Ramsdale Park Golf Centre in Calverton has raised more than £10,000 for good causes so far in 2023 through a range of fundraising activities carried out collaboratively between staff, club members, and members of the public.
In February, a charity fire walk saw participants make their way across red-hot coals, raising more than £6,000 for local charity Maggie’s Cancer Care.
Pictured: Fire walkers raising money for Maggies (Photo courtesy of BGL)
A charity sleep out was held the previous month, led by General Manager Theresa Plimmer, which raised over £4,000.
Members of the Ramsdale Park team slept outside to raise money for Emmanuel House – a homeless charity in Nottingham – to help build a 20-bed homeless shelter, and increase awareness of the challenges faced by those who do not have a safe and warm place to sleep.
Theresa Plimmer, General Manager of Ramsdale Park Golf Centre, said: “We are thrilled to have raised over £10,000 for charity already this year.
“Our staff and members are passionate about giving back to the community, and it is heartening to see so many people come together to support these important causes.
“Last year we set the bar incredibly high when it came to raising funds for charity, but we’re looking forward to taking that even higher in 2023!”
Pictured: Ramsdale Golf Club (Courtesy of Ramsdale Golf Club)
Last year the golf centre smashed its record for the amount of money raised for the captain’s charity in a single year, with close to £20,000 presented to Maggie’s Cancer Care.
“We’ll continue to do everything we can throughout the year to raise important funds for our captain’s charities, Maggie’s and Emmanuel House, and we’ll also take any opportunity that we get to support other local charities within our community,” Theresa added.
Colin Mayes, CEO of BGL, praised the efforts of the team at Ramsdale Park: “At BGL, we are committed to supporting local communities, and I am delighted to see Ramsdale Park Golf Centre again leading the way in charitable fundraising. We’re incredibly proud of the work that the team is doing.“
Today people across Gedling borough go to the polls to have their say on who will represent their area on the local council.
The count will take place the following day on Friday, May 5 at 10am at the Richard Herrod Centre in Carlton.
There are 41 Gedling Borough councillors representing 19 wards.
Of the 41 seats, 29 currently belong to the Labour Party, eight belong to the Conservative Party, two belong to the Liberal Democrats and two are independent.
In 2019 the Labour Party managed to strengthen its grip on the borough, gaining four additional seats compared to the 2015 election.
The Liberal Democrats gained one additional seat, while the independent candidates secured two.
The Conservative Party lost seven seats.
In total 36.14 per cent of the electorate turned out to vote in 2019.
The election will be the first time voters must bring photographic ID to polling stations to cast their ballot.
Below is a list of all candidates standing in each Gedling ward, listed in alphabetical surname order.
The bracket is the number of council seats being elected.
Bestwood St Albans Ward (2)
Josie Abbott – Conservative Party Candidate
Rachel Elizabeth Ellis – Labour Party
Des Gibbons – Labour Party
Ray Poynter – Liberal Democrat
Katherine Laura Randall – Conservative Party Candidate
Patrick Christopher Shannon – Liberal Democrat
Margret Susan Barbara Vince – Green Party
Calverton Ward (3)
John Bailey – N/A
Pat Bosworth – Independent
Lorraine Kathleen Brown – The Conservative Party Candidate
Boyd Bryan Elliott – The Conservative Party Candidate
Sam Gordon – Independent
Mike Hope – Independent
Darcy Autumn Inchboard – Labour Party
Sarah Emily Smith – Labour Party
Jane Maria Walker – The Conservative Party Candidate
Dean Anthony Wilson – Labour Party
Carlton Ward (2)
Annabelle Lucy Banner – Conservative Party Candidate
Graham Terrance Clive Dewberry – Liberal Democrat
Kai Benjamin Harrison – Conservative Party Candidate
Johnathan On Kay Ho – Liberal Democrat
Catherine Patricia Pope – Labour Party
Ruth Geraldine Tanner – Green Party
Paul O’Neil Wilkinson – Labour Party
Carlton Hill Ward (3)
Joseph Roger Conboy – Liberal Democrat
Jim Creamer – Labour Party
Paul Feeney – Labour Party
Anthony John Gillam – Liberal Democrat
Yvonne Michele Godwin – Conservative Party Candidate
James Victor Greensmith – Conservative Party Candidate
Nadia Hajat – Liberal Democrat
Alex Scroggie – Labour
Steve Swann – Conservative Party Candidate
Cavendish Ward (2)
Pat Blandamer – Conservative Party Candidate
Liz Clunie – Labour Party
Andrew Mark Dunkin – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Gary Graham Gregory – Independent
Karen Gregory – Independent
Dwayne Anthony Henry – Labour
Paul Anthony Hughes – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Collette Sharon Osborne – Conservative Party Candidate
Colwick Ward (1)
Kevin Backhouse Doyle – The Conservative Party Candidate
Paul Richard Milburn – Liberal Democrat
Russell Whiting – Labour Party
Coppice Ward (2)
Mick Abbott – Conservative Party Candidate
Marje Paling – Labour Party
Mark Simons – Liberal Democrat
Jim Stuart – Green Party
Geoff Walker – Conservative Party Candidate
Henry Thomas Neil Wheeler – Labour Party
Daybrook Ward (2)
Sandra Jean Barnes – Labour Party
Kyle Anthony Robinson-Payne – Labour Party
Melissa Simone Seaton – Conservative Party Candidate
Chris Walker – Conservative Party Candidate
Dumbles Ward (1)
Helen Monique Greensmith – The Conservative Party Candidate
Catherine Leigh O’Riordan – Liberal Democrat
Ian Nigel Smith – Green Party
Daniel John Taylor – Labour Party
Ernehale Ward (2)
Judy Barson – Liberal Democrat
Ged Clarke – Conservative Party Candidate
David Sidney Ellis – Labour and Co-operative
Roxanne Elizabeth Ellis – Labour and Co-operative
Paul Richard Key – Independent
Desmond Paul Peet – Independent
Jason Martin Stansfield – Liberal Democrat
Sue Walker – Conservative Party Candidate
Gedling Ward (2)
Maggie Dunkin – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Charlie Godwin – Conservative Party Candidate
Jenny Hollingsworth – Labour Party
Darren Robert Maltby – Conservative Party Candidate
James O’Riordan – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Lynda Jane Pearson – Labour Party
Netherfield Ward (2)
Laurence James Baldwin – Green Party
William John Clarke – Labour Party
Michel Flor-Henry – Conservative Party Candidate
Essop Hajat – Liberal Democrat
Alison Lesley Hunt – Labour Party
Mick Murphy – Conservative Party Candidate
Newstead Abbey Ward (3)
Stuart James Bestwick – The Conservative Party Candidate
Paul Anthony Bruch – Liberal Democrat
Sharon Dawn Butterworth – Labour Party
Jim Heath – Liberal Democrat
Cleon Tundy Alexander Nelson – Labor Party
Sue Pickering – The Conservative Party Candidate
Martin David Smith – The Conservative Party
John Antony Sutherland – Liberal Democrat
Carol Ann Wright – Labour Party
Phoenix Ward (2)
Andrew James Armstrong – Labour Party
Alan Sydney Bexon – Conservative Party Candidate
Andrew Mark Ellwood – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Tracy Maltby – Conservative Party Candidate
Richard Mark Shipley – Labour Party
Cliev John Towsey-Hinton – Liberal Democrat Focus Team
Plains Ward (3)
Max Beeken – Liberal Democrat
David Jonathan Brocklebank – Labour Party
Luke Martin Dunkin – Liberal Democrat
Martin Nigel Gladwell – Liberal Democrat
Ed Jayamaha – Conservative Party Candidate
Grahame David Pope – Labour Party
Keith Trevor Seaton – Conservative Party Candidate
Margaret Ruth Strong – Labour Party
Carol Ann Walker – Conservative Party Candidate
Porchester Ward (3)
Linda Susan Adams – Conservative Party Candidate
Roy Douglas Allan – Labour Party
Alan Peter Morrell Dawson – Liberal Democrat
Tony Jenkins – Conservative Party Candidate
Julie Najuk – Labour Party
Dennis Penaluna – Green Party
Alison Joy Smith – Conservative Party Candidate
Hannah Claire Nilda Soar – Liberal Democrat
Robert Andrew Swift – Liberal Democrat
Michelle Welsh – Labour Party
Redhill Ward (2)
Kathryn Fox – Labour Party
Tad Jones – Liberal Democrat
Gerry Kenwood – Conservative Party Candidate
Kevin Charles Lock – Conservative Party Candidate
Michael Richard Payne – Labour Party
David Neil Snodgrass – Liberal Democrat
Trent Valley Ward (2)
Mike Adams – Conservative Party Candidate
Richard Ian Macduff Fife – Liberal Democrat
Richard Douglas Fletcher – Labour Party
John Edward Flynn – Liberal Democrat
Muhammad Ebadullah Malik – Labour Party
Sam Thomas Smith – Conservative Party Candidate
Woodthorpe Ward (2)
Suzanna Jayne Adams – Conservative Party Candidate
Carlton Town’s attempt to win their fifth Notts Senior Cup ended in failure as they were beaten 3-2 by Newark & Sherwood Utd at Eastwood Community FC.
The Millers paid the price for a lacklustre first half in which they conceded two early goals and only avoided a third due to a Mikey Emery penalty save. Carlton improved after the break and did threaten an improbable comeback late goals from Nat Watson and Dean Freeman but the step 5 Highwaymen deserved to win the competition for the first time in their history.
Tommy Brookbanks and Mark Harvey made two changes to the side which had beaten Dunston last time out to secure step 4 safety. Into the side came Niall Davie and Aaron O’Connor to replace Kyle Tomlin and Kieran Watson.
Tommy reflects on a dramatic finish to the Senior Cup Final with The Millers going down 2-3 (Courtesy of CTTV)
Newark featured ex-Millers Romaine Graham and Ryan Ebanks in their starting lineup.
The Highwaymen had finished the season eighth in the United Counties League Premier North division and if Carlton had any thoughts that the difference in levels would have any bearing on the outcome, they should have been dispelled at the weekend when nine of the 13 interstep playoffs were won by the visiting step 5 clubs.
But from the first whistle it was clear that Newark were more up for the game than Carlton and they opened the scoring on just five minutes when Kieran Cummings latched onto a short Khyle Sargent backpass, rounded Emery and slotted home into an open goal.
Carlton’s first chance came on 14 minutes when Niall Hylton was brought down on the edge of the box by Graham, but Watson put the resultant free kick over the top.
The Highwaymen doubled their lead on 17 minutes when a long ball down the left was controlled by Cummings. He then ran at two Carlton defenders, shimmied to the left and fired past Emery at his near post.
Watson, one of the few Carlton players to emerge with any credit in the first half, missed a glorious chance to pull one back shortly afterwards when he volleyed over from six yards after a Lewis Durow throw in was flicked on by Jared Holmes and Freeman.
Watson, at times looking to run the game single-handedly, then ran though the Newark midfield and sent the ball wide to Niall Hylton. His cross was intercepted by goalkeeper Ross Woolley before O’Connor could get to the ball.
Newark were awarded a penalty on 32 minutes when Lewis Durow was penalised for a foul on Luke White but Emery guessed correctly and saved Cummings’s penalty. It was Emery’s second spot-kick save in successive games and at least kept the game as some sort of contest.
Carlton’s best effort of the half came shortly before the break when O’Connor won the ball following a Holmes pass, darted into the area and drew an excellent save from Woolley.
Carlton made a double substitution at half time with Alex Troke and Lawrence Gorman both coming on for Holmes and Elliott. Sargent saw an early effort blocked after another decent Watson run as Carlton’s impressive following got behind their team.
Watson had his second great chance on the hour when a Gorman cross found him unmarked in the area but he miscued and Woolley was able to save.
Carlton finally started to pressurise Newark and they moved the ball around well, but the Highwaymen kept their shape and looked relatively untroubled. Indeed, they were inches away from adding to their lead when a poor clearance led to White hitting a 30 yard shot that cannoned off the bar with emery stranded.
With five minutes remaining Carlton pulled a goal back when Watson and Troke played a neat one-two and Watson fired past Woolley.
Any hoped of a comeback seemed over four minutes later when White was tripped by Gorman in the area and the same player got up to convert the penalty.
But still Carlton pushed forward and four minutes into the six added minutes Dean Freeman latched onto a ricochet to steer the ball past Woolley.
Indeed, the Millers then thought they should have had a penalty of their own when lively substitute Marzano played a ball into Troke who seemed to be clattered to the floor. But the referee wasn’t interested and within a few seconds Newark & Sherwood were celebrating a famous win.
Perhaps the efforts of winning six of the last 10 games to avoid relegation had taken their toll on the players. Certainly the first half display was well below their recent performances. But there should be no doubt that the Highwaymen deserved their title and their vocal support enjoyed the celebrations that Carlton fans experienced as recently as last season. As they generally do the players came across to thank the supporters and, as always, it was appreciated.
Given where the club was at the start of March, a cup final and step 4 survival is a fine achievement. But all concerned will know there is plenty of work to do to prepare for the next campaign.
Carlton Town: M Emery, K Sargent, L Durow (C Marzano 73), D Brown, D Freeman, J Holmes (A Troke 46), N Davie (K Tomlin 54), D Elliott (L Gorman 46), N Watson, A O’Connor, N Hylton (K Dixon 83). Unused substitutes: None
Goals: N Watson 85, D Freeman 90; Kieran Cummings 5, 17, Luke White 89 (pen)
Since the late 19th century, St Paul’s Church has been at the heart of matters spiritual and pastoral in Daybrook.
When the church was built in 1896, Augustus Gern, a noted German organ builder, was commissioned to install a pipe organ in the new building and this instrument is still in regular use today.
As part of the church’s efforts to further involvement in the community, St.Paul’s Church will be showcasing the 1286 pipe organ in a series of recitals given by local notable organists.
The first of these recitals will take place on 20th May 2023 at 7:30pm, and will be given by Dr Colin Walsh. Dr Walsh it. He will be performing a varied programme that will appeal to everyone – whether familiar with pipe organ music or not.
Steve Cox, Co-organist at St Paul’s Church said “The organ has undergone a few renovations in the last 100 years, the most recent being in 1967, and the church’s ministry team has been closely involved in keeping this lovely instrument well-maintained ever since.
“This will be a wonderful opportunity to hear Dr Walsh showcase one of the finest parish church organs in Nottinghamshire.”
Tickets are £7.50pp (Concessions £5.00pp) and are available “on the door” or online via www.spd.church/organ
Further information regarding St.Pauls, Daybrook can be found on https://www.stpaulsdaybrook.co.uk/ or on their facepage HERE
Dental patients in Netherfield are at risk of being elbowed aside following the decision to put the local surgery up for sale.
Bupa Dental Care, on Victoria Road, is set to be sold amid mounting costs and care pressures.
Bupa said that after being unable to recruit more dentists and overarching issues post-pandemic they have taken the decision to close the centre’s doors.
It comes as part of a nationwide restructuring of Bupa’s dental practice, whereby they will be merging or selling 85 of their clinics because of increased running costs and high energy prices, as well as the aforementioned recruitment issues. The dentist is the only centre within Netherfield.
A spokesperson for Bupa commented: “We want to reassure patients that this practice is open as usual.
“Changes are due to take place later in the year, and we are writing to all patients to explain what it means for them. This decision will allow the NHS contract to transfer to new owners.
“We will be fully supporting our people to explore alternative roles within Bupa.”
The selling of the Bupa centre will contribute to fears in the area, which are being reciprocated across the nation, that patients will have to go private for their dental care. Bright Smile Dental Practice is a five-minute walk from Bupa, and is currently welcoming new NHS patients although it also undertakes private dental care.
Choices Dental Care Centre, which is also a five-minute drive from Bupa and accessible by the 44 bus, is a private clinic, albeit with a small NHS contract for under-18s. For adults, the initial appointment at Choices would be £75 and then any further routine checkups are £60. Fillings start at £100, but it depends on the type of filling and the surface.
Local resident Andrea Thornton raised concerns about the closure on social media.
She posted: “I rang 17 dentists to try get one that still took NHS and not one would help. I finally got one in Radford which takes two buses to get to.”
Paula Astin wrote: “After phoning over 20 dentists, some totally out of the area, I still can’t find any taking NHS patients.”
Tom Randall, MP for Gedling, who recently spoke out about another dental closure occurring in Gedling, said: “My office attended a briefing from Bupa in April.
“While 38 dental practices will be closed by June, Bupa have initially decided to sell Netherfield’s branch, and they are now seeking a buyer for it before reviewing this position in the summer. Bupa remain optimistic that an alternative local provider can be found to continue access to dental services in the Netherfield community.
“I am pleased the Bupa Dental Care Netherfield remains open as usual. More broadly, there are record numbers of dentists treating NHS patients. There are 2.3% more dentists doing NHS work in 2021/22 than the previous year and 6.5% more dentists doing NHS work than in 2010/11.
“In September 2022, the government published Our Plan for Patients, which outlines how the government will meet oral health needs and increase access to dental care. These will increase NHS dentistry whilst making the NHS dental contract more attractive to dental practices.
Loving Highsmith is a unique look at the life of celebrated American author Patricia Highsmith based on her diaries and notebooks and the intimate reflections of her lovers, friends and family. Focusing on Highsmith’s quest for love and her troubled identity, the film sheds new light on her life and writing.
Most of Highsmith’s novels were adapted for the big screen; the best known of these are Strangers on a Train and The Talented Mr. Ripley
In the Court of the Crimson King (15)
Wed 3 May at 7.30pm
King Crimson is a band that people literally are dying to be in. In the Court of the Crimson Kingis a dark, comic film for anyone who wonders whether it is worth sacrificing everything for just a single moment of transcendence.
For over 50 years Robert Fripp, also famous for his work with Bowie and Eno, has overseen a unique creative environment in which freedom and responsibility conspire to place extraordinary demands on the band’s members – only alleviated by the applause of an audience whose adoration threatens to make their lives even harder. It’s a rewarding and perilous space in which the extraordinary is possible, nothing is certain, and not everyone survives intact…
Starring Academy Award® Winner Jim Broadbent as Harold and Penelope Wilton as his wife Maureen, The Unlikely Pilgrimage Of Harold Fry tells the story of a man who leaves his seaside town in South Devon to deliver a message to an old friend.
Mummies (U)
May 5 & May 7 – Various times
A fun family animated adventure that follows three Egyptian mummies who accidentally enter the modern world. The film is packed with humour, adventure, and heart — showing the true value of friendship, teamwork and believing in yourself.
Catch-up Screenings: Allelujah (12A) 4.30pm
May 10, 11, 15, 17 & 18
Based on the play by Alan Bennett, Allelujah is a warm and deeply moving story about old age. When the geriatric ward in a small Yorkshire hospital is threatened with closure, the hospital decides to fight back by galvanizing the local community: they invite a news crew to film their preparations for a concert in honour of the hospital’s most distinguished nurse. What could go wrong?
Food + Film: Clue (1985)
Fri 12 May from 6.45pm
Based on the popular board game, this comedy classic begins at a dinner party hosted by Mr. Boddy, where he admits to blackmailing his visitors – Mrs. Peacock, Miss Scarlet, Mr. Green, Professor Plum, Mrs. White and Col. Mustard.
When Boddy turns up murdered, everyone’s a suspect, and together they try to figure out who is the killer…
David Harewood (Homeland) and Zachary Quinto (Star Trek) play feuding political rivals in James Graham’s (Sherwood) multiple award-winning new drama.
In 1968 America, as two men fight to become the next president, all eyes are on the battle between two others: the cunningly conservative William F. Buckley Jr., and the unruly liberal Gore Vidal.
During a new nightly television format, they debate the moral landscape of a shattered nation. As beliefs are challenged and slurs slung, a new frontier in American politics is opening and television news is about to be transformed forever.
Jeremy Herrin (All My Sons) directs this blistering political thriller, filmed live in London’s West End.
Event Cinema:
The Royal Opera House Live- The Sleeping Beauty (12A)
Sun 28 May at 2pm
The Sleeping Beauty holds a very special place in The Royal Ballet’s heart and history. It was the first performance given by the Company when the Royal Opera House reopened at Covent Garden in 1946 after World War II. In 2006, this original staging was revived and has been delighting audiences ever since. Frederick Ashton famously cited the pure classicism of Marius Petipa’s 19th-century ballet as a private lesson in the atmospheric art and craft of choreography. Be swept away by Tchaikovsky’s ravishing music and Oliver Messel’s sumptuous fairy-tale designs with this true gem from the classical ballet repertory.
BALLET Choreography – Marius Petipa Company – The Royal Ballet Music – Pyotr Il’yich Tchaikovsky
Catch-up Screenings: Super Mario Bros. Movie (PG)
29, 30 & 31 May 10.30am
From Nintendo and Illumination comes The Super Mario Bros. Movie, the biggest film of the year!
A Brooklyn plumber travels through the Mushroom Kingdom with a princess named Peach and an anthropomorphic mushroom named Toad to find his brother and save the world from a ruthless fire-breathing Koopa named Bowser.
Event Cinema: Exhibition on Screen: Tokyo Stories
Tue 30 May at 7.30pm
Tue 6 June at 4.30pm
A thrilling encounter with one of the world’s great art capitals.
Based on a major exhibition at the Ashmolean in Oxford, Tokyo Stories spans 400 years of incredibly dynamic art – ranging from the delicate woodblock prints of Hokusai and Hiroshige, to Pop Art posters, contemporary photography, Manga, film, and brand-new artworks that were created on the streets.
The exhibition was a smash-hit five-star success and brought a younger and more diverse audience to the museum. The film uses the exhibition as a launchpad to travel to Tokyo itself, and explore the art and artist of the city more fully.
A beautifully illustrated and richly detailed film, looking at a city which has undergone constant destruction and renewal over its 400-year history, resulting in one of the most vibrant and interesting cities on the planet…
Cinema prices are very competitive, with tickets at £6.50, and concessions at £5.50. Concessions are open to those Under 18, Students with valid student ID, and over 60s. 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.
The well-known Arnold restaurant and wedding venue known as ‘The Lakeside’ was put on the market earlier this year (2023), with Christie & Co. listing the Grade II Listed restaurant and wedding venue for sale at £5,450,000 (Freehold).
The business has had a number of owners in recent times with new life breathed into the Grade II listed building by the current owners in recent years, however they closed the property without notice earlier this year.
Pictured: The Lakeside Property (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
Repeated visits and contact by Gedling Eye earlier this year failed to gain a response from the business and the gated access remained padlocked on the majority of our visits despite the premises remaining advertised on their website as being open Fri, Sat and Sunday from 11.00am – 11.00pm.
Pictured: The Lakeside Entrance (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
The current owners are believed to be NewEra Lakeside Limited with a Registered Office at Lygon House, 50 London Road, Bromley, Kent, BR1 3RA is registered in England & Wales. Company Number 12341396.
A charge in the sum of £62,462.70 was raised in February 2023 against the property following Newera Lakeside Limited borrowing the sum from Certain Bridge Limited. This payment was due to be repaid either from the sale of the property OR the 16/4/2023 – whichever was the earliest. The charge remains listed as Outstanding on Companies House website https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/companies-house .
Pictured: The Lakeside Property (PHOTO: Gedling Eye)
The beautiful property is described by Christie & Co. as stunningly presented throughout with previous planning for c.30 bed hotel and set in approx. 5.79 acres.
Three drug dealers have been jailed after police read dozens of encrypted messages between them and their suppliers.
Jerome O’Connor, Jahvan Morris and Abdul Aziz conspired to bring tens-of-thousands-of-pounds-worth of cocaine onto the streets of Nottinghamshire.
Officers from Nottinghamshire Police tracked the gang for several months before tailing them to a deal in Suffolk and catching them red-handed on the way home.
Morris had been instructed by gang-leader O’Connor to travel to Ipswich on 9 June 2020 to pick up a consignment of cocaine.
Travelling in Aziz’s taxi to avoid suspicion during Covid restrictions, they were tracked to and from the deal by police, who waited until they were back in Nottinghamshire before pulling them over on the A52 near Saxondale Island.
Inside, officers found a supermarket bag containing nearly a kilogram of cocaine and the pair were arrested.
O’Connor was detained several months later after going into hiding and denied knowing either of the other two men.
He also denied travelling in various cars linked to him by police – including a rental car paid for with his credit card and hired with his driving licence.
Officers had previously used automatic number plate recognition cameras and mobile phone data to tie O’Connor to several previous trips to the same location.
Other unusually brief trips were recorded to locations in Gloucestershire and Sheffield.
Subsequent financial enquiries identified O`Connor had also sought to launder tens of thousands of pounds of criminal cash through his own bank accounts.
O’Connor, aged 36, formerly of Oakley Court, Gedling, later pleaded guilty to possession with intent to supply class A drugs and money laundering offences.
O’Connor admitted to playing the leading role in the supply of five kilograms of cocaine and laundering more than £47,000 in cash.
Morris, aged 41, formerly of Elford Rise, St Ann’s, pleaded guilty to Conspiracy to supply Class A drugs and Supplying Cannabis.
Aziz, aged 68, of Tynedale Close, Aspley, played a lesser role as a courier and pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting both O’Connor and Morris.
Appearing at Leicester Crown Court on Thursday they were jailed for 14 years and three months; six years and a three years and nine months respectively.
Detective Sergeant Emma Pollard, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “These men conspired to bring very large amounts of illegal drugs into our communities, so we’re pleased they have been held to account.
“They were exposed by a long and complex police investigation involving dozens of officers and staff and I would like to thank each of them for their hard work and professionalism.
“Illegal drugs are a blight on our communities and bring misery to the lives of often vulnerable people, which is why we will continue to go after those who bring them to our streets.
“Although there was a very clear hierarchy at play in this case, with O’Connor at the top, every one of these men played a key role in a very significant drug dealing operation and will now spend a considerable amount of time in jail as a result.
“I hope, then, that this case serves as a warning to others involved in the sale of illegal drugs.
“You can be as careful as you like. You can even use encrypted messaging platforms.
“But that doesn’t mean we aren’t on to you and doesn’t mean we’re not watching your every move and planning when to strike.”
Detective Constable Jason Wood, leading officer in the case, said: “This was a challenging case due to use of the encrypted devices but working with the information supplied by the National Crime Agency we were able to secure the evidence which led to the three defendants
“This was a protracted investigation but the hard work carried out by all officers and CPS staff involved is what secured these convictions.”
During the course of the investigation financial investigators also identified more than £51,000-00 in bank accounts connected to O`Connor – money that was frozen using a restraint order.
When he was sentenced, O`Connor admitted the money belonged to him.
A confiscation timetable has now been set to ensure all these monies and any other criminal funds are confiscated.
An update has been provided over the future of The Lambley pub by owners Star Pubs and Bars – and it’s good news for drinkers, as plans to keep the pub trading are reconfirmed.
In January Gedling Eye contacted The Lambley owners Star Pubs and Bars who told us ‘they hadn’t been informed that the pub was closing’.
In February the chain provided Gedling Eye with an update, confirming that they wanted to get the pub trading again and a spokesperson for Star Pubs & Bars said:
“There is interest in taking on The Lambley from a number of parties because it is a great pub in a great location.”
Pictured: Inside The Lambley (PHOTO: Star Inns & Pubs)
Star Pubs and Bars provided Gedling Eye with the latest update this week saying:
“The Lambley is due to reopen in time to make the most of the Great British Summer. We continue to look for long term operators at the pub.”
The pub continues to be listed on the Star Pubs & Bars website which states that the Lambley has an estimated annual turnover of £565,982 with an annual rent of £34,450.
Pictured: Inside The Lambley (PHOTO: Star Inns & Pubs)
It is described as having a function room, 45+ internal covers with private accommodation.
Anyone thinking of taking over the pub will need a minimum of £10,000 un-borrowed funds to ensure a successful start-up and a deposit of 6 month’s rent will be required for operators trading under a Limited Company with no Guarantors.
Residents living in one of just a handful of Conservative-controlled wards across Gedling borough have shared their thoughts ahead of the May 4 local elections.
There are 41 seats available on the council, covering 19 wards across the borough.
In 2019, when the last election took place, Gedling Labour increased its majority by four seats to 29, eight clear of the threshold to take control of the council.
Meanwhile the Conservatives lost seven seats, bringing the group’s total down to eight.
The Liberal Democrats gained one, bringing the total number of seats on the council to two, and two independent councillors were elected.
Despite Labour’s prowess in the borough, the Trent Valley ward, which encompasses Stoke Bardolph and Burton Joyce, remained blue.
Mike Adams managed to secure 658 votes, or 42 per cent, while Sam Smith secured 595 votes, or a 38 per cent share.
The next closest candidate was Labour’s Margaret Strong, who had 494 votes.
One life-long Labour voter says she is now considering a vote for Mr Adams and Mr Smith due to what she describes as good work in her community.
“I will be voting because I always do, because it is important,” said Dawn Lee, a retired farmer who lives in Stoke Bardolph.
“In this locality the councillors are pretty active. I’m a life-long Labour voter, but I am split.
“For the first time it is a dilemma. They are very involved.
“Previously when we had Vernon [Coaker], he was a very good MP, whereas I cannot say the same for the current one.
“But the councillors, right from being elected, have been in the area a lot getting involved.
“To be honest it is generally a Conservative area, but there is a level of mistrust from top-down.
“The roads are shocking but Mike has been on top of that, he has his links to highways, but you only have to drive around to see we are not alone.”
Angie Robertson, who runs The Barber Shop and Bar in Station Road, Burton Joyce, says her business has been struggling due to soaring overheads.
“Covid has changed people’s habits,” she said.
“Bills, the cost of living, has had a huge impact on people. The young people do not come out in the village, everything has gone up.”
As such she says she does not have “much faith” in politicians at a national level.
But she praised some of the work done locally by councillors.
“They are very involved in the village,” she said.
“They are present, very approachable and personable.
“They are definitely pro-village and want to make it a better place. They have got another crossing put in and there are speed cameras going in.
“It cannot be easy.”
Asked if she believes the Conservatives may again be successful in the Trent Valley ward on May 4, despite what she said was a lack of faith nationally, she added: “I would have thought they would get back in, but you never know.
“You see on the village Facebook group people saying good things, but you do not know about people who do not say anything and how they are feeling.”
However, Rhea Lindley, whose family runs nine Lindleys Autocentres branches across Nottinghamshire, says she has always been disengaged with politics both locally and nationally.
“Politics is not really for me, my other half is well into politics though,” she said.
“I know I should. It is not that I do not want to be interested, I am just too busy.
“I’ve got two children under two.”
The election will be the first time voters must bring photographic ID to polling stations to cast their ballot.
The candidates standing for two seats in Trent Valley are as follows:
