost a son in Vietnam (Da’Vine Joy Randolph).

“Hilarious and heartfelt, it’s a tale to be treasured” Empire ★★★★★

Guardian ★★★★ Times ★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★

Nominated for 5 Academy Awards including Best Picture, Best Actor (Paul Giamatti) and Best Supporting Actress (Da’Vine Joy Randolph)

HO_14895_R (l-r.) Dominic Sessa stars as Angus Tully, Paul Giamatti as Paul Hunham and Da’Vine Joy Randolph as Mary Lamb in director Alexander Payne’s THE HOLDOVERS, a Focus Features release. Credit: Seacia Pavao / © 2023 FOCUS FEATURES LLC

Films of Hong Kong: Fat Choi Spirit (Cert TBC)

Sat 17 February at 2.30pm

Fat Choi Spirit follows the adventures of a compulsive Mahjong player named Andy and his aging mother, estranged brother, loyal ex-girlfriend and a local gang.

<嚦咕嚦咕新年財>講述以打麻雀為生嘅德華同佢家人嘅經歷,包括僧狠麻雀嘅細佬,死纏難打嘅前女友,同埋患有阿兹海默症嘅媽媽。


The End We Start From (15)

Mon 19 & Tue 20 February at 4.30pm

When an environmental crisis sees London submerged by flood waters, a young family is torn apart in the chaos. As a woman (Jodie Comer) and her newborn try and find their way home, the profound novelty of motherhood is brought into sharp focus in this intimate and poetic portrayal of family survival.

“Jodie Comer shines in all too believable disaster drama” Guardian ★★★★

Times ★★★★ Telegraph ★★★★


All of us Strangers (15)

Fri 23 – Thu 29 February

One night in his near-empty tower block in contemporary London, Adam (Andrew Scott) has a chance encounter with a mysterious neighbour Harry (Paul Mescal), which punctures the rhythm of his everyday life.

As a relationship develops between them, Adam is preoccupied with memories of the past and finds himself drawn back to the suburban town where he grew up, and the childhood home where his parents (Claire Foy and Jamie Bell), appear to be living, just as they were on the day they died, 30 years before.

“It shimmers and it aches” Telegraph ★★★★★

“A beautiful romance ” Guardian ★★★★★

Times ★★★★ Little White Lies ★★★★


Event Cinema: National Theatre Live: Vanya (15)

Fri 23 & Sun 25 February

Andrew Scott (Fleabag) brings multiple characters to life in Simon Stephens’ (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) radical new version of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya.

Hopes, dreams, and regrets are thrust into sharp focus in this one-man adaptation which explores the complexities of human emotions.

Filmed live during its sold-out run in London’s West End, Vanya will be playing exclusively in cinemas in 2024.

“The performance of the year” The i ★★★★★

Vanya
adapted by Simon Stephens, after Anton Chekhov
directed by Sam Yates
designed by Rosanna Vize


Peppa’s Cinema Party (U)

Fri 23 – Wed 28 February

Come on everybody it’s time for Peppa’s Cinema Party! This year Peppa Pig celebrates her 20th anniversary and to mark such a HUGE occasion she is throwing the MOST EPIC PARTY EVER – and all of her friends are INVITED! (That’s YOU!) Featuring the voices of Katy Perry as Ms. Leopard and Orlando Bloom as Mr. Raccoon in an episode of the 3-part Wedding Party story, the whole family can enjoy 10 never-before-seen Peppa Pig episodes!

And with 5 brand new songs, as well as 11 interactive entertainment shorts with Peppa and her friends playing, dancing and singing in the real world, you and your little ones will be moving and grooving with Peppa in a whole new way! So grab your coat and jump into your boots, let’s be on our way to the Peppa Cinema Party!


The Color Purple (12A)

Mon 26 – Thu 29 February

A woman’s painful journey of self-realisation sees her face prejudice, abuse and sexual violence in this musical adaptation of Alice Walker’s novel, featuring jubilant and defiant songs in the face of challenging themes.

“A joy to watch” BBC ★★★★

Nominated for 1 Academy Award– Best Supporting Actress (Danielle Brooks)


Event Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Painting the Modern Garden- From Monet to Matisse

Tue 27 February at 7.30pm & Mon 4 – Wed 6 March

Based on the sell-out show at the Royal Academy of Arts, London 

Claude Monet was an avid horticulturist and arguably the most important painter of gardens in the history of art, but he was not alone. Great artists like Van Gogh, Bonnard, Sorolla, Sargent, Pissarro and Matisse all saw the garden as a powerful subject for their art. These great artists, along with many other famous names, feature in an innovative and extensive exhibition from the Royal Academy of Art, London. For lovers of art or lovers of gardens, this is an ideal film.


Cinema prices are very competitive, with tickets at £6.80, and concessions at £5.80. Concessions are open to those Under 18, Students with valid student ID, and over 60s. On Tuesday’s, cinema tickets are just £5

Tickets for 16-25 Year Old’s are £4 via a free membership here- Young Person’s Membership – The Bonington (boningtontheatre.co.uk)

Event Cinema is priced separately. Please see website for details.

For information please contact:

Box Office: 0115 901 3640

bonington@gedling.gov.uk

www.boningtontheatre.co.uk

 

PLANNING: Proposals for three memorial ‘barrows’ in Calverton to be considered by Gedling Borough Council planners

Plans for three new ‘barrow’ memorial structures on a burial ground in Calverton are to be considered by Gedling Borough Council.

Barrows are mounds which offer a natural alternative to modern memorials and cemeteries. They are often used for cremated remains.

The application for the barrows has now been received from Alasdair Thorne of Marrons, Nottingham acting as agent on behalf of A W Lymn The Family Funeral Service, Nottingham.

The applicant seeks permission to construct two open round barrows and a grass-covered barrow for the placement of cremation urns, access path and landscaping on land off Georges Lane in Calverton.

The application dated Friday, Dec 22, 2023 has been validated by Gedling Borough Council planners and they will now decide on the application.

A planning statement provided by Marrons forming part of the full planning application states that the site relates to 0.33 hectares of land within the Georges Lane Cemetery which benefits from extant permission (2022/0006) for a burial space comprising a mix of traditional, natural and woodland types, the erection of a facilities building and associated car park providing 18 vehicle spaces (4 disabled) and a further overflow parking area for 12 vehicles.


The planning statement further states that the barrows have been re-located and re-orientated from previous proposals to ensure the grass covered barrow (barrow 3) sits within an existing hollow in the landscape and is buried into the rising topography.

Details in the application advise that the three barrows provide a combined 756 niches where urns can be placed and offer families ‘regular access to an attractive place of solitude to remember and celebrate their loved ones’.

The application states that the barrows have been carefully designed to each offer a differing experience and cemetery use including a reflection pool and bearer stone in the first barrow, a green area complete with a central tree in the second barrow and path to the covered third barrow.

Further details contained within the planning document state that the proposal has been subject to significant discussion and engagement with council officers and have been relocated to ensure the grass-covered barrow is placed within an existing depression in the landscape to mitigate any impacts.

Significantly, the wall height of the open barrows has been reduced above existing ground level to 2m, a level acceptable under permitted development, and the covered barrow has been reduced to a rise of less than 6m (a reduction from 9m in previous proposals) which has been blended into the landscape.

Further details regarding Planning Application 2023/0913 can be accessed HERE.

Renowned crime author Elly Griffiths to give talk at historic Woodborough Hall

The team at Gedling borough’s iconic Woodborough Hall have expressed their delight in being able to host award-winning author, Elly Griffiths at an event organised by Lowdham based The Bookcase, (winners of the Muddy Stilettos best bookshop award) on Friday February 9 at 7.30pm.

Elly Griffiths is the author of the popular Dr Ruth Galloway mysteries, the Brighton mysteries and the Justice series. Elly who has won the Edgar and Dagger awards for her novels teaches at Cambridge University and West Dean College.

Elly will be talking about her latest novel The Last Worda twisty, standalone mystery that reintroduces the glorious characters we met in the bestselling The Postscript Murders.


Elly was born in London in 1963 and her family moved to Brighton when she was five.

On her website Elly says: ‘I loved Brighton and still do – the town, the surrounding countryside and, most of all, the sea. I went to local state schools and wrote my first book when I was a 11, a murder mystery set in Rottingdean, near the village where I still live.’  

Readers know her as Elly Griffiths however her real name is Domenica de Rosa and she has written four books under that name. It was her agent who said, after reading the first Dr. Ruth Galloway book – ‘This is crime. You need a crime name.’ and that’s how Domenica became Elly Griffiths. (Courtesy of https://ellygriffiths.co.uk/about-me/)

The evening with Elly, is part of an exciting programme of events in the diary at the Hall, which re-opened under new ownership in November 2023.  Others include murder mysteries, Faulty Towers, magicians and Live and Let Dine.


Woodborough Hall has recently been awarded a five star rating on TripAdvisor.  The venue has five restaurant and coffee areas, which are perfect for hosting weddings and events. There is also a full service dining menu including lunch, afternoon tea, coffee and an evening dining menu.  Five beautifully refurbished bedrooms are also available for those wishing to stay.

Further information regarding Elly Griffiths can be accessed on Elly’s website HERE

Tickets are available for the event from The Bookcase with the offer of a pre event dinner at The Hall: Box Office: 0115 966 3219 or via The Bookcase website HERE.

Woodborough Hall is located at 1 Bank Hill, Woodborough, Nottingham, NG14 6EE and can be contacted by email at enquiries@woodborough-hall.co.uk, by phone on Tel:0115 8222161 or via their website HERE.

Police seize suspected Class A drugs and cash during morning raids on properties in Arnold

Police have seized suspected Class A and cash during morning raids on properties in Arnold.

Officers carried out the intelligence-led raids at addresses in High Street and Front Street.

A suspect was also detained at an address on Patricia Drive in the town.

An property in Quorn Road, Basford was also raided.

Six people were arrested and a large quantity of suspected Class A drugs were recovered.

Five suspects have been released on bail and one remains in police custody as investigations continue.

Detective Sergeant Christopher Mavers, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This a very large policing operation involving more than 20 officers and I am pleased we were able to bring so many suspects into custody at the same time.

“Drug related crime is a blight on our communities and something we are working hard every day to tackle with a mixture of overt and covert actions.

“Investigations into this matter have been going on for some time and will continue over the coming weeks and months.”

The following people were arrested:

  • A 74-year-old man on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply and acquiring criminal property
  • A 55-year-old man on suspicion of being involved in the supply of Class A drugs
  • A 50-year-old man on suspicion of being concerned in the supply of Class A drugs and acquiring criminal property
  • A 41-year-old man on suspicion of acquiring criminal property
  • Another 41-year-old man on suspicion of money laundering and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act
  • A 23-year-old woman on suspicion of possessing Class A drugs with intent to supply.

Detective Sergeant Mavers added: “Anyone with additional information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers in confidence.”

CORRECTION: We stated that a property on Patricia Drive was raided and this was incorrect. Police detained a person at the property but did not carry out a raid.

‘I WAS IN QUITE A MESS’: Burton Joyce man who fell 35ft from roof onto concrete learns to walk again after serious brain injury

A roofer from Burton Joyce who fell 35ft and landed on concrete has thanked the Nottingham University Hospital (NUH) teams who nursed him back to health and taught him to walk again.

58-year-old Simon Bell was working on a roof in May 2023 when he fell from the two-storey building.

The roofer suffered a brain injury, internal bleeding and damage to his internal organs, and had fractured his shoulder and broken all of his ribs on the right-hand side.

He explained that he doesn’t remember the accident or his first six weeks in hospital.

Simon said: “I’ve been told that the customer came out to bring me a drink and found me on the ground, so they called for an ambulance. The air ambulance came out to me as well.

“I was in intensive care at QMC for six weeks, and my body was in shutdown. I wasn’t good – they had to remove my spleen, my liver and kidneys were damaged, and they kept pumping blood out of my lungs.

“I was in quite a mess.”

After five weeks in Intensive Care and six weeks on the Major Trauma Ward at QMC, Simon was transferred to Linden Lodge at City Hospital to begin his rehabilitation with the specialist team  consisting of nurses, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, psychologists and other healthcare professionals based there.

QMC
Simon was in intensive care at QMC for six weeks where the had to remove his spleen and liver and his kidneys were damaged

Simon is now back at home with his wife, daughter and Labrador Rufus

Simon’s wife of 23 years, Jo, explained that moving from the hospital setting to Linden Lodge for rehabilitation was a real change.

She said: “Until then, the majority of the focus had been nursing and medical, but here rehabilitation became the focus and medicine faded into the background, which is what Simon needed.

“Simon’s care since the accident has been fantastic, and the rehab staff have been excellent. But they are trying to look after patients in a difficult environment, so I’m sure the new NRC will give them better facilities.”

Thanks to the dedication of all the staff at Linden Lodge, and Simon’s determination and positive mindset, after just five weeks, Simon was out of a wheelchair and on his way back to independence.

He said: “To start with, I had very little movement in my right-hand side – I could only move my fingers. When I arrived at Linden Lodge, I couldn’t shower on my own, walk on my own and was in a wheelchair.

“I wanted to be better as soon as possible, and was previously a fit and active person, so if anyone dropped out of a physio session or if any of the Linden Lodge team had spare time to fit me in, I was in the gym. I always felt better after exercise and was motivated to push myself to do a bit more.

“I found that the harder you work at it all, the harder they will work with you.”

In addition to working on physical rehabilitation, the psychologists at Linden Lodge worked with Simon regularly to assess his brain injury, including setting him simple maths tests and speed exercises, and gradually he began to recover.

In September, Simon was finally allowed to return home to his wife and daughter, but it’s been a big adjustment for them all, and there is still a long road to recovery with support through outpatient rehabilitation provided.

He said: “My brain struggled to adjust, which is what happens with brain damage, so it was a big step coming home, but I was pleased to be back.

“I was also happy to see our cats and my Labrador Rufus again – I’m calling him my therapy dog now as he’s good for me because I have to get up every day to walk and feed him, and I think he can sense I’m not how I used to be, so he’s much more gentle now.

“My family aren’t keen on me going back to roofing, but it’s all I’ve known for 30 years, so life will look a bit different in the future.”

In the future, patients such as Simon will be able to receive intensive support at the National Rehabilitation Centre (NRC), currently being built on the Stanford Hall Rehabilitation Estate near Loughborough.

Both Simon and Jo said that the plans for the NRC will be a great step forward in rehabilitation facilities – especially having individual rooms and facilities to help with the transition home.

Simon said: “I’m a very light sleeper, so struggled to sleep in a room with other people, and when you’re tired it knocks you off-kilter and makes everything harder.

“Sleep is especially important when you’re recovering as you need to give your body time to rest, so the plans for individual rooms at the NRC sound good.”

In addition, the NRC will have state-of-the-art rehabilitation facilities, as well as space for families to spend time together, assisting and supporting their rehabilitation journey.  

Find out more about the NRC: https://www.nationalrehabilitationcentre.nhs.uk/

Gedling councillor welcomes disposable vapes ban – but says ‘more action needed’

A Gedling councillor says it is “welcome news” disposable vapes will be banned in the UK, but suggested further action is needed to fully combat a threat to young people’s health.

The Government said as well as disposable vapes being banned in the UK, measures will be introduced to prevent vapes from being marketed at children.

It is illegal to sell vapes to anybody under the age of 18 but concerns have been raised about cheap, disposable and colourful vapes, which some experts warn are becoming especially popular among young people.

Announcing the news on Monday (January 29), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “strong action” would be taken to stamp out vaping in children. The ban would be in place by early 2025.

Labour leader Keir Starmer said his party had been calling for the ban for two years.

Rishi Sunak
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “strong action” would be taken to stamp out vaping in children

vaper
Refillable vapes will still be available and are encouraged by the health service as an effective way to stop smoking.

Gedling Borough Councillor and youth worker Henry Wheeler has campaigned on the issue of banning vapes. He said children as young as nine years old are now using vapes.

Disposable vapes are set to be banned as part of plans to tackle the rising number of young people taking up vaping, the government says.

Refillable vapes will still be available and are encouraged by the health service as an effective way to stop smoking.

Gedling Borough Councillor and youth worker Henry Wheeler (Lab) has campaigned on the issue of banning vapes. He said children as young as nine years old are using vapes.

He told the Local Democracy Reporting Service that vapes have “become a fashion accessory”. He questioned the delay in introducing a ban.

He said: “It is welcome news that the law will be tightened but more needs to be done to stop people from gaining access to vapes.

“A bill to ban disposable vapes could be brought in a lot sooner using existing legislation designed to protect the environment.

“It’s a step in the right direction, but there is no date on the ban.

“Vaping is a huge problem within schools from a behavioural point of view.

“It has massive implications for young people’s health and nicotine is hugely addictive.

“Whilst it may help adults that are smokers to pack up, I think what went wrong is public health using vapes to help people stop.

“The vaping industry is making huge amounts of money from disposable vapes and it’s a huge environmental problem as well.”

When asked whether the disposable vape ban goes far enough, Cllr Wheeler said: “It needs to be treated in the same way as tobacco in terms of it being out of sight in shops.

“There are so many vape shops around that young people can get them, it is almost marketed directly at young people.

“It’s a massive growing problem with people as young as nine picking up the habit.

“There are more and more cases of collapsed lungs as a result.

“We’re replacing one public health problem with a new problem.”

Current NHS advice says while vaping poses a “small fraction” of the risk of smoking cigarettes, it is not “completely risk-free”, and the long-term health risks are not yet clear.

Last week, outgoing Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council Jonathan Gribbin said he was “very concerned” about vapes being marketed at children.

He said: “Vapes are massively less harmful than smoking. They have a really important role to play in reducing the harmful impacts of tobacco.

“That said, the number of children using vapes has tripled in the last three years [nationally].

“That is a concern. I am very concerned about the marketing to children and young people.”

He added he was “enormously excited” about the government’s proposals for a smoke-free generation.

The policy will make it an offence for anyone born on or after January 1 2009 to be sold tobacco products.

Colwick Loop Road works to widen footpath begin on Monday – and are expected to cause delays for SIX MONTHS

Work will start next week on widening a path alongside the A612 in a bid to encourage residents in Colwick to walk and cycle more.

The work begins on Monday, February 5 until July 14 – lasting 23 weeks

We covered the closure today in our weekly local roadworks round-up HERE

The scheme will see the path alongside the Colwick Loop Road between First Avenue and Private Road No.1 widened using land from the verge to create a three-metre-wide shared use walking and cycling path. 

It is being funded using £1.25million from Nottingham City Council’s Transforming Cities Fund allocation and will connect the area to other upgrades made from the city centre to Nottingham Racecourse. 

This funding comes from the Department for Transport and can only be used for sustainable transport schemes.

Fifteen new trees will be planted as part of the scheme to replace 17 which will need to be removed to allow works to take place. Eleven of the trees requiring removal are susceptible to ash dieback and two others are considered to be dead specimens.

Councillor Neil Clarke
Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said the newly resurfaced and widened path will improve safety for all 

Roadwork_Gedling
The work to widen the new path are expected to last around 23 weeks

The council has said that no road closures will be needed throughout the 23-week construction period but that narrow lanes will be in place to ‘allow works to take place safely’. 

The final four weeks of construction will require temporary traffic signals to be in place and further details about the timings of these will be given in the New Year. 

Councillor Neil Clarke MBE, Cabinet Member for Transport and Environment at Nottinghamshire County Council, said the newly resurfaced and widened path will improve safety for all 

He said: “Currently, the path is narrow and so widening it will improve the ease of use for existing users while also encouraging new users to make use of this facility. 

“The path is a great link for communities getting to work or shopping at Victoria Retail Park and it is great news that these works can take place without significantly impacting on motorists travelling along the A612.

“As we will be cutting into the current verge to construct the widened path, we will need to remove some trees to be able to do this but I would like to reassure residents that most of the trees being removed as part of these works are susceptible to ash die back which would present further maintenance and safety issues in the future. 

“We know that some traffic management will be required for the final four weeks of the 23 weeks of the construction and we will make sure that these temporary signals will be in place during off-peak periods only.”

The planned roadworks and road changes in Gedling borough

A number of roadworks, and changes to the roads, are set to take place on Gedling borough’s roads during the next few weeks.

The roadworks and road changes include things such as speed alterations, repair works and changing the layout of the roads. 

Most of the roadworks are being undertaken by Nottinghamshire County Council while a couple are being led by Severn Trent Water, Cityfibre and OpenReach

These are the roadworks and closures you need to know about

Burton Road, Gedling
03 February – 04 February
Roadworks and delays likely
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Colwick Loop Road, Colwick
05 February – 14 July
Delays likely due to lane closure for the widening of the current footway along the A612 Colwick Loop Road on approach to its junction with Private Road No.1
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Fraser Square, Carlton
05 February – 09 February
Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs from the junction of Coningswath Road to junction of Fraser Crescent
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Jessops Lane, Gedling
05 February – 07 February
Delays likely due to road closure for patching repairs from junction of Lambley Lane to junction of Field Close
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Middledale Road, Carlton
05 February – 13 February
Delays likely due to road closure
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Oxclose Lane, Nottingham
01 February – 05 February
Delays likely due to lane closure
Responsibility for works: CityFibre

Westdale Lane West, Gedling
30 January – 02 February
Delays likely during work to install new bollards and connections
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Arnot Hill Road, Arnold
05 February – 09 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Burton Road, Gedling
30 January
Roadworks and delays possible on Burton Road towards Shearing Hill Junction
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Carlton Hill, Carlton
31 January
Roadworks and delays possible next to Church Street
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Colwick Loop Road, Netherfield
01 February
Delays possible due to lane closure at the Traffic signals junction of Colwick Loop Road / Victoria Road
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Colwick Loop Road, Colwick
05 February – 06 February
Roadworks and delays possible for temporary removal of the central reservations on the A612 Colwick Loop Road to provide road space for main works at junction with Mile End Road and First Avenue
Responsibility for works: Nottinghamshire County Council

Downham Close, Arnold
31 January – 02 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Openreach

Ousebridge Drive, Carlton
05 February – 06 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Tennyson Avenue, Gedling
05 February – 08 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Windsor Crescent, Woodthorpe
02 February – 05 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Woodside Road, Burton Joyce
06 February – 09 February
Roadworks and delays possible
Responsibility for works: Severn Trent Water

Match Report: Mayfield 3 – 0 Arnold Town

Arnold Town succumbed to their third successive three goal margin defeat on a heavy sloping pitch at Ashbourne Rec. Any thoughts of an advantage for hosts Mayfield due to the conditions however are countered by the fact that until the ever obliging Arna rolled up Mayfield hadn’t managed to find a single team they could beat on home soil, muddy or otherwise, all season.

Dressed in their old yellow and blue kit to avoid a colour clash with the home claret the Eagles’ starting line-up contained just one change from their previous loss at Linby with new signing from Teversal Eddie Morgan taking the place of the unavailable Billy Bradley. Meanwhile a further new arrival midfielder Owen Taylor (from Ashland) shared the subs bench with James Martin. 

Arna were kicking up the slope in the first half and thus defending the boggier end. At left back Kyme Mason had himself half an acre of marshland to patrol and in the absence of any hard standing the spectators along the line nearby had a fair idea of the terrain he faced. 

An extraordinary chance in the first minute should have seen the Eagles ahead from the off. Eddie Morgan began as he meant to go on down the right wing and promptly advanced play towards the bi-line. Somehow a pass inside to Trem Lindo saw the ball float across the goal from Trem’s kneecap (or some such) and brush against the crossbar. Following up Tyler Cobb was literally so close to the goal he was in danger of heading the post. Only in an Arna report could we have the effort flying wide of the target.

Two minutes later at the other end Mayfield’s expansive target man John Ford rumbled into action down the incline finding only keeper Piotr Strycharz standing in his path. Thankfully yellows skipper Adam Clift was able to catch up with play and apply a well judged intervention receiving a hefty clip for his trouble. 

Despite the heavy pitch and very unpredictable bounce the visitors were managing to play the ball around quite well at times in the early hard going.  As the game progressed a frustrating pattern soon began to emerge. From the midfielder still looking to score his first goal for the club in his 31st appearance right through to the striker who has recently joined the 20 goal honours board no one in an Arna shirt looked capable of hitting a barn door from ten paces despite having numerous opportunities to do so.

With 21 minutes gone another incisive run by Morgan ended with a nicely rolled invitation to shoot for Lewis Neville on the edge of the area from where the ball whistled past the left hand post. Then, with Arnold continuing to press for an opener, they found themselves a goal down three minutes later following a quick Mayfield counter attack.

The danger sprang down the right flank from where a lofted ball found Ford patrolling acres of free space. With all the time in the word at his disposal the centre forward provided a swift contrast to Arnold’s woeful finishing with a well directed low drive past the diving Strycharz into the bottom right hand corner.


Just as Arnold were attempting to re-group and set themselves up for some more much needed shooting practice they were caught out on the break again on 34 mins.  An alert Mayfield midfielder approaching the centre circle spotted a huge gap in the Arna back line and applied a simple defence splitting pass out into the path of his left winger, Sam Handley. Handley to be fair still had several yards to travel with the ball, pick his spot and apply a clinical low drive past Strycharz to locate that pesky bottom right hand corner again to make it two out of two for the Mayfield conversion rate. 

Now two down Arnold knew the next goal had to be theirs if they had any chance of getting something from the game and indeed they continued to create regular goalscoring opportunities. On 37 mins a ball towards the Mayfield area from the left was well controlled by Dan Chambers who managed a neat turn and forceful shot which flew just inches above the cross bar.  Minutes later following more impressive wing play by Morgan another perfectly slotted pass to Jake Ogden produced a low drive which again failed to trouble the home keeper who probably retained the cleanest shirt on the pitch. 

Just before the break an almighty scramble in the marsh from a Mayfield corner saw all hands to the pump as Arna defenders flew every which way to block two or three goal bound efforts in order to keep the half time deficit at 0-2. Opting not to trudge the quarter of a mile up the slope to the changing rooms Lenny Jenkins called the troops to the half way line where they attempted to make some al fresco sense of proceedings. 

With the benefit of the slope and Mayfield’s defence now having to contend with the tricky marshlands Arnold enjoyed even more of the attacking play throughout a second period in which the home team appeared quite content to sit deep and hold onto their advantage. 

Again a string of chances were squandered. Good work by Dan Chambers provided another opportunity for Ogden to run through on goal and try his luck. Moments later the same striker was found by Neville to create a one on one chance against the home keeper but a chipped effort wasn’t lifted quite high enough to get past the onrushing custodian. 

With the misses mounting up and the hour mark passed manager Ash White sent on his two available subs providing a debut for midfielder Owen Taylor. But the body language on the pitch was now starting to suffer as an understandable degree of frustration began seeping into the Eagles’ game. A frustration mirrored it must be said by those of us watching on the side lines. 

Efforts to rectify matters were still being made however. Jake Ogden in particular, no doubt struggling to believe how it was he wasn’t on the scoresheet, was rushing about all over the place trying to trigger some sort of upturn in the visitors’ fortunes. Such efforts were further hindered after Arnold’s man of the match Morgan was the subject of a hefty challenge which saw him virtually hobbling throughout the remainder of the game although he manfully did his best to keep up his notable contribution.

All hopes of a comeback were dashed with about ten minutes remaining. A Mayfield corner from the right was met at a crowded near post by Paul Williams who managed to beat everyone to the ball to head home from close range and complete the scoring at 3-0 for a most welcome three points for our hosts. 

To their credit the Arna continued the search for some sort of consolation right to the end but despite enjoying the bulk of possession never really looked likely to break their duck on a day when numerous chances came and went. 

All in all an afternoon pretty much to forget. Especially given the hour long traffic jam to contend with upon leaving a ground which had take your reporter and his co-pilot two hours to find in the first place! 

Public notice: Proposal to install pedestrian crossing in Arnold

This week’s public notice features a plan to install a pedestrian crossing on Coppice Road, Arnold

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Nottinghamshire County Council in exercise of its powers under Section 23 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, proposes to install a “Puffin” pedestrian crossing on Coppice Road near the Mapperley Orchard junction in Arnold in the district of Gedling.

The crossing will incorporate a controlled area indicated by zig-zag markings along the carriageway where parking and loading will be prohibited.  The extents of the controlled area will be:

Coppice Road, Arnold

From a point approximately halfway across the junction for Mapperley Orchard and Coppice Road for a distance of approximately 45m in a westerly direction.

The puffin crossing will provide a safe crossing facility across Coppice Road for pedestrians, particularly Coppice Farm Primary School students.

Any comments (quoting ref: TP2350947) in respect of this proposal should be received in writing by Friday 8th March 2024 to the address stated below.

Dated: Friday 29th December, 2023

Service Manager – Traffic Signals

Via East Midlands

Bilsthorpe Highways Depot

Bilsthorpe Business Park

Eakring Road

Bilsthorpe

Nottinghamshire

NG22 8ST